Lola

There's not much they don't do at Lola: live music seven days a week, stellar cocktails, upscale small plates, brunch, crepes. Located just off Washington Avenue, Lola strives to be a joint for downtown denizens that's by the neighborhood, for the neighborhood - balancing loft-district energy with food and drink you actually want. The crêpes are a good bet: the Delilah, stuffed with shrimp, crab and crawfish étouffée, is especially tasty. The lineup also includes sandwiches (these, too, have female names, though not as sexy as the crêpes) and small plates such as polenta fries paired with ratatouille and pan-fried lamb chops with a panko coating. The cocktail list, many of its entries named for downtown buildings, features truly excellent martinis and even mocktails (cleverly named after infamous celebrity rehab facilities) for those on the wagon. You'll never be without live entertainment at Lola, whether it's a hip-hop spin in the Absinthe Bar or up front with the soulful stylings of Mo E or Javier Mendoza.