It’s a restaurant, bar, bookstore and performance space, brought to you by Andy Shallal, owner of Luna Grill and Diner and Mimi’s American Bistro. It would seem that such an ambitious project would have to fall flat on its face, but in the month since its opening, Busboys and Poets is not only packed, it’s likable.

The space is at once comfortable and chic, with many non-generic touches like hand-appliquéd mirrors in the bathrooms and the mural of peace movement heavyweights in the performance space. Busboys and Poets also has a thoughtful side. The bookstore, which contains selections of politics, poetry, literature and bias-free books for teaching professionals, is operated by Teaching for Change, a social justice nonprofit. And the place was the darling of Operation Ceasefire, with Cindy Sheehan reportedly holding court one morning.

On that social conscious note, Busboys and Poets has no plans to advertise. That way the costs will remain low, according to its website. And they are pretty low, with pizzas between $7 and $8, burgers at $7 and sandwiches between $5 and $10, and half the entrees less than $10.