If you’re half-drunk or just seized by midnight munchies, the chef of a diner in the wee hours of the morning can seem worthy of Cordon Bleu honors. Even if you need to remain closer to campus, some of the grub available here can satisfy your gullet. When Scene needed a late-night bite over the weekend, here’s where we turned.

Dining Services and the Office of Sustainability have teamed up to test the logistics of post-consumer composting in Bear’s Den. Last year, Dining Services began composting extra food from its kitchens—food that had not reached the consumer.

Ultimately, we are already spoiled as freshmen by Wash. U., and in the grand scheme of things, a Bear’s Den delivery service would be yet another item on the laundry list of luxuries we are given on the 40. However, in light of the potential logistical issues and our lavish living conditions, it would be prudent to pass on delivery. We’d rather have takeout instead.

The top on-campus eatery is the newest one. Well, sort of. Bear’s Den was resurrected this year with the completion of South 40 House, and within it, you’ll find a broad range of cuisines and ample dining space. Need something fast? Grab a slice of pizza. Want to go international? Try stir-fry or the delicious Indian food.

An ice machine motor ignited in the Bear’s Den kitchen and forced evacuation of the Dining Hall and all of South Forty House at around 9:35 p.m. A Bon Appetit employee burst out of the kitchen asking for assistance, which was followed by the chefs shouting for everyone to “get out of the building.” There was an accumulation of smoke in the kitchen.

Students expressed overall satisfaction with the new Bear’s Den facility on the South 40 in a recent electronic survey conducted by Student Union. In a survey of 158 students, 58 percent of respondents said that the new Bear’s Den is better or “substantially better” than last year’s South 40 dining facilities.

Most students are well aware of their pocketbooks—cautious about spending money and sometimes getting a work-study job. Though meal points sometimes fall out of consciousness, usually a new school year brings new awareness of increased food prices.

This year, the South 40 is host to a food revolution: Students are flocking to Bear’s Den, the new dining facility, in what has been a much-awaited event in recent history. The new facility is adorned with comfortable chairs, flat screen TV menus and state-of-the-art kitchens.

Fascinated by nomenclature? How about food? Fame? Glory? Dining Services is offering Wash. U. students and the surrounding community the opportunity to name next year’s dining options at the new South 40 House. This process includes two rounds, the first of which is currently open. Anyone can fill out a survey and submit ideas for the names of many stations, opening in August 2010.

For students who eat at the South 40 sandwich bar, most will likely notice the new sign posted above the counter indicating that peanut butter and jelly sandwich is now a new made-to-order option. While this may be a moment for those PB&J sandwich lovers out there to rejoice, it can turn out to be a nightmare for those with peanut allergy.