West Reading Avenues Spring 2017 - 23

DINING SPOTLIGHT

3rd & Spruce café
3rd & Spruce Cafe, 238 S. 3rd Avenue, West Reading, www.thirdandspruce.com
by Rachael Romig

would definitely say I'm lucky. I live down the street from the
Reading Public Museum, work at the Candlewood Suites, and get
the chance to dine in West Reading every day so when I stopped
into 3rd & Spruce Café on a Thursday afternoon I was greeted with
a familiar smile from one of the owners, Peggy Woodward. The
Café is only a quick walk for me from the hotel and we often have
meetings there over lunch so I'm surprised she's not tired of me yet!

Although I eat here often, I am never disappointed and today's choice
was the always delicious bruschetta to start followed by a "Create
Your Favorite" market sandwich. I almost always choose the bruschetta; I've never found a restaurant offering such crunchy, yet soft,
crostini or the perfect balance of acidity to sweetness in the tomato
medley. One of my other favorite dishes is the pepper crusted ahi
tuna steak with wasabi aioli, but a huge hit for all is Tuesday night
for "Buck a Shuck"...$1 oysters with four kinds to choose from!
I had one of my favorite people with me for lunch that day - my
mom! Unlike my boring glass of water, she splurged and ordered a
glass of Riesling. She's a picky one when it comes to Rieslings and
this was not too sweet, or too dry, for her. 3rd & Spruce Café has
a great list of beer and wine but also bartenders who always know
what they're doing when concocting and I was extremely jealous. She
also chose one of the weekly specials, a large salad with cranberries,
walnuts, and chicken tossed with balsamic vinaigrette.
3rd & Spruce Café is larger than you'd realize with beautiful natural
light coming in from the front through floor to ceiling windows. The
red interior matched with the high ceilings makes you feel open and
free instead of that dark, cramped feeling you get in so many local
bars. Seating outside is also available during the warmer days and
the large windows can be pushed aside for a fresh air feel. Large
flatscreen TVs hang on the walls as well, viewable from any angle
of the square bar, for game days.
There is a tall staircase to the right of the entrance which leads you
to the second story, predominantly used as an event space. I've also
had the pleasure of having an event at the Café and you receive the
same great service no matter where you are in the building.
I personally think 3rd & Spruce Café has a "Cheers" feeling but you
don't need everyone to know your name because even if they don't
know you, they still will work hard to make sure you feel comfortable.
And this is something they've been doing since they opened in 1947.
Things may look different now but the local West Reading café still
creates and remembers those good memories!

lovewestreading.org

http://www.thirdandspruce.com http://www.lovewestreading.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of West Reading Avenues Spring 2017