Saturday, August 7, 2010

Bienvenidos!

Local Food: Tomatillos offer a cool and tangy respite to this summer's immigration debate. A staple in Mexican and Latin American cuisine, tomatillos are actually a cousin to the gooseberry and grow just as well in our cool climate as they do in tropical zones, with their own papery husk that protects the fruit inside. Tomatillos burst out of their husks, ready to harvest, at about the same tomatoes are just blushing, so they are often combined together to make the perfect salsa. The crisp, tart tomatillos from Rowan Farm are the perfect addition to Steven's variation on salsa, garnishing hush puppies, a staple from the Southern US. Though the green variety is the most familiar, tomatillos can break open their husks to reveal bright green, yellow, orange and even purple.

Around the Galaxy: If you need new ideas or inspiration for all the summer bounty, check out Galaxy's bookshelves for titles such as From Asparagus to Zucchini: A Guide to Cooking Farm-Fresh Seasonal Produce, Eating Well in Season, The Farmers' Market Cookbook, and a Galaxy bestseller, Dishing Up Vermont: 145 Authentic Recipes From the Green Mountain State. On Tuesday, August 17th Galaxy welcomes Leon Thompson for an entertaining read on Vermont.

Music Notes: All the way from Columbus, Ohio, Andrew Graham & Swarming Branch will join us with their acoustic folk and jazz on Thursday, August 12 at 8:00. Don't miss them at Langdon Street Cafe on Wednesday, August 11 at 8:00.

Local Events: As part of the Route 15 Festival, The Heart of Vermont Chamber will be sponsoring the 1st Annual Million Dollar Duck Race on Saturday, August 14 at 9:00am. Adopt a duck and be entered to win a variety prizes. The race will benefit the Heart of VT Chamber of Commerce and refurbish the Hardwick Welcome Center.

And coming up on August 21-22, Kingdom Farm and Food Days: two days of tours, workshops, food, music and festivities to celebrate Vermont food and agriculture! Organized by our next door neighbors at the Center for an Agricultural Economy, this year's event will be the biggest yet. New this year is a 25 mile bike tour of the area organized by the Craftsbury Outdoor Center on Saturday. Find out more here.

Reminders: We are open daily after 2:30 for coffee, bar service, and baked goods, and free WiFi, with dinner reservations available from 5-9. Please note we have extended our Summer Sunday dinner hours and will seat guests until 9:00 pm. We serve our special Blunch menu Sundays from 11-2. Claire's is closed every Wednesday.

We appreciate it when you reserve a table with us, as it helps us plan a relaxed and hospitable experience for you and all our guests. To show our appreciation, when you call, email, or stop by to make a reservation, you will be entered into our weekly drawing for a $20 gift card for your next visit.

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