Insider Trading
An Elite Addition to Belden's Restaurant Row

Sometimes you need an escape, other times you want something familiar.

And then there are those moments when you want a little bit of both.

That's when you'll head to Trademark—an Americana-tinged bistro sibling of the Elite Cafe on Fillmore and the newest addition to the European café scene on Belden Place—opening this weekend.

Since you've probably been to a few brunches and happy hours up on Fillmore, you'll feel right at home with Trademark's brisket sandwiches, rib eyes and other takes on comfort food. And since they're cooking up potent manhattans, sazeracs and other classic cocktails, you've got a new power lunch, happy hour or business dinner spot. Now about getting there…

If you enter Belden off Bush, you'll walk past the stalwart umbrellaed outdoor patios of B44, Plouf and Cafe Bastille set up in the narrow alley, before finding your way to new neighbor Trademark. Once inside, you'll be relieved to see that the only two surfaces that remain untouched from Voda Vodka Lounge are the metal bar and pressed-tin ceiling. Otherwise the dark leather trim wrapped around the bar and walls of the restaurant, cork walls and dark wood and glass-lit back bar make you feel like you've entered a private men's club.

But, you know, with women…