Suburban listening room: 318 Café

The 318 sits in the corner of the Excelsior Mill, a century-old wooden structure that houses five small businesses on Excelsior's main street. This cabin-like coffeehouse/restaurant/wine bar is so cozy that you might share a table with a stranger like they do in New York City. But not to worry. If the company doesn't warm you, the music will in this homey, acoustically superb space. The teeny stage features bigger local names like Tim Mahoney and Mary Jane Alm and lesser known treats like the Abiders and Brianna Lane. Yummy sandwiches, salads and pizzas with lots of organic ingredients are available. With room for only 50 people, reservations are advised at this musician-owned place.