You're beginning to suspect your new romantic interest harbors vegan sympathies.

Just to be safe, you'll make a mental note never to take them here.

To Hock + Hoof, a carnivorous new eatery that lives up to the promise of its name, opening tonight in Downtown looking like this.

Here you have a small, bright space of white subway tile and metal stools on a concrete floor. Placed perfectly between your afternoon scouring the Last Bookstore for John Fante novels and your evening at the Regent with the Duplass Brothers.

You could show up for happy hour after a hard day. Order a round of Bloody Mais for you and a companion who is fond of ingredients like duck fat-washed soju, kimchi and ponzu. Then proceed to discuss the deeper meaning of the exposed brick peeking through that dramatic slash in the wall as you snack on Thai beef jerky and chicharrones with chimichurri.

But you'll probably need to come for dinner with an even more adventurous soul at some point. Someone who won't balk when the pork ragu wontons hit the table. Or panic when your tripe-tendon-and-fry-bread dish comes out. Or cry foul when you order the pig's head with agedashi tofu.

And ask them to hold the tofu.