Not quite ten years old, Atlas is already considered a Detroit classic. In an old apartment building that was once slated for demolition, Atlas fronts onto Woodward Avenue, Detroit's main artery. While its large picture windows don't always look over beautiful sights, Atlas' simple gourmet cuisine makes it a worthy destination. Atlas serves lunch, dinner and brunch from a well-edited, shorter menu that marries current food trends with local ethnic favorites. Lunch, for example, might be a nod to the city's large Lebanese community via the char-grilled lamb kofta served with minty feta, or sauted Michigan trout with fiddlehead ferns--a rare treat. Faculty from nearby Wayne State University fill the place, as do Detroit-area musicians and actors from the area's thriving theatrical scene. Its thrumming atmosphere, coupled with a nicely curated wine list, reasonably upscale prices and innovative cuisine make for an experience more Manhattan than Midwest--and that's OK. Best of all, its chameleon-like vibe makes it perfect for a special event or a quick drink, or anything in between. Everything works. Starters from $9; salads from $4; main courses from $20.