With the dark-wood, low-lighting style of a speakeasy, Café Royale manages to be a friendly neighborhood bar/café as well as a classy place for a discreet rendezvous. The large main room downstairs is wrapped by a balustraded balcony, which is even darker and more romantic. If you're in the mood to lounge like a diva, the burgundy velvet crescent-shaped couch in the middle of the main room is the place to do it; there are even well-stocked magazine racks in the back to assist your languor. For the more energetic, there's an excellent pool table nestled by the picture window. The beer-and-wine-only selection is eclectic, with a half dozen beers on tap, and the bar makes up for what it lacks in spirits with unique soju cocktails. (Soju is a Korean liquor distilled from rice, barley and sweet potato.) The food is simple and delicious, featuring baguette sandwiches, quiche and homemade soup. On Friday and Saturday nights, in-house DJs play house and beats, and on occasional weeknights the Royale has been known to host trendy literary events.
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