The Mercury

Executive chef Chris Ward is at the helm of this eatery where a sleek and contemporary interior is in contrast to its location in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it strip mall. Ward has earned the restaurant around-town acclaim and proudly pushes his medium-rare Forty-Eight Hour Braised Short Rib. The environment of rich stained wood and abstract art adorning the walls also make this an ideal spot for an upscale business lunch, an intimate rendezvous with a paramour or a corporate event in one of the three private dining rooms. For those interested in Bush sightings, the former prez (W, that is) has been known to dine there. What’s more, the chef holds monthly cooking classes open to the public.