During college, I discovered the band Blues Traveler. 92.3 played "But Anyway," and I bought the CD. I saw the band at the H.O.R.D.E (Horizons of Rock Developing Everywhere) festival, in the Egyptian Room at the Murate Theater, and I know I saw them a third time at some forgotten venue.

After a period of burying my head in the sand, I have brushed off the granules and taken a look around the music scene. Lo and behold I discover Blues Traveler stopping in Indy on October 30, 2007 for a night at the Music Mill, 3720 E. 82nd St.

Once sitter arrangements were made, I forked over the $23 plus tax for a ticket and sighed with relief that the concert was not already sold out.

To get a taste of the venue, I chose to purchase my tickets at the Mill itself and took my two daughters to the restaurant for a bite to eat.

We were one of two families dining in this retro restaurant mid-afternoon Saturday. My girls' walked in with dropped jaws. Their wide eyes were taking in the white-cupped chairs, the multiple shades of orange, and the display of circular and half-mooned geometrical shapes that make up everything from the contour of the room to the form of the print on the booths.

Although I did not go into the actual concert hall, I saw pictures captioned with promises of an excellent sound system.

Really, the restaurant's atmosphere smacks of a 1960s science fiction flick, or worse, a room Austin Powers would love. As much as I hate to admit it, the décor works. It's bright and unique, and my kids loved it.

They ate their grilled cheese and fried chicken strips, although they weren't really into the French fries, which were nothing to write home about. I ate a roast beef and grilled chicken panini, served with cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, roasted onions and green peppers and ranch dressing. It was delicious.

Another plus about the Music Mill is that on concert night, if you arrive an hour before the doors open (6:30 pm for Blues Traveler fans), and order at least one entrée, you get into the concert hall before everyone else.

Kudos for those who want to grab a pub table, maybe catch a glimpse of a band member doing last minute preparations, but not much of a benefit beyond that because there is no seating for the concert.

Your meal will run you anywhere from $6 to $20, not including drink, desert or tip.

Tuesday night, I'll dine at the Mill and check out the early bird opportunity, enjoy the band and afterwards, I'll let you know how it played out.