Black Lotus Brewing Company

The cool ambience, eclectic crowd to the airy high-ceilinged space, with wooden tables and couches scattered about, dominated by a horseshoe-shaped fieldstone bar. The open “kitchen” at one end of the bar is so tiny that it precludes elaborate culinary preparations. The generously proportioned starters that average around $5 include crunchy and succulent hot or honey barbecued chicken wings, and nine sandwiches ($4.99-$7.49) are constructed with organic bread from Avalon, range from veggie or grilled chicken paninis to several Reubens and a vegetarian “tofurkey lurkey” with tofu, swiss cheese, tomato and honey mustard. The highlight of the simple menu is the array of juicy beef, turkey, buffalo and vegetarian burgers ($4.49). As for liquid refreshment, many beers go for $4.50 a pint. Monday through Thursday during the 4-6 p.m. happy hour, they are marked down to $2.50.