Why: The Sportsman’s Restaurant and Lounge provides a few steakhouse options north of Vancouver in quaint, downtown Ridgefield. It is a family-friendly restaurant that also houses a full bar, pool tables and patio dining. A 2,700-square-foot addition that will expand each part of the establishment is scheduled to be completed by Christmas.
Atmosphere: The space presently affords about equal parts to the restaurant and lounge, with restaurant seating at tables and chairs, divided from the bar area by a partial wall topped with glass blocks. A beautiful antique backbar is truly the showpiece of the space; colorful Italian glass pendant lights, a few wagon wheel-and-lantern chandeliers, and some halogen track lights provide interior lighting. Ample natural light floods through the many large windows during the day, which I found added to the family friendly restaurant aspect of the place. Overall, the decor brings both old and new elements together in an attractive, interesting fashion.
What I tried: I settled on the Main Street Burger with housemade potato salad to accompany and my dining companion had the fish and chips with potato salad and coleslaw.
Sportsman’s burgers are made with half-pound charbroiled patties of 100 percent certified Angus ground chuck ($1 less for one-third pound). The Main Street burger, topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, and cheese, is the most traditional among them. I found the meat deliciously juicy and charbroiled-flavorful with the perfect amount of crisp on the edge without crossing over to burnt. The lettuce on the burger was a healthful, dark green variety as opposed to nutritionally challenged iceberg. The tomatoes and onion were likewise impressive and my choice of cheddar cheese completed the burger. I personally prefer not adding any condiments to a burger and I found the Main Street had good balance and fresh, juicy ingredients that suited my preference and made for a flavorful experience. I enjoyed the homemade quality of the potato salad which was between chunky and smooth in texture with a dill and potato character.
