Stepping into this spot is a bit like retreating under the shade of its eponymous angiosperm: A welcoming, uncomplicated oasis, Sycamore makes the urban jungle feel far, far away. There’s plenty of greenery, too, but it’s all on the plate; the natural light, exposed brick, and wood-lined environs do not distract from a colorful cuisine that changes constantly to reflect what’s blooming outside.

From bar snack to beignet, dinner at this Newton gem is a seamless farm-to-table experience. Start with a citrusy, Falerno! cocktail; its sprinkle of chili salt and smoky mezcal mirrors the flavors of Sycamore’s most irresistible bar snack, Chorizo Croquettas, while its citrusy punch cuts through the fat of their perfectly-crisp outsides. Move on to whatever salad and pasta dishes are on the menu—a mix of crispy-fresh snap pea greens and buds topping marbled coppa slices in a silky dressing; a collection of Castelmagno-stuffed agnolotti dusted with pistachio and topped with tiny chive flowers.

While the botanicals set the stage, meat steals the show. The Board, consisting of one animal in four renditions, is an essential splurge for convivial groups and carnivorous couples. On a recent evening, lamb was roasted, braised, confit, and baked, offering a cruise around the Mediterranean with its panisse, tomato jam, thick confit, merguez, and couscous.

Of course, Sycamore doesn’t just feel far from the city—for many Bostonians, a trip here necessitates exploring unfamiliar reaches of the Green Line. For chefs David Punch and Lydia Reichert, previously of Ten Tables and Craigie on Main, that was kind of the point: The Newton Centre locale was a departure from the rat race of their former Cambridge environs, a rare corner of the city where a European-influenced seasonal menu with small plates was hard to find. And they’ve absolutely nailed it. So much that, despite being “Newton Centre’s neighborhood bistro,” Sycamore has us flocking from the city by the trolley-full.