<b>By Pamela Brownstein</b>

On a chilly afternoon, it’s always comforting to meet your friends at a cozy cafe and indulge in fabulous appetizers, excellent entrees, maybe a little champagne, a perfectly made latte, and top it off with heavenly desserts. This perfect scenario can be found at Beaufort’s own Magnolia Cafe.

[caption id="attachment_20017" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/DSC_0149.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-20017" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/DSC_0149-300x199.jpg" alt="Chicken salad on a bed of greens" width="300" height="199" /></a> Chicken salad on a bed of greens[/caption]

Husband and wife owners Evangaline and Dana Jing should be commended for their focus on local ingredients and homemade baked goods and friendly service and beautiful presentations.

The Lunch Bunch started with three amazing appetizers: Shrimp salad made with local shrimp; Hummus with fresh pita; and a divine Smoked Salmon cream cheese with homemade bread.

Kim loved her chicken salad over a bed of greens with her favorite homemade poppy seed dressing on the side.

I ordered the Lump Crab Cake and it was so fresh and delicious.

Magnolia Bakery Cafe and Garden Gift Gallery is located at 703 Congress Street, Beaufort. It is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Sunday brunch from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 843-524-1961 or visit www.magnoliacafebeaufort.com.

[caption id="attachment_20015" align="alignleft" width="300"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/DSC_0145.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-20015" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/DSC_0145-300x199.jpg" alt="Shrimp salad made with local shrimp appetizer." width="300" height="199" /></a> Shrimp salad made with local shrimp appetizer.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_20016" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/DSC_0137.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-20016" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/DSC_0137-300x199.jpg" alt="Smoked salmon cream cheese with fresh bread" width="300" height="199" /></a> Smoked salmon cream cheese with fresh bread[/caption]

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

[caption id="attachment_20018" align="alignleft" width="300"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/DSC_0140.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-20018" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/DSC_0140-300x199.jpg" alt="Hummus with homemade pita wedges" width="300" height="199" /></a> Hummus with homemade pita wedges[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_20019" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/DSC_0143.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-20019" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/DSC_0143-300x199.jpg" alt="Tomato Florentine Soup with Ham and Cheese Strata" width="300" height="199" /></a> Tomato Florentine Soup with Ham and Cheese Strata[/caption]

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

[caption id="attachment_20020" align="alignleft" width="300"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/DSC_0147.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-20020" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/DSC_0147-300x199.jpg" alt="Lump crab cake" width="300" height="199" /></a> Lump crab cake[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_20021" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/DSC_0150.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-20021" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/DSC_0150-300x199.jpg" alt="A lovely little vanilla latte" width="300" height="199" /></a> A lovely little vanilla latte[/caption]

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

[caption id="attachment_20022" align="alignleft" width="300"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/DSC_0155.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-20022" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/DSC_0155-300x199.jpg" alt="Pecan Pie and Pumpkin Cheesecake" width="300" height="199" /></a> Pecan Pie and Pumpkin Cheesecake[/caption]