For THE FREE LANCE-STAR
Mmm. Mmm. Mmm.
Friends dining with us at the Log Cabin in Stafford noted that I had stopped talking and was simply saying "Mmm," as I tasted my appetizer of clams casino ($8.95). "Mmm" is a very universal sound for "yummy," perhaps dating to prehistoric times.
The Log Cabin, which features fresh seafood, has a long history in the Fredericksburg area. The original building dates to the 1920s when it served as a gas station with tourist cabins. In the early 1940s, it was a dance hall; then the Mitchell family purchased it in 1942 and opened it as a restaurant a year later. In 1979, it was converted to a steak and seafood destination.
Lovely antiques fill the lobby, including a family member's square piano with mother-of-pearl keys and old sewing machines. There are linen tablecloths and fresh flowers on each table. Touches of color come in the form of a quilt piece and old hats belonging to various Mitchell grandmothers. And the "chandeliers" over each table are upside down bean hampers.
Even though the restaurant was full, and had large parties in several areas on a Sunday evening, it was well staffed and we were attended efficiently, pleasantly and without being rushed.
Our friends, who arrived first, saved us tastes of the mushroom caps (six) topped with crab imperial ($6.95). Mmm. The crab was fresh, the mushrooms, tasty, and the buttery sauce, agreeably unintrusive.
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THE LOG CABIN Address: 1749 Jefferson Davis Highway (U.S. 1), Stafford (about 61/2 miles from the Falmouth Bridge, and 31/2 miles north of Mountain View Road.) Phone: 540/659-5067 Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 4–9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 4–10 p.m. Prices: Appetizers: $6.95–$19.95 Soups and salad (if ordered without meal): $6.95 Dinners: $15.95–$49.95 Children's menu available. Desserts: $5.95–$8.95 Beer, wine and mixed drinks available. Atmosphere: The Log Cabin has the ambience of rustic elegance, a feast for the eye. The service is excellent, even on a busy Sunday evening. Payment: Major credit cards accepted.
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My Dining Partner ordered the white crab soup ($6.95), which he pronounced "excellent" after just one taste. I had to agree. The stock, with pieces of mushroom, had a delicate mushroom flavor, and it was chock-full of lump crab.
The clams casino, six served on the half shell, were prepared with broiled onion, fresh crispy bacon and red pimento for color. I regretted my promise to share them and vowed I would order the larger portion the next time.
Our trip to the salad bar revealed that it was fashioned on top of a large, old Coca-Cola chest. The options were ample but not extensive; the greens were fresh, as were the dressings.
MDP decided on the Cabin Platter ($23.95). A medley of fried seafood included a blackened crab cake, deviled crab, scallops, shrimp and clams. Everything was served hot, from soup to rice.
While the flavors were good, he was disappointed that the clams were strips, not whole clams, and that there were more pieces of fried breading than there were clams. The crab cake and deviled crab had only a slight difference in flavor, but were crispy and good. He would have preferred fewer shrimp and more scallops or clams, but he's not a shrimp guy.
I ordered a recommended salmon on cedar plank ($19.95), with crab meat topping ($4.95). I didn't detect the smoky flavor from the cedar plank, and found that it seemed to absorb the glaze of ginger and maple. I resisted the urge to lick the board under the salmon to get the last of the marinade. Mmm.
We both had wild rice as a side dish, which was served steaming and sat up like an igloo.
One of our friends ordered the Norfolk-style platter ($27.95) with crab stuffing ($4.95), a festive array of a whole Maine lobster, king crab claws and shrimp.
Unfortunately, after eating so much of the French bread (as we all did), she was unable to finish all of it. She ate the lobster tail and took the body and claws home.
Her husband had flounder stuffed with crab imperial ($21.95), and they both had a tasty broccoli casserole as a side, served in a ramekin. The flounder was fresh and flaky as was the crab. Mmm. Mmm. Mmm.
The menu includes New Orleans dishes and several types of beef entrees. The wine list includes Mondavi, Kendall-Jackson and McWilliams.
Sated by our various courses and the bread, MDP and I decided we would not order dessert--as good as they sounded (from Key lime pie to pecan tart)--because they were not made by the restaurant.
Because our friends were celebrating their 30th anniversary, the Log Cabin presented them with a complimentary raspberry truffle ($5.95), giving us the opportunity to have a tiny taste. The ice cream was covered with white chocolate and raspberry puree--a lovely treat and pretty to look at.
We made a note that it would be worth returning in the summer when the hydroponic tomatoes, planted in the extensive parking area, are ripe. Our friends said they are a wonderful addition to the meal. Mmm.
Linda Salisbury, who has written five books, works with self-published authors. E-mail her at lgsalisbury@gmail.com.