DINING

DINING THE HOT FIVE Catch a meal on Selby Avenue, St. Paul's eat street.

Breakfast and lunch served daily in charming surroundings, brought to you by the good folks behind nearby A Piece of Cake Bakery, the temptation palace just down the street at 485 Selby Av.

518 Selby Av., St. Paul, 651-287-0112,

apieceofcakebakery.net

The neighborhood newcomer does the counter-service thing with affordably priced sandwiches and salads at lunch and heartier fare in the evening hours. Don't miss the chocolate pudding.

525 Selby Av., St. Paul, 651-224-6066,

cheekymonkeydeli.com

610 Selby Av., St. Paul, 651-291-1414,

mangothaimn.com

It would take a patient mathematician to count the number of beers in stock at this fun-loving gastropub, and chef Matthew Hinman cleverly twists the familiar (a bison-elk-bacon burger) and finds delicious ways to incorporate beer into his cooking (stout-braised lamb shank). Saturday's Firkin Fest ($5 cover), featuring 60-plus selections, starts at 2 p.m.

498 Selby Av., St. Paul, 651-287-2018,

thehappygnome.com

374 Selby Av., St Paul, 651-224-5715,

wafrost.com