Renzo: Natural drinking, nooch eating.

One vegan pizza to rule them all.

Full disclosure: I've loved Renzo since before I was vegan. I've loved it since it opened 2 years ago, when I was living just down the street. A sleek mid-century interior, bomb natural wine list, and the Cheers-like vibe of a neighborhood bar with a staff that acts like you just showed up to the house party bearing a fresh case of beer every time you step into the joint? I fell hard for Renzo and I haven't really let up, although I don't visit as much since I no longer live in walking distance.

Come for the #veganpizza

There's only one bummer to Renzo, and that bummer is that the vegan options are very limited. One pizza, one app, a few sorbets. Maybe some Sunday bagels? But here's the thing: That one vegan pizza is fantastic.

It's called the Suarez, and it is something special. A tomato-garlic base, kale, nooch. Sounds simple, but so good. The wine list is all-natural (and they'll happily explain natural wines to you, if you're as ignorant as I was), and genuinely exciting. They are passionate about wine in a playful way that lacks all the snobbishness I think people might expect when they hear "natural wine", and they're happy to describe their picks to you in terms both understandable and enlightening.

Stay for the #vibes

Like all great restaurants, and like the Suarez itself, Renzo is more than just the sum of its parts. Between hyper-cool decor, chummy staff, and fab wines, there's an alchemy occurring that makes this spot a the perfect place for when you want to feel a little like a fancy foodie influencer but without stiffness or artifice. Renzo manages to be super pretty but also genuine, warm, and relaxed.

I know, I'm fangirling a bit. Maybe fangirling a LOT for a vegan blogger writing about a restaurant with only a handful of vegan offerings. But those offerings are high-quality, and sitting in Renzo with a glass of wine in hand and a Suarez on the way makes me feel happy. At the end of the day, isn't feeling happy what we're always looking for in a great dining experience, whether we're vegan or not?

When to visit: Date night, or a *slightly* dressy girl's night out, though jeans and sneaks are perfectly appropriate too.