Why: Main Street Cafe in Battle Ground offers some Russian and American menu fare along with crepes, a full coffee and tea bar and other coffee house beverages. The cafe is combined with a euro market that sells pastries and a large variety of European food items.
What I tried: I tried the borscht and the cottage cheese with jam crepe, and my dining companion had the ciabatta roast beef sandwich with a salad and the strawberries and cream crepe.
The borscht combines cabbage, potatoes, beet root, carrots, onion and small bites of tender beef in a delicious beef and tomato broth. Sour cream and a slice of rye bread is served alongside. I found the soup to be very appetizing. The ingredients blended well to create a balanced, healthful flavor that was not overly seasoned. The texture was appealing in that the ratio of shredded and chopped elements to the thin broth was just right, allowing both to last evenly to the final spoonful. The addition of sour cream gave the soup a pleasant little zing.
My dining companion thoroughly enjoyed the hot roast beef sandwich made with lean, juicy beef, lettuce, cheese, bell pepper and tomato on a fresh, soft ciabatta roll. The side salad that the sandwich was served with consisted of garden fresh dark greens with halved grape tomatoes.
Dining Out review: Main Street Cafe
Hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundasy. Telephone: 360-666-6919
Where: 813 W. Main St., Suite 110, Battle Ground.
Health score: Main Street Cafe received a score of 10 on Feb. 15. Zero is a perfect score, and Clark County Public Health closes restaurants with a score of 100 or higher. For information, call 360-397-8428.
Both crepes were large and not too delicate. The filling in mine was a delicious syrupy strawberry jam and tiny-curd cottage cheese that was combined with a sweet element which made it sweet and creamy. My dining companion’s crepe was filled with fresh strawberries and whipped cream. Both crepes were dusted with powdered sugar, and both were topped with a dollop of whipped cream and drizzled with their respective jam/syrup. The strawberry and cream crepe also had sliced almonds sprinkled on top.
The attentiveness to the pacing of our meal was appreciated. Our crepes were not served until we were done with our entrees.
Menu highlights beyond what I tried: A large selection of crepe options include cinnamon and sugar with apple, ice cream, lemon and sugar, s’mores, various Nutella combinations and various berry combinations. A Mediterranean veggie sandwich and a roast turkey sandwich, as well as a gyro, complete the sandwich options. Piroshki comes filled with either smoked salmon and cream cheese or bacon and potato. Ice cream served in waffle cones provides a cold, sweet option. Smoothies, Italian sodas, frappes, coffee and tea are available.
Atmosphere: The small cafe’s decor is modern and simple. Dark walnut-tone wood faces counters and walls and is complimented by white counter tops and tabletops for an attractive contrast. Ceiling can lights and halogen track spots light up the handwritten menu boards, while clear, glass shaded, single-bulb pendants bring a warm glow at perimeter bar-style window seating. Tables and chairs fill in the open floor, and there are a few outdoor tables on the sidewalk where potted plants add a touch of garden charm.
Other observations: Service was friendly, and food arrived at the table freshly made and fast. The atmosphere is comfortable, organized and clean. This is definitely a place I will return to. A drive up window combines a modern coffee house convenience with the cafe.
Cost: Soup is $6 for a bowl. Sandwiches cost $6 and $7. Crepes are $3.75 to $9.50. Piroshki is $3. Pelmeni costs $10. Ice cream is $3 and $4. Cold beverages (16-ounce, 20-ounce and 24-ounce, including frappes) cost $2 to $5.25. Hot beverages (12-ounce and 16-ounce) are $2 to $4.25.
