Matt Murphy’s sits tucked away in Brookline Village, across the street from Starbucks and only a stone’s throw away from the high school. It caters mostly to middle-aged couples, but it is a nice upscale break from traditional student fare. Matt Murphy’s is a great place to have a dinner filled with casual conversation and lots of light-hearted laughs.

The dark atmosphere was complemented by smooth jazz and low-key alternative music along with dimly lit candles. When walking into the narrow restaurant, we were told to sit wherever, and the staff was very friendly toward all patrons. Despite being somewhat understaffed, the narrow setting of the restaurant allows for the staff to constantly have an eye on all tables.

The near-absolute darkness of the restaurant did get in the way of our dining, however. It was difficult to read the menu, and even more challenging to eat what we were served. Being seated so close to other parties also allowed for an easy disruption of conversation, which made it difficult to enjoy ourselves while waiting between courses.

The place is divided in half: One side is a modern bar, the back loaded wall-to-wall with alcohol behind a dark-wooded, long, smooth surface where patrons order drinks and dine on appetizers; the other is a series of leather booths.  We had a tough time seating six people, as most of the tables are meant for four at most.

On the walls of the restaurant is a quote from a David Ferry poem, “Courtesy,” that reads: “The shade full of light without any thickness at all; You can see right through and right down into the depth of the light and shade of the afternoon; there isn’t any weight of the summer pressing down.” While slightly intimidating, the quote stuck out as a pseudo-deep aspect of what a bar really is at heart.

Overall, the food provided a fresh look on familiar items. Tuna sandwiches, short ribs and egg salad are some of the tamer selections on the menu.

The first dish we received was a large order of home-made House Fries ($7). Unlike your typical order of fries, this platter came with a variety of sauces, including a zesty homemade ketchup and a deliciously tangy curry sauce that we could not get enough of.

Next, the Crispy Cod and Chips ($16) was presented, wrapped elegantly in newspaper, with a breading that was neither too thin nor too thick.  The fish was very fresh and came on top of a delicious serving of fries.

The Grilled Cheese ($12) was served generously on two large pieces of sourdough bread, balanced with a slice of cheese melted to perfection and complemented by a subtle yet satisfying layer of crispy bacon.

The Top Round Lamb Sirloin Burger ($13) was cooked a wonderful medium rare, topped healthily with sweet caramelized onions and Feta cheese that complemented the gamey flavor of the meat.

Despite the satisfying food, something to know ahead of time is that Matt Murphy’s is cash only. While the prices are not outrageous, one should be careful not to overspend.

All in all, Matt Murphy’s gives an interesting spin on classic food at a reasonable price in a dark, yet intimate setting suitable for a nighttime affair that is classier than usual.

Ethan Roubenoff and Steven Bushey can be contacted at [email protected]