Review by Pamela Holz, Realtor with Reliant Realty
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Have you had the opportunity yet to check out The Gingham Café? They just opened in November, and I was eager to see what they had to offer.
The restaurant is bright and cheery, with an elegant twist on an old diner décor—the black and white tile floors contrast crisply with the bright yellow walls and yellow gingham valances, and the diner-type stools and tables fit well with the overall feel of the space.
Looking over the menu, I actually crinkled up my nose at the choice of the name “Mangy Moose Salad,” but the ingredients—butter lettuce, tomatoes, Craisins, gorgonzola cheese and sunflower seeds—made me want to try the salad anyway. I chose the balsamic vinaigrette and the poppy seed bread to go with my salad. My friend ordered the chicken salad sandwich with a side of white bean chicken chili and an additional side of Mexican corn bread.
The salad- $10.95- came in a large white square bowl, and was loaded full of goodies on a generous bed of lettuce. The combination was well thought out: soft butter lettuce combined with the creamy bite of gorgonzola, the tangy sweetness of the Craisins, along with the salty crunch of the sunflower seeds made for a mouth party with every bite. (The promised tomatoes were not present on my salad and the balsamic vinaigrette was a little oily for my taste.) The two cute little poppy seed bites had a sweet frosting and a hint of lemon.
The chicken salad sandwich- $9.95- got a, “It’s good, but not wow!” and the white bean chicken chili was rated as a pleasant comfort food. The little Mexican corn bread bites—$1.95 for four– could have been improved by a little warmth.
We didn’t order any desserts, but they have a nice selection: almond macaroons, blond brownies, chocolate chip cupcakes, lemon squares, Russian tea cookies, chocolate chess squares along with pies, cakes, and Gingham banana pudding. They also feature Cake Pops from George the Cake Guy.
In addition to the Dine In choices, The Gingham Café offers a “Picnic To Go” menu, as well as the option of filling your baking dish with the menu entrée of your choice.
The Gingham Café’s location on Madison Street in the Tradewinds South Shopping Center offers a great alternative for those who would prefer something other than Mexican or fast food. They are definitely a nice addition to that area of town.
The Gingham Café
1955-C Madison Street
Clarksville TN 37040
931-919-4986
Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
