If the recently re-engineered Palace is supposed to be a not-too-fancy place where pretty much everyone feels comfortable and the big-time chef's food is approachable and pronounceable, then it is successful. If Señor Lucky's is trying to be all things to all people then it comes as close as might be expected. Suits seem perfectly at home closing a deal over Cactus Hearts (silver tequila, blue Curaçao, lime and prickly pear juice) and baby back ribs with red guava glaze. Tourists can be seen gathering on the tropical-themed back patio (a major improvement since The Palace days) and lingering over cocktails on sunny afternoons. At night, the long, narrow strip of tables under the Palace Avenue portal fills up with pretty things decked out for a night on the town; when it gets chilly, they move inside to the cowhide-covered chairs in the bar. The menu of pulled pork tacos, green chile mac 'n' cheese, organic chicken wings and grilled quail with Cowboy Chutney is affordable enough to make this an easy favorite for most of us.
142 W. Palace Ave., 982-9891.
Lunch and dinner daily. $$
