Hiking is hungry work. If I’m out on U.S. 2, odds are good I’ve been hiking, or perhaps skiing. After a long day outside, I appreciate a good restaurant. Especially one that doesn’t require me to drive very far while famished.
So I was excited to check out Wallace Falls Cafe in Gold Bar. Wallace Falls State Park is nearby, and it’s an extremely popular spot for a hike all year — not to mention dozens of other hikes and other outdoor recreation in the area.
I’ve now enjoyed Wallace Falls Cafe twice, both times after hikes on cold days.
The first time I stopped in, I was wet and cold. I ordered Vietnamese coffee and asked for it hot — the menu says you can have it hot or cold. I was told it’s not good hot and that I should try it cold. I was a bit annoyed but trusted them and tried it cold. I must admit, it was delicious and rich like a dessert, but they really should change the menu.
After that minor misstep, the rest of the meal was lovely.
I ordered the spring rolls with shrimp. They were exceptional. I order spring rolls a lot, and these are definitely some of my favorites. The herbs and vegetables were all extremely crisp and fresh. The peanut sauce was extremely thick, rich and tangy. I ate every drip.
For my dinner, I order their version of pho, Mi Quang Pho. According to the menu, it originates from Quang Nam province in Vietnam and is the signature dish of the owners’ family. It doesn’t taste like the pho I’m used to, but it was delicious and served very hot, which I appreciated. The tofu was cooked to a great texture. The broth had a mellow, soothing flavor. It was, strangely, served with fresh lettuce on the side along with basil. I dropped the lettuce in the broth with the basil and it was surprisingly good.
The next time I stopped in was with my husband, also after a hike.
My husband ordered Vietnamese coffee, hot. Not surprisingly, the waiter suggested he get it cold. He wasn’t in the mood for cold, so simply ordered drip coffee.
We ordered wings as an appetizer. They were served with a sweet chili sauce that was fantastic. The wings had a light breading that I wasn’t crazy about, however. They would have been better simply uncoated.
Prime rib was on special that night. My husband ordered that and couldn’t shut up about how good it was. He was right, it was remarkably good and only $12.99. It was lightly coated in a rub of brown sugar and herbs, which was great with the meat. It was served with side of gravy, like thick au jus. It also came with broccoli, which was overcooked, and mashed potatoes, which were strongly seasoned and fabulous.
I ordered a Vietnamese sandwich with tofu. I can’t recommend it highly enough. The tofu, flavored with lemongrass was delicious. The bread was perfect. It had a thin, perfectly crisp crust and a pillowy interior. The vegetables were all crisp and fresh. And it was only $4.95. A deal.
As we were wrapping up our meal, a waitress came out with fresh apple turnovers. We promptly ordered one and shared it. It was flaky and rich and a perfect end to our meal.
While we had been eating, the cafe had slowly filled up around us. Clearly a number of the people wandering in were regulars, as the staff greeted them by name and joked with them. The restaurant has only been open since May, but clearly people are making use of it.
It’s a cozy restaurant, and I’m happy for one more spot to fill up after a busy day of playing outside.
Wallace Falls Cafe
429 Croft Ave., Gold Bar; 360-793-9351; www.wallacefallscafe.com
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday, Saturday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Alcohol: Beer and wine
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