My long-time favorite place for lunch is Town House Cafe in St. Charles, Ill. Set in historic Century Corners, Town House Books and Cafe is pleasantly situated near the Fox River and the city's downtown area.
The cafe offers a warm ambiance, with pictures of famous authors and other art adorning the walls, and fresh flowers on the tables. During the warmer months, its charming courtyard makes a lovely setting for a leisurely outdoor lunch. It is a popular location year-round, and can be busy, particularly during the traditional lunch hour. But it's worth the wait, and the adjacent bookstore helps the time pass quickly.
The daily specials vary. The staff is accustomed to questions about ingredients, and will check with the chef and/or managers to confirm whether or not something is free from allergens. There are a number of celiac-safe soups in kitchen's repertoire, and it's such a pleasure to be able to order soup out. My favorite is the herb three bean, and I enjoy the lentil and the prime beef vegetable selections as well.
For my main entree, I order from the set menu and have the cafe's Signature Salad, modified -- greens with dried cranberries and bacon, minus blue cheese and the roll, dressed with a raspberry-poppy seed dressing. For dessert, there is a luscious flourless chocolate cake, served with whipped cream and a raspberry sauce, that absolutely is worth sampling. (Although it's off- limits for me now, I can vouch for this one personally, as I had it numerous times before I went casein-free.)
The next time you visit St. Charles, or if you live in the area and are looking for a new place for lunch, try Town House Cafe. (www.townhousebooks.com)
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