Monday, October 7, 2013

W/E October 12th Fall REALLY arrives

What a difference a week makes when it comes to seasonal weather. Suddenly, the cooler weather has arrived and with it lower humidity. We may actually be able to have the doors open at the cafe this week. After an enormous electric bill last month, we'll be welcoming a more natural feel. Thankfully this was a moderate summer. If you like dining al fresco, this may be your best week of the year for it.

This weather motivates me to get out the soup recipes. Amy has jumped in with her choice for the week. She'll create a roasted red pepper soup. This time of year we get in lots of gorgeous red peppers. They are quite sweet—NOT HOT.  I'm thinking next week we'll get into the butternut squash....

Thank you to everyone who came out for the Stroll on the Square last Friday night. Despite having a limited menu, it was still fairly crazy. But a good time was had. We thoroughly enjoyed Bliss Hippy's entertainment. They were a bright new sound and delightful. This week, by special request, Jon Lumsden will play his laid back jazz. He's been adding a few more tunes to his repertoire, and that new guitar of his is luscious.

I am fighting my restless urges to travel but hope to get to St. Louis next week to catch Quilt National at the St. Louis University Museum of Art. It has been 4 years since I got to see this biannual exhibition, and it is the most stellar and prestigious of the art quilt exhibitions in the country. We are fortunate to have the entire exhibition displayed in St. Louis. After it leaves there in late October, it will be split into three traveling exhibitions and travel for 2 years. I usually enter but so far, always get the rejection letter. I think I've entered five times now. They even have a prize each year for the person who entered the most times before getting accepted. I hope to be in the running for this prize someday.

When we did the Artwalk in September, I was unable to chat with folks who came in to see my work as I was desperately needed in the kitchen. Last Friday I was more able to visit and share my art with viewers. It was a lovely experience. I had nearly forgotten how much it means to be able to share that part of me, complete with the hidden art, the stories behind each piece and my simple techniques. It is who I AM. While I love creating the food and ambiance of the cafe, who I AM is the fiber artist....just as Jon, while being a terrific host, is really all about his music.  

My dinner entrĂ©es this week will revisit earlier favorites. The seafood will be Red Snapper Vera Cruz. We'll grill lovely 8 oz fillets and top them with a south of the equator sauce made from tomatoes, olives, shallots, capers, raisins, and herbs.   I'll pair it with our autumnal potatoes and stir-fry. Many places make the accompanying vegetables an afterthought. Not so, here. The red-skinned potatoes are mashed with a bit of cream and butter; then chopped Peppadew peppers and smoked Gouda cheese are blended in to make them pretty stellar. The autumnal stir-fry changes every week. We've been adding in everything from okra to shitaki mushrooms to eggplant and squashes. I love that this evolves as the ingredients become available. $16.99

My Flavor Journey revisits Argentina with the Argentinian Grilled Flank Steak with chimichurri sauce. Last time we served this, I got tons of comments from happy diners. We'll pair it with polenta with roasted red peppers and mushrooms. I'll also feature Mary Badiny's organic eggplants in an eggplant casserole. Ahh Fall! $15.99

The lunches this week will show much diversity and creativity. You won't want to miss a single day. I know. We make it hard. Amy just keeps digging into her bag of tricks and pulling out gems, and I am constantly inspired to try something new. Join us for this ongoing adventure.

Monday~ Lemony pasta with goat cheese and spinach  $7.29
Tuesday~ Spicy salmon sushi roll, calamari/cucumber/seaweed salad  $7.79
Wednesday~ Roast Dijon chicken and vegetables over potatoes  $7.79
Thursday~ Chicken sesame noodle salad  $7.79
Friday~ Cuban pork sandwich with side  $7.79

We know it is a busy time of year. We hope you keep your meals here a priority. You know that what we make here is made of good ingredients, using the simplest preparations, and is generally much healthier than you might find otherwise in town. This takes commitment on our part and is not the easiest way to make it work. We count on you to create the energy that keeps us going. Thank you for doing your part.  Have a lovely week.

~~Susan and the gang


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