Alessa

High ceilings and a three-story mural set the mood for this hip skate and surf apparel shop. With clothing for men, women, girls and boys, the style that permeates is southern California cool for days spent at the beach or kicking around school and town. Nike and Converse shoes are sold here, as are sunglasses, jewelry, hats and backpacks. Hurley participates with Nike(RED)'s Lace Up to Save...

"You won't get better from anyone's Italian grandmother" at chef-owner Alessandro Pirozzi's mini-chain, where "perfect", well-priced pastas, plus thin-crust pizzas, draw frequent (and, to some, "noisy") crowds; also suiting diners are the "warm" staff and rustic space, and while churls quibble with "waits" and parking "issues", it's generally on diners' "return list."