Bread & Cup

These are the places you love to stumble upon: unpretentious spots with tasty, local food that's well-presented, and wait staff who know how to take care of you. Tucked into the Haymarket's northern end, Bread & Cup is the brainchild of chef Kevin Shinn. The restaurant is open and white, with a long, curving counter where you order lunch. If you're there for dinner, you order from your table. A roomy patio is available for al fresco dining, weather permitting. The menu features items like grilled chicken with zucchini noodles; curried apple tuna salad with lettuce and sprouts; and hummus, roasted squash, carrots, onions and sprouts ($6.50 each). Don't bypass the on-site bakery, which produces such tempting dishes as banana rum bread pudding ($6). And be prepared to be pampered by the waiters, who make sure the coffee is piping hot and even ask if you prefer it in a French press. If you become a devotee after your meal, Shinn writes a compelling blog on the role of a chef, and food, in our culture, plus offers cooking classes.