Water Street Café

1 comment July 13th, 2008

Gerlinde’s Water Street Café

Located across from the Rockford Register Star news tower, Gerlinde’s Water Street Café seemed to us like a little piece of France in Rockford.  The quaint patio overlooking a forested view of the River and the international flair of the music have quickly made this one of our favorite lunch spots.

We’ve noticed this café numerous times while parking at the convenient municipal parking lot above at night; however, it’s always been at night when Water Street is not open.  They are open for breakfast and lunch, though you can make reservations to eat there for Saturday dinner.  On Saturdays, head chef Gerlinde cooks up French delicacies for those willing to pay about $60 per person.

We mostly enjoyed their chicken salad sandwich with a fruit cup on the side. The fresh chicken salad features a perfect blend of white meat chicken salad and grapes, which gives the sandwich a little flair.  The fruit salad is similarly fresh.

We also tried the Dutch Potato soup.  We are always fans of soup in any flavor, but this Dutch Potato was exceptional.  It was much thinner than potato soups often found in the Midwest, but it was equally filling.  Another customer favorite is the black bean soup.

As for the café portion of the name, we tried their chai tea and were impressed.  To go along with your drink of choice, we suggest you try one of their life-changing muffins.  Is “life-changing” a little dramatic?  Maybe.  But they are all seriously good.

Everything is pretty reasonably priced for the excellent quality and friendly service.  Most items are under $10.  The next time we go, we’ll be sure to secure a nice table on their patio and try one of the seasonal salads on the list on the board inside.

[Water Street Café is located at 115 N. Water Street.  Call them at 815.962.3310.]