Spencer Williams, Contributor

Walking into Christopher's, which is on the ground floor of The Quad, there is no mistaking that an inviting wine bar awaits you. In the front, there are lounge chairs and low tables, where patrons can enjoy a homely and relaxing evening, and in the back is the restaurant with a long bar stretching between the two.

I have been to Christopher's a number of times over the past couple months, and have to say that the atmosphere is quite special it can feel a little 'pressurised' when the music gets too loud and you're trying to have dinner with your friends.

But before you come and complain to me that I am not discussing the food itself in this week's article, remember what I said last Thursday - my weekly column is not just about the cuisine, it concerns the other elements which complete a restaurant and I will be writing about only one aspect of one place in each instance.

It's not exactly a conventional place to take supper but if you want to dine somewhere that has a little more buzz than a regular restaurant, I suggest you try out jazz on Tuesdays or singer's night on Thursdays. It's a bit like the old-fashioned dinner/cabaret events but not as posih or stiff! The shows start around 7:00 p.m.; however I'd suggest that you get there before so that you have a chance to actually talk to fellow company! The music becomes a little too deafening during the performances, but the benefit is that you will become proficient in sign language! There are a couple of breaks, however, during which time CDs play much softer tunes.

Pleasant management team

While the acts are delightful, they all occur in the front, so those in the dining area do forego the enthralling entertainment of the musicians themselves, though, as I said, you won't lose out on the noise! It's the large speaker at the back, pointing towards the diners, which causes a problem as it blares right into your ears.

It would be rather nice if management, who by the way are very pleasant, would turn this off while the programmes are taking place so that those who wish to enjoy a quiet meal in discussion may do so. And if you do desire to be in the thick of things, you can walk up to the front while you await your meal. I am sure the friendly and accommodating staff would inform you when your food is ready. I guess it's best to ensure that others sitting with you don't mind that you leave them for a short while! If you're on a date ... take him/her up there with you to dance - there won't be many doing this, but those who do appear to have a lot of fun!

What do you do while you're at the back eating but can't converse? People watch of course! This is certainly a great place for it. Various crowds patronise the New Kingston hot spot: The foreign crew who work in the area - with no apparent hang-ups, tend to be the ones you can meet easily if you want to; the single women lingering at the bar - I guess or maybe they're simply there to kick back and relax; and the regulars (you know who you are), might well leave you wondering whether they live there - that '80s sitcom Cheers, and the recent movie Me, You & Dupree come to mind!

And so my friends, if you do want to dine somewhere with little more atmosphere than the regular eateries, head on over to Christopher's. But with all those raucous sounds you might feel pressurised to dance!