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Taking Sides: Out to Lunch: Lunching at Between the Bridges Cafe

By: Anne Braly
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By: Holly Leber
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Anne Braly: Today’s venture into the lunch bunch was a great one, but took a little too long for a quick lunch during the workday. Between the Bridges Cafe couldn’t be more aptly named as it sits between the Veteran’s and Walnut Street bridges. The most popular dish is the tomato-basil soup, perfect for my vegetarian colleague. But for me, a meat lover, I chose the turkey Reuben, which left me feeling less guilty than if it had been made with the traditional corned beef. But the flavor was outstanding, and the sandwich was large enough so that one half was all I needed.

Holly Leber: I went for the signature (according to the menu) creamy tomato basil soup and a salad of mixed greens, sugared pecans, dried cranberries, mandarin oranges and feta cheese. The salad comes with a cranberry citrus vinaigrette, which I got on the side, along with a sample of the mango pineapple vinaigrette, and I’m glad I tried both. The mango pineapple dressing is sweet, but not too sweet, tangy, but not too tangy, with a light, fruity flavor. Very impressive, and a lovely rich orange-yellow color as well. Aesthetics are important when it comes to food. The soup was quite good, but I think the “creamy” took away a bit of the tomato taste. However, it definitely cut the acidity. I wish we’d had time to sample one of the homemade desserts, but haste was not the name of the game at Between the Bridges, was it Anne?

Anne: No, as I mentioned, on this day anyway, things were moving a little slow. But, that did give us a chance to check the place out. I love the scenery in this little cafe. The use of blue and yellow on the plates and cloth napkins, brightly colored tile tables and wall murals that make me feel like I’m sitting in a sidewalk cafe on the streets of Paris. All of it is really quite charming, adding to the experience at Between the Bridges. And it’s fun to have walked in there and seen people we know. It appears to be a pretty popular meeting place. Lunch only, though. And I think that’s smart. The menu really doesn’t translate very well into dinner entrees.

Holly: I loved the Provençal decor. I found Between the Bridges to be a pretty peaceful place. Unfortunately we had to get back to the office, but it strikes me as a restaurant that would be fun in which to linger. The wait staff was warm, if not entirely efficient, and I appreciated the little touches, like the mini lemon poppyseed muffins, iced tea poured from a carafe and artificial mini-potted lemon trees on the tables. I’d definitely go back. Next time, I think I’ll try a late Saturday morning and really take my time.

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