Cafe Beethoven a Borough Staple

At the intersection of Fairmount Avenue and Main Street, is one of the borough's prominent businesses. Don't be fooled by the small tables and wooden bench in the front of the cafe: this place does much more than coffee.

Cafe Beethoven offers a full lunch menue Tuesday through Sunday, and dinners Tuesday through Friday (the cafe is closed on Mondays.) A dining room in the back, with an option for outdoor seating during fine weather, allow for a more private dining experience than the floor-to-ceiling windows along Main Street traffic can offer.

The menus change with the season, but in these warm summer weeks they include a fresh spinach and nectarine salad (with pecans and blueberries, $9.50) and a sliced turkey and avocado sandwich ($8.95). They also have a Prix Fixe option for diners to combine any lunch entree with a soup or salad, and a house salad option (large $7.50, medium $6.25).

If you're bringing children along on your adult luncheon, there is a classic grilled cheese sandwich option, served with fresh bacon and sliced tomato, for $8.95.

The dinner menu includes appetizers and entrees, all mouth-watering. Appetizers and Soup of the Day are all $7 and range from honey roasted pear salad with gorgonzola and toast walnuts, served with arugula and a shallot and thyme vinaigrette, or a trio of bruschetta, which include the classic bruschetta of tomato and basil, a second serving of an asparagus and parmasan with truffle oil, and a third of grilled zucchini and ricotta cheese with pine nuts.

A perusal of the entrees reveals some swanky twists on soul food originals, such as enhancing tangy, grilled meatloaf with Julienned vegetables, or topping grilled fish (swai) with rosemary and fresh tarragon. Prices range from $12 for the beet and arugula salad to $18 for the fish.

These dishes are designed for a moderate appetite: They are filling, but stop before you can eat yourself into a food coma. If your appetite is more ravenous, top off your meal with one of their assorted cookies or baked goods, which include Mozart cake, apple strudel, seasonal fresh fruit tarts and canoli. Prices vary from $2.75 to $4.25.

Cafe Beethoven most well known among Chathamites as a place relax with one of their full selection of coffees, teas and espresso drinks. They also offer cold beverages including sparkling apple cider and water treated with orange and lemon slices.

The cafe is open Tuesday through Saturday at 8:30 a.m., Sundays at 10 a.m. It closes at 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, at 10 p.m. Friday, 5 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday.

Lunch is served from 11:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., and dinner is served from 5:15 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and until 9:30 p.m. Friday. Catering is available in the venue or at another location. Visa, Mastercard and cash are accepted.