What Bridgeport lacks in quantity upscale dining it makes up for in quality. Leading the charge is Franco's Ristorante, owned by the same folks who run Franconello’s in Beverly and University Village. This corner trattoria has all the comforts of dining at home in a quaint, inviting, pretense-free atmosphere. The dining room is small–it only accommodates 14 tables–but the brightly painted walls and hardwood floors make the room seem larger than it really is. During al fresco season, Franco's lays out one of the better sidewalk dining areas we've ever seen. The clientele is a mix of neighborhood regulars during the week. On the weekends, couples and foodies flock from all over to sample Franco's wares; the place stays open later during baseball season to bring in post-game business from nearby U.S. Cellular Field.

Franco's specializes in pastas, antipasti, steaks and seafood. The gnocchi is some of the best in the city, served up with marinara and fresh basil. The house specialty is a thick, herb-crusted pork chop that could fell a horse. An inch-and-a-half thick, it dares the bravest eaters to finish it in one sitting.

Average cost: $10-$20

Centerstage Reviewer: Chuck Sudo