Southport & Irving

The name cements this restaurant's identity in its location, and that's apropos, because this is a textbook neighborhood spot. The tavernish feel lends itself to weeknight meals of burgers (the one topped with pears and blue cheese exhibits a nice balance of flavor), serviceable bowls of mussels, pizza-like flatbreads and warm (probably microwaved) apple bread pudding. For neighborhood locals, it's as solid a standby as anybody could ask for. Tourists from other neighborhoods, however, may not feel it's worth the trip.