Omnivore - A lonely dinner on North Highland

I was all alone Tuesday night at dinnertime and, driving aimlessly around, I decided to hit Cafe di Sol in Poncey-Highland. As you can see from the photo above, my lonely condition didn’t change much when I took my table in the restaurant. Despite the oppressive heat, most customers were on the patio.

I was surprised to find a very staid menu. Starters include dishes like pimento cheese, calamari, mussels and a pork empanada. Soups, salads and sandwiches take up most of the menu and there are only five entrees. I chose the 10-oz. grilled pork chop topped with crimini and shiitake mushrooms over an onion jus with corn-bacon pudding on the side (right photo).

Everything on my plate was delicious, but I’m mystified why there’s nothing more adventurous on the menu. Perhaps they’re offering a prosaic alternative to the esoterica emerging from the kitchen of Pura Vida, a few doors down...and quite crowded when I walked by.

(Photos by Cliff Bostock)