I partook of the cheap thrills the city had to offer, including dining at several quirky and charming eateries. Some 15 years later, Basil's is still a noteworthy dining destination and Esther's Follies is still packing them in at the pool on Sixth Street. Glowing wooden floors, lace curtains, and flickering votive candles add to the coziness of the place. You spontaneously slow down and breathe easier when you enter. This is not a hipster hot spot that is peopled with folks checking the door to see if someone more interesting than their current partner has entered.
People come here to concentrate on each other without distraction.
To help in that endeavor, the service is smooth and professional. Despite the sudden influx of diners filling our servers' section to capacity, she never seemed harried or rushed. We were always made to feel that our particular party's satisfaction was paramount to her. Upon being seated, we were treated to a basket of warm, crusty bread slices paired with a crock of bold garlic butter. The hostess informed us that plain butter was available if we found the garlic too intense, but in our book there is hardly any such thing.