If you enjoy innovative, elegant fare, then a dinner at Artisan might be just what you're looking for. This Lafayette restaurant serves a French-inspired New American menu that's long on both inspiration and pizazz.

When you arrive, you'll be seated at your table in the main dining room (near the fireplace if you request it!), and as you consider the menu, you'll find it filled with creative dishes. For example, you might start with a whimsical appetizer of truffled popcorn, or you might go for something more upscale, like the goat cheese croquettes or a plate of pickled, seasonal vegetables to whet your appetite. Main courses range from wine-steamed mussels to braised oxtail with potatoes and a poached egg, so you can see that there's something for everyone here. Yelpers say the restaurant’s atmosphere is cozy and intimate without being over the top, which also makes this place popular for casual dates and leisurely dinners.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr loustejskal