David J. Olender / Assistant Photo Editor

There’s a chic burger joint downtown that was inspired by Cantonese characters and the word “neighborhood” at a dumpling restaurant in Hong Kong. Ironic because the hamburger is an American staple.However, Neighborhood Restaurant is an ideal place to enjoy a gourmet burger, a local beer or a glass of wine. Located on G Street, closer to the ballpark, the area removes you from the madness that you usually find Downtown.Owners Sam Wasserman and Arsalun Tafazoli opened the restaurant after witnessing a few friends from law school become dissatisfied with their lives even though they were making a lot of money.After traveling, studying philosophers such as Friedrich Nietzsche and reading about life satisfaction ratings, Tafazoli, 26, said he was excited to start a neighborhood restaurant in San Diego.”Small things have a larger impact over an extended period of time,” Tafazoli said. “Things like a good conversation, good food and an awesome beer.”And Neighborhood really is perfect for a good conversation. The low lights, modern tableware and unique décor make it cozy enough for friends to enjoy a casual meal, but still very classy.There’s a large tiled photo of San Diego’s skyline, which takes up the whole back wall. And there’s an interesting – and large – painting of Sigmund Freud holding a hamburger, dominating the atmosphere in the restaurant. If you’re a sports fan, there’s a plasma TV behind the bar.Neighborhood has almost 30 beers on tap, including many San Diego breweries such as Ballast Point, Karl Strauss and Stone. It has Happy Hour from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, featuring a different local microbrew each night.Although the setting is more like a bar, the menu has much more than finger food. The Steak Tartare is a nice appetizer: ground beef, onions, capers, tomatoes and cheese. It offers a selection of gourmet burgers, including the Neighborhood burger, which is covered in delicious caramelized onions, peppered greens and cheese.The menu is small but there are items beside fries and burgers. There are a few salads and a variety of appetizers and vegetarian dishes. Most items cost $9 – $11, but the average meal price is cheaper than other downtown locations.Best of all, the restaurant lays claim to its name. It’s a quaint place to enjoy a meal and drink with a friend.”We’re putting emphasis on little things,” said Tafazoli. “It’s really a beautiful thing to me.”-Neighborhood is located on 777 G St., San Diego, CA 92101.