Small plates that are actually worth the price (like Terzo, and get-across-town establishments like CAV, COCO500)

Restaurants offering half or full portions (Myth started this, Cortez just added full-sized entrées to their small plates menu)

More establishments offering dining past 10 p.m. (Brick, Terzo, and across town at NOPA and The Alembic)

Fulfilling entrées that clock in around $20 or less (Scott Howard, farmerbrown, and across town at The Front Porch, and NOPA)Restaurants with unique bread offerings (The Front Porch offers cornbread, and the breadbasket at Scott Howard has a scrumptious array)

A complimentary amuse bouche or palate cleanser, even at nonhaute establishments (lotus root tea and a candied lotus seed at Bong Su, rotating amuses at NOPA)

Salt keeps coming out of the kitchen and onto the table (salt and pepper menu at the Ritz-Carlton, the trio of salts offered at PlumpJack Cafe)