Brasil makes a great hangout, if not such a strong ersatz office. Despite the draconian policies of the past, people are now welcome to work on their laptops here for a long while without harassment, but the Wi-Fi’s spotty—skip this place if your work relies on it. The coffee’s not so good, but if that’s not a concern, you’ll love being here. The numerous windows and exposed brick, as well as the industrial-chic exposed pipes and beams, lend an airiness to the place. You can sometimes watch movies on the brilliant outdoor patio amid an explosion of greenery.

Bread is made on site, but isn’t necessarily good. Burger buns are quite dry, and pizza crusts (cooked in a regular convection oven) are thinnish but too doughy. And while there are some exotic-sounding items on the menu, it’s best to go simple here. Vegetarian sandwiches are well constructed and full of natural and grilled flavor. Soups make a good effort, and salads are reliable and not overdressed. Whatever you do, avoid the Italian beef sausage—it’s rubbery and tastes like overcooked taco meat, with none of the expected fennel or caraway flavors of Italian sausage. Be cautious with the cheap-but-decent wines, which are improperly stored and may be stale by the glass; beer’s reliable, but best with a side of movie on that patio.