A colorful explosion of Caribbean flavors with California flair tossed in for good measure.

The Scene
The place to be is the boisterous courtyard, where local Palo Alto businessmen loosen their ties, kick up their heels and order pitchers of margaritas and rum-laced Caribbean cocktails.

The Food
This is true Southern cooking, from the alligator sausage dumplings to the warm jalapeno cornbread and chipotle butter. Your best bet is to throw caution to the wind and head directly for the spice. Try the salmon ya ca mein spring rolls with wasabi-mustard dipping sauce (guaranteed to clear your nasal passages) as well as the spicy Hoo-Doo Voodoo chili. Skip the wine list in favor of one of the excellent cocktail specials. The hurricanes and margaritas are particularly good.