District Riverton Bistro, Riverton

Exposed brick and rustic wood planks cover alternate walls at District Riverton Bistro, where an open patio begs diners to eat al fresco amid fairy lights, kitschy accents, and more rustic wood touches. But make no mistake—despite these eye-catching environs, District Riverton Bistro is all about good food. Culinary duo Ken Merriman and Dan Maher draw inspiration from Irish, American, and French cuisines, producing a menu that straddles the line between traditional and contemporary. Popular items include a wood-fired pizza dressed in arugula, prosciutto, figs, and balsamic drizzle, as well as cider-glazed salmon with cranberry-brussel sprouts. In addition to dinner, guests can stop in for lunch and brunch, the latter of which features eye-openers such as brioche french toast and chicken and waffles. Or, they can drop by on a weekend evening to indulge in a fixed price, family-style Sunday dinner complete with fresh-baked cookies and a new baby cousin.