From the guinea pig perspective, surrendering your taste buds to the all-student run staff at this culinary school's mock-bistro is no different than a freebie haircut at a beauty college or discount dental work from a budding tooth doc – at least for those who equate a flavorless bisque to a botched filling.

Blind yourself to the students traversing through the lobby to class, though, and Chataigne (French for chestnut) is much more a place of $15 (lunch; $25 for diinner), four-course, BYOB secret awesomeness, where corking fees need not apply, and the wait staff is so charmingly removed from the weight of the service industry, their smiles are actually genuine.

Perfect for dates, foodies on a budget and everyone in between, constantly rotating French-inspired delicacies like duck confit and mushroom ragout atop brioche toast and roasted plum crostatas come cruising out of its kitchen just as punctual and dressed up as downtown white tablecloths, while tips are funneled into the school's scholarship fund.

Average cost: $10-$20

Centerstage Reviewer: Gavin Paul