Artisan Café

Used to be a great eatery until the cafe was taken over by a rather rude and unfriendly couple. It's no longer the warm, cozy atmosphere we used to love. There is large, unsightly music equipment taking up a large portion of the dining area. The food is lack luster, it's a 50/50 chance the bread will be stale, and an occasional peak into the kitchen (visible through the dining area), shows that cleanliness is not something the new owners take as seriously as they should. I will no longer give these people my business and recommend highly against it.

There are several other eateries in town which are clean and friendly. Don't waste your time or risk getting sick.

This place best sandwiches, salads, and soups. I am not much on dessert but those are said to be amazing as well. If you want a quick meal, excellent service, and quality eats....go eat at the Artisan!!! You will not be disappointed!!! Oh yeah, their bread is superb as well!!!

Bedford's Artisan Café is a diamond in the rough that turns out gourmet soups, salads and sandwiches using fresh, organic ingredients in creative and thoughtful ways.

Located behind the courthouse in the Town of Bedford, Artisan Café is one of multiple tenants in the former Electric Company building.  The common thread is art: the building houses a gallery where one can purchase local art; artist studios; a pet grooming salon (PawWash) and; a pet boutique.  The project is the brainchild of Patti Siehien, whose brother, Michael, is owner and executive chef of the fine dining establishment, the Bedford Social Club.  Since opening in January, Artisan Café has drawn lunch-goers from Roanoke, SML, Lynchburg and, of course, downtown Bedford and has received write-ups in local publications as well as in Virginia Living magazine.    

In keeping with the overall theme, each item on the menu bears the name of a famous artist.  For instance, the tasty Picasso sandwich - a favorite of Patti's - which features three cheeses, tapenade (olive spread), roasted red peppers and veggies on a heated fresh-baked soft roll from a Roanoke bakery.  Or the Renoir sandwich, with rare roast beef, cheese, a delicious pesto spread and veggies.  Other sandwiches feature Italian meats (the aptly-named Michelangelo), roast turkey (Rembrandt) and ham (Van Gogh).  There's even a PB&J for the "little artist".  

Salads include selections such as a chef salad (Degas), Mediterranean (Cezanne) and spinach salad (Seurat).  Patti's commitment toward fresh and organic is evidenced by the fact that, when in season, the greens are likely come from her own garden.

A recent chicken noodle soup, which Patti says is the one most-requested by customers, had a flavorful broth, fettuccine noodles, bite-sized chunks of chicken and vegetables and was finished with light cream - perfect for a cold day!  The soups are all made fresh in the kitchen.  

Desserts include scones, cobblers baked on the premises (we tried the peach) and real, hand-crafted ice creams that are sourced from a local Mennonite dairy.  

Regulars are met with friendly banter by a staff that knows customer order preferences.  Patrons can order to-go and peruse the adjoining art-themed retail stores while the food is prepared or sit in the Café dining area which features two- and four-top tables and displays a mix of local art and popular poster images.  It is not uncommon, says Patti, for customers to drop off a pet for grooming, shop the building's stores and gallery and enjoy a relaxing lunch.  

While national sandwich franchises advertise healthy ingredients and "sandwich artists", Artisan Café actually delivers on this promise with gourmet-quality food using fresh and organic ingredients prepared and served by people who truly value their customers.  

The average menu price is $5.  Café hours are from 11am to 3pm Tuesday through Saturday.