Amanda's Cafe

Back in the 1920s, more timber passed through YJ than any place outside Seattle. Business has since slowed, but in an eggshell-blue cafe, one woman is creating another spike in trade. The eponymous Amanda snares traffic with well-crafted Fairtrade coffee. She's enlisted a chef who's added French finesse to the chalkboard menu. It's ever-changing, but has featured daube made from locally farmed beef; bountiful salads of butter lettuce, blue cheese and crisp bacon; and a mustardy steak sandwich with splendid cucumber relish. Sweets, such as burnished apple tarte tatin, would win over any hard-blistered axeman.