Carmelita

If the Lilith Fair had a theme restaurant, Carmelita would likely be it. For starters, the soundtrack is nonstop girl power--Rosie Thomas, the Sundays, Kate Tucker covering Springsteen's "I'm on Fire." The crowd is almost all Caucasian, and the food is strictly vegetarian (with select vegan options, naturally). On the specialty cocktail side of the ledger, Carmelita delivered a classic--and classically potent--Manhattan. But it was $9 after the happy hour discount (normally $11). The bourbon fizz, discounted to $7, is more where you want to arrive, price-wise. Comprised of Makers Mark, amaretto, tamarind-ginger lemonade, and ginger beer, it's a drink you don't see too often, and it's creatively and deliciously rendered here. As for the food, the mini pizzas--one features 'shrooms, seasonal greens, and nettle-spinach pesto--were plenty good, and the beet chips were salty as Ruffles. But the real star of the bar menu is the spaghetti squash bonbons.