cafe barron's. review by jeremy light
i feel guilty when i have lived near a keystone of east texas and have never visited it. many of you might be familiar with barron’s in longview. in existence for almost 40 years, barron’s started as a bookstore. it still is in part, but it’s so much more. it is a boutique and carries many unique items. it is also a fantastic restaurant, the latter category being my favorite.
set apart from the store in a quiet corner, barron’s is the perfect location for a romantic dinner or a business meeting. as you walk into the restaurant, you see a variety of delectable handmade candies and pastries. make your selections before you eat or you will fill up on treats before you have a chance to eat a meal. the chocolate truffles haunt me still. load up on them before you leave.
save room for appetizers. the maple pecan salad is light and refreshing. if you are more in the mood for something warmer, try the atlantic seafood bisque which is flavorful and spicy without being hot. the fresh bread offered is certainly well worth your visit. there are so many offerings which may dissuade you from eating a full meal. show discipline, dear reader. you will be rewarded.
i tried the special that night, a sizzling ribeye topped with flavorful sauce and two jumbo prawns. surf and turf at its finest. the steak was perfectly cooked as were the prawns. you might also try the hot and crunchy chicken. the crust has corn flakes and almonds, which is absolutely wonderful. further, try the garlic mashed potatoes. i hope this will convince you because i do not even like mashed potatoes and yet i ate mine. you can also try the rainbow trout, the perfectly cooked crab cakes, veal, linguini, or lobster ravioli with scallops. you are sure to find something to appeal to your taste.
as you dine, you will enjoy a quiet setting with mood lighting and wonderful pieces of art from various artists. while you wait, try the coffee. it is flavorful and comforting. i had four cups before my meal. and two afterwards with dessert.
oh yeah, dessert. there is a variety of cakes and pies to enjoy. my personal favorite is the raspberry cheesecake. and that does not mean cheesecake topped with raspberry sauce. it is a raspberry cheesecake. it is creamy with just the right amount of tart sweetness to make a delicious and satisfying dessert.
the only downside to the restaurant is the fact that when it opens for dinner, the store itself closes. several people nearly left when they saw that the store was closed. i hope the café is better able to show that it is open even when patrons are unable to shop.
if you have not had the chance to enjoy a fine dining experience in longview, barron’s is an excellent way to start. take time out from the busy day and enjoy a slice of tremendous gourmet food at reasonable prices. and also enjoy a slice of cheesecake. seriously.