This week we decided to check out one of Athens’ more understated places to dine, The Globe, which is located downtown on the corner of Clayton and Lumpkin streets.

The Globe is a very fun place to eat, mainly because of its atmosphere. It’s a seat-yourself restaurant with large wooden tables and deep brick and stone walls that make for a cozy winter lunch or dinner.

It has a homey feeling with oversized furniture and a large bar that serves up to 80 beers, 66 wines, 38 single malts and a delicious cappuccino.

When we arrived at the restaurant, we sat down right away. Our waiter seemed friendly and explained all of the specials in depth, but we already knew exactly what we wanted.

Lauren decided on just a house salad ($4.75) that comes with the house made salad dressing, a Dijon vinaigrette. The salad was substantial and filling, and the dressing thick and creamy.

Other salad choices include a chef salad ($7.25) and even a Tandoori chicken salad, which is an Indian-style chicken breast served over mixed greens with tomatoes, green peppers,

red onion, carrots, cucumbers and croutons with a honey sesame dressing ($7.25).

For the really hungry, The Globe offers appetizers such as Globe Chips ($6.50), which are freshly cooked potato chips with savory blue cheese sauce.

The restaurant also has a nacho plate ($6.25) that either comes with beef and bean or vegan chili.

Since Lauren wasn’t too hungry and only chose a salad, Sally decided to try something a little meatier. She ordered the steak frites ($12.00).

This is an eight ounce sirloin steak cooked to order and served with french fries.

The steak was juicy, and there were no fries left on Sally’s plate at the end of her meal.

Other entrees include penne with garlic cream sauce ($7.50), which is freshly cooked pasta with mushrooms, red pepper and sugar snap peas in a creamy garlic sauce and fish and chips ($7.75), which is classic beer battered cod served with french fries, malt vinegar and tartar sauce.

Even though we didn’t try them, The Globe has an extensive list of burgers and sandwiches to choose from. The place offers a B.L.T ($4.75), a classic reuben ($6.25), The Globe burger ($5.75), which is a six ounce burger, and a chili-cheese burger ($4.25).

All of their sandwiches are served with Zapp’s potato chips or an addition of french fries or a salad instead of chips for an extra $1.25.

The Sunday brunch menu sounded as tasty as its usual menu. Grand Marnier french toast ($6.00), frittata of the day ($5.25), breakfast sandwich ($6.25), pancakes filled with fruit ($4.75) and others made our mouth water. The Globe has a nice variety of wines to choose from, as well.

Overall, The Globe was a great escape from the run-of-the-mill restaurant. It has good food at reasonable prices. It provides a take-out service for those who are in a hurry. But those who want to go to a good neighborhood place other than the usual downtown spots should go by The Globe and give it a try.