W/E Dec 1st A VERY short week

Well, it is that time again. Families congregate, cooking ensues, stories are told, and memories are made. We invite you to bring your families along to visit us this week. We'll only be open Monday through Wednesday for lunch and Tuesday and Wednesday for dinner. I am hoping that you'll find some time to squeeze us in. Wednesday evening would be an excellent time to escape cooking dinner and joining us for a relaxing evening.

It has become quite traditional for each of us to share aspects for which we are grateful. While many wonderful parts of my life are an open book, there are many things I am privately grateful for, as well. In the public realm I am continually grateful to have created A La Carte Cafe with Jon and had the chance to share it with a community of people who respect and appreciate what we have brought forth. Each day I read the food industry headlines and am appalled by the blatant poisoning happening by various large-scale corporations in the name of profits. Seeing some of the lists of ingredients in foods presented by these corporations and suppliers leaves me proud of the fact that we go out of our way to keep said ingredients out of the foods we serve.

During the three plus years we have been open, we have met an amazing array of wonderful folks. Even though we ran a company with a national market, and I have done art shows from New England to Florida and points West, we never had the opportunity to get to know, over a longer term, so many dynamic and wonderful people. I think, because you see us when you are hungry or relaxing, we see a different side of you than many others might. We see the YOU that is pretty fundamental. How lucky for us. When you are here you tend to let "your hair down." That allows us to see more than your "work" side, more than your "family" side, more than your purely "social" side. We like that. You are a pretty spectacular group. We are proud to know you.

While being grateful, I would be horribly amiss if I didn't do a big shout out to the fabulous staff that have joined us at one time or another. Currently, with the exception of Jon, it is all female. Do you have any idea how rare it is to have a restaurant where the entire creative staff is female? Especially since we are neither East  nor West coast. I am proud of the talent we have. Amy has boucoup experience in addition to stellar training credentials. She brings with her a love of good food as well as a vegetarian sensibility. Her creativity is allowed to be scratched and her efforts are extraordinary. As someone who considers herself an artist first, I understand the value of being able to be allowed creativity within your job. If you can't be rich, at least be rich in your ability to feed your creative soul. I am proud to have created an environment where this is not only possible but expected. I treasure the individual creativity each staff member brings to their jobs. No one here is exempt from any job. From dishwashing to creating lunch specials, to devising better ways to do something, everyone gets to contribute.

We know the next few weeks are  likely to be filled with many, many activities. Hopefully, you'll find some time to wind down a bit and join us for a meal or few. We do plan to be closed over the end-of-year holidays. So plan ahead. This year Jon and I will actually make it happen to be with our children and grandchildren. We'll do an early Christmas with Mom here and leave her in the capable hands of the folks at Shady Oaks whilst we feast on the love of our younger kin.

Now here is our short week of lunch specials and dinner specials~~

Monday~ Black bean and potato tacos with chips and salsa $7.29
Tuesday~ Chicken pad Thai $7.79
Wednesday~ Hungarian chicken paprikash $7.79

Seafood Entrée~ Garlic shrimp with wild rice pilaf $14.99 Large shrimp sauteed with garlic and green onions and red pepper flakes. Serve over a pilaf of wild rice, white rice, parsley and lemon.

Flavor Journey~ Beef Stroganoff~~ Traditional Beef Stroganoff made from beef tri tip roast, mushrooms, wine, sour cream and served over egg noodles. $13.99

Have a joyous week. Surround yourself in the love of others. Share your richness of being. Be engulfed by gratitude.

~~Susan et al