Cooperative Living February 2017 - 30

DiningWithDan | Story and Photos by Daniel M. Walker, Contributing Columnist
COUNTRY CAFÉ
OF HOT SPRINGS
I
always enjoy reading emails I receive
from Cooperative Living readers about
their favorite restaurants. I am
constantly looking for restaurants to try,
and emails from readers generally point
me in the right direction.
One such restaurant is the Country Café
outside of Hot Springs, Virginia. I recently
was able to try it on two different
occasions. My first visit was unannounced
and I arrived around 1:30 p.m. I thought
this time of day would be past the busy
lunch hour.
Much to my surprise, the restaurant was
full, with every table taken and people
waiting at the door. This can be a favorable
sign that a particular eatery is a good
choice; it can also suggest the service
might be slow. Much to my delight, Mary,
our waitress, assured me the service would
be fast and friendly, which it was.
At this point in my personal review
process, the Country Café has two
favorable stars: a strong recommendation
from a Cooperative Living reader and good
service. The next test is, naturally, the most
important: How tasty is the food?
We were a table of four and ordered a
chicken wrap, a BLT grilled cheese
sandwich, chicken strips and a lunch
platter of fried catfish. You may remember
from past articles that part of the Dining
with Dan experience is sharing each
entrée. There were thumbs up around the
table with each choice.
Often the restaurant setting can add or
detract from the overall dining experience.
The view from the front of this restaurant
could not be more pastoral and pleasing.
Looking out the window from our table
we saw a lush hillside with deer feeding in
the distance. After lunch that day, I had a
strong feeling that Country Café would be
a good candidate for more research, and
then, maybe, a Dining with Dan article.
As the days went by, I could not stop
thinking about the Country Café. So, I
found myself arranging a return trip to
experience dinner. Often, a dinner menu is
more complex than lunch and requires
different culinary and organizational skills.
On my return visit, I met with David
6156 Sam Snead Hwy.
Hot Springs, VA 24445
Phone: (540) 839-2111
HOURS:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday - Saturday: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
28 | Cooperative Living | February 2017
and Wanda Bradley, the owners and
managers, and definitely the heart and
soul of the Country Café. David and
Wanda, who were actually married in the
restaurant, met and raised their family in
Hot Springs.
Wanda said, " We have been a part of
this community for a very long time; the
people we serve are our friends and
neighbors. " David added, " Our menu is a
collection of their favorites. For example,
the Southwest Chicken item has been on
the menu for over 22 years. "
Menu categories include Country
Classics, House Specialties, Steaks, Pasta,
Seafood, Sandwiches and, of course,
Appetizers. My dinner companion and
I started with an appetizer of potato skins
heaped with cheese, bacon and
green onions.
I usually expect my dining companion
to select a beef or pork entrée so I can try
one of the more imaginative dishes. Well,
she had a different idea and ordered the
Wanda and David Bradley, the owners of
the Country Café.
grilled salmon. As it turned out, she made
an excellent choice. It was moist and had a
delicious flavor.
I ordered Trout Parmesan, one of
Wanda's recommendations. Fresh, mountain
trout is a popular local selection and
certainly a favorite of mine. The trout was
broiled and covered with fresh, grated
Parmesan cheese, black pepper and garlic.
The combination of the fresh, mild taste of
the trout and the sharp flavor of the
Parmesan pleased my palate.
We topped off the meal with a take-out
order: slices of key lime pie and chocolate
cream pie for the road.
The combined breakfast, lunch and
dinner menu at the Country Café has over
50 different items. With that many choices,
expecting each to be a winner is a lot to
ask of any restaurant. However, after trying
a variety of six flavorful dishes over two
different dining experiences, I believe the
odds for a great meal are in your favor.
When I find a restaurant that " gets it
right, " I feel rewarded. Also, I cannot end
this article without telling you of a
pleasant observation ... everyone we saw
at work seemed happy, no matter what
their responsibility. And that rubs off on
the guests!
I want to thank David and Wanda for
my delightful dining experiences, and
Cooperative Living readers, Susan and
Fred Webb, for recommending
Country Café. ■
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Cooperative Living February 2017

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