In this city there are the flashy double-digit cocktail spots and then there are the hidden neighborhood gems. Today we explore the latter, if only because we feel it's a secret worth sharing.

Allow us to introduce Moriano Restaurant, your new neighborhood gallery-cafe in midtown.

Walking into the humbly designed spot reminds you of that quaint neighborhood cafe you used to frequent in Buenos Aires. Friendly servers, orange leather chairs and a mosaic-tiled bar showcasing fresh cakes and pastries emanate a relaxed Latin vibe. The flat screen behind the bar is always tuned to CNN Español or a soccer game, and the beers on tap usually include a few South American brews.

Bring your date here for a casual dinner after the monthly gallery walk and you'll end up perusing more art in the process—all the walls serve as rotating exhibit space, showcasing the owner's work and that of local artists. Which means it's the perfect place to tuck into flaky spinach and cheese empanadas, chewy-crusted Argentinean pizzas and breaded steak milanesa as you discuss the pros and cons of photorealism.

Or the pros and cons of another pint.