We are delighted that so many children come here for lunch.  A young dad, new to Asheville, came by the other day and got excited about having really good food in a place that welcomes young people.

 

He got our dinner for his family this past Friday. Here he is with his 10 month-old enjoying Beer Braised Lentils with Local Sausage! (Can I hear a "Yum?")

 

I've been talking to the farmers.  Things are planted.  Sprouts are out of the ground, poking up, soaking the sun and the rain in.  Soon we'll have their produce for you.

 

Once it gets up and running, in May, we'll be having Dinner from the French Broad Tailgate Wednesday Market on the last Wednesday of the month through the growing season.

 

We're pleased to be a part of this important benefit once again.

 

Plan to come have low-key breakfast or casual comfort food for lunch with us.  Dinner to go is another option, though I suggest you spread yourself out and take a group to a participating restaurant for dinner that night.  20% of the day's sales go to helping people with AIDS (yes, there are people here who need this kind of help).

 

Here are our dinners for the week. Order by noon and we'll have your dinner ready to pick up by 3. We are open until 8 now which makes it easy for you to dawdle if you like. Feel free to stay right here with us if you like. We'll reheat your meal and stay out of your way.

 

Monday April 12

Orange Ginger Chicken with Wild Rice 11.25

 

Tuesday April 13

Spanakopita with Garbanzo and Pita Salad 10.25

 

Wednesday April 14

*Beef Enchilada with Avocado Salsa 11

 

Thursday April 15

* Tilapia Moutarde with Parmesan-roasted Cauliflower 11.50

 

Friday April 16

Hickory Nut Gap Beef Bolognese 12.75

 

* these are gluten free

(though it is important to know that

We make a special casserole each week.

 

Order by noon or so. Order a half if you have around 4 folks. If you have a bigger group, or you just like leftovers, order a full-sized one.

 

Then come pick up between 3:00 and 8:00. (Or bring a gang and enjoy your dinner right here. We do have beer and wine by the glass, you know.)

 

Please order by phone (252-1500) or stop in to speak to one of us in person.

 

This week's casserole is:

 

Wednesday, April 14

 

Chicken, Mushrooms, and Wild Rice

and a White Wine Sauce

Half:17.50 Full: 35

 

We're now making Lasagna every Friday. Here's this Friday's offering:

 

Friday, April 16

 

Roast Chicken and Pesto Lasagna

Half: 22.50 Full: 45

 

Come for simple supper and sweet music this Thursday.

 

David Lynch and Vollie McKenzie

take the floor this week.  You're in for a treat. 

Terrific Old-time fiddle and guitar music. 

 

Fun!

6-8 is the time.

No charge (but we'll have a tip jar.)

Yes, we do a made-to-order breakfast every day we're open.  But did you know that we have "low key breakfast" too?  We don't have a drive-thru window BUT it's a simple matter to swing by, park, zip in, grab a quiche (made with local eggs) and a scone (made with love) and a cup of really good coffee.

 

My helper snapped a couple of shots of me in the process of making glass last week.  I've been trying to achieve this shape for a long time.  It's WAY harder than you can imagine.  And "getting" it feels really good.

 

 

April 10, 2010

 

Hello to you an a spectacular Saturday morning in Asheville. Last night was a bit chilly so I put blankets on the columbines I just planted. This morning I uncovered them. I might have to repeat tonight, but it promises to be a nice day and that sun will make the flowers come out. Bees love columbine, I hear. This year everything in my garden will be for them. Yee ha!

 

I go to Indianapolis this week to talk to a bike club about last spring’s cross-country ride. I still can’t believe I did that ride. Amazing to think that at this time last year I was in Texas. Whew! (Did I tell you I’m going to ride from North Dakota to Maine? 2011. Whee!)

 

And when I get back things crank up around here. We are headed into our busy season. I’m “omelet babe” for a Bat Mitzvah next weekend and then I head to Rhode Island for a board meeting for Women Chefs and Restaurateurs. We have a good string of weddings on the calendar, many of which I’ll help cook or serve. What fun.

 

But the very best thing right now is the pleasure of my garden and yard. This is the very best time of year. I have been cleaning out garden beds, one section at a time. On Wednesday I went to the nursery, cashed in the remains of a gift card, loaded up my car with herbs and geraniums and new toys and headed home. My pup helped me weed and watched as I gave the lawns their first mowing. Last weekend a fellow from here helped me move some heavy plants and a stone bench.  On Thursday afternoon I dug around and smoothed things out and stuck those new things in the soft earth just before that lovely soaking rain came on Friday.

 

Now I go home, open the door and just leave it open as I putter around the kitchen. Almost everything in my house has now been dusted (I’m not the best housekeeper, but things are pretty tidy right now) and I am feeling clear and filled with that spring air.

 

My bees are settling into their new homes in my front yard. I’m getting more bees soon and have been assembling more bee hive parts in the early evenings. This is a calming thing to do. Listening to old-time music, tapping hive bodies and honey super frames together. Tye settles in next to me and all is good.

 

The other night I got to meet the man who made my bike. He’s one of my heroes and I gushed to him about my bike adventures, past and future. He probably hears that all the time but I felt very special, talking to the person whose company has been so much a part of me in these past years. I just bought a new bike for the next round of adventures and, now that my garden is clean, the biking can commence in earnest.

 

This afternoon I am a judge at the first “Cupcakes for Cures” contest at the Grove Park Inn. 54 cupcakes. Yikes! I’m going to NEED a bike ride by the time I’m done with all those tastes.

 

Tye Masterton got a present the other day.  She carried her personalized bone around for a while, licking it, dropping it, picking it up, whining with worry too.  A few minutes after I took this snap I saw her digging in my garden.  The bone is now buried, and well on its way to becoming one with the soil.

 

Sigh.