On a recent vacation to California Wine Country, my husband and I were driving through Alexander Valley, relishing the pastoral beauty of lush rolling hills dotted with grapevines, a scene worthy of a glossy magazine shoot. It was a quintessential California day, cool and sunny, and we were having fun poking around small towns and stopping by wineries to tour the grounds and taste the yield.

All of our “hard work” was making us a bit hungry, and we set our minds toward finding a worthy lunch spot. This was easier said than done, since we were deep in the country with no sign of commercial activity on the horizon. We had just about given up and were about to point the rental car toward Healdsburg when we came upon a curious sight.

The old-time country store had a whimsical touch, with a refurbished jalopy off to the side and a sign advertising antiques in the back. It was called Jimtown Store, and the sign beckoned with “good food” and “espresso.” It wasn’t fancy by any stretch, but we decided to give it a try.

I knew I was on the right track when I walked in and noticed a respectable selection of local wines available by the glass in the café area, off to the right. The left side of the shop stocked souvenirs, snacks, kitchenware and other practical items. The antique part of the enterprise was in a separate room in the rear. One of the employees mentioned that Jimtown had been a country market since 1895.

The store offered a refreshing blend of old and new, past and present. General household items and antiques mingled appropriately with a café that kept up with the times, offering delectable selections with a gourmet touch. For instance, my grilled jack cheese sandwich was topped off with olive spread, roasted peppers, mushrooms and caramelized onions, while my husband’s turkey baguette was spiced up with flavorful chickpea chipotle. The menu was equal in stature—and taste—¬¬to one offered at a big-city café.

We enjoyed our lunch outdoors on the adjacent patio, a cute little space equipped with heat lamps for chilly days and bright red picnic tables. Dessert consisted of an espresso walnut brownie and bread pudding with dulce de leche—and yes, we fought over it.

Now who would have thought that the plain, rather unassuming Jimtown Store would offer up a gourmet picnic?  If you know of any funky little finds that pack a big punch, please feel free to offer your input.