Taking its name from U.S. Congressman and Freedmen's Bureau official John Mercer Langston, Langston Bar & Grille maintains a connection to tradition with its country-style meals of shrimp and grits, black-eyed peas, and barbecue ribs. The eatery blends haute cuisine with home cooking, not only on its Southern-tinged menu—which features dishes such as wild-caught fish fried in cornmeal batter and Angus beef burgers—but also in a classy lounge atmosphere of art-decked walls, patio seating, and a full-service bar. Like a barbecue smoker full of chips from free-range hickory trees, the foods themselves infuse a touch of healthy, responsible eating to the rich and satisfying flavors of Southern cuisine, with organic veggies and sides such as baked cabbage, string beans, and collard greens. Guests can complement their home-style feasts with slices of sweet potato pie, glasses of wine and beer, or sweet-smelling imported cigars.