If on any given night you were to peek into Birds of a Feather, you might be quick to dismiss it as a place that caters to hipsters. But it doesn’t take more than a quick read through of the menu to know that this place has style and substance. Sure that table of yuppies next to you might be ordering what looks like glamorized Chinese American classics with a little extra chili on top, and sure the “dim sum” section throws you off a bit, but if you wanted you could also order pretty good versions of Sichuan classics like steamed whole fish with chili, cold mung bean noodles, curiously tasty chicken, tea smoked duck and spicy cumin lamb.

So to summarize: the vibes are curated Chinese minimalist aesthetic, the flavors are a slightly toned down greatest hits of Sichuan and Chinese American favorites. It’s the kind of place that you want to admit is overrated but secretly aren’t mad when someone suggests it. And if you’re lucky to have it as a neighborhood haunt, it’ll surely make frequent appearances in the take out circulation for the food without the scene.