VENUE INFO

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• Dufour's in Irvington

The cranberry walnut sandwich features cranberry preserves, cream cheese and greens on walnut bread. The jalapeno pretzel makes for a nice starter. (James Yee for The Star)

Jalapeno pretzel at Dufour's. (James Yee for The Star)

'A neighborhood eatery," is what Dufour's in Irvington labels itself. What we found for lunch was creative comfort food and wholesome hospitality.

The mood

Dufour's mish-mash decor provides a sense of your grandmother's kitchen. Knickknacks that are for sale line the front entrance and window; a small coffee bar and cash register complete the cluttered but cute greeting.

The one-room dining area is divided -- country-style tables and chairs lined a windowed wall, with local folks of the elder and child variety taking up most of the limited seating.

Opposite the diners, baked goods cased in glass make waiting for your own food even more difficult.

Outdoor patio seating is available during warmer months.

The food

Just as the food you make at home changes, the breakfast and lunch menus at Dufour's change weekly.

Dining partner Jen and I mixed it up, ordering a few standbys and some things that may never be available again. I was pleased we tried what we did; the rotating menu ensures that repeat visits won't fall flat.

Our experience would not have been complete without carb overload.

Jen and I shared a jalapeno soft pretzel, filled with pepper-jack cheese ($3.25). It wasn't too spicy, and I could certainly handle the butter and salt.

I started off my meal with a cup of a chicken pasta salad soup ($2.29). Super-creamy broth held spiral pasta, chunks of chicken, peppers and mushrooms. A few cilantro leaves brightened the possibly too-heavy soup.

Jen was on the cheese track, ordering crowd favorite Glorified Grilled Cheese ($5.19).

Thick slabs of Texas toast coated with mayo housed Swiss, Muenster, and cheddar cheeses. A few slices of tomato subbed for tomato soup ..... and provided a little extra nutrition.

But, this was a sandwich so gooey that I could handle only a bite or two.

I tried a cranberry walnut sandwich ($5.39). It was an interesting, surprising and extra-tasty concoction.

Squashed between two slices of grilled cranberry walnut bread, slathered with cream cheese and cranberry preserves were dark, leafy greens, making another vegetable sneak-in.

The drinks

Jen spiced things up with a vanilla chai latte ($1.29). I went the dull route with ice water.

The damage: $18.80

In addition to an ever-changing weekly menu, this local joint offers new and different soups and entrees each day. While regular meals are breakfast and lunch, it will open for dinner if there are enough reservations to do so.

Dufour's atmosphere is that of a cozy, quaint, and creative little diner where friends meet over this week's chef's specialties.