Bites Nearby: Cafe Muse

Cafe Muse, 418 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak, (248) 544-4749

Among the handful of upscale restaurants ambitious enough to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, this well-run spot is a place for those who appreciate hand-crafted contemporary American fare. Whether it's cinnamon raisin French toast or vanilla bean waffles early in the day, creative sandwiches at lunch or pan-seared scallops in the evening,  does it well.

Chef/proprietor Greg Reyner and his partner, David Smith, have put together an attractive setting of sponge-painted walls, decorative woodwork and glass under the original tin ceiling in the 65-seat room. At dinner time Wednesday through Saturday, the atmosphere becomes softer and more appealing because the lunchtime crowd is gone and the sound level is more conducive to romantic dining.   

There's an emphasis on fresh, and whenever possible, local ingredients at any time of day. 

Recommended dishes: Braised short ribs, grilled three-cheese sandwich, butterscotch pudding

Prices: Breakfast dishes $7.50-$10.50, salads and sandwiches $5.95-$11.75, dinner appetizers $6.50-$7, entrees $14-$30, desserts $2-$5

Hours: 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. daily; dinner 5-10 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. 

Credit cards: All major