“Like tourists huffing and puffing to reach the peak we forget the view on the way up.”
— Friedrich Nietzsche
Red Apple Café
A couple of friends asked if I had recently been to the Red Apple Café (also known as the Apple Café) which is located at 2740 Highway 50 between Placerville and Camino. They raved about the new patio and said I should see it.
Last Friday I dropped by and talked with Sabrina, the owner. She showed me around the place, which is very homey and decorated with a lot of very interesting kitchen items. Then she directed me outside.
The new patio is beautiful. It would be worth just going there to see it, whether you eat or not — but how can you pass up good food?
It is about the same elevation as the Placerville airport and has a 180 degree or more view out several miles. It has safety rails along the edge, planters and tables with umbrellas spaced throughout. There is also a large shaded area that would be ideal for a group event.
At the insistence of my server, Kathy, I took a table close to the railing and watched the birds circling and felt the gentle breeze in my face while eating. Even though Highway 50 is near, you immediately stop noticing the noise. I could have stayed there the rest of the day.
After going over the menu several times with my server, I finally chose the Goldminer Burger, which is made with a charbroiled one-third pound Angus beef patty on a toasted homemade bun along with avocado, bacon, Jack cheese, mushrooms, mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato and onion. They give you both catsup and mustard if you would like to add them.
It came with waffle fries, homemade potato salad or cole slaw. I took the potato salad — I always do that when they make it.
The burger and the potato salad were both very good, in fact the burger was exceptional: moist and not overcooked with that bit of crispness around the edge, and the great bun made it even better.
The breakfast menu starts with traditional morning fare including omelets, scrambles, skillets, a Florentine sandwich, café quesadilla, pancakes and waffles, three kinds of Benedicts and lots more.
For lunch the menu includes a list of anytime appletizers, (yes, appletizes) along with a number of hot sandwiches including burgers, chicken sandwiches, a Reuben, Philly cheesesteak, French dip and several more. There is also quite a list of delicious looking cold sandwiches and soups and salads. And yes, the shrimp Louie comes with original Louie dressing.
They have just started serving dinner on Friday through Sunday from 5 until 8 p.m. Right now the menu is somewhat limited with fish and chips, a T-bone pork steak, calamari and Korean beef barbecue, but it should expand. I bet the view is exceptional in the evening.
Did I mention dessert? They make their own pies, strudel and more.
To accompany your meal they have coffee, coffee drinks (espresso bar), milk, soda, tea and even milkshakes.
The Red Apple Café is open Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. and on Friday through Sunday, until 8 p.m.
For more information call 530-626-8144.
Oh, check out the banquet room. It seats about 50.