Ring Side Cafe

Contributor

Citysearch

The Scene
Forget the spit and polish. Ringside Cafe leans toward a little grubby, just enough to please the big crowd of partyers lining the bar. No one will notice if you spill your drink here. There's usually a band wailing live blues in the back, with couples crammed together on a small dance floor.

The Food
You almost feel obligated to order beer in a place like this. But if you're not up for suds, start with a martini. Nice and stiff, it's loaded with stuffed olives bisected by swizzle sticks. If you're hungry, order the tomato bisque soup; it's homemade and delicate, with tiny bits of real tomato floating in its broth--delicious. Move onto a big, hefty burger, perfectly grilled and dripping with flavor, with a twice-baked potato on the side. Give dessert a pass.