<b>By Pamela Brownstein</b>

The original Blackstone’s Cafe opened on Bay Street in 1991 as a small market selling gourmet food items. From there, owner Roger slowly expanded from a small deli to a restaurant seating 75. In 2001, they moved to their current location and, as Roger puts it, installed a “real” kitchen so they could continue to serve the quality breakfast and lunch items that their loyal local customers had come to expect. Today diners still flock to the popular downtown cafe for the generous portions of well prepared, fresh food at a reasonable price.

[caption id="attachment_11274" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/DSC_0235.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-11274" alt="Smoked salmon plate" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/DSC_0235-150x150.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a> Smoked salmon plate[/caption]

The Lunch Bunch was excited to return, and Kim opted for the house specialty Smoked Salmon Plate that comes with goat cheese, capers, tomatoes, onions and French bread. The vivid colors of the plate made it irresistible, and the fresh smoked salmon tasted even better than it looked.

Buck, who had his heart set on breakfast, changed his order after hearing our helpful server Rachel describe Blackstone’s popular Hamburger Patty Melt. Made with a half pound hamburger patty, the sandwich is served on jalapeño cheese bread with Swiss cheese, grilled mushrooms and onions with a side of fries. He was glad he made the switch because the sandwich was hearty and delicious.

Elizabeth enjoyed her healthy shrimp salad, and we all shared a side of the corned beef hash

[caption id="attachment_11275" align="alignright" width="150"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/DSC_0237.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-11275" alt="Hamburger patty melt" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/DSC_0237-150x150.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a> Hamburger patty melt[/caption]

because it is so good.

I ordered my usual breakfast item, the classic shrimp omelette. I don’t know what it is that makes it so savory, but the combination of shrimp, demi-glaze and cheese inside and out has made this omelette a favorite of mine for years.

Of course, we had to sample the desserts, just to make sure they were as good as we remembered. We shared the homemade pecan pie and key lime pie, and both were a sweet way to complete an excellent meal.

Blackstone’s Cafe is located at 205 Scott Street, Beaufort. Open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Call 843-524-4330 or visit www.blackstonescafe.com.

[caption id="attachment_11276" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/DSC_0240.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-11276" alt="Key lime pie and pecan pie" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/DSC_0240-150x150.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a> Key lime pie and pecan pie[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_11277" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/DSC_0230.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-11277" alt="Shrimp omelette" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/DSC_0230-300x199.jpg" width="300" height="199" /></a> Shrimp omelette[/caption]

&nbsp;