By Susan McDonald

Spending a morning exploring Cambria’s East Village art galleries and shops is one way to work up an appetite. Luckily, you’ll find plenty of options for lunch in the Village - and a restaurant to fit just about any kind of mood, whether you want chic dining or comfort food.

Bistro Sole in Cambria

An elegant choice for lunch after spending the morning exploring East Village galleries is Bistro Sole (1980 Main St.). Bistro Sole serves lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch inside, or you can lunch outdoors on a covered deck or in the lovely garden. Inside, the well-appointed restaurant features contemporary furnishings and artwork. The decor sets the mood for fine dining at this restaurant. And the food is as pretty and delicious as its surroundings.

Bistro Sole is a good place to splurge a little on the appetizers. The baked yam and goat cheese wontons ($6.95) are tempting starters served with ginger dipping sauce. The crab cakes ($9.25) are slightly spicy and come with a creamy chili lime sauce and fresh cilantro.

Soups change daily, but always on the menu is the lobster bisque ($3.75/small or $6.75/large) Pair it with fresh bread and a salad of mixed greens and you have a delicious, satisfying meal. The Mediterranean Salad ($7.25) is a favorite. It’s a generous plate full of baby greens, Kalamata olives, tomato, sweet peppers, grilled eggplant, onions and feta in a light balsamic dressing.

Sesame crusted salmon ($9.25) is a popular lunch entree served with a four-citrus glaze, turnips Anna and sautéed vegetables. Or try the crab and corn tostadas ($9.25) for a different south-of-the-border combination of corn and crab salad, black beans, cabbage and salsa with avocado-lime dressing atop corn tortillas.

Bring Your Appetite: diners enjoy the half-chicken salad at Old Stone Station

The black bean burger ($7.25) comes on a potato roll with romaine, tomato and onion and a roasted red bell aioli with sweet potato fries. Artichoke risotto ($8.50) combines creamy risotto with artichokes, asparagus, mushrooms and fresh Parmesan. South China ($8.25) is a boneless chicken breast with onion, mushrooms, sprouts, green onion and apple topped with a classic Chinese sauce and served on a sweet potato pancake.

Brunch at Bistro Sole is a special occasion prepared every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Live music on the patio accompanies brunch specialties like Bistro Bene ($8.95), a toasted baguette topped with poached eggs, pancetta, homemade hollandaise and served with home fries and fresh fruit.

Bistro Sole has an extensive wine list and reservations are recommended for lunch and dinner.

On the Comfy Side

Old Stone Station in Cambria

A more casual lunch spot is the Old Stone Station (713 Main St.) located in a restored historic gas station at the west end of Main Street. Locals flock to this eatery for its huge salads, delicious and different sandwiches and homemade desserts. Visitors will discover its charming atmosphere, reasonable prices, great food and welcoming manner.

The Old Stone Station is filled with nostalgia, from old photos on the wall to antique chairs to funky tools and trappings from days long gone. The best tables are on the patio out front or upstairs, where there’s a romantic window alcove.

The Chinese Chicken salad is a favorite with its generous chunks of chicken, crunchy rice noodles and toasted almonds, wontons, mandarin oranges tossed with lettuce and a special sesame dressing. A whole salad (huge!) is $7.95, while a half salad (really big!) costs $5.50. If chicken’s not your thing, this salad can be made with chunks of Portobello mushroom. And it’s served with a cute paper parasol on top.

Burgers are a good choice, especially when accompanied by the Stone Station’s yummy fries. Made with 1/3 pound of lean ground beef and charbroiled, the burgers are great. Try the classic hamburger ($5.95, cheese adds .75); bacon cheeseburger ($6.95, avocado adds .75); mushroom Swiss burger($6.95) and teriyaki burger ($6.95) with ginger teriyaki sauce and a slice of pineapple. All burgers come with fries or potato salad.

The salmon sandwich ($7.95) is a terrific choice and a great deal. Its generous portion of fish comes broiled or blackened with lettuce, tomato, onion and tartar sauce on a French roll and includes a choice of fries or side salads. Old Stone Station also has daily specials including a hot pastrami sandwich on rye or a pepper jack Philly sandwich.

The Old Stone Station desserts are worth saving room for. Homemade pies are piled mile-high with coconut cream, lemon chiffon or chocolate cream and peanut butter. And there’s a “big” chocolate cake.

Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., but some menu items, as well as any of the nine beers on tap, are available throughout the afternoon. Dinner is served from 5 - 9 p.m.

Bistro Sole, 1980 Main St., Cambria, 927-0887. Old Stone Station, 713 Main St., Cambria, 927-4429.

Author Susan McDonald is a freelance writer based in Cambria.

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