Rittenhouse’s La Jefa opened with a lot of anticipation—after all, it’s the sibling of the beautiful (and much-beloved) Tequila’s. By day, this cafe stands out on its own thanks to its fantastic Mexican-inspired breakfast, baked goods, and yes, cocktails (the Green Apple Garibaldi being our favorite). The sit-down menu is full of hits: chilaquiles with pickled ayocote, an oat and fruit bowl punched up by turmeric milk, and a zesty zucchini sandwich topped with cilantro pesto and pepper relish. You’ll want to lounge for an hour or two in the airy, tile-filled dining room, but if you have to take your totomoxtle latte to go, be sure to grab a blackberry concha, too (the pastries here are knockouts).

Come nightfall, the lights go dim and the music borders on clubstaurant volume, especially in Jefa Milpa, the brooding secondary dining room in the back. It's a perfect place for a sexy date—dishes are ideal for sharing with just one other person. Skip the larger plates in the fuertes section of the menu altogether and opt for a snacky dinner of starters: the shrimp aguachile and ceviche blanco are punchy, the carnitas vampiro are served with a silky guacachile, and you'll fight over the last of the caesar slaw with the taco dorado.

Not to be outdone by the food are the cocktails, which are among some of the most interesting—and delicious—in the city. If you don't have time to come here for a full meal, make the effort to at least try the Raspado with fermented guava, the Calabaza with butter-washed paranubes añejo, or the creamy, masa-syrup topped Maiz. It's worth the 15-minute wait time, and then some. But then again, almost everything here is.