Lucky Brewgrille

After graduating from Kansas State University, Greg Fuciu decided to make his mark on the world by staying close to home and opening Lucky Brewgrille—a restaurant, coffee shop, and nightspot that coexist under a single roof. The flagship restaurant, whose dark hardwood booths and checkerboard floors evoke the warmth of an intimate pub, lists desserts first on its menu; an odd move, but a surprisingly thoughtful one that gives diners a sense of what to make room for. Of course, it’s still tempting to fill up on the burgers and skewers of hand-rubbed blackened chicken that beckon from the pages along with suggested beer and wine pairings.

The warm, pub-like atmosphere carries over to the coffee shop, where steam rises from mugs only to disappear amid plum walls and crimson velvet curtains. A wash of dim blue lights settles over velvet cubes and low tables in the downstairs Groove Lounge as late-night carousers spend the early-morning hours dancing or sword fighting with olive spears. On Friday night, the music moves upstairs to the outdoor patio, where feet tap and fingers snap to the sounds of live jazz.