At Sara’s Table Chester Creek Cafe

The name of this place is confusing. Both “Chester Creek Cafe” and “At Sara’s Table” are emblazoned on the door; and the sign on the building says “Taran’s Market Place.” But hey, what’s in a name? If you are looking for high-quality, raised-consciousness meals in laid-back surroundings, here they are. The unupholstered hardwood booths are not all that comfortable, but there is a cozy sitting area up front around a fireplace where University of Minnesota types drink coffee and read counter-culture literature; and regulars are comfortable enough that they know where to go to refill their own coffee cups.

As you enter and head towards a table in the back, look left. Here are cases with the days pies and cakes; and it is these desserts that are Sarah’s most outstanding dishes. Gorgeous fruit pies with coarse sugar on a crunchy crust, thick cream pies, an unbelievably good pecan pie, plus carrot cake, devil’s food cake with buttercream frosting, scones, muffins, and even ruggelach – all made right here. Pre-pie, supper menus range from wild pacific salmon and grass-fed ribeye to vegetarian and/or gluten-free items including squash ravioli and wild mushroom ragout. Although it’s nothing like traditional pizza, my iconoclastic whole-grain-crust pizza topped with fresh mozzarella, walnut-cranberry pesto, chevre, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar was a joy. And the salads we ate – golden beet and winter panzanella – were charming and delicious.

Chester Creek Cafe at Sara’s Table is a three-meal-a-day place. The breakfast menu includes cranberry wild rice bread French toast, buttermilk pancakes served with either maple syrup or apple-beer syrup(!), and something called a “hippie farm breakfast.”