NORTH DOWNTOWN. At this booming Asian kitchen, chefs concoct fabulous Thai dishes, from beef basil to curry duck, in front of the hungry diners who crowd the bar area. A city favorite, this eatery is so popular that at dinner time, the lines spill over into the sidewalks. Knowledgeable, attentive service.

MOUNT PLEASANT. Start your day off right with a heaping plate of bacon, eggs and grits at this Mount Pleasant hole-in-the-wall. Prices are hard to beat, and the kitchen's generously sized portions of homestyle eats ensure you won't leave hungry. If you come in the afternoon, dig into the hearty meatloaf or fantastic blue cheese and eggplant sandwich.

MOUNT PLEASANT. Hungry families and happy couples fill tables at this popular Mount Pleasant pasta joint, where locals return frequently, raving about the amazing lasagna and the mussels with thyme and butter. The warm personality of chef-owner Jacques Bouguyon, along with a cozy atmosphere and tempting aromas from the kitchen, make everyone feel at home. It may be off the beaten track, but Capriccio's is certainly worth the trip.

MARKET. Set in a charming little historic house, Cru Cafe is usually packed with locals who enjoy the stylishly casual ambience and chef-owner (and Cordon Bleu graduate) John Zucker's amazingly inventive fare. Lunch options hit the mark ­ try the heaping Chinese chicken salad, a massive black angus burger, or the unique BLT piled high with shrimp. At dinner, small plates of walnut-stuffed baked brie or fried oysters are ideal precursors to sizzling steaks, seared duck or Thai seafood risotto. A couple of blocks off the beaten path, at the corner of Pinckney and Anson, it's less touristy than most places you'll find around the Market.

NORTH DOWNTOWN. A lovely balcony flanks the side of this restaurant, housed in a historic King Street home, where diners congregate to enjoy exquisite seafood dishes. Representative mains include roasted freshwater bass with sautéed bok choy, pan-seared red snapper with crispy rice noodles, and pan-seared Maine scallops. The whimsical dessert menu will take you back to your childhood with treats like warm apple pancakes witth vanilla ice cream and hot chocolate sauce or fried banana cheesecake spring rolls with plum chocolate sauce. Come on Wednesday night for the half price wines ­ one of the best steals in town!