Chilkoot Cafe

Reviews 6

LO

Lori Gordon

Ive eaten many breakfasts and treats with coffee at Chilkoot over the years. It was a pretty good place for dinner too, but inconsistent. So, when we stopped in tonight to use a gift certificate Id received I was expecting the usual. Nice ambiance, interesting art, a great little neighborhood spot with good service and decent food. Now I want to call everybody I know to tell them the "new" chef (hes been there for a year or so, but I guess I had a lot of bad hair days or something) is TERRIFIC! The valley has lots of good food, but Chilkoot is now right up there with the best of them. (I used to review restaurants and since I stopped, I no longer take notes, so youll have to bear with me because the food was so good, I wanted to experience it more than cram for writing Id do later.) The starter my sweetheart ordered before I arrived reached the table just as a sat down. A generous platter for two, it would easily make a memorable light meal after a walk around the South Hill. Warm toast and papadum were paired with mortadella sausage, Chilkoots own fresh heavenly ricotta, a tart rhubarb sauce, sweet pickles and warm olives. Nice. We shared a pasta made also of the housemade ricotta, caramelized onions and a velvety smooth spinach sauce. I know thats a description with a light word count, but I was too busy making moaning sounds. We also enjoyed the crusted trout with artichokes and potatoes....and I forget....aioli, I think. It was creamy and delicious and my tastebuds were in nirvana and no longer remembering anything but who I would surprise with a dinner there soon. We were too full for dessert, but the guys next to us had the only one on the menu that night, due to an impending oven repair. The clever pastry guy came up with a salty rice crispy bar, classic, but fresh and buttery with the sassy inclusion of crushed potato chips. Our dining neighbors were so equally excited about their meal they came over and shared a bite with me. Yum. Ill think about it until I go back and get one with my coffee. Probably tomorrow.

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KR

Kristin Ackerland

Now THIS is the best coffee shop in the area! We had lived here for a year and accidentally stumbled upon it one day since its a few blocks from the main drag. You might miss this little gem if you dont know about it already. We now frequent this place regularly with our family of 3 and feel right at home in its comforting and cozy atmosphere. Get the vanilla latte. Latte is made with organic whole milk, Im sure you could sub it out (though I would be mad at you), and their homemade vanilla bean syrup. Yes. You heard right. Complete in a handsome squat mug with a happy little Rosetta design in the foam that just makes you smile on the inside. Sip and indulge as natural light pours in from the big windows and your eyes settle on the local wall art and intriguing pottery along the sill . Im not attempting to wax poetic here. This is the real deal. 3 square meals of the day are offered, so if you stay later, the place will be transformed by little dancing candles and an amazing dinner menu. All the food is fresh and centered around local ingredients. Staff is always friendly and patiently helps my indecisive hunger settle on a dish to order. I tell everyone (and now you - Internet) about this special place. Enjoy!!

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ST

Stephen Langer

Wow. What a difference two days can make. I stumbled upon this place on a Monday morning and was pleasantly surprised by the casual, yet hip ambience, friendly staff, and a tasty breakfast burrito. My Americano was strong and rich, and the atmosphere proved a great place to read my book, radio playing an eclectic mix of classic folk and Americana. It was so good, in fact, I decided to come back the next morning. Tuesday the place was dead, the music had changed to a mix of 5 year old forgotten Top 40 (Cee-lo) and late-stage hard rock (Staind), and unfortunately the majority of my food was left on my plate. I wish I had read the whole description on the menu, but I tend to go into a frenzy when I see "chorizo" and "torta" in close proximity on a menu. The chorizo torta was served on a pita pocket. A store bought pita pocket. Theres a bakery on premises! Just make a torta! Instead it comes out like huevos rancheros but the crispy corn tortilla has been replaced with a starchy, soggy pancake. Its rare to have my excitement for a place deflate so fast. Im not sure if theres a trend, but to be safe you may want to visit on a Monday.

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ER

Erica Koch

Tonight was my first time at Chilkoot Cafe...I was so excited to try it out, as it had been my sister-in-laws favorite neighborhood cafe and a bunch of our family were meeting there tonight to celebrate her birthday..I had such high hopes of experiencing something great! Unfortunately, I was so disappointed. The service was the worst Ive ever, EVER encountered and ruined the experience for us. Not only was our server seemingly put off by having to wait on us, but she also had no menus to offer us, no descriptions of menu items or options when asked and was completely unfriendly. When my mother asked for a new cup of black coffee because it was served cold, the server said that was all she had and she couldnt make a new pot because she didnt want to waste it. Being a server myself and knowing that its my responsibility to make a diners experience pleasurable and comfortable in every way, Im surprised that someone like this would be chosen for the service industry. Im hoping this isnt a common experience here for others, perhaps it was just this server! Beware of the server with brown hair and glasses! :(

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BE

Becky Robb Hotzler

We got on the trail late last night but our evenings highlight was going to be going to Chilkoot for dinner afterwards. Well, we made a few wrong turns on the trail and in the end got to the Cafe with 3 minutes until closing. There were diners still eating at tables so we thought we would chance it. Surprised and delighted by the gracious reception (lovely blonde gal with headband wrap) at counter welcoming us and offering us drinks and food to go and so forth. We ate the pork tacos (wonderful) the chicken thai dish (extremely flavorful and delicious) and the italian grilled cheese (sorely lacking in cheese!) but were floored by the mint lemonade and the amazing cakes and key lime pie. ALL were over the top delicious. We shall return when we have a bit more time to explore the bike shop - thanks so much!! :)

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JO

Joe Goulet

I always wanted to check this place out and finely did last week. I placed my food order at the counter and then grabbed a table and sat down. I ordered the Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf Melt and a bottle of Coke and I got it in about six minutes. The Melt was very good with a little spice to it. It was served with marinated fresh vegetables on the side, very good. My lunch partner Sara ordered a salad with a grilled chicken breast and balsamic vinegar dressing and loved it. The lettuce was good quality because she ate the whole thing and she usually picks out the bad greens at other cafes. Sara even got some dressing to go it was so good. We also tried the Lemon Tart, very good. I cant wait to try other items on the menu.

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