Aptly enough, stunning artwork alone does not create a hot spot. Don't worry, this level of quality has extended to all aspects of Azure: the kitchen has been taken over by Executive Chef Laurent Kehr and Chef Masayuki Tamaru (Crush), while all 800 labels of wine are carefully controlled by sommelier Kit Gingrich. "It's a lifetime pursuit," Gingrich says on her life as a sommelier. I'm constantly studying, and it's extremely thrilling. My first career choice was to be a pilot, but I just didn't feel it had that particular zing."

Recent visits have found the bar pulsing with a hip mix of out-of-towners and locals alike, a democratic collection of expense account types. All of which equates to more of an after-dark scene that Front Street has seen in years. - D.E.