Melrose Avenue is quickly becoming as known for its restaurants as its 80-dollar T-shirts and cheesy jeans. Add this low-key eatery to the list of worth-it pitstops.

True, there's nothing that unusual about Blu Jam Cafe, with its front windows opening out onto sidewalk seating on a warm Melrose Avenue day. The decor is cute, art for sale hangs from the walls, a pastry counter gleams, and some brick warms things up. But hey, almost everything is under 10 bucks, and the menu has some interesting choices. The Florentine twist tops ciabatta bread with sauteed spinach, melted brie, poached eggs and hollandaise; the orange-cinammon French toast (yum) can be ordered with two eggs and turkey sausage. Brunch aside, the menu also includes paninis, burgers, salads, wraps, smoothies and—well, you get the idea. Service was on the slow side during our recent visit, but none of the shoppers, tourists or locals seemed in much of a rush. —Lonny Pugh