or once, the hype seems justified: Ronnie's Local 069, the city's latest temple of DIY, has easy entrance and palpable energy. Setting up shop in what used to be Pepper Restaurant, Ronnie's is taking a risk, trying to succeed in the exact location where others have failed. While the closure of Pepper may have to do less with lack of business, as much as their lack of business sense, it's immediately obvious from the packed patio of Ronnie's, that you wont be suffering from deja vu anytime soon.

The highly trafficked location seems the obvious choice for a new restaurant; however, so many new places find themselves missing where they had hoped to be a hit. The perfect formula for success may still be a mystery, but you certainly know it when you see it. Ronnie's Local 069 may have only been open for a few months, but it already reeks of it - success that is, not fish.

The furniture is all wooden, and so is the large sign that bares the name Ronnie's. You wouldn't notice it from the minimal patio, but Ronnie’s features an ambitious décor; clearly much work went into its planning. During the weekends, you can get yourself a brunch menu. Each dish comes with a drink recommendation from Ronnie himself. Our server admits her addiction for the Eggs Benny, “I eat four or five a day. I just keep telling myself that they aren't sandwiches.” Ronnie suggests a pint of lager with them.

If you feel you deserve better than a Benny, venture into french toast territory. The bread is sliced absurdly thick, and is stuffed with brie and fresh seasonal fruit. Served with banana, caramelized in maple syrup and amaretto, this dish is enough to scare off even the most viscous of hangovers.