The first time I visited Cafe at Belfair, the lights were low and there was a fire in the fireplace. Add the flickering candlelight and delicious food and you had a romantic evening for two. The lights are a lot brighter these days, and the fireplace was cold on a recent Saturday night, but the food is still great. Cafe at Belfair is located in a strip of retail shops that has exploded into a mini shopping center. Walk though the door and the bland exterior dissolves into a comfortable dining room with an open kitchen on one end.
Appetizers range from a spicy tomato basil soup to smoked salmon or pate.
The shrimp were lightly sauteed in butter and garlic, chopped tomatoes, shallots and lemon. Once the shrimp was dispatched, we soaked up the wonderful sauce with hot, crusty bread. The oysters, lightly breaded and fried, were served in a creamy horseradish sauce that needed a little more horseradish. Not a great dish, but good. We wavered between the regular menu, with its buttery tender lamb shank and the outstanding potato and onion crusted grouper, but settled on a couple of specials.