DOWNTOWN. This simple modern coffee house has a comfortable, casual ambience. There is upstairs and downstairs seating, and customers can enjoy an affordable cup of Joe while admiring the local artwork hanging from the walls. The 13th Street Coffee Company, which attracts a 20- to 30-something crowd, serves an array of drinks, from espressos to cappuccinos, and offers a variety of sandwiches and desserts as well. The shop also features occasional live music on Fridays.

OLD MARKET. Lunch at Austin's is fun, informal, and filling. The menu features Southwest Texas cuisine served in a barn-like setting. The walls are lined with western memorabilia and lots of neon, and the noisy crowds are part of the charm. Entrées include classics like chicken fried chicken (smothered in gravy), Panhandle fried catfish, Porterhouse steaks, and barbecue ribs. If you crave something lighter, ask for salad or soup. Because of its popularity, Austin's Steakhouse can be loud, but the meal is well worth it.

OLD MARKET. As the name implies, this local grille's decor features wood and brass accents and a long bar down the center. The Brass Grille is a bit upscale, but entrée prices are moderate. The menu features favorites like fresh oysters and Oysters Rockefeller. Additional items, which are typical American entrées highlighted with an Italian fare, include pork, steak, seafood, chicken, and pasta. Business casual attire. Reservations recommended.

OLD MARKET. This restaurant offers delicious, spicy Creole cooking in an authentic New Orleans French Quarter setting right in the middle of downtown Omaha. A meal at Butsy Le Doux's is tantalizing. With menu choices like Voodoo Stew, jambalaya, and Cajun burgers, be sure to order water because the cuisine is hot, Hot, HOT! The decor features exposed brick floors, high ceilings, and wood tables with Mardi Gras accents. A bonus is the live blues and jazz band that plays regularly.

WEST OMAHA. Sleek design lines, lots of black and white accents, and a minimalist approach enhance this upscale contemporary restaurant. The ambience is classy, and Café di Coppia offers two dining rooms for seating. Located in the Regency Court, one of the city's pricey shopping areas, menu prices are moderate to expensive. The cuisine is European influenced and even includes some Mediterranean and Asian entrées. The café attracts a high-end clientele, and the service is attentive. Business dress attire. Reservations recommended.