Bites Nearby: Conley's Pub & Grille

As a "pub and grille," Conley's, at 164 Belmont St. in Watertown (close to the Cambridge line), is a place to drop in with a friend for a grilled steak or chicken dish, salad and a beer or a glass of wine. The chairs are comfortable and the service is good. For St. Patrick's Day weekend, when the place is crowded and the daily soup special is Irish beef stew, chef and manager Jim O'Rourke boils the corned beef for six hours.

"It has to be as tender as possible," he says.  

What to eat: Favorites are the steaks tips, burgers, thin-crust pizzas and chicken dishes such as chicken parmesan calzone. There are also 10 kinds of drafts beers, including seasonals and a decent wine list.

The vibe: Casual, with a local flavor at lunchtime. It also has a sports-enthusiast vibe on any night with a big game and a wee bit of an Irish feel.

Cool factor no. 1: The high-definition flat screens are well-placed throughout the two rooms, making it easy to view a game yet they're also high enough not to be obtrusive.

Cool factor no. 2: A glass of water comes with a big slice of fresh lemon, without one having to ask for it.

Cool factor no. 3: A caveat: the Caesar salad dressing is rich and salty, so if you want a lighter-dressed salad, ask for the dressing on the side.