Gigi

• Cuisine(s): American, Asian, Contemporary
  Hours: Mon-Fri 12pm-4pm, Mon-Thu 6pm-3am, Fri-Sat 6pm-5am
  Price: $$
• Payment Types: All Major Credit Cards
  Attire: Casual
  Features: Takeout, Wheelchair Accessible, Vegetarian Friendly
• Serving: Brunch, Dinner, Late Night, Lunch, Snack Food
  Reservations: Not Necessary
  Parking: Meters

Description

Everything about the place is smart, starting with the lofty, industrial, urban-chic décor that bespeaks big city, late night, youth, energy, and fun. Former Ritz-Carlton toque and Top Chef contestant Jeff McInnis oversees a smart menu with 20 food items on the front and 29 beverages on the back. Comestibles are categorized into noodle bowls and rice bowls (three of each); "raw" and "grill" items (five of each); and a quartet of "basics." Just about every dish delights: two fluffy, white, taco-shaped roasted-pork buns; shreds of braised short ribs compacted into a "meat loaf" with smoky plantain sauce; a BLT with brown-sugar-cured pork belly on griddled bao buns with a small jar of ginger-pickled cucumbers and cauliflower alongside; steak chow fun; pork ramen with organic egg; and so forth. Prices represent incredible value - dishes start at $3 and rise to only $16. Pabst Blue Ribbon is just $2, and Sapporo on draft costs just $3. Mini nondairy ice-cream cones go for a buck apiece, but try the homemade carrot cake or peach crumble - like all else at Gigi, delectable and a great deal.