Bright yellow flowers and a patch of seasonal orange pumpkins sit quietly outside what once was the Middle Earth Cafe in Nakusp. A few balloons humbly marked the opening of Gabi’s Fairytale Cafe, the newest eatery in town opened by Gabi Koehler on Tuesday, October 8.
Koehler is also the maker of the legendarily good noodles (garlic, spinach, and even chocolate) available at local farmer’s markets. But if you don’t know about them, don’t be surprised: they sell out quickly, sometimes in minutes, because those who do know know enough to get them while they can.
Gabi’s Fairytale Cafe is Koehler’s big shift into the restaurant biz, and even though there was little fanfare for the first opening day, there has been a buzz about the new café in town for quite a while.
The stately space, with its natural wood and mossy-green interior, complemented by stone window sills and tabletops, was filled with the smell of lentil soup on the first day. Five bucks got you a bowl of soup, a slice of bread with a generous square of butter, and a complimentary house-made coffee chocolate. The soup was hearty, and the quinoa salad looked healthy and filling. Pumpkin muffins, scones and cookies populated the counter, available from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Stop in and give it a try.