» Empire Café

This Montrose cafe boasts a funky, yet friendly vibe, with good food and great desserts.

The magic words: half-price cake night. Every Monday, you can sample a slice of pineapple-carrot, French chocolate or Toll House Cookie Crunch cake, among others, for half the price. This hot spot is primarily a hip coffeehouse where students assemble to debate how many piercings are too many. The more buttoned-up crowd stays for the four different kinds of omelettes and fluffy frittatas served all day, as well as thin pizzas, paninis, fresh salads and pasta dishes.

Long lines are common along the counter, but they go fast.

Happy Hour is 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Monday - Friday.