Chef Bret Jennings's fashionable restaurant, Elaine's on Franklin opened its doors in November, 1999, on West Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, and strikes a confident note with an interesting interior marked by dark hues, exposed bricks, splendid skylights and huge fruit illustrated paintings. After sundown, what seemed like a trendy place in daylight turns into a warm and stylish setting, ideal for a quiet intimate dinner.

Back in the kitchen, the focus remains on excellent cooking using the freshest ingredients possible and you could start with appetizers such as tuna spring roll with purple Asian slaw or a cobb salad, a medley of smoked chicken, bacon, avocado, bleu cheese, tomato, corn, green and wax beans. For mains indulge yourself in an artistically presented crispy organic chicken breast or a hearty cornmeal crusted catfish. A warm chocolate cake and a whoopie pie tart give a perfect finish to the meal.