By Erica Blankenship

I must admit that I did not know what a hookah lounge was until about two months ago. For first-time visitors at Cafe 360, the experience will prove to be both fascinating and eclectic, much as the case was for me.

The hookah is clearly the main draw for customers at Cafe 360. The restaurant offers a variety of flavors, including many that are fruity. The hookah was smooth, not overpowering, and a fun experience for those old enough to partake.

I could tell from the quality of the various other aspects of the restaurant that the hookah is the primary service of the establishment. The food was decent, although not incredible. The menu is a virtual smorgasbord of Asian influences, Indian flavors and even southern cooking. Menu items included teriyaki stir fry, fried chicken, chicken tandori, schezwan pork and garden ravioli. In short, there is something for everyone.

In particular, the garden ravioli was not exactly appetizing. The ravioli stuffing was something akin to chewing on dried Parmesan cheese. While the alfredo sauce offered a nice taste, it was a bit runny for the dish. The vegetables were somewhat firm for my personal taste, but a wide variety was offered with the plate. The chicken was also dry, but seasoned well.

However, the mozzarella sticks appetizer was well-made and filling. The breading was crispy enough to keep it from being overwhelming, which complemented the smooth cheesiness inside.

The menu also boasted a diverse selection of sandwiches including the BLT, 360 club, and Kentucky hot brown. Offerings from the dessert menu included a tiramisu, which was sweet, a bit too rich, but flavorful.

Despite the less-than-stellar food, the service was good, as was the atmosphere. The servers were kind and always ready to offer suggestions for menu items. Additionally, the employees at Cafe 360 were helpful in explaining the hookah process.

The environment is a dilapidated, hip chic. There is a bar for those interested, as well as a selection of booths and tables, most of which, however, are not in good condition. This is true especially for the restroom, which is why I would advise visitors to use the restroom either before arriving or after leaving the restaurant.

However, from the art decor on the wall to the general environment of the restaurant, the targeted clientele is obviously young people looking for a cool scene to relax in. The atmosphere is not too loud, but relaxed enough that patrons can definitely let loose, relax and enjoy company. The setting of Cafe 360 lends itself to good conversation as well, and was further enhanced by music, which included popular tunes from artists like Kelly Clarkson.

Restaurant goers should be prepared that on weeknights the restaurant is not nearly as popular as on the weekends. But no matter what night you go, even when business tends to pick up after 9 p.m., the staff is always helpful and quick to wait on customers.

Overall, Cafe 360 is much more about atmosphere than food quality. While the food is of decent quality for the prices, the hookah is clearly the main attraction for customers. Although the entrees I received were not enough to convince me to return, the quality of the service and the interesting ambiance of the hookah lounge may entice me to try Cafe 360 again.