http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/276/1627426/restaurant/Painters-Hall-Cafe-Salem
"October 31, 2011
It's in the heart of...........
by Chuck Bradley (797 reviews)
Pringle Creek Community, a fledgling green development on the old Fairview Home property off Strong RD SE. The ancient and towering smoke stack from a bygone day looms above the building where the painters, who maintained the many buildings on the then state owned facility, worked and stored their equipment and supplies. The décor is an eclectic mix and includes large tables for big groups or intimate tables and conversation groupings with easy chairs, couches and coffee tables. The walls are festooned with "fine art prints" by Wayne J. Parker and an interesting fish sculpture created from keys and key-ring disks. The table at which my bride and I sat was fashioned from a section of Oak hardwood floor, no doubt salvaged from one of the old buildings since deconstructed on the property.
The restaurant has access to two huge depression era green houses that the developers have restored. Their goal is to provide all the fruit and vegetable ingredients they use from indoor and outdoor gardens on site.
Our server, Holly, was new and very eager and helpful.
It boasts "Natural & Organic Food & Drinks in a LEED-Platinum, net-zero energy Café". The menu is currently in seasonal transition and is rather limited but very healthy and good. My bride chose a half Whole Wheat Pita Chicken Salad Sandwich and a cup of Lintel Soup. Both were excellent. Her cup of Soup was almost as large as my bowl of Minestrone. I had a whole Caprese; fresh Mozzarella, fresh Tomato and Basil on Cascade Baking Company French Bread and drizzled with Balsamic Vinegar and Spices and a fresh Pear and Mixed Greens Salad with Onion, Walnuts and Feta Cheese. Yum!
The Sandwich prices are: $5 for a whole or a half with a cup of Soup. Soup is $5 for a bowl or $3 for a cup. Salads are $3. Fresh brewed Coffee was $1.
Painters Hall Café offers high quality food and service for an extraordinarily low price. We don't think you can go wrong here."
