Photo from www.blujamcafe.com

After one makes the rounds at dozens of cramped boutiques, the café’s high, vaulted ceilings and low-key atmosphere serve as perfect rejuvenation before getting back to the serious business of shopping and people-watching.

The menu features an all-day breakfast that revitalizes morning standards with additions of homemade pesto and fresh vegetables.

Topped on a toasted croissant, the Blu Jam Benedict is a popular favorite, although one diner complained that both ham and crispy bacon are a meat-overload.

Late-risers can come in for the spicy Hangover Scramble or a Brunch Hamburger complete with two eggs.

After deliberating over a turkey pesto Panini or an egg-wich, I decided on the gourmet burger, which was made perfectly flavorful with pesto aioli - although the small, sprout-like “micro-greens” seemed a little abnormal. And my friend enjoyed her cheesy Southwest wrap with chicken, bacon, black beans and chipotle.

More than the array of great food options, I enjoyed the serenity of the cafe. After stepping off of the stifling Melrose sidewalk, where music blared and girls promoted their questionable energy drink, the mood inside Blu Jam was contrastingly pleasant. People read and rested their feet on nearby chairs, and my waiter sang me Christmas songs under his breath while refilling my coffee.

When I polished off my side of red potatoes and was thanked by the waiter for the third time, I felt ready to resume a bustling day of shopping.

Reach Elizabeth here.

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