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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend October 13, 2006 Inner Child Caf� It was a sunny Saturday late morning, and my wife and I were meeting our daughter-in-law and our two young grandsons for lunch. We decided to try out the Inner Child Café which was holding its grand opening that day. Good choice. My wife and I got there first so we had a chance to check out the new spot. What is now the Inner Child Café is the heart of what used to be Cantwell's Market. The empty space left where there used to be aisle after aisle of groceries could have seemed cavernous. But with new hardwood floors over the concrete and the walls painted with a child-like landscape and trimmed in wood, the space has become a haven for parents with small children. We walked up to the beautifully handcrafted wood counter and ordered for our whole gang. I stared at the espresso machine but was not tempted. Nice thought though, for moms, dads and grandparents who might need a little something to keep up with the little somethings running all around them. My wife and I both ordered a Stuffit! a panini sandwich on Ciabata bread ($7.95). Inside was a collection of roasted vegetables: sweet bell peppers, sweet onion, portabello mushrooms, zucchini, chevre goat cheese and roasted garlic spread. I also ordered an organic spinach salad ($7.50) with marinated red onions, feta cheese and toasted pine nuts tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Advertisement For the mother of our young rascals, we ordered fresh veggies with hummus ($2.75) with carrot sticks, celery and cucumber. And for the little folks, we ordered two kid kabobs off the skewer ($3.25) with olives, cheese and sweet pickles and a choice of tofu or chicken. We got one of each. The woman in line with us ordered breakfast. It was after noon and breakfast was still available. Good to remember, I thought. When our troop arrived they were drawn right into the ambiance. First it was a trip inside the tall wooden castle where my almost 5-year-old grandson and I peered out at the tables for dining — you can't eat in the castle or the other play areas. Families were busy having lunch — or breakfast. We looked across the room at the sofas and stuffed chairs, one of which had a dad with his laptop. The place is set up with wireless Internet connections. There's even a special WI-FI hotspot in the corners of the room where you can go to use the Internet. Overhead, dragon kites kept watch. Some of the walls have shelves for toys and there are several treasure chests around the room full of costumes and musical instruments. We could see into the open kitchen where the owners were busy preparing our meal. It was like watching your mom make you lunch. When our food came — and it took awhile, as most things made with such care do — we were delighted. The presentation was beautiful. The bite-sized cubes of cheese, chicken and tofu were lined up alongside the sweet pickles in easy grasp of little fingers, including those of our 2-year-old. He and his brother would grab a few mouthfuls and head back to the pirate ship or the house or visit the fish tank or the wooden train table — all the while playing with people they'd never met who were just their size and just as happy to be there. The food tasted great. Most of the produce used here is organic and local, when in season. The flour is organic and the eggs are local when possible and always humanely farmed. The panini and salad were very tasty and the veggies and hummus were soon gone. We got the guys a granola bar and a cranberry scone ($1.50 each) for grampa for good measure. This is a place that has paid attention to detail. The owners — April Starlight, Jackie Case and Trina Leighty — did their homework. Starlight had wanted a place for parents to eat with their children that offered healthy food and a fun environment. Ashland now has one. -- Richard Moeschl Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. 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