ROFL Cafe (CLOSED)

Chef Govind Armstrong reincarnates his former Table 8 space into a casual dining concept that's meant to inspire and delight. If the name, Republic of Laughter or ROFL Cafe, doesn't give away the theme, then the words written along with walls (love, joy, laughter) or the books for sale (penned by Malcolm Gladwell, Steve Jobs, Tony Robbins) surely will. Skeptics can dig into Govind's beloved short rib grilled cheese and other comfort food dishes like the Drive-In Burger piled high with avocado, bacon and Cheddar cheese; and chewy pizzas with toppings like Hawaiian-style pancetta and pineapple; or Pollo Bianco with white wine–lemon butter. If you're still not convinced, perhaps you need Cinnamon Hugs (cinnamon bun) or a thick, Liege waffle sugar rush to go with that Intelligentsia coffee served at the front counter.