The Butcher Block

Affordable elegance marks this chef-driven Italian bistro. Where else could you order fresh-sliced beef carpaccio from a server sporting a t-shirt and jeans? Try something special like house-made gnocchi, succulent grilled meats or a chocolate torte with sea salt and olive oil. Not only influenced by the Italian peninsula, Chef Darin Koch has also introduced adaptions of Middle Eastern and Asian cuisine. One of the partners, Filippo Caffari, is a master butcher, giving even more credibility to the name. Organic, grass-fed and sustainable meats are the specialty here, but they serve vegetarians well too.

The Butcher Block stays open until the wee hours to feed the hungry bartenders, servers and chefs that want a hot meal after hours. They'll feed anyone almost anytime after 4 p.m., so don't be shy about dropping by to try one or two of the 29 flavors of wings. They also cater box lunches for corporate and private groups.

Oh, and by the way, nothing on the menu is over $17 and 20 of the bottles on their wine list are under $20. The Butcher Block just wants you to eat good food without going broke.

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