West Gray Cafe   

Midnight munchies and other unfortunately timed gastronomic urges are easily remedied at West Gray Cafe, Gray Street's 24-hour diner. Although the menu casts a rather wide net in hopes of catching everyone's cravings, waiters each have their particular favorites and aren't shy about recommending them. Calamari is a staff favorite, and the restaurant's charcoal grill turns out a dandy of a peppercorn steak. Other selections of particular scrumptiousness (and, as befits a 24-hour cafe, undeniable randomness) include chicken and dumplings, chocolate cake, blueberry pancakes, endless variations on the egg and big, homemade Bloody Mary's. Taking advantage of such a multifaceted menu is an endlessly eclectic clientele consisting of assorted night owls and just plain hungry folk. Prices are more than reasonable, the decor is as homey as a 5-year-old pair of sneakers and showing up at around one in the morning on a Saturday night all but guarantees a memorable experience. -- Barrett Brown