You have to hand it to the French: They know what they are doing when it comes to cafe culture. Local bistros operate not only as eateries, but also as hubs for daily life. Coffee and a croissant bleeds into a glass of rosé and quiche, which flows nicely into more wine, dinner and a bite or two of cheese. Friends and colleagues alike gather to catch up, chat, and see and be seen. What’s not to love? Missing this local tradition, restaurateur Emmanuel Dossetti, a Marseille native, started his charming French bistro, Zinqué, in Venice Beach in 2012, bringing this custom closer to his new home in California. And luckily for us, he has just opened his first San Diego location, in Little Italy. With its covered outdoor dining area, rustic-chic decor and perfectly executed French dishes, it is exactly where you want to meet an old friend for a bottle of rosé and a tartine any day of the week. 2101 Kettner Blvd., Little Italy, lezinque.com