WEST. Spacious and contemporary, this restaurant mixes updated diner fare with the clean-lined grace of modern decor. The primarily American menu has Southwestern influences, featuring pastas, noodle bowls, quesadillas, enchiladas, salads, and sandwiches. You'll also find dijon scallops, chipotle barbecued chicken, blackened angus meatloaf, Creole crab cakes, and chicken pot pie. Gourmet burgers prove satisfying as well, and an international wine list is available, along with beers and cocktails. Children's menu too.

DOWNTOWN. Housed in a circa-1858 building, this charming cafe conveys European sensibility in both cuisine and decor. A zinc bar adds a touch of Parisian interest to the interior, and the ambience is invariably welcoming. The menu walks the line between Continental and Italian fare, featuring such concoctions as ostrich tenderloin in a Madeira reduction with portobello mushrooms, and four different polenta preparations including a grilled version topped with fresh tomato sauce and mushrooms. Other menu highlights are equally diverse ­ a delicate penne with prosciutto and peas, signature crab cakes, and a tender buffalo rib-eye. Amazing brunch offerings satisfy everyone ­ try one of the eggs Benedict variations, like crab cakes Benedict or artichoke hearts Benedict.

EAST. Clean-lined Western style mixes with a warehouse setting in this warm, rustic restaurant. Glowing with light and patinated woods, Eldorado transports patrons to the Southwest of days gone by. Even the menu is infused with Mexican and Spanish influences. It features grilled lamb loin with lime cream sauce, blackened catfish, chicken-fried steak with pasilla chile gravy, and lobster, crab, and shrimp enchiladas. Fresh fish, fajitas, and chalupas also make appearances, and an extensive tequila menu keeps with the theme as well. Sunday brunch and outdoor dining, too.

DOWNTOWN. Set in what was originally a 19th century hotel, this incredibly popular brewpub attracts everyone from business folks to college kids. A pub-like ambience characterized by aged wood and stone sets the scene for this neighborhood gathering place, which is well-frequented by professionals during the lunch rush. Plenty of burgers and salads appear on the menu, along with fish-and-chips, brats-and-mashers, chicken pot pie, and a fragrant peanut stew. You'll also find steaks, pastas, and hearty appetizers. Just don't forget the house-brewed ales and lagers, made all the better by their freshness.

WEST. Sleek, retro styling defines this appealing diner, which makes the most of its chrome and glass-block details. Serving food all day, the eatery offers classic diner fare, updated for modern tastes. Cheeseburgers and pulled pork sandwiches satisfy purists, as do meatloaf plates and chicken pot pie. Trendy folks revel in the Madras vegetables bowl or a dish piled high with Thai chicken and noodles. You'll also find fish-and-chips, roasted vegetable quesadillas, a bayou catfish sandwich, and plenty of fresh salads. Plus, baked goods, sundaes, shakes, and an array of pies and cheesecakes elicit grins of pleasure from local sweet tooths.