Novo’s full-service bar and lounge area fronts the busy downtown, beckoning passersby to peek inside. Walk through the lounge to the back of the restaurant and a different Novo presents itself: a multilevel wood patio that backs up to San Luis Obispo Creek. It’s a serene setting livened by the hum of diners’ conversations and crickets. Like its sister restaurant, the nearby Luna Red, Novo offers global cuisine and local ingredients. Executive chef Michael Avila presides over a menu that includes sought-after Southeast Asian and Indian curries and fresh avocado-shrimp spring rolls. Calling out gluten-free and vegan menu items is a nice touch as is identifying teas by caffeine level. Central California and international wines and spirits accent the menu. Late night on Fridays and Saturdays, a DJ fills the lounge with music.