Mildly Wild at Amazon Bar & Grill

While some restaurants incorporate bits of decor to loosely create a motif that attracts a crowd, Amazon Bar & Grill in Sherman Oaks goes all out to create a whole environment based on its eco-friendly theme. Walking into Amazon is like walking through a rain forest on a mild night.

THE SCENE: There is one long bar to the right of the door and a waterfall, surrounded by trees and plants, in the middle of the room. The lighting is dark and intimate with twinkling “stars” overhead. It is a relaxing atmosphere in which to enjoy a dinner of chicken, fish and other health-conscious foods, but no red meat. “The raising of beef is one of the main causes of the deforestation of the rain forest,” said Peter Knight, general manager. “Besides, it’s not good for you.”

THE CROWD: Since it is primarily a restaurant, the crowd can vary greatly, but the majority are in their mid- to late-20s. This isn’t a dress-to-impress crowd; many prefer the casual date look of skirts, shirts and sometimes jeans. Jackie Bitner, 29, said she liked the attitude, or lack thereof, among the patrons. “It’s mature, sophisticated,” the Beverly Hills resident said, “not like a young, Hollywood scene.”

THE MUSIC: Cleto, billed as a Latin pop band, entertained the dinner and drinking crowd on a recent Saturday night with original tunes and covers of Stevie Wonder and the Doobie Brothers, among others. The sets were more pop and R & B than Latin, with subtle vocals and mellow rhythms. It is a wonder, though, how the band, with two back-up singers, fit in the small “cave” high above the room that serves as a stage. Fortunately the music didn’t seem to suffer from the cramped space.

THE GOOD: “It’s very different from every other place,” said Patrick Goodfellow, 22, of Woodland Hills. “It’s a nice mood, especially with the music.” The lush, relaxed atmosphere was an attraction for a lot of the patrons. “It’s nice that you can walk up and talk to anybody,” said Sherman Oaks resident Mike Mandell, 26.

THE BAD: The air tended to be hot and humid, and, for patrons of the bar, the available space was too small. “I think they should close off the restaurant,” said Tim Haro, 22, “and make this place all bar. Maybe with dancing.” But the Encino resident was not very impressed with the band. “The music is kind of hokey.”

THE WORD: “I’m from the East Coast, so I feel right at home,” said one man to his perplexed table mate. “That waterfall really adds to the humidity in here.”

Amazon Bar & Grill, 14649 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. (818) 986-7502. Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday to Saturday; limited menu after 11 p.m. Monday to Thursday and after midnight Friday and Saturday. No cover, $2 valet.