W/E Dec 7th Big doings this week!

First of all, thank you for shopping locally and eating locally. Your support keeps the money in the local economy and helps to keep several families afloat. Where you choose to eat DOES make a difference. Each week we strive to create an ever-changing menu that gives you plenty of reason to drop by. We listen to your requests and keep non-essential ingredients away from your meals, giving you peace of mind that the food you are consuming is healthy, sustainable and especially tasty. We know that you don't need MSG or preservatives to have healthy, tasty food.

What a whirlwind of flavors coming your way this week! Each day the lunch specials are quite unique to this area and are healthy too! A little time off has given me a moment to step back and look at things afresh. I think that must of happened to Amy, as well, since she has some pretty exciting things scheduled.

Friday night will be the last Stroll on the Square until Spring. We have Michael McClure showcasing his exquisite watercolors in our "gallery". His work will be available for sale.  We'll also have live music via Rachael Luster and more. I expect we'll be pretty busy—so reservations will be highly recommended. The weather is predicted to be an element to contend with. Stay tuned for updates.

Here's a little bit about what Michael has to say about his watercolors—
When I was in school I was told that representational painting had all been done already and there was no point in bothering with it. It took me 20 years to realize that, point or no point, I still wanted to learn how to paint what I saw. The beauty of the natural world is a constant source of inspiration for me. It has been said, we are not human beings having a spiritual experience, we are spiritual beings having a human experience. My way of expressing my spiritual nature is through my art. Whatever is inside of me, you will see it out there in every brushstroke. I hope that my work will bring you joy when you look at it, just as it has brought me joy in creating it.

Here's a tad of info on Rachael's music: We are proud to introduce Country Combo. Our music style meshes elements of classic country and swing on pedal steel, fiddle, and keys. Ron Cowens is a Thomasville native who has spent years playing pedal steel around the country, most recently in Wyoming. His smooth style is renowned in the Mo-Ark area. Keith Johnson is a music industry veteran having written countless top hits for country music legends including Merle Haggard and Gene Watson as well as playing piano in sessions in Nashville and beyond. Rachel Luster is a traditional Ozark fiddler who's been in love with classic country music from a young age. She plays frequently with local groups and is a founding member of the Signal Hill bluegrass band. We're looking forward to our first show at A La Carte and hope you will join us for some classic country and swing with a dusting of Christmas cheer in honor of the tree lighting!

Our staff has plans to decorate for the holidays. Watch out! You never know what might wind up tinseled!

Our seafood entrée is simple but tasty. I am making crepes and filling them with a combination of shrimp and crab and topping with a cream sauce. I'll serve wild rice pilaf and our seasonal stir-fry along side. $14.99

The Flavor Journey this week originates in Spain. It is garlic chicken with sun-dried tomatoes aka Pollo al ajillo con tomates secos. The chicken breast is cooked in a mixture of fresh garlic, sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil. I'll serve it over a raft of creamy cheesy polenta and add some of our seasonal stir-fry to the plate. We've had some really interesting veggies in the stir-fry of late. Lots of Asian greens as well as daikon radish, and our usual red bell peppers, red onions, carrots and mushrooms. $13.99

Now here are this week's lunch specials~~
Monday~Vegetable ratatouille. This mediterranean dish struts out all sorts of rich veggies and ties them together with a rich vegetarian sauce. $7.29
Tuesday~Shrimp with Forbidden Rice,  sugar snap peas, and avocado $7.99
Wednesday~Chicken Tikka Masala $7.99
Thursday~Chicken Souvlaki (Greek) and lemon rice $7.79
Friday~Caesar-roasted tilapia over vegetables and quinoa $7.99

We hope you will bring in any visiting kith and kin this week. We love meeting your family and dear friends. Show them a little bit of the warmth and good food we offer. We promise to make you proud.

~~Susan et al.