After seeing an inventive and entertaining matinee production of "The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe" at Lost Nation Theater yesterday, we introduced friends to Hepcat. The place is an absolute gem - a jazz bar styled after Japanese kissa (listening) bars. The music on the turntable was "Masao Yagi Plays Thelonious Monk," which we enjoyed, but guests can ask to hear any mainstream jazz artist or group they wish -- no "smooth jazz" is to be found here. Hepcat is very small (and obviously intimate). It's meant for those who share the proprietor's enthusiasm for listening to jazz while sipping a favorite old or new beverage - be it coffee, espresso, sake or Japanese spirits, cocktails, wine, cider or beer. I discovered the delicious St. Agrestis Amaro Falso - alcohol free as its names suggests, accented by a twist of orange. The others in our party sampled an amaro distilled in Vermont, another from Italy, and one tried an intriguing non-alcoholic cocktail consisting of an elderberry tonic enhanced with a locally made tincture of juniper. Hepcat doesn't really have a kitchen, but if you wish to bring in food to eat at the bar, that's fine. We shared some smoked nuts and will definitely return. read more