Food, mood, and music in Davis Square

Davis Square may be quaint, but it still offers an array of various eateries _ from Italian to Indian to just plain dessert, it can be hard to choose. Restaurants must find a way to distinguish themselves and catch the attention of potential diners before they even cross the threshold. With a large, distinctive sign, strings of white Christmas lights and the sound of music playing, Johnny D's Uptown Restaurant and Music Club does just that.

Setting this eatery apart from the rest is its multi-purpose nature. Johnny D's is not just restaurant _ it's also a bar and, more importantly, a music club. Each night there are different musical genres. Some nights local bands are scheduled, playing everything from bluegrass to African to swing. Sunday nights the club/restaurant is transformed from your everyday music venue to a salsa club, with dance lessons beginning at 9 p.m. Earlier in the evening, Johnny D's features the Blues Jam. Musicians can sign their names on a list and are allowed to "jam" with strangers to entertain the audience. This sign up sheet allows for a more diverse selection of songs and styles of music.

Upon entering the restaurant, patrons are greeted with a blend of live music and conversation. It is an extremely casual atmosphere, as you seat yourself and are greeted by a waitress who must scream over the music in order to be heard. The inside, much like the exterior, is adorned with white lights, which succeed in setting a mellow mood. This dim lighting contributes to the calm, restful ambiance of the restaurant.

The waitstaff is extremely friendly and helpful in answering any questions, but don't expect to see your waitress after she takes your order. The service is slow, you can never find help when you needed it and it takes a long time for the food to arrive. The selection of beers and other alcoholic beverages is quite extensive, while the food selection is limited in comparison. This, however, proved not to be a shortcoming, as the food is delicious, satisfying and worth the wait.

The quesadilla appetizer came with all the necessary extras _ salsa, guacamole, and sour cream. Sliced into four equal pieces like a pie, the tortilla was soft and crispy on the outside and just the right temperature. It was filled with at least two kinds of cheese, black beans, olives, jalapenos, and chicken _ a perfect combination. One drawback, though, was that we were not given plates when our appetizer arrived, so it was difficult for more than one person to try and eat over the individual plate in the middle of the table. (We of course could not find our waitress to ask for two more plates.)

Our entrees came out soon after the appetizer. In fact, we had not even finished eating half of the quesadilla when they arrived. Disappointingly, there was nothing extraordinary in the presentation _ it was rather simple and minimal.

This drawback notwithstanding, Johnny D's knows how to make a cheeseburger _ cooked to perfection, it was juicy and full of flavor. It was so big it took up half the plate and could probably satisfy even the most voracious of appetites. Be forewarned, however, that it came served with bacon, which was not mentioned in the menu.

The fries were incredible _ fried to perfection, this restaurant adds just a touch of garlic to its spuds, adding to the taste. The chicken and cheese sandwich is also impressive. Set on a lightly toasted roll, the cheese is melted onto the tender and juicy chicken.

The setup at Johnny D's is just right for a music bar. The acoustics are such that the sound is directed towards the audience for maximum listening enjoyment. The tables are centered around the stage, allowing for a small dance floor in the middle where couples occasionally get up from their chairs to show off their dancing skills.

Combined together, the atmosphere, music, and food contribute to a very positive dining experience. But the restaurant, it seems, is geared more toward the music-listening crowd as opposed to a one that is more interested in eating dinner. It is the perfect place for students to split appetizers and listen to music, but do not going to Johnny D's expecting a full course meal and extensive menu. It may not be a five-star restaurant, but it certainly is a place to go to relax, kick back, have a drink, and let the musicians do all the work.