Snapshot, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday: The sunset lights up the windows of Rudiments Café, silhouetting people walking through the door with musical instruments. The small, quirky and artsy café, which is a Bohemian sprout in an asphalt desert, is soon full of patrons. The music drifts out the door and turns heads on the sidewalk outside. People enthusiastically greet friends, tap their feet to the beat, and drink sodas and coffee.

Wait, is this a music review column?

Nope, although I loved Tuesday open mic night at Rudiments Café, which opened in September 2011.

The music was great. I admired the art lined walls and the fact that my order was taken by an employee who’s a big, tattooed bundle of cheerfulness. Service was either acceptably leisurely or impressively speedy, but always attentive and genuine. The food, though, had its ups and down.

Perhaps with a name like Rudiments, it’s not surprising that it embraces American café staples like omelets, wraps, sandwiches and salads.

My favorite was an American classic, the cheese-steak ($6.95, as are all entrees unless otherwise noted). The cheese was forgettable, but the Callicrate steak was juicy and tender. The peppers and onions were freshly grilled, and the house-baked hoagie roll was soft, yet sturdy enough to carry it off. I liked it fine. As with most entrees, it’s paired with a side of fruit, cottage cheese, roasted potatoes or chips.

Built on quality ingredients, the cheese-steak was emblematic of Rudiments’ mission statement of providing from-scratch, quality food. First-time restaurant owners Brian Davis and Mark Wickline serve only natural Red Bird Chicken and bread from Colorado Bread Company (except for the hoagies). The veggies and fruits were all unquestionably fresh and ripe.

Still, most of their meats are right from Cisco stock, and that comes through in the Hog Gobbler wrap. Wrapped around a center of tomatoes, avocado and dill aioli, the combination of roasted turkey breast and thick-cut bacon together came off salty and processed.   

I noticed fledgling signs of creativity in Rudiments’ offerings: the Tuscan Tuna and Bean sandwich, for example. It’s a great combination of ingredients and the texture is good, but I yearned for a strong hit of flavor. Similarly, the Green Machine soup of the day ($2 cup/$3.50 bowl) with freshly pureed spinach, asparagus and leeks promises a taste like Spring in a bowl. Instead, it’s raw and blunt.

But for every downside, Rudiments pulls out something tasty and on point. For instance, I my mango smoothie ($3.50) was unexpectedly bitter. The Greek Love wrap, which I ordered on the same visit, features an appealing mix of chicken, feta, spinach, red peppers, olives and nicely cooked mushrooms with a tangy house tzatziki sauce.

And a three-ingredient omelet that’s stuffed to bursting is straightforward, and right on the money.

You know, I expect hits and misses in a relatively new restaurant. And in spite of a few disappointments, I enjoyed the passion and the spirit, and I look forward to a time when Rudiments Café ups the ante with across-the-board consistancy and a little more out-of-the-box thinking.

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