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The It List

The It List: The WaterSide Cafe

By S.I. ROSENBAUM
Published November 24, 2006

You could miss it from the road. There's nothing to distinguish that particular strip mall from any other. Nothing to suggest it's more than it seems.

Even the name doesn't give it away. There are no panthers in the Panther Trace development, after all. There's no reason for there to be water at the WaterSide Cafe.

But when you walk into the cafe, everything changes.

It's like walking through C.S. Lewis' wardrobe: You're not in the same place you thought you were.

There is a small lake behind the plaza. You can see the water from the front counter. Blue, most days. Shimmering.

Sit down on the cafe's back deck with a cup of coffee and a sandwich. Owner John Pollock puts red grapes in his chicken salad. He says people like a little sweetness.

Out there, by the water, you could be a million miles from the car exhaust and the corporate logos of Brandon Boulevard.

Eat quietly. Listen to what the birds are saying. Watch the wind move on the water.

Were you supposed to be somewhere? Did you forget where you were headed?

Good.

Everyone needs a little sweetness.

The cafe will be closed through Sunday for the Thanksgiving holiday. S.I. Rosenbaum can be reached at 661-2442 or srosenbaum@sptimes.com.

You know IT when you find IT: It's something unique, something out of the way, something you could find only at one particular set of coordinates. It could be a masterful pedicure, a perfect waffle, a surly waiter, a greasy spoon. Divine or just delightfully dreadful, it's something that's unique to the Brandon and South Shore area. We encourage you to send us your picks, finds and hidden treasures. E-mail us at brandon@sptimes.com.

[Last modified November 22, 2006, 09:06:18]