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Jacob’s Pickles

Pickles, pick-ups, and artisanal beers: Those are the holy trinity at this buzzy tavern. It’s become THE place for the neighborhood’s singles to scope one another out, and they do so over better than the norm comfort food in town. We’re talking fried chicken atop huge and satisfyingly flaky biscuits; creamy grits with head-on shrimp; and, yes, jars of artisanal pickled foods of all sorts (the beets, the dilly beans, and the eggs are particularly delish). As for the beer, some 20 taps gush out unusual brews from around the Northeast, with a particular emphasis on sour beers. One warning: The noise level, however, is epic, so don’t choose Jacob’s if you’re hoping for a quiet tête-à-tête.