Aita — A Girl's Guide to Drinking Alone

132 Greene Ave at Waverly Ave, Clinton Hill

The Place: A charming, neighborhood Italian restaurant nestled on a corner of a tree-lined block in Clinton Hill.

The Time: Friday September 9, 6pm. I’ve known about Aita for quite a while (it’s been open for like, 10 years) but I never made it over when I lived nearby. I was in the neighb so I decided to stop in for a drink and a bite before heading home to watch the US Open Men’s Semifinals. (I am nothing if not consistent.)

The Vibe: Adorable, rustic, sweet. They’ve got a big outdoor area with a covered patio. The restaurant inside is small and cozy. The marble bar is a compact L-shape and it’s currently empty, so I pull up a wooden stool at the corner, my favorite spot at any bar. It definitely has neighborhood Brooklyn vibes, with exposed brick and cute framed illustrations on the walls. There are big windows that make the space feel more open. The music is fun and funky; you know, that kind of atmospheric bar music that you’re not supposed to notice too much. A man sits down at the other end of the bar. He’s dressed really snazzily in a suit with a pocket square and tells the bartender he’s waiting for someone. I bet 1000 dollars it’s a date. There seem to be a lot of people who work here, mostly women, but I guess that makes sense since it’s the first Friday after Labor Day and it’s gorgeous outside. I realize the clock above the bathroom is wrong, but it’s suspiciously close to the real time, giving a subtle “it’s 6’oclock somewhere!” energy I’m not sure they’re going for. I’m sitting next to a few potted plants and I notice that there are Playmobile people in one of them. Maybe I’m not drinking alone after all.

The Bartender: A personable woman with a cute haircut who compliments the smell of my hand sanitizer (it’s rose-scented). She is so friendly and genuine. I feel like she’ll take good care of me.

The Drank: It’s aperitivo hour! Every day at the bar from 5pm to 7pm, they offer various aperitivi on the rocks, as a highball or a spritz, “garnished with an orange slice and green olive, always.” This orange/olive garnish is supremely Italian and potentially polarizing, so I appreciate their commitment to this tradition. It’s quite a long list of aperitivo options, and I could try something new, but I choose one I know I like: Italicus, a bergamot liqueur. The bartender, whose name I sadly never find out, says Italicus is also her favorite. I go for a spritz, because I’m holding on to the last bits of summer. The drink comes with little bites (or “cichetti”): a few olives, tomato toast, a piece of fried polenta. Tbh, I don’t think a spritz and these few snacks should come to $16, but oh well. I also get the grilled peach salad, which is delightful. And after my first drink, I realize I’m hungrier than I thought so I also treat myself to pasta (mezzelune with ricotta, spinach and fava beans) and a baby ‘groni. This Negroni for $7 is the cutest, most perfect size to have as my second drink, and the pasta is delicious. This really is la dolce vita.

Was I Hit On?: No. There’s a guy who comes in who’s clearly a regular, and strikes up a conversation with the snazzy dresser. It seems so familiar and goes on for so long that I think maybe this is who Snazzy Dresser was waiting for all along. But then the gregarious regular talks to someone who works here for a while, then someone else at the bar, so I eventually stop trying to figure out the relationships here. I basically make out with my plate of pasta, and when the bartender asks how it is, she already knows my answer. “Comfort food. I can see it on your face.” :)

Should You Drink Here Alone?: Certo! Aita is a lovely place to enjoy a drink, dinner and your own company. I know it’s popular, so I’d recommend going on the earlier side, so you can secure your spot and your spritz.