Creative menu at South Pacific delivers

Why: South Pacific Cafe, which also caters, has become one of the constants amid the ever-changing restaurant options in Battle Ground. The company had another location in downtown Vancouver, which was first a cafe and then a rum bar, but that has since closed. The Battle Ground restaurant’s menu was recently modified to include some new dishes, along with tried-and-true favorites.

What I tried: My dining companion and I settled on the Cuban Sandwich with beer-battered fries and the Muscle Man Pizza. For dessert, we had the Hula Pie.

The sandwich consisted of house-pulled pork, a thick cut of ham, smoked Gouda cheese, Swiss cheese, pickles and yellow mustard on a pressed Kaiser bun. The result was very appetizing. The pork was tender and juicy, and some of it had crispy edges. It did not contain any fatty pieces, and the ham was likewise tender and lean. The two cheeses complemented each other and brought a rich flavor to the sandwich while taming the saltiness of the meat. The pickles and mustard were just a bit tangy, and the pressed bun made a perfect foundation. I would definitely have this sandwich again.

The pizza was topped with jalapeño cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, Italian sausage, bacon and pepperoni — all drizzled with a chipotle raspberry glaze and topped with fresh, thinly sliced jalapeños. The crust was sturdy and of medium thickness, soft and not overly crispy along its edges. This pizza was very original, in my experience, and I found the flavors to be bold and satisfying. I appreciated that the bacon pieces were free of excessive fat and the pepperoni was not greasy. The sweetness of the glaze, the spiciness of the peppers and the flavorful meat toppings created a scrumptious combination.

The Hula Pie was basically an Island version of mud pie, with a bit less chocolate fudge and topped with cashew pieces and grated coconut instead of whipped cream.

Menu highlights beyond what I tried: The Coconut Paella — crab, prawns, scallops, clams, rice, bell peppers, onions and basil simmered in coconut milk — sounded delicious, as did the Peppercorn Steak, crusted with pepper and doused in a garlic-mushroom cream sauce. The Ahi Salad combines blackened ahi tuna, mixed greens, cabbage, cucumbers, marinated tomatoes, green onions, crispy wontons and a creamy wasabi dressing. The Peanut Butter Burger is made with house-made bacon peanut butter, crispy bacon and American cheese.

Atmosphere: The restaurant’s decor incorporated a plethora of memorabilia, along with a smattering of multi-piece artwork and mirrors. Wall, floor and ceiling textiles varied and completed the hodgepodge design. The restaurant provided exclusive bar seating, a family dining area, and a space in-between, where the vibe is more lively.

Other observations: The waitstaff was very attentive and friendly. I thought the decor, though busy, was interesting, and the menu selections are flavorful. For families looking for dining where seating is well removed from the bar, South Pacific can accommodate.

Cost: Happy-hour menu items range from $3.50 to $13; happy hour runs all day. Burgers are served with beer-battered fries and cost $9 to $13. You may substitute tots, soup or salad for the fries and add more burger toppings for an additional charge of $1.29 to $3. Pizzas come in a personal size and a family size for $10 to $26. Sandwiches are $10 to $13 and are served with beer-battered fries with the same substitutions available as the burgers. For $1 more, you can make the sandwich a wrap. Soup costs $4 for a cup and $8 for a bowl, chowder is $5 and $10. Salads start at $9 and top out at $15. Entrees are served with a side salad or soup of the day and range from $13 to $20. Steaks come with a side salad or soup of the day, garlic mashed potatoes, house vegetables and house-made focaccia for $19 to $25.