orking its funky juju, Li’ly seems to have sucked all the corporate poisons out of the old Gattonero location and left only the good stuff: tasty quaff, huge comfortable booths, and a cool, welcoming vibe.

You must visit Li’ly, one of the city's fresh lounging and dining venues -- a self-proclaimed "boutique" bar, resto and lounge. A shiny College Street hot spot that reflects the people who dine and lounge in this part of town. Naturally, the Lily location has an easygoing mix of 20- or 30-somethings dressed expensively casual.

The crowd intermingles, trading handshakes and stories, and there's a natural respect for everyone. The location has a decidedly club-like feel. Patrons run a little younger, most are in their 20s, and the dress is a bit more upscale. Not many people in jeans and flannels here. Just like the neighborhood, the people inside the bar can be a little haughty. Not much co-mingling early in the evening, but it's a good bet that once the vodka starts flowing most people in the bar will drop the act.

Li’ly has a creative International Tapas menu and serves most food items until close. The main floor dining area fills early evening, and downstairs, the subterranean Über lounge gets going much later in the night as waiters and cooks come in after their places close. The lounge starts hopping after 10 p.m. The space may get cramped on weekends, but you won't experience the rude pushing or shoving found at other trendy night spots.

The bars on both levels are very well stocked with an assortment of top-shelf liquors and imported beers. The bar also features a variety of specialty drinks such as unique martinis, which are enhanced with superb infused vodkas from Cocktails Inc. Drink prices at Lily are relatively inexpensive as far as College Street is concerned. And heavy on the creative side -ever tried a Bowl of Beauty (vodka-laced Jell-O), a Pollyanna (Stoli’s raspberry vodka, strawberry juice & Prosecco), or a Midnight Passion (Beefeater gin & black Sambuca). The martinis are “Li'ly” themed, and named aptly.

As for the food, the menu is pure Tapas, but with a good selection of plates. Starters include several salads ranging from mediocre (Caesar, chili croutons) to the surprisingly good (Arugula, Pistachio, goat cheese, pear with Champagne vinaigrette). Then we have veggie spring rolls and the sublime Arugula goat cheese ravioli. Mains are a la carte, and dirt cheap: imagine having pistachio crusted Lamb chops for $12.00, or sea scallops for a whopping ten bucks.

Along with all that, swarms of beautiful supermodel-like staff hover about, catering to everyone’s superficial needs. Suddenly, there’s a new reason to go to College. B.J.

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