Inside: Nighttown

Libations: Jazz without booze is just notes—and flat ones at that. As such, Nighttown features a great selection of liquor, beer and wine to melt you into a state of utter relaxation. For beer lovers, ask your waiter for the draft list. The restaurant features an interesting selection of ales and lagers that you don’t usually find, including Magic Hat’s #9. If wine is more your thing, Nighttown has a fair selection that should satisfy most cravings. Try the Old Chatham Cheese Plate appetizer while you’re at it. Served with candied walnuts and fresh fruit, it’s a perfect complement to a bottle of Pinot Noir.

Food: Nighttown’s menu features surf, turf and everything in between. For starters, you can’t go wrong with the Nighttown Steamers, mussels and middle-neck clams swimming in a shallow pool of garlic white wine sauce. The Halloumi Kebobs are an excellent option as well, combining fresh chunks of Cyprian sheep and goat’s milk cheese with grilled vegetables and chive oil. Once the digestive juices start churning, the Filet Mignon or New York Prime Strip Steak is enough to satisfy anyone with a penchant for hearty grilled beef. For the real Nighttown experience, though, indulge in the Dublin Lawyer. The house specialty combines lobster meat sautéed in a mild cayenne butter cream sauce with mushrooms, scallions and Irish whisky.

Early evening fare: The options on Nighttown’s dinner menu aren’t exactly cheap, with a standard entrée costing around $20. For those looking to savor the experience without saving up for the bill, the restaurant features a great “Early Evening” menu with four options under $15 before the live acts start playing. Served Monday through Saturday from 5-7 p.m., the selections range from the melt-in-your-mouth tender Veal Meatloaf to the hearty Beef Brisket. Both are served with gravy, mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables.

Music: Yeah, the food is great, but Nighttown is perhaps best known for bringing in a great lineup of local and national jazz acts. From Monday to Sunday, the casual joint usually has a live performer setting the oh-so-cool vibe in the main dining room. Some of the better-known names will cost you a cover anywhere from $10 to $20, while the up-and-comers are typically free. Headliners range from solo vocalists to trios, and all are constantly solid—if not great. Just make sure to find your seat early.

Crowd: The clientele is skewed slightly older than most hip hangouts, but certainly not old enough to make a twenty-something stand out. You’ll see a lot of Cleveland Hts. sophistics catching up with friends, as well as a fair sampling of students splurging after a busy day studying at Case Western Reserve University.

Décor: Nighttown is everything a jazz restaurant should be: cozy, casual and worn. While most walls are covered with pictures from times long past, you’re not going to find any garish flare here. This joint is all about the music and food. The main dining room is a comfortable collection of tables covered with clean white tablecloths floating under low ceilings. An additional smaller dining area feels a bit airier, especially during daytime when the sun pours through a large front window.

Insider tip: Nighttown has a beautiful multi-season patio called Stephen’s Green. If you don’t mind missing out on the live performance in the main dining room, ask the host to take you around back. During the summer months, the walls and ceiling are rolled up to bring in a great breeze. When the mercury begins to the drop, glass walls maintain the view while heaters maintain a comfortable temperature.

Bottom line: Nighttown is a rare bar/restaurant that combines great food with even better live music. Whether you’re swinging by for lunch, eating with your family in Stephen’s Green, or sipping a Martini while listening to a smooth trio, add this casual joint to your list of must-visits.