Midtown Café

Some restaurants want to crank up the background music, in a misguided effort to seem hip and happening. Others set the dial to Sirius and barely anyone pays any attention to what’s being played. But at MIDTOWN CAFÉ, you can tell by the well-adjusted volume and the well-chosen acoustic artists that the music was carefully thought about. Owner Robin McGuigan is trying out Friday night jazz and blues nights, as an extension of his love of music for munchers. Lunches, brunches, and breakfasts are substantial and delicious, from gourmet sandwiches on a bagel (egg, brie, mushroom, and ham) to linguine with meatballs, ribeye with roasties (potatoes), or two Irish-themed treats: fish pie with boiled eggs and capers in a cream sauce, or bangers and mash with onion gray (Irish sausages and mashed potatoes). Sandwiches and salads are also primo — e.g., grilled shrimp or baked crab cakes on mixed greens. | 333 Main Street, Wakefield | 401.782-1201 | midtowncaferi.com