Fodor's Expert Review District Table and Bar

Farm-fresh foods with a Southern accent are served at this chef-owned restaurant with a theater kitchen, where comfort foods are taken to new levels. (Slow Food, a group that celebrates local foods and artisans, has given the restaurant a "Snail of Approval.") The vibe is both hipster and rustic melded into an open (and often noisy) space; the chefs provide entertainment, and the bar is lively. On an ever-changing menu (check the website for the current list), find homemade condiments and jams served with crab hush puppies, sweet-tea fried chicken, or blackened Gulf shrimp. Look for unusual meat dishes as well: a U.S. Prime teres major is a seldom-seen shoulder cut served here with asparagus, warm potato salad, and garlic butter—creative fare in a convivial setting. If listed, don't miss the Grand Marnier soufflé for dessert.