I’ve driven past Scallions a hundred times over the course of the past two years, but never have stopped in for a bite to eat, due in large part to the restaurant’s breakfast/lunch only hours.

Well, my non-Scallions streak finally ended … and I’m glad it did.

I was immediately impressed by the warm environment, from the tree-adorned outside seating area to the cozy interior with all of the beautiful wall art. The service, too, was certainly worth mentioning—attentive, friendly, and prompt.

But while service and atmosphere certainly play a key role in how we judge a place, a restaurant is nothing without excellent food. Fortunately, my chicken salad lunch special ($10.95) completed the “happy dining trifecta.”

The plate included a heaping pile of creamy chicken salad over a quartered Arkansas tomato, along with a delicious house salad (substituted for soup) and a sweet poppy seed muffin.

The chicken salad was outstanding—laced with crisp, diced pieces of celery, shredded breast meat and halved, tiny red grapes. Pairing it with the juicy tomato pieces was a wise choice, as the balance from the sweet grapes and acidic tomatoes was just right. Not to be overlooked was the unassuming poppy seed muffin, a dense, yet welcoming addition to my plate. The salad included seasoned croutons, fresh greens, shredded cheese and carrots, along with a raspberry vinaigrette.

My first visit to Scallions certainly won’t be my last. The sizeable portions, fair prices, warm environment and friendly service all guarantee a return visit.