This new outpost in Adams-Morgan is the American cousin of neighboring Cafe Lautrec. Both offer great live jazz under the same ownership. But while Lautrec brings to mind a Parisian nightspot, Columbia Station has a down-to-earth vibe that's fully unpretentious.

The wide windows across the front open up when things get hot inside, which is often. Music pours out onto the street coaxing passers-by. The atmosphere is relaxed enough that people feel comfortable dropping by, whether they're decked out in club attire or lounging in jeans and sneakers. The black ceiling with terra-cotta accents and warm amber light suffusing the place lend a homey feel. A sculpture of melded and intertwined tubas, trumpets and trombones hangs on the back wall, identifying Columbia Station as a home for true jazz and blues fans. Couples and groups of friends fill the tables along the walls, while die-hard music fans take the seats at the bar to listen to local groups like Sahara and the Bruce Robinson Quartet.

The menu offers a range of All-American items -- burgers, pizza, sandwiches and pasta. The entrees and appetizers also cover the country, from New York strip steak and Cajun-seasoned andouille sausage to Southern Fried Catfish and Meatloaf Supreme.

-- Holly Bass