Executive chef Jonathan Waxman and restaurateur Howard Greenstone have teamed up to launch Waxman’s, a modern Italian dining experience. Located in mainly a tourist area, the restaurant brings fresh local ingredients to the table to share with the city’s visitors.

The fresh and modern design of the restaurant is inviting for those looking for a quick lunch, business lunch or settling in for a nice dinner. The menu begins, like most great Italian establishments, recommending a range of starters to share. These include baked oysters with brown butter and fennel ($17) and the pork meatballs with goat cheese, marinara and pesto sauces, ($15). There is also a range of cheese and charcuterie available. The charcuterie includes salami, prosciutto, sopressata served with marinated green olives and focaccia ($21). The selection of cheese varies as to what’s available and is served with local honeycomb, almonds and breadsticks ($17).

Salads available here are highly recommended as they take a spin on classic side dishes. There is a kale and pecorino ($13) and a summer salad of beans, tomatoes, watermelon and goat feta.

For something more substantial, there are fresh homemade pasta dishes incorporating local meats, vegetables and herbs as well as larger plates of family-style meals such as grilled leg of lamb ($28) and grilled Alaskan halibut ($340).

Don’t miss: Simple and fresh pasta dishes.