Heartland

Here’s the thing about Heartland: if you come expecting a great restaurant experience, you’ll be disappointed. But if you treat it as a place to hang out, drink wine, watch live music, and maybe snack on a small plate or two, you’re going to have a great time. This Little Haiti restaurant and music venue is entirely outdoors and kind of feels like a cousin of Lagniappe (even though they’re not related, managerially speaking). There are a couple dozen tables spread out underneath a massive tree in a big empty lot. Pretty much every seat is facing the stage, where there’s usually a band jamming out. While you watch that band, you can order a bottle of wine, a ribeye, roasted veggies, or lamb chops. But the mediocre food isn’t the main attraction here (although the burger isn’t bad). What does make Heartland special is the atmosphere. It’s a wonderful place to bring a date or a couple of friends who are down to drink some wine and listen to a saxophone.