October is the third annual Dining Month on OnMilwaukee.com. All month, we're stuffed with restaurant reviews, delicious features, chef profiles, unique articles on everything food, as well as the winners of our "Best of Dining 2009."

LuLu
2265 S. Howell Ave., (414) 294-5858
lulubayview.com

Whether it's the quiet café side or the hopping bar side, LuLu dishes up great comfort food, apps and homemade dessert. Good food on this Bay View corner is now commonplace, but LuLu was doing it before its neighbors.

Menu: American, comfort food with international dishes sprinkled in.

Price: Inexpensive to moderate.

When to go: Weekends are always busy, but you can always find a seat on the retro café side. Occasional live music on the bar side guarantees a lively crowd.

Dress: Casual is fine. Get too dressed up and you'll look out of place.

Don't miss: Where to start? For appetizers, try the hummus and olive tapenade. The East Indian chicken pita is an excellent entrée, and just try to choose between the amazing Asian slaw or homemade potato chips. Insider tip: do half and half.

Parking: Depending on when you go, street parking is either ample or hard to find. LuLu has a small lot, but it's usually full. Worst-case scenario, you'll walk two blocks.