Photo By Graham Lienhart

Allyn Raifstanger

Allyn's Café opened in 1991 when Allyn Raifstanger left his job at the Omni Netherland Plaza after nine years to work for himself. He's seen his restaurant through three expansions, which include the addition of a retail wine space, and now he's looking forward to a neighborhood expansion of sorts -- the Columbia Square project, which will cover 8 acres and turn the area into a walking neighborhood. The cafe's menu is known for its hand-cut steaks and Cajun and Nex-Mex (a lighter version of Mexican) fare, but Allyn's might be best known as a haunt to hear local live music.

CityBeat: What's the last great meal you ate and where did you eat it?

Allyn Raifstanger: We don't get out often with three little kids ... we went to Pho Paris when it was in Oakley, and we enjoy Red.

CB: I know you play trumpet with the band on Sunday nights. What's the connection between food and music?

AR: Sunday night is our night -- we own Sunday night in town. The Bluebirds, in one form or another, have been playing since I opened. And we've had great success with upstart bands. They want to play out, and they bring in a bunch of people and have fun. Music is essential to a restaurant as background or a silence breaker, but live music is a luxury to have while dining.