Our regular lunch bunch went to Pelham to The Red Geranium last week. The cafe is located on the east side of Highway 31 across from Auto Zone. We entered the clean attractive dining area with patio-type furniture and a reception counter.

At the counter we gave our order and picked up our drinks. The menu is loaded with gourmet sandwiches, salads and such.

My friend had the Quiche with a fruit salad and a muffin ($7.25). The quiche was light and tasty with ham and cheese. The muffin had a hint of coconut.

She insisted on giving everyone a taste.

Then we all began sharing tastes.

Another friend requested the Wildwood Salad ($7.25), a beautiful array of lettuce, grilled chicken, almonds, Chinese noodles, mandarin oranges and Asian Peanut Dressing.

Mrs. Tidwell, one of the owners, said that this salad was made by a recipe she had developed &045; as are many items on the menu.

We all loved the salad and particularly the unusual Asian Peanut Dressing.

I opted for their specialty – the chicken salad sandwich with a frozen fruit salad ($6.95).

Never have I had better chicken salad!!

Tender chicken was mixed with grapes, pecans and celery.

Mine was served on homemade-tasting whole wheat bread.

The frozen fruit salad was very good.

All of the servings were most generous.

We had iced tea, but there were many choices including green tea, coffee, hot chocolate and soft drinks.

As usual, we shared a dessert.

Our choice was the Candy Bar Cake ($3).

Yummy!

At the table next to ours, Deane Franklin and Ladeana Richardson were obviously enjoying their desserts.

Ladeana&8217;s was the Texas Cocoa Cake.

She remarked &8220;I&8217;m on a diet but this is delicious and I intend to eat every bite.&8221;

Deane, who seemed to be a regular customer, told us &8220;I love this place because there&8217;s real food; real hospitality and they make you feel like family.&8221;

We talked with the owners Patsy Tidwell and her daughter Pamela Carroll.

They have been in the restaurant business twenty-six years and seem to be as enthusiastic as they were the day they started.

Mrs. Tidwell told us that they came to Pelham because there seemed to be a real need for this type restaurant. She said &8220;We like to serve good food in a light friendly atmosphere with a lot of charm.&8221;

They opened in April and are excited about how their business has grown.

They are open for lunch and also offer a full catering service, custom wedding cakes and special event planning.

Mrs. Tidwell is a certified event planner.

Along with other delivery services, they offer deliveries of lunches for eight or more.

When asked her menu favorites, Mrs. Tidwell&8217;s response was &8220;The chicken salad sandwich, the Wildwood salad and the Italian coconut cream cake made from my own recipe.&8221;

My friends and I couldn&8217;t choose a favorite &045; we agreed that everything was just wonderful