Restaurants in Lawrence

Cielito Lindo Mexican Restaurant's chefs specialize in producing the bold flavors of our national next-door neighbors. A complimentary basket of chips 'n' salsa greets diners, and entrees include the camarones al mojo de ajo, in which grilled shrimp join forces with a healthy portion of rice and beans. Margaritas complement dinners or serve as a tongue-loosening agent for lectures on the history of shredded lettuce. The restaurant’s outdoor dining area offers open-air eating and allows pets, and it regularly hosts special events and live mariachi music, saving diners the trouble of bringing their shoulder-mounted boom boxes.

Conrad’s Restaurant & Alehouse has a split personality. The golden lighting and warm tones of its restaurant, where families and couples chat intimately, belie the presence of its adjoining alehouse, which harbors a 400-square-foot golf simulator. Roomy enough for eight players, the virtual-golf enclosure uses E6 live-motion software to whisk golfers to cyber versions of iconic links such as St. Andrews and Pebble Beach, where celebrity golfers have been known to roam the greens in stretch golf carts. Elsewhere in the the lively bar area, revelrous patrons sip frothy American craft beers and icy cocktails in the glow of HDTVs as the sounds of live music and pool balls ricochet off vibrantly lit walls.

Back in the dining room, dishes prepared to patrons’ specifications by executive chef Charles M. Perkins and his staff populate tables set with understated elegance. Preparing each of the items on their eclectic menu from scratch, the talented team plates meals rich with flavor fusions culled from French, Italian, and contemporary American cuisines. Their burgers and hand-cut steaks, such as the au poivre filet with cognac cream sauce, promise tender bites with warm centers and savory seasonings. And their seafood preparations, such as the seared mahi mahi or the walnut-encrusted trout, arrive at tables fresh from their natural habitats of sprawling oceanic sandcastles.

If it's not in season, Cafe Chilingo won't serve it. The chefs are so devoted to fresh, perfectly ripe produce, that they create a new menu every week. In winter, that might include an arugula salad with pear and goat cheese, whereas spring might bring about pineapple-adorned caribbean chicken kebabs on a bed of greens. The regularly changing selection may mean diners need to stay on their toes, but it also ensures they'll get the most flavorful meal possible. Even the beverages observe the seasons—hot cocoa is available during colder weather, while sunny days and volcano eruptions bring fresh-squeezed lemonade. The café does feature a few enduring dishes, including classic and creative sandwiches such as the corned-beef reuben and the fried-alligator poboy, and always offers gluten-free and vegetarian options for those with dietary restrictions.