An eclectic menu and an diverse crowd characterize the charm of Duff's. The adventurous and traditional, both in terms of clientele and cuisine, coexist nicely here. An after-hours menu is available Friday and Saturday nights, and a fabulous brunch is offered on the weekend.

Enjoy coffeehouse culture at its finest while listening to rock music, playing a board game, or shooting pool in laid-back surroundings. The menu includes coffee, espresso, latte, cappuccino, chai tea and iced drinks, along with light soup, sandwiches, salad and desserts. Vegetarian, vegan and organic options are featured, and live folk music is performed on the weekends.

SOULARD. Completely relaxed, this laid-back cafe is known for its ample tiered courtyard. It's a great place for kicking back and digging in to the house specialty: the Cajun Combo ­ a crab cake with lobster sauce, blackened chicken, andouille sausage, corn fritters and jambalaya. With Cajun and Creole grub borrowed from a certain town just down the Mississippi, Norton's manages to be casual yet distinctive. During colder months, move inside to the comfy dining room warmed by a crackling fire.

SOUTH CITY. This ambitious eatery makes its home in a renovated Victorian wire factory, creating a hip, fresh vibe that perfectly complements flavor-heavy New American eats. Appetizers like fried calamari in roasted pine nut vinaigrette, and scallop and white fish ceviche prep your palate for entrees, which include grilled flank steak with pepper-bacon cream cheese, jerk chicken with andouille au gratin potatoes, and gnocchi steamed in tomato garlic broth, to name but a few. Look into the adjacent, well-stocked market and coffee shop while you wait.

DOWNTOWN. Sporting probably the best views in St. Louis, this revolving restaurant provides lofty views of the city while serving regionally-focused American fare. Try the Biloxi bouillabaisse with broccoli and red peppers for a new twist on an old favorite. Dishes from points northwest can also be had ­ salmon, ahi tuna, and jumbo shrimp are all flown in from the Pacific. A complete meal might put a dent in your wallet, but the view is such a showstopper you may not even notice.