 The Federal Bar Restaurant Review: This stylish gastropub is one of NoHo’s most appealing spots, nestled in the Arts District in an historic 1926 former Federal Bank building. The unpretentious crowd is an organic mix of hip neighborhood locals and relaxed industry types, sans Hollywood attitude. Rocking fans join later for the upstairs live music scene (the bar is part of the Knitting Factory group). Décor evokes the Prohibition era, with a stamped-copper ceiling and Deco-style fixtures, and the inviting wood bar wraps around the restaurant’s two ambient dining rooms. Small plates include tender barbecued pork belly skewers, plump mussels in a michelada broth, and meaty fennel-infused hot wings. For mains, consider a savory IPA-braised short rib on a bed of garlic mashed potatoes. S'mores bread pudding nicely ends a meal. The bar features two-dozen American craft beers on tap, ranging from California’s Napa Smith to upstate New York's Ommegang; the wine list follows a similar bent with boutique California wines. In keeping with the history of the place, there’s also a well-crafted cocktail list.
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