Tranquility Base

Named after the lunar landing site of Apollo 11, Tranquility Base is a mid-range restaurant in the base of the Sky Loft tower, situated in a swath of downtown known more for office buildings than fine dining. Offering a decent selection of small plates ($6-19), the menu runs the gamut of continents and cuisines encompassing everything from chicken skewers and mini burgers to lobster bisque and tempura. Chef Robert Van Houten (formerly of the Friar's Club of Beverly Hills and Gardens On Glendon in Westwood) has ambition, but the devil is in the details and the cuisine suffers from a lack of depth.

The ambiance is casually sophisticated in the spacious dining room with high ceilings, silk drapes and a subtle, constantly shifting lighting scheme. The music is kept at a mercifully low volume, so if you can suffer loud, loutish yuppies, you can actually talk to your friends while sipping a dirty martini. The enclosed outdoor patio with its canopy couches looks perfect for warm weather. If you're made of heartier stuff, spend your winter months downing Dewars by one of the firepits.

The bar is fully stocked with a selection of liquors ranging from cheap to ridiculously expensive. Then there are the taps flowing with Deschutes Pale Ale and Deschutes' seasonal Black Butte Porter. Coming attractions include a 10-item Sunday brunch menu and a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar that will be launched (pending Mission Control's approval) in mid to late March.

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