ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, January 24, 1996 TAG: 9601240002
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: HOT SPRINGS
SERIES: Taste of Virginia
SOURCE: DARRELL GLEASON THE VIRGINIAN-REVIEW
Cafe Albert brings a taste of Europe to Virginia's Allegheny Mountains.
Opened in 1984 at The Homestead resort in Hot Springs, Cafe Albert provides diners with an opportunity to enjoy a light breakfast or lunch in a bistro setting.
The restaurant is on ``Cottage Row'' and is named after Albert Schnarwyler, a Swiss national who has been The Homestead's executive chef since 1962. One of the oldest buildings at the resort, Cafe Albert was originally used as a guest cottage.
A Virginia Historic Landmark, The Homestead resort traces its origins to 1766. It is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
``The Cafe Albert cottage is one of the few structures that survived a 1901 fire that destroyed the original Homestead complex,'' said local historian Johnny Gazzola. ``At one time, the cabins were rented out during the summer to some of the most prominent people in the United States, including members of the industrialist Vanderbilt family. They'd come here each summer to escape the oppressive heat.''
The cottages were converted to small shops after rentals dwindled. Cafe Albert is open year-round and is busiest during the summer.
``On a very hot day, we sometimes get 200 to 300 customers,'' Schnarwyler said. ``The business here has greatly exceeded my expectations. In fact, we might have to enlarge the kitchen because of the volume of business we are seeing.''
Customers can choose from indoor or patio seating. The cafe seats 110, and 50 of the seats are outdoors.
The cafe has attracted several famous customers, including Virginia Beach televangelist and former presidential candidate Pat Robertson, who is a regular patron during visits to his weekend retreat in Bath County, and retired Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf. Actor Richard Gere and his former wife, super-model Cindy Crawford, have been known to eat there.
Cafe Albert's emphasis is on delicatessen-style sandwiches, salads, fruits, and a variety of sweets that include Schnarwyler's popular Homestead Honey Cookies. Other items include products that are purchased for carry-out by local residents.
``Most of our customers live in Bath County,'' said Edgar Rosales, The Homestead's food and beverage director. ``People come by and purchase American and European breads, fresh-cut steaks, lamb chops and bacon to take home. Our soups, pastas, cookies and ice creams are also popular with the locals. That's one of the things that makes Cafe Albert so unique.''
Cafe Albert also has a ``Made In Virginia'' section that features peanuts, cheeses and marmalades.
Recipe for:
SOUTHWESTERN PINEAPPLE GAZPACHO
Name:
Cafe Albert
Address: Hot Springs. Phone: (703) 839-7917. Specialties: Salads, unique sandwiches, meats, pastries and Virginia products. Price range: $2.50-$8.25. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations: No. Dress: Casual. Payment: Visa, American Express, Discover, Diners Club. Alcoholic beverages: Yes. Nonsmoking section: Yes. Handicapped accessible: Yes. Additional information: Outdoor seating.
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: AP. 1. Cafe Albert chef Albert Schnarwyler (left) withby CNBassistant Pam Kincaid. color. 2. Southwestern Pineapple Gazpacho as
prepared from a recipe supplied by Cafe Albert.