Malabar

Malabar owners Bill Keliher and John Cook have teamed up with executive chef Jose Luis Garcia to add a contemporary flair to time-honored American staples. The menu, which amalgamates influence from Asian, Latin American, and Italian traditions, and spares no expense in terms of ingredients. In order to make his culinary fusions work, chef Garcia relies on USDA Choice beef, hand-cut veggies, and made-from-scratch marinades and sauces.

Large plate-glass windows and modern hanging lights cast a buttery glow across Malabar's elegant dining room, illuminating plates filled with Louisiana-style wings, hickory-smoked pork, and rib-eye steaks cured over a wood fire. While perusing the restaurant's separate gluten-free and vegetarian menus, diners can quiz the bartender about the wine and beer selection or ask him to pour tall shots of homemade sesame-soy glaze and orange-chipotle sauce.