Jennifer McInnis Cool Café's downtown location, which overlooks the River Walk, isn't easy to find, but the hunt proves to be well worth it.

Downtowners should rejoice that the owners of Cool Café, which opened in 2005 at Vance Jackson and De Zavala roads, have opened a second location in the Havana Riverwalk Inn on Navarro Street. Now the restaurant serves up its blend of French, Italian and Middle Eastern flavors overlooking the River Walk. With its intimate atmosphere, extensive menu and low prices (most entrees cost less than $10), Cool Café is a must-try.

WHAT: Cool Café

WHERE: 123 Auditorium Circle, (210) 224-2665; 12651 Vance Jackson, (210) 877-5001

HOURS: Downtown location: 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 9 a.m.-noon Sunday; Vance Jackson location, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 10 a.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday

TASTE SENSATION: Cool Café offers sandwiches, pasta and traditional breakfast items, but the real standout here are the crêpes, which would pass muster at any Parisian sidewalk café. The Alaskan crêpe, made with smoked salmon, capers, dill Havarti cheese and spinach, is tangy and satisfying; the Tuscany, made with artichoke hearts, portabella mushrooms, roasted garlic and sun-dried tomato cream sauce, is a vegetarian's dream. There are plenty of other vegetarian options, including the North Beach sandwich (eggplant, peppers and provolone), the falafel sandwich and several pasta dishes. The menu also offers Mediterranean and Middle Eastern standards such as gyros, hummus, tabouli and kebabs, as well as delicious dessert crêpes and fruit smoothies.

TUMS-WORTHY: It's not easy to find the tucked-away downtown location — luckily, on our first visit, we happened to run into a waiter outside the Havana who guided us in. And parking is scarce at that location.

THE 210 TAKE: When you begin to forget that San Antonio offers cuisines other than Mexican, Cool Café should be on the list of new restaurants to explore. The northern location is also equipped with hookahs for a post-dinner smoke. Take dates here to impress them without spending too much cash.

Jessica Belasco | 210SA Contributor