By now, nearly everyone knows that Valencia Street's chic spot for inexpensive, quality dining is Luna Park, and as a result, the cozy, hip bistro is always packed. However, for anyone with a lunch hour or a leisurely daytime schedule, weekday lunch at Luna Park is the real deal, and you never have to wait in line for a table.

The terrific drink menu and the abnormally summery weather on a recent visit required that we order a couple of Sapphire gin and Fresca cocktails. Garnished with Luna Park's signature miniature clear plastic animals (giraffes, monkeys, donkeys, bulls, etc.), the drinks were indeed refreshing and pleasantly liquorific. A more sophisticated foodie might have ordered a clean white wine to go with the deliciously raw Hawaiian ahi tuna poke appetizer, but hey, it's lunch. Rules go out the window.

- Excerpt from Luna Park: Leisure and Lunch on the Valencia Corridor by Tracie Broom