Like bees to honey, like birds of a feather, that's how denizens of the 17th Street strip flock to Cafe Luna. Its square-shaped dining area is nothing spectacular, nor is the decor anything notable. But Cafe Luna has become a pillar of the neighborhood. It has a rare energy that many restaurateurs would kill for.

As with many restaurants in this area, Cafe Luna attracts a largely gay clientele. There's also much here to draw the health-conscious, as Luna serves up a number of vegetarian and low-fat dishes.

Pasta is the specialty, though lighter fare and sandwiches are popular and of high quality. Spinach salad with fresh fruit and walnuts comes in a copious helping, and the chicken salad sandwich with sliced grapes is fantastic. Pasta dishes, including standards such as lasagna and linguini, are solid, if somewhat unexciting.

Make your own pasta concoction. Choose from three kinds of pasta and a slew of fixings like meats, vegetables, cheeses, pesto, etc., and the chef will assemble your creation. Prices range from $5.75 to $7.25, depending on the toppings you pick.