Sometimes pounding a beer with the jukebox blaring is just the thing, and sometimes a little quiet reflection with some sophisticated ambience is what's needed. Stop by Remy's, 225 E. Monroe St. It's just the place for jazz, class and cocktails. It's the kind of place where Marilyn Monroe could hang with her favorite gent. Drop by, soak up the atmosphere and have proprietor Matt Schwartz whip up a Marilyn Monroe martini. It's a little sweet, a little colorful, a little dry and very sophisticated.

Wouldn't a frozen margarita be tasty right now? OK, so it's cold outside, but a frozen mango or pineapple margarita would sunny things right up - like a nice, bright tropical burst. Escape the dreary winter blues by remembering it's sunny somewhere, and a frozen margarita would go a long way to help that feeling. Drop by Café Brio at 524 E. Monroe St. and sample one of their premier frozen margaritas. They serve 13 kinds of margaritas and highlight a different frozen one each day. Think sun, island time and tropical breezes and grab yourself a bar stool. Here's how to make one and, because you can't drink just one and you should spread the sunshine, this recipe makes a pitcher.

 If drinking makes you drowsy, why not mix some coffee into your drink? Admittedly, coffee in a martini sounds like it might taste nasty. However, the only nasty about Paul Pearman's Chocolate Carmel Expresso Martini is the headache that might result from drinking too many. Who can resist a drink with enough panache to stand up to drizzled chocolate sauce? Head on over to the Corner Pub, 3217 W. Iles Ave. and try one.

Artists through the ages have established their reputations in clay, paint, glass - all sorts of mediums. Paige Meyers and Melanie Dineen are making their reputation in frosting and tasty cake.

That big dinner party is coming up, but a caterer has been hired, so no worries.

The house is clean, family members have been sternly admonished to keep it that way and then catastrophe strikes - the caterer has been called out of town.

If protein is the canvas, then spices are the paint. Chefs can take diners all over the world depending on how they paint the meal.

When Jeremy Martin and Cin Cheung opened Osaka Japanese Restaurant in November 2009, they sought to create an entertaining, fine-dining experience in an area they felt would be open to it.

For more than a quarter of a century, the Chesapeake Seafood House has been the premier seafood restaurant in the Springfield area.

You don't have to go to Chicago or St. Louis to enjoy a fine meal, fresh air and entertainment.

Numerous downtown Springfield restaurants have outdoor tables.