DATE NIGHT - GAINESVILLE
PROFILE SARAH’S ON THE SQUARE
STORY AND PHOTOS BY SARAH EINSELEN
An Elegant Evening
Don’t forget dessert at this romantic spot
T
he place where Sarah’s on
the Square serves diners has
been run by a woman since
the 1800s, so it’s no wonder the
Gainesville restaurant is to women’s
taste.
Located on the square opposite
the Cooke County Courthouse,
Sarah’s welcomes diners on Friday and
Saturday nights to its dining room,
still graced by the exposed brick of the
1860s building. The restaurant and the
Shady Lady bed-and-breakfast above
it opened in 2007, named for the
building’s original occupant, a madam
named Sarah who ran a brothel there.
Women remain in charge today —
owner Donna Hertel of Gainesville
occasionally passes through to greet
diners or check that they’re satisfied.
They are, they say. The food
is delicious, the portion sizes are
just right and the presentation is
perfection.
Oversized utensils on the wall,
other whimsical touches and a large,
elegant chandelier suspended over the
bar give the dining room a romantic
aura. While locals frequent the
downtown spot for lunch on weekdays,
its evening menu offers soups, salads
and 10 entrees served with mashed
potatoes and green beans almondine.
Several desserts are displayed to top
off the evening, but staff will tell you
their favorite: the lemon bar, served
drizzled with raspberry syrup and a
dollop of whipped cream.
Sarah’s on the Square is at 115
W. California St. in Gainesville
56
T H E T E X A S F O O D IE
“The food is delicious,
the portion sizes
are just right and
the presentation is
perfection.”
and is open until 9 p.m. Fridays
and Saturdays. A menu and other
information are on the restaurant and
bed-and-breakfast website at www.
shadyladybedandbreakfast.com.