Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 1, 1995 TAG: 9511010012
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: THERESA D. BOYES LYNCHBURG NEWS & ADVANCE
DATELINE: LYNCHBURG LENGTH: Long
Cafe France, which specializes in eclectic Nouvelle American cuisine, also specializes in freshness. Fish arrives at the restaurant several times a week, and many of the fruits, vegetables, herbs and edible flowers served at Cafe France are harvested from the Burger family's four-acre farm and 2,000-square-feet of greenhouses.
The base menu remains constant, but the specials (which make up about 85 percent of the menu) change on a daily basis, reflecting the seasons.
During the fall, venison and veal dishes are available. But seafood and fresh fish are the year-round focus at Cafe France, where crabcakes, softshell crabs and fresh opah (Hawaiian good-luck fish) are favorites.
The specials range in price from $15 to $21. For those desiring lighter fare, the restaurant also offers salads, sandwiches and burgers, which are available during lunch and dinner hours and range in price from $3.75 to $6.
Cafe France's atmosphere is a blend of Art Deco and country French. Pale mauve-colored tables add to that carefree ambience, making Cafe France a place where customers feel as comfortable in a T-shirt and jeans as they do in a tuxedo.
``[It's] a fun, upbeat environment serving fine, eclectic cuisine,'' explained the 33-year-old Burger, who graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in hotel/restaurant management.
Cafe France earned a three-star ranking in the 1995 Mobil Travel Guide. Well-known locally for its cuisine, the restaurant received an ``Award of Excellence'' from Wine Spectator magazine for its wine program in 1994.
The in-house wine list includes 115 domestic and French wines while the reserve list includes 291 labels. The deli/wine shop, located adjacent to the restaurant, carries 300 different labels.
For those who favor beer, more than 200 microbrewed, imported and domestic brands are available, both on the in-house beverage list and in the retail shop.
Also available in the retail shop are deli meats and a variety of gourmet foods, candies, chocolates, coffees and teas as well as Virginia hams, peanuts and high-end, imported cigars.
FRIED BANANA PEPPERS WITH JALAPENO CREAM CHEESE
10 fresh banana peppers, cut in half and deseeded
Beer Batter:|
6 oz. all purpose flour
2 tablespoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fine ground black pepper
1 (12 oz.) can or bottle beer
1 teaspoon hot sauce
Water to adjust consistency
Mix all dry ingredients, sift. Add beer and mix until smooth, thinning with water if necessary. Set aside,. Serve cold or at room temperature.
Jalapeno Cream Cheese:|
11/2 pounds cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup fine diced pimento or red pepper
1 to 3 fine diced jalapeno peppers (depending on heat desired)
2 teaspoon fresh chives
Salt and white pepper to taste
Mix all ingredients in mixing bowl with paddle or by hand. Chill.
Dip clean halved banana peppers in beer batter and fry in hot oil to cover. Cook three to five minutes, turning once until golden brown. If batter does not stick to peppers, try rubbing the peppers with olive oil, then dust with flour before putting them in the beer batter. Serve fried peppers with jalapeno cream cheese. Garnish with black olives and whole grain mustard if desired.(serves 4-6)
|Recipe supplied by restaurant; tested by members of the junior element o the Tidewater Chef's Association, American Culinary Federation and Johnson and Wales University College of Culinary Arts.
Cafe France
Address: 3225 Old Forest Road, Lynchburg Phone: (804) 385-8989 Specialty: Fresh seafood, slow cooked prime rib and veal, lamb and chicken dishes Price range: Dinner $9.95-$20.95
Hours: Open Tuesday-Saturday. Lunch 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; dinner 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m.; retail shop 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Reservations: Suggested for dinner. Lunch reservations only taken for eight or more. Dress: Casual Payment: Visa, Mastercard and American Express Alcoholic beverages: Wine by the glass; Cravinet system. Wine selection, imported and domestic beers and full bar. Nonsmoking section: Yes Handicapped accessible: Yes Additional information: Cigar friendly after 9:45 p.m. Jazz and blues music on sound system
Cafe France
Address: 3225 Old Forest Road, Lynchburg Phone: (804) 385-8989 Specialty: Innovative fresh seafood, slow cooked prime rib and excellent veal, lamb and chicken dishes Price range: Dinner $9.95-$20.95
Hours: Open Tuesday-Saturday. Lunch 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; dinner 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m.; retail shop 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Reservations: Suggested for dinner. Lunch reservations only taken for eight or more. Dress: Casual Payment: Visa, Mastercard and American Express Alcoholic beverages: Wine by the glass; Cravinet system. Wine selection, imported and domestic beers and full bar. Nonsmoking section: Yes Handicapped accessible: Yes Additional information: Cigar friendly after 9:45 p.m. Jazz and blues music on sound system
by CNB