Tucson, AZ

Upon the suggestion of my friend Carol, some girlfriends and I met at Cushing Street Bar and Restaurant in Barrio Viejo on a Saturday evening for some scrumptious fare and live jazz. Cushing Street is one of my all-time favorite haunts for atmosphere alone, so I was curious to check out the ambiance with live music thrown in the mix. This downtown establishment is located in a restored building dating back to the late 1800’s and is nestled in the barrio just south of the Tucson Convention Center, amidst other historic structures.

Each time I find myself in the vicinity of this establishment, I always manage to go a few streets out of my way for the sheer pleasure of exploring the area, which is rich with history and charm. In fact, just around the corner is El Tiradito, an adobe wishing shrine on the National Register of Historic Places. I couldn’t resist stopping by El Tiradito to place my wish before meeting up with my friends on this night.

Although the free Saturday Jazz Showcase was advertised as being on the patio, due to the chance of a monsoon interlude, the musicians were moved inside the restaurant, which made for a cozy set-up. Although making reservations is recommended, the place was not filled to capacity and there was plenty of room for all of us on this lazy, August evening. The band, featured Jeff Lewis and friends, and their set theme was “Brubeck n’ Getz.” With the setting being as intimate as it was, the musicians couldn’t help but to honor a request from our table.

It should be known that Cushing Street is responsible for making what might possibly be the best mojitos in the West. This night they also featured specials on wine, as well as the full assortment of drinks available at the bar. After drinks, we ordered from the full menu, which includes appetizers, homemade soups and salads, entrees, and desserts. We started with the Tapenade Sampler of artichoke and olive tapenade, hummus and fresh veggies. I opted to order a dinner salad so that I could be sure to have dessert of New York Cheesecake, too. It is hard to be disappointed by the selection of eats at Cushing, as their food is fresh and the service is more than friendly.

We stayed to enjoy the music long after the desserts were gone and even chatted a bit with the musicians following their set. It was a relaxing and affordable way to spend a Saturday evening, enjoying some great live music in a quaint setting with wonderful friends.

The Saturday Jazz Showcase is featured each Saturday evening from 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m., with sets that also include “Boppin’ Light,” “Latin Twist,” and “Stayin’ Cool.” For more information about the band, you can email jefflewis100@hotmail.com. To learn more about Cushing Street Bar and Restaurant, please visit http://www.cushingstreet.com.