Eats: Amy’s Cafe In Falmouth

Nestled in a quiet spot near the north end of Falmouth Bridge, Amy’s Café offers a casual dining atmosphere. (PETER CIHELKA/THE FREE LANCE–STAR)

BY LINDA SALISBURY

FOR THE FREE LANCE–STAR

We’ve heard about Amy’s Café since it opened five years ago and decided it was time to partake of its fare.

The three-story brick building  near the Rappahannock River is historic, built in the late 18th to early 19th century. During the Civil War, it was used by Union troops, but it survived the nearby battles.  Its charming interior features exposed brick and timbers, and the atmosphere is congenial.

My Dining Partner and I visited for a weekday lunch and found the café and its outside dining areas almost full. It was easy to see why Amy’s is popular. Service is good, and the food  appeals to a variety of tastes. The café offers breakfast on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and early dinner most days. (Last seating for dinner is 7 p.m.)

We began with an appetizer of mini veggie spring rolls ($7.95). The eight pinky-size rolls were served ouchy hot. When they cooled enough to eat, we enjoyed the piquant sweet and sour dipping sauce.

MDP decided to order from the specials board after one of the servers highly recommended the hot ham and cheese on Texas toast ($8.95). The gooey sandwich cleverly packed the sliced ham between layers of melted cheese, giving it both substance and added flavor. A half deviled egg came with each sandwich plate, and he ordered cottage cheese as his side. At MDP’s request, the server added a dollop of sweet relish to the cottage cheese. He likes it that way, and the server was intrigued.

I ordered Amy’s chicken salad sandwich ($8.95) on rye and pumpernickel toast. The salad had good-size chunks of meaty and tender chicken breast, with just enough dressing to add flavor without swamping the chicken. My side, at our server’s recommendation, was homemade potato salad. It had a mild flavoring and was enhanced by boiled egg.

On the way to our booth, I had noticed a glass-covered pie on the end of the bar.

The featured dessert of the day was an apple crumble pie ($6). Temptation was overwhelming. We succumbed and ordered two slices. Served warm with a drizzle of whipped cream, the pie was a blue-ribbon winner. Thickly heaped with slices of apples, a homemade lower crust and a sprinkling of crumbles on top, the wedges of pie did not last long. Dessert offerings may vary, which is a good reason to return to Amy’s, as if we needed a reason.

What: Amy’s Café

Address: 103 W. Cambridge St., Fredericksburg, almost under the north end of the Falmouth Bridge

Info: 540/ 373-3663;  amyscafefalmouth.com

Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Last seating for dinner is 7 p.m.)

Prices: Appetizers: $7.95–$10.95; Soups and salads: $3.95–$11.95; Sandwiches: $6.95–$9.95; Dinners: $9.95–$18.95; Children’s menu: $4.50; Desserts: $6; Beer, wine and mixed drinks available.

The Scoop: Family-friendly, historic ambience, good service, ample parking. Indoor and outside seating. Live music during summer on Saturday afternoons.

Payment: Major credit cards accepted.

Linda Salisbury is the author of the  Bailey Fish books, an award-winning  adventure series for kids.

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