Take the J Train

Ever been in a swanky jazz club on a bustling Friday night, enjoying gourmet bread rolls and flower-shaped butter pats, when a thundering train roars by, literally feet away from where you are sitting? The rumbling takes you by surprise, resembling a troupe of Irish dancers who just stomped their way into the room to accompany the swinging music. This is Jazz at the Station, a hoppin' joint that opened in October. Featuring "world-class jazz" and meals named after legendary musicians of the speakeasies, this cafe is for all of Bloomington's dapper dolls and daddies. \nChic and dim, the train-station-turned-dining-room is lit entirely by candles and red-tinted wall lights. At the back of the room is a stage, adorned with instruments ready to be played by their renowned musicians. The stage is lit slightly more than the rest of the room, surrounded by yuppies and beatniks alike. When there is no live jazz frolicking through the room, recordings of Coltrane and Davis blare through the entire restaurant. \nBut don't let the ritzy atmosphere of the restaurant fool you into thinking the menu features only hoity-toity choices for a night out on the town. The selection flaunts a variety of salads, pasta dishes and cheeseburgers, as well as breast of duck, New York strip steak and filet mignon. With an extensive list of beers and wines, the menu has something for everyone.\nBypassing the main entree menu, I went straight for the pub-grub section. Scanning through my choices of veggie burgers and chicken tenders, I ordered the Coltrane Quesadilla, stuffed with shrimp, a jubilee of cheese and cilantro. The massive mound of tortilla and cheese was more than filling, deliciously topped with salsa verde and sour cream. The dish had an almost Indian flavor to it, giving off a subtle spicy aroma. \nSince the entrees and pub menu don't include side salads or soup, I gave in to my curiosity toward the How Deep is the Ocean soup -- sweet tomato made with lobster, lemon and basil. The citrus aftertaste was ambrosial, making my dates and I melt like the lobster in our mouths. \nMy table also ordered Peterson's Primavera, made with fresh fettuccine and sauteed chicken. Seasoned with pesto, the dish was delicious enough to overlook the chicken topping the pile of pasta to sample. I didn't eat the meat, but I devoured the fettuccine with a smile on my face. We also ordered the Summertime Salad, with green and red onions, strawberries and feta cheese nestling a fillet of grilled salmon. \nThe overall experience at Jazz at the Station was classy and cultured. The helpful staff, melodic tunes of the Carolyn Dutton Trio and posh ambience made the entire night memorable.