"Tucked into a charmingly disheveled old building at the western entrance to the Oregon District, Lily’s Bistro is run by Emily Mendenhall. Whether sitting indoors in one of several cozy dining rooms or outdoors on one of two patios hemmed by plants, start brunch with powdered beignets and strawberry jam as a precursor to a lox bagel, or try the excellent poke bowls or fried chicken for dinner. The decor is loosely tropical, and the bar pours tiki-inspired cocktails, mocktails, and $3 Narragansett pints. Mendenhall’s brother, Nate, runs a divey sister establishment, Blind Bob’s, across the street, where you’ll find the city’s best late-night drunk snack: hula hoops, aka battered and fried pineapple rings dipped in cinnamon-coconut sauce." - David Nilsen