Fodor's Expert Review La Casa del Agua

From the street-level bistro, a dramatic staircase leads up to a small cocktail bar and dining room overlooking 5th Avenue. A stone waterfall is the focal point of the latter, and an open layout provides nearly every table with a breeze from the water. Start with a savory-sweet fig salad or a portabella mushroom slow baked and served on country bread with a truffle spread and a cheese coulis, then follow up with favorite mains like tangy poblano chicken or duck carnitas served with flavorful (though not spicy) green salsa. If a cocktail sounds nice at the end of the day, the mojitos here are excellent.