Named after an Indonesian legend extolling the seeds of a plant that supposedly promotes divine conversation and physical satiation, this cafe has been a city mainstay for decades. Dedicated to local, organic ingredients and a global food sensibility, it puts folks at ease as it caters to their myriad tastes. At brunch, that means an assortment of traditional breakfast foods, including omelets and waffles, coupled with lunchtime offerings like salads and sandwiches. Also offers a juice bar and seasonal outdoor dining.
Located in Biltmore Village, Chelsea's is a quaint little dessert place tucked away in a gift shop. Here you can find a unique gift for a lady, French and European antiques, wonderful desserts, fancy foods and even a proper English tea.
This tiny, local success story is just the sort of place you want to frequent when the weather's chilly and spring seems far away. It turns out amazing Latin-Caribbean fare, lavishing freshness and flavor on its menu with abandon and attracting a strong, loyal clientele in the process. While the interior is subdued, the food absolutely sings. Lush soups, lively, savory fish burritos, exemplary margaritas, a wonderful pork plate, shrimp empanadas and fresh, zesty salsas are among the delicious options. The menu changes to feature seasonal ingredients, and the place even sells its own hot sauce.
When there's a line out the door, you know the place has got to be good. And such is the case here. Crowds assemble each day to order soups, salads, and sandwiches that are uniformly fresh and tasty. Be prepared to take your lunch back to desk (or the park), though — Loretta's has very little room inside to sit.
Rich colors adorn the dining room of this Middle Eastern restaurant, and a back room, known as "the tent," features low tables with pillow seating and exotic chandeliers. On Saturday nights, belly dancers entertain guests and a special menu is served in the tent Thursday-Saturday nights. Reasonable, tasty fare and inexpensive drinks add to the café's popularity.
At first glance, this restaurant/brew pub/movie theater never fails to attract attention. It boasts a metallic, oddly curved exterior and an enormous, purple gorilla, and first-time patrons often wonder just what to expect. Inside, the sparse, gently used decor is a perfect backdrop for the restaurant's extensive selection of locally crafted microbrews and its eclectic menu. Diners can choose from a variety of salads, quesadillas, sandwiches, pastas, and pizzas, each named after movie and television icons. The local favorite is Popeye's Spinach burger, a savory spinach patty with grilled onions, mushrooms, and cheese. There are also gourmet pizza selections as well as a create-your-own pizza option and a wide variety of crusts and sauces from which to choose. Two movies play nightly on the big screen, and selections change weekly.
Within an intimate downtown space, diners thrill to a delicious selection of Japanese dishes prepared with an unwavering eye toward freshness. Noodle bowls, salmon katsu, and beautifully prepared sushi are among the temptations, and the flavors are always spot-on. A certain creativity adds occasional flair to some options, but the chef's inventiveness is always to your benefit. Ideal for when you want the exotic bite of miso, garlic, soy, tobiko, and peppers.
Vegetarian eatery draws diners with delightfully intriguing fare and an inviting dining room and patio.
Gourmet pizza chain offers plentiful pies, calzones, salads and a popular beer selection. Don't miss Wednesday's \"mellow trivia\" night!
Cozy lighting and atmosphere make this enticing cafe a good bet when you want a meal with flavors beyond the status quo. The kitchen at the funky New American restaurant uses fresh, locally-grown, organic ingredients to create outstanding "urban world" dishes. What this means is a menu that sifts through global cuisines and then presents their best dishes. It includes a Middle Eastern platter, habanero pulled pork quesadillas, chimichangas, and lots of seasonal offerings. Colorful desserts are also worth sampling.