11-16-12
This weeks restaurant is Woods Creek Cafe in Jamestown.
If the sight of a line out the door of a restaurant is any indication of just how good the cuisine is...then count this cafe as a culinary treasure.
Leisurely should be the first word used to describe this cafe. After signing in on a whiteboard the wait is leisurely as those waiting become fast friends discussing the many possible fares for consumption, the weather or just pleasantries. Seemingly too soon your name is called and you enter what can only be referred to as 'your grandmothers kitchen.' Each table lovingly topped with cow paraphernalia, walls adorned with farming implements and ranching humor, not to mention some of the beautiful paintings...presumably local artists. A second to sit and thank the hostess for the menu and a waitress appears with piping hot coffee and a brilliant smile all the while welcoming other diners by name. It began to feel like we were family.
Thankfully we were in no hurry, no tickets to a play, no appointments to be kept or events to cover, just a quiet peaceful morning with John. And luckily we came with an appetite! The menu held everything from omelets to french toast, eggs sunny side to scrambled and pretty much anything you could or want cooked with sausage or eggs was on the menu.
I truthfully can't remember what John had because when my plate overflowing with vegetarian omelet heaven appeared before me all inquisitive thought and journalistic skills left my head . I could only think YUM!
The eggs were fluffy and seasoned ever so slightly, the mushrooms were fresh and plentiful, the onions caramelized to perfection and the tomatoes grilled with just enough caramel left from the onions to make them sinful. Oh and I can't forget the cheese...not too much not too little. Though I gave it the old college try I only made it half way through my omelet and ended up taking the rest home. My stomach filled at a rapid rate due not only to my overstuffed omelet but also to the fact that when John was preoccupied with people watching - one of his favorite past times - I would pilfer a few samples of his obviously freshly chopped, seasoned and grilled til crispy-on-the-outside-soft-on-the-inside potatoes.
While I apologize for not remembering the final bill, I am certain it was more than reasonable for the amount of food we consumed and the obvious care with which it was created and served. The ambience was warm and welcoming and the staff was personable and efficient. The coffee was fresh and hot and the food was incredible!
I cannot wait to go back and try something else from their menu.
By,
Charity Maness
(My little disclaimer: 'To dine or not to dine' is meant to be a
helpful - and humorous - informational piece only. I receive no monetary
compensation for this column nor do I endorse any one eatery. This
is simply my opinion. My tastes will be different from others and I
readily admit that I have no culinary background, but I am pretty
confident I know when food is cooked correctly or not, whether a drink
is poured well or not and especially whether wait staff is
first-rate or in need of a career change.)