Wild Rose Bistro offers more than just a place to catch dinner but also the latest in local entertainment.

Wild Rose manager Cranston Murphy said the restaurant is the place for DeKalb residents looking for live music, food and a place to “relax and chill out in.”

The restaurant, 850 Pappas Drive, became a new addition to DeKalb in June and could be considered a deli, bakery, pizzeria and coffeehouse.

On Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 to 11 p.m., NIU jazz ensembles will play at the Wild Rose. There is no cover charge.

“They provide us with a venue, and we provide them with entertainment,” said Jephte Lanthia, a member of the Jephte Lanthia Sextet and jazz studies graduate student.

Terry Kissell, one of Wild Rose’s owners, said musicians want to showcase themselves, and he is happy to be able to provide them the opportunity.

“No one complains that it is too loud,” said Dana Hildreth, an employee of Wild Rose. “It makes employees, customers and the owners happy.”

Although Wild Rose ensembles are not entirely composed of NIU students, they usually do have some connection with the Department of Music. For now, jazz is the only type of music offered, but Murphy said they are generating a lot of ideas and that changes may occur in the future.

Kissell said he would like to bring in some strings and vocals.

Open-mic nights are not planned, but poetry reading is a possibility. Thus far, no one has approached him on that topic.