Longtime downtown favorite serves artfully presented Italian and French dishes in a quiet, romantic setting.

The Scene
Since 1973, Emile's has been a popular destination for both elegant business dining and special occasions. Businessmen in three-piece suits sit at white linen-covered tables across from couples celebrating big wedding anniversaries. The service is professional, attentive and personal, with Chef Emile Mooser greeting each table on most nights.

The Food
The lengthy menu delivers innovative takes on many French and Italian favorites. Start with the meltingly soft potato gnocchi served with thin slices of wild mushrooms and baby spinach in a thick, rich truffle butter sauce. The flower-pot salad--crisp seasonal greens tossed with sweet candied walnuts and a zesty vinaigrette dressing--is elegantly presented in an edible phyllo wrap. The chicken cannelloni is the least expensive entree on the menu, but it's also one of the best. Two soft crepes are stuffed with a chunky mix of basil-seasoned ground chicken and dense ricotta cheese and baked in mild tomato and Mornay sauce.