Location: 511 S. 11th St.

What started as a breezy little neighborhood grocery with a wine bar in 1991 is much more than the "little drinking place" its French name suggests. A wider range of rustic French braises, roasts, stews and other daily-changing hot specials now complements its core: affordable wines, classic cheese plates and house-made bread and charcuterie.

Food service hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; noon to 9 p.m. Sundays. (Shop hours differ.)

Information: 344-8627.

Prices: $12 to $18 per person

Mom scoop: It's great for leisurely tete-a-tetes with a friend or a spouse, but not ideal for children: No highchairs. No kids menus. Close quarters. And hundreds of wine bottles within toddlers' reach.