Monday, November 19, 2012

Thanksgiving

Local Thanks: As the holiday season approaches, we pause to offer thanks to the many members of this community who make Claire's possible.  We are fortunate to have new farms and producers, like Peace of Earth Farm, Hatch Brook Gardens, East View Farm and Citizen Cider, who bring new products every week.  Our old friends at Pete's Greens, Riverside Farm, Winding Brook Farm, Snug Valley and Hazendale remind us of the importance of maintaining valued relationships.  As we continue to strive to  keep 70 cents of every food dollar within 15 miles, we thank all of our supporters for helping us keep on supporting the Hardwick community.  We will be closed this Thursday so our staff can spend the day with friends and family, and we wish you a happy day with your family and loved ones.  We are open as usual on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and throughout the coming week except Wednesday.

Shop LOCAL:  Between Black Friday at the box stores and Cyber Monday online, stop by our local merchants.  Friday, Saturday or Sunday, buy a gift card or bring in a receipt from one of our locally-owned retailers when you dine with us, and enter into a drawing for dinner on New Year's Eve.

At the Bar: We thank you with bar specials Friday, Saturday as well as Sunday and Monday. Enjoy a $3.00 pint of Wolaver's Oatmeal Stout, a $4.75 glass of Boyden Valley Seyval Blanc or Big Barn Red. The Cranberry Crush, with Vermont Cranberry Company juice, spiced rum and ginger ale, is offered for $6.  Every Monday enjoy a pint of Switchback with Grilled Cheese for $8.50.

Around the Galaxy: On December 1st, Galaxy will be honored to celebrate 24 years as your community bookstore! Come between 11 and 1 to meet Natalie Kinsey-Warnock and buy her new book True Colors, and enjoy specials and special treats all day. Read more about it here. On Thursday, November 29th, Galaxy joins Sterling College in welcoming Nancy Marie Brown for a discussion of her new book Song of the Vikings. Come to the Sterling Barn Lounge at 6:30 to hear more about Vikings.

Music Notes: We will be closed this Thursday, November 22nd for Thanksgiving.  Join us next Thursday, November 29 at 7:00 for Jen Corkins!

Local Events: Caledonia Spirits and Winery will host an Open House this Saturday, November 24 from 10am-5pm.  See where Barr Hill Gin, Vodka and Elderberry Cordial are made, and taste their spirits and wine with local cheese.  Start your holiday shopping early and enter to win door prizes! For more information, call 472-8000 or email tanya@caledoniaspirits.com.

Reminders: We are now closed on Wednesdays. We are open daily after 2:30 for coffee, bar service, and baked goods, and free WiFi, with dinner reservations available from 5-9, Sundays from 5-8. We serve our special Blunch menu Sundays from 11-2. We appreciate it when you use cash or a check - credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up. Thanks to many of you we have been able to significantly reduce those fees.

Click on the image above to get a closer look!

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Cauliflower Crisp

Local Food: A crisp isn't just for dessert!  Steven makes a savory crisp with cauliflower from Hatchbrook Gardens, roasted to bring out their earthy and nutty flavor.  Macoun apples from Burtt's Apple Orchard in Cabot are sautéed to add a bit of sweetness next to Steven's bacon, made from Snug Valley Farm pork belly.  Whole grain mustard crema made with Hill Farmstead Brewery Society & Solitude #5 and Sweet Rowen milk adds a bit of spice and creaminess to complement the earthy flavors of the crisp. Steven tops the dish with crunchy breadcrumbs and bakes it until brown and the flavors have combined.  The cauliflower crisp is a warm and cozy way to start your dinner.

At the Bar: Remember our Sunday and Monday drink specials. Sunday, November 18th we offer a $2.50 pint of Rock Art Midnight Madness, a $4 glass of Boyden Valley Seyval Blanc or Big Barn Red. Our Maple Manhattan, with whiskey, maple syrup and Urban Moonshine Organic Bitters, is offered for $5. Monday enjoy a pint of Switchback with Grilled Cheese for $8.50.

Around the Galaxy:
On Friday come to your bookstore to celebrate My Bookstore: Writers Celebrate Their Favorite Places to Browse, Read, and Shop, a new collection of essays from writers across the country in celebration of their favorite bookstores. Howard Frank Mosher will be at Galaxy to introduce his essay about The Galaxy Bookshop!

Music Notes: Spider Roulette join us this Thursday, November 15th at 7:00.  They'll play something for everyone, from blues to folk, jazz to country, and maybe even an Irish waltz!

Local Events: Share your poetry and stories at the Jeudevine Library at the Tellebration on Thursday, November 15th at 7:00. Are you a writer? A poet? A storyteller? Come to the library to tell your story (true or traditional) or read your poetry or other work and join in with the national storytelling celebration started in 1989.  Each participant will get ten minutes.  The first ten to arrive and sign up to be Tellers will get a Tellabration slot.  Light refreshments will be served.  Call the library at 472-5948 for more information.

There is still time to support Highfields Center for Composting's campaign to fund their compost heat recovery research system.  Donate until November 18th!

Reminders: We are now closed on Wednesdays.

We are open daily after 2:30 for coffee, bar service, and baked goods, and free WiFi, with dinner reservations available from 5-9, Sundays from 5-8. We serve our special Blunch menu Sundays from 11-2. We appreciate it when you use cash or a check - credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up. Thanks to many of you we have been able to significantly reduce those fees.

Monday, November 5, 2012

As American as Mom and Apple Pie

Local Votes: Election Day is here, and while we get to put the campaigns behind us, it also reminds us of our duty as citizens and our right to a voice in self government. On Tuesday, vote with your mother in mind, and come to Claire's after the polls close or after the talk at The Galaxy Bookshop, watch the results over a special cocktail, and enjoy a slice of apple gingerbread upside down cake.  Celebrate your victory or drown your sorrows among friends.  We'll have a whole cocktail menu dedicated to the election and drink specials that parody the campaign, like a Cayman Island Account with rum, ginger beer, and Domaine de Canton, or a Job Creator, with Citizen Cider Unified Press, Elderflower Rum and Elderberry Cordial, either for $6 each.

At the Bar: Remember our Sunday and Monday drink specials. Sunday, November 11th we offer a $2.50 pint of Otter Creek Stovepipe Porter, a $4 glass of Boyden Valley Seyval Blanc or Big Barn Red. The Vermont Toddy, with Dunc's Mill Maple Rum, Domaine de Canton and Earl Grey tea, is offered for $5. Monday enjoy a pint of Switchback with Grilled Cheese for $8.50.

Around the Galaxy: This Election Night at 7PM, exercise democracy at The Galaxy Bookshop with Greg Pahl, energy expert and author of Power From the People: How to Organize, Finance, and Launch Local Energy Projects. Using examples from around the nation and the world, Pahl explores how power is being moved into the hands of communities through distributed energy programs and energy-efficiency measures. Put Friday, November 16th on your calendar to celebrate the release of My Bookstore, a new collection of essays from writers across the country in celebration of their favorite bookstores. Howard Frank Mosher will be at Galaxy to introduce his essay about The Galaxy Bookshop!

Music Notes: Flat Top Trio join us Thursday, November 8 at 7:00 with their bluegrassin' honky tonkin' music. With a sound deeply rooted in the spirit of real country and bluegrass music based around the heartbeat of a flat top guitar, the Trio projects a sound that is unique and timeless.

Local Events: Second Saturdays Contra Dance is this Saturday, November 10th at the Caledonia Grange #9 on Church Street in East Hardwick. Calling is by Hannah Otten, with live music by American Toad.  The evening begins with a potluck supper at 5:30, followed by dancing at 6:30.

There is still time to support Highfields Center for Composting's campaign to fund their compost heat recovery research system. The project will only be funded if the $40,000 goal is reached by November 18th, so donate now!

Reminders: We are now closed on Wednesdays.

We are open daily after 2:30 for coffee, bar service, and baked goods, and free WiFi, with dinner reservations available from 5-9, Sundays from 5-8. We serve our special Blunch menu Sundays from 11-2. We appreciate it when you use cash or a check - credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up. Thanks to many of you we have been able to significantly reduce those fees.

Click on the image above to get a closer look!

Monday, October 29, 2012

Affogato

Local Food: Torn between dessert or coffee?  Why not have both in an affogato? A traditional Italian dessert, affogato, or "drowned" in Italian, is ice cream drowned in espresso.  Possibilities are endless in this classic dish.  Steven scoops rich chocolate ice cream from Strafford Organic Creamery in a chilled glass, and tops it with a shot of bold Fair-trade espresso (caffeinated or decaf) from Vermont Coffee Company.  The final touch to this grown-up milkshake is delectable whipped Butterworks Farm cream, with just a touch of sweetness. This dessert is the perfect way to enjoy ice cream this fall without getting a chill!

Fair Trade Month is almost over! Until November, we'll buy you a free cappuccino (regular or decaf), made with espresso from Vermont Coffee Company, when you order dessert with your dinner or Blunch - just tell your server you'd like to support Authentic Fair Trade!

At the Bar: Celebrate your victory or drown your sorrows with us on Election Day, Tuesday, November 6th.  We'll have drink specials that parody the campaign, featuring a Cayman Island Account with rum, ginger beer and Domaine de Canton, and a Job Creator, with Citizen Cider Unified Press, Elderflower Rum and Elderberry Cordial, for $6 each.

Remember our Sunday and Monday drink specials. Sunday, November 4th we offer a $2.50 pint of Rock Art Midnight Madness, a $4 glass of Boyden Valley Seyval Blanc or Big Barn Red. The Apple Dunc, with Dunc's Mill Elderflower Rum, Caledonia Spirits Elderberry Cordial and Citizen Cider Unified Press, is offered for $5.  Monday enjoy a pint of Switchback with Grilled Cheese for $8.50.

Around the Galaxy: On Election Night, exercise democracy at The Galaxy Bookshop with Greg Pahl, energy expert and author of Power From the People: How to Organize, Finance, and Launch Local Energy Projects. Using examples from around the nation and the world, Pahl explores how power is being moved into the hands of communities through distributed energy programs and energy-efficiency measures. The book is available now at Galaxy, so take a look and come with your ideas and questions on Tuesday, November 6th at 7PM.

Music Notes: Big Hat, No Cattle, Vermont's newest old time western swing trio join us this Thursday, November 1 at 7:00. Support local music and don't miss their honky tonk tunes!

Local Events: Once again the ghosts and goblins will come out of the pages of the books in the library to haunt and trick and treat all those who dare to enter the library walls!  There will be a game to play for an extra treat!  The Halloween Reading Raffle winners will be pulled at 7pm.  Six winners will be chosen to win gift certificates to The Galaxy Bookshop.  For more information, call the Jeudevine Library at 472-5948.

There is still time to support Highfields Center for Composting's campaign to fund their compost heat recovery research system! The project will only be funded if the $40,000 goal is reached by November 18th, so donate now!

Reminders: We are now closed on Wednesdays.

We are open daily after 2:30 for coffee, bar service, and baked goods, and free WiFi, with dinner reservations available from 5-9, Sundays from 5-8. We serve our special Blunch menu Sundays from 11-2. We appreciate it when you use cash or a check - credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up. Thanks to many of you we have been able to significantly reduce those fees.

Click on the image above to get a closer look!

Monday, October 22, 2012

Onion Rings

Local Food: Onions have been a part of human agriculture so long they were likely grown in India, China and the Middle East before recorded history.  Onions were revered by ancient Egyptians, who believed the spherical shape and concentric rings symbolized eternal life, and the name is likely derived from Latin "unus" from the unity or oneness of the bulb.   Today we can find the versatile vegetable in a variety of forms - pickled, grilled, sautéed, roasted and of course, fried.  As Jonathan Swift said in his poem Onions, "For this is every cook's opinion, no savory dish without an onion."  Simplicity is best in Steven's version of the comfort food favorite, onion rings.  Steven dips onions from Sandiwood Farm and Mystic Morning Farm first in buttermilk from Butterworks Farm and then in a flour and cayenne pepper mixture.  Those with a gluten intolerance may opt for the cornmeal batter instead.  Next the flavorful onion rings take a quick trip to the fryer, where they crisp up to perfection.  The crunchy onion rings with a bit of kick are served with a cool blue cheese dipping sauce made with Mossend Blue cheese from Bonnieview Farm.  Start your meal with onion rings, or try them with your burger.

For Fair Trade Month in October, we'll buy you a free cappuccino (regular or decaf), made with espresso from Vermont Coffee Company, when you order dessert with your dinner or Blunch - just tell your server you'd like to support Authentic Fair Trade!

And for Co-op Month, working members at Buffalo MountainPlainfieldAdamant and St. Johnsbury can use their 10% discount at Claire's every Monday night in October. City Market and Hunger Mountain members can enjoy a 3% discount on Mondays in October when paying with cash.

At the Bar: Remember our Sunday and Monday drink specials. Sunday, October 28th we offer a $2.50 pint of Rock Art Midnight Madness, a $4 glass of Boyden Valley Seyval Blanc or Big Barn Red. The Hot & Dirty, with jalapeno infused vodka, is offered for $5.  Monday enjoy a pint of Switchback with Grilled Cheese for $8.50.

Around the Galaxy: Here in Vermont, we know that it's fall when Archer Mayor has a new book coming out. Galaxy welcomes Archer on Tuesday, October 23rd when he introduces his 23rd Joe Gunther mystery, Paradise City. Come early for drinks catered by Claire's.

Music Notes:
Neil & Max join us for their debut performance this Thursday, October 25th at 7:00pm.  Check out their eclectic mix of old-time, bluegrass and original fiddle, banjo and mandolin Americana tunes!

Local Events: Get Excidered!  Cocktail Class is back at Claire's this Saturday, October 27th from 4-5pm with special guest Kris Nelson of Citizen Cider.  Learn about different hard ciders from the master.  We'll also discover which cocktails bring out the complex flavor of the cider.  Free admission, and specials on cocktails and flights if you are so inspired.

Rusty Dewees will be at the Hardwick Town House this Friday and Saturday night with The Logger's Loggerween, a tricky treatful version of The Logger show with Rusty's new jokes, stories and music.  The shows begin at 8:00 both nights.  Tickets are $21 and available at Connie's Kitchen or by calling 888-8838.

Reminders: We are now closed on Wednesdays.

We are open daily after 2:30 for coffee, bar service, and baked goods, and free WiFi, with dinner reservations available from 5-9, Sundays from 5-8. We serve our special Blunch menu Sundays from 11-2. We appreciate it when you use cash or a check - credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up. Thanks to many of you we have been able to significantly reduce those fees.

Click on the image above to get a closer look!

Monday, October 15, 2012

Whole Hog

Local Food: The Nottermans of Snug Valley Farm in East Hardwick have been raising pigs for more than 20 years, and this year they decided to step up production and make enough pork to share.  This summer, Ben Notterman raised 15 crossbred Landrace and Tamworth, the latter traditionally known as a "bacon breed" for its lean and fine-grained meat.  From snout to tail, Steven goes whole hog on the plate this fall, starting with bacon that is cured and smoked in-house.  Fresh ham from the thigh of the pig is dry rubbed with Maine Sea Salt to enable the curing process, creating a delicate product similar to Italian prosciutto that will be ready for the early spring menu.  Steven braises "country style ribs" that are actually chops cut from the thick shoulder end of the loin for a tender, juicy dish.  Pork jowls are slow-roasted overnight with a maple syrup and jalapeno spice rub, reminiscent of barbecue sauce, and served with sautéed apples, spicy mustard greens and green tomato ginger jam.  And soon, head cheese will be back on the menu, a surprising delicate treat made with the head of the pig.  Finally, don't forget about Ben Notterman's favorite- the boneless pork chop Steven cooks with sugary maple and spicy black pepper.

For Fair Trade Month in October, we'll buy you a free cappuccino (regular or decaf), made with espresso from Vermont Coffee Company, when you order dessert with your dinner or Blunch - just tell your server you'd like to support Authentic Fair Trade!

And for Co-op Month, working members at Buffalo MountainPlainfieldAdamant and St. Johnsbury can use their 10% discount at Claire's every Monday night in October. City Market and Hunger Mountain members can enjoy a 3% discount on Mondays in October when paying with cash.

At the Bar: Remember our Sunday and Monday drink specials. Sunday, October 21st we offer a $2.50 pint of Otter Creek Stovepipe Porter, a $4 glass of Boyden Valley Seyval Blanc or Big Barn Red. The Graple Collins, with grape infused Green Mountain Organic Vodka, maple liquor and Vermont Sweetwater Maple Soda,  is offered for $5.  Monday enjoy a pint of Switchback with Grilled Cheese for $8.50.

Around the Galaxy: On Tuesday, October 16th, meet community leader Susan Clark and democracy scholar Woden Teachout and learn more about the concept of Slow Democracy. In their new book, Clark and Teachout document the range of ways that citizens around the country are breathing new life into participatory democracy. Just as slow food encourages chefs and eaters to become more intimately involved with the production of local food, slow democracy encourages us to govern ourselves locally with processes that are inclusive, deliberative, and citizen powered. Be sure you have October 23rd on your calendar for Archer Mayor's 23rd Joe Gunther mystery introduction at Galaxy.

Music Notes: Karen Krajacic and Jon Rose will join us this Thursday at 7:00.  Multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Karen has been touring with the harmonizing female duo Folk By Association for over ten years.  Lead guitarist Jon Rose joins her for a set that draws heavily from folk, rock, country and Americana.

Local Art: Join us one week from today, October 22nd, as we welcome artist Frank Woods.  Stop by and meet Frank and enjoy drink specials and snacks from 4-6pm.

Local Events: Dance the night away and support composting and "clean" energy!  Our next dance party, Heat it up, benefits Highfields Center for Composting's Compost Heat Recovery System. This Friday, October 19th from 10pm-2am, heat up the dance floor with DJ Zach for a good cause - Proceeds from the $10 suggested donation at the door will go towards the $40,000 fundraising goal for this project.  Learn how to donate more during the party! Designated drivers who pledge to be alcohol free for the night get free non- alcoholic drinks and $10 gift card.

The 4th Annual Indian Dinner to benefit Child Haven is this Saturday, October 20th at Hazen Union High School.  Family activities begin at 4:30, followed by dinner at 6:00.  Stay after dinner for the sari fashion show, live music, door prizes and a silent auction! Tickets are $15 for adults, $7 for children under 12.  To volunteer or donate, contact Rachel or Kate at 533-2296.

Get Excidered!  Cocktail Class is back at Claire's Saturday, October 27 with special guest Kris Nelson of Citizen Cider.  Learn about different hard ciders from the master.  We'll also discover which cocktails bring out the complex flavor of the cider.  Free admission, and specials on cocktails and flights if you are so inspired.

Reminders: We are now closed on Wednesdays.

We are open daily after 2:30 for coffee, bar service, and baked goods, and free WiFi, with dinner reservations available from 5-9, Sundays from 5-8. We serve our special Blunch menu Sundays from 11-2. We appreciate it when you use cash or a check - credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up. Thanks to many of you we have been able to significantly reduce those fees.

Click on the image above to get a closer look!

Monday, October 8, 2012

Local and Global

Local Food: October is all about good food traditions from far and near, marking both Fair Trade Month and Co-op Month.  While fair trade standards should mean supporting small farms, farm cooperatives, and family farms, it can be more confusing than ever.  Many fair trade certifications like Fair Trade USA include large plantations, and these programs actually allow only a small portion of a product like chocolate to be sourced from certified growers.  That's why, when we have to turn to farms far from our doors, we look for authentic fair trade products that are entirely fairly traded.  Our authentic Fair Trade certified and sustainable partners include Vermont Coffee Company, who helped form the North American Fair Trade Stakeholder Council to increase transparency and accountability, and Equal Exchange and their Stand With Small Farmers campaign.  Steven's rich and chocolatey mini pot de crème features their authentic fair trade chocolate, so you can feel good about your dessert indulgence!  For the month of October, we'll give you a free cappuccino (regular or decaf), made with espresso from Vermont Coffee Company, when you order dessert with your dinner or Blunch - just tell your server you'd like to support Authentic Fair Trade!

And for Co-op Month, Buffalo Mountain, Plainfield, Adamant and St. Johnsbury working members and staff can use their 10% discount every Monday night in October at Claire's. City Market and Hunger Mountain members can enjoy a 3% discount on Mondays in October when paying with cash.

At the Bar: Remember our Sunday and Monday drink specials. Sunday, October 14th we offer a $2.50 pint of Otter Creek Stovepipe Porter, a $4 glass of Boyden Valley Seyval Blanc or Big Barn Red. The Apple Cider Car, with Smugglers' Notch Vodka, Flag Hill Farm apple brandy and apple cider, is offered for $5.  Monday enjoy a pint of Switchback with Grilled Cheese for $8.50.

Around the Galaxy: Constance Hale brings verbs to life on Tuesday, October 9th at 7PM when she talks about her new book Vex, Hex, Smash and Smooch and discusses everything from linguistic history to quirky uses of language today. Come to Galaxy early to enjoy drinks catered by Claire's - beer, wine, and other beverages will be available beginning at 6:30 (cash only please). Galaxy has just received Archer Mayor's latest, Paradise City. Be sure to have October 23rd on your calendar for his visit to Hardwick.

Music Notes: Blue Fox joins us this Thursday, October 11th at 7:00.  Check out what Pamela Polston of Seven Days calls his "deep-lazy-growly-sexy" vocals and "ultra-strength" guitar playing.

Local Events:
 Visit Walden Heights Nursery & Orchard on Saturday, October 13th from 11-4 for an Apple Tasting Extravaganza.  Taste test nearly 100 varieties of apples, tour the farm and sample fresh pressed cider!

Dance the night away and support composting and "clean" energy!  Our next dance party, Heat it up, benefits Highfields Center for Composting's Compost Heat Recovery System. On Friday, October 19th from 10pm-2am, heat up the dance floor with DJ Zach for a good cause - Proceeds from the $10 suggested donation at the door will go towards the $40,000 fundraising goal for this project.  Learn how to donate more during the party! Designated drivers who pledge to be alcohol free for the night get free non- alcoholic drinks and $10 gift card.

Reminders: We are open seven days this week.  We will resume our winter hours and close on Wednesdays beginning October 17.

We are open daily after 2:30 for coffee, bar service, and baked goods, and free WiFi, with dinner reservations available from 5-9, Sundays from 5-8. We serve our special Blunch menu Sundays from 11-2. We appreciate it when you use cash or a check - credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up. Thanks to many of you we have been able to significantly reduce those fees.

Click on the image above to get a closer look!

Monday, October 1, 2012

An Apple a Day...

Local Food: An apple a day keeps the doctor away - and satisfies your sweet tooth as well as cravings for savory.  The first apple trees at Burtt's Apple Orchard in Cabot were planted at the Orchard seven years ago; they opened for pick-your-own in 2009.  Now with over 35 varieties, Steven has plenty to choose from when he's looking for the perfect apple for one of our unique plates.  Start your dinner with the Beet and Apple Salad, with earthy beets and Mossend Blue cheese from Bonnieview Farm complemented by crispy and sweet apples and toasted almonds.  Or, the Baked Apple filled with creamy Farmer's cheese from Sweet Rowen Farmstead and smoky bacon.  Steven mixes sautéed apples with cranberries for a sweet and tart compote served along side the Pork Chop from Snug Valley Farm, with its hint of maple.  The grand finale is dessert, with Steven's famous Apple Gingerbread Upside Down Cake.  Crisp and juicy Honeycrisp apples are baked on the bottom with the new and spicy ginger from Pete's Greens, creating just the right top for the moist and flavorful cake once it's flipped upside down.  Apples are also at the bar in the form of cider - try our variation on a Sidecar, which we call "the Apple Cider Car," with cider, vodka and Vermont apple brandy.

At the Bar: Remember our Sunday and Monday drink specials. Sunday, October 7th we offer a $2.50 pint of Trapp Helles, a $4 glass of Boyden Valley Seyval Blanc or Big Barn Red. The Ginger Lemon Fizz, with Green Mountain Organic Vodka, housemade ginger syrup (with ginger from Pete's) and lemon juice is offered for $5.  Monday enjoy a pint of Switchback with Grilled Cheese for $8.50.

Around the Galaxy:  With the next event, Galaxy introduces bar catering by Claire's Restaurant. Starting at 6:30 you may order a drink (cash only please) to enjoy as a part of the event, which will begin at 7. On Tuesday, October 9th, Constance Hale visits Galaxy to introduce her new book, Vex, Hex, Smash, Smooch: Let Verbs Power Your Writing. Synthesizing the pedagogical and the popular, the scholarly and the scandalous, Hale combines the wit of Bill Bryson with the practical wisdom of William Zinsser. She marches through linguistic history to paint a layered picture of our language - from before it really existed to the quirky usages we see online today. On October 10th, Constance Hale and Zoe Fitzgerald Carter will lead a workshop in Greensboro called First Person Plural: Crafting Stories from our Lives. Look here for more information.

Music Notes: Tom Gregory joins us this Thursday, October 4th at 7:30.  New to Vermont, Tom is a songwriter/performer from Omaha, Nebraska.  He has been writing songs and performing since 2004 with a style that can be described as Midwestern Blues-Folk, with acoustic songs that are ripe with soul.

Local Events: The annual Share the Harvest fundraiser will be held this Thursday, October 4th to benefit NOFA-VT's Farm Share Program. The program helps limited-income Vermonters afford CSA shares from their local farms. On October 4th, restaurants, co-ops and food stores will participate in Share the Harvest by donating a portion of the day's sales to the program. Both Claire's and Buffalo Mountain Co-op in Hardwick will participate.

The Heart of Vermont Chamber of Commerce presents its 29th annual Fall Foliage Craft Fair at the Hardwick Elementary School from 9-5 on Saturday, October 6th.  The fair features candles, jewelry, pottery, quilts, handmade greeting cards and other fine arts and crafts.  Snacks and lunch will be on sale all day.  Beginning at 11:30 the Hardwick Kiwanis will hold their annual chicken barbecue on S Main St. across from the elementary school.  Don't miss the Open House hosted by the Hardwick Historial Society from 10-3:30 at the restored train depot on Church St.

Celebrate the second year of Fall Open Studio Weekend October 6th and 7th, when artistic creativity and the brilliant colors of Vermont autumn go hand in hand. Over 100 artists and craftspeople will open their studios to the public this weekend, giving you the opportunity to learn how art and craft is made at the studios of glass blowers, jewelers, potters, sculptors, weavers, furniture makers and more.  Bring us a receipt of purchase from a participating studio and we'll buy you dessert with the purchase of dinner for two.

Our next dance party, Heat it up, is Friday, October 19th from 10pm-2am. Heat up the dance floor with DJ Zach for a good cause- Highfields Center for Composting's Compost Heat Recovery System. Proceeds from a $10 suggested donation at the door will go towards the $40,000 fundraising goal for this project.  Donate more if you can! Designated drivers who pledge to be alcohol free for the night get free non- alcoholic drinks and $10 gift card.

Reminders: We are open seven days a week until October 10.  We will then resume our winter hours and close on Wednesdays.

We are open daily after 2:30 for coffee, bar service, and baked goods, and free WiFi, with dinner reservations available from 5-9, Sundays from 5-8. We serve our special Blunch menu Sundays from 11-2. We appreciate it when you use cash or a check - credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up. Thanks to many of you we have been able to significantly reduce those fees.

Click on the image above to get a closer look!

Monday, September 24, 2012

The Great Pumpkin

Local Food: Though we still await the Great Pumpkin's rise out of the patch, Hardwick pumpkins are popping up all over, including our menu. These symbols of Halloween come to us from Sam Kish at Agape Hill Farm, who has been growing pumpkins on his family's land since he was eight years old.  Steven roasts the pumpkin until the flesh is sweet and soft, and the skin a shiny shell. Wheatberries and groats (the whole oat) from Butterworks Farm fill the roasted pumpkins, adding a crunchy texture to every scoop of sweet and tender.  Leeks from Hatchbrook Garden perfectly pair up with the pumpkin, given their mild onion flavor. Steven cooks the leeks down to a buttery, melty texture, which, mixed with a cream reduction, creates a fondue-like sauce. Roasted cauliflower from Pete adds another slightly nutty and creamy element to this cozy autumn dish. Look for pumpkin popping up at the bar too. Try it with a taste of the new Dunc's Mill Backwoods Reserve Rum.

At the Bar: Remember our Sunday and Monday drink specials. Sunday, September 30th we offer a $2.50 pint of Fiddlehead IPA, a $4 glass of Boyden Valley Seyval Blanc or Big Barn Red. The Whiskey Apple Fizz, with whiskey, Champlain Orchards apple cider and ginger beer, is offered for $5.  Monday enjoy a pint of Switchback with Grilled Cheese for $8.50.

Around the Galaxy: Constance Hale visits Galaxy on October 9th to introduce her new book, Vex, Hex, Smash, Smooch: Let Verbs Power Your Writing. Synthesizing the pedagogical and the popular, the scholarly and the scandalous, Hale combines the wit of Bill Bryson with the practical wisdom of William Zinsser. She marches through linguistic history to paint a layered picture of our language - from before it really existed to the quirky usages we see online today. On October 10th, Constance Hale and Zoe Fitzgerald Carter will lead a workshop in Greensboro called First Person Plural: Crafting Stories from our Lives. Look here for more information.

Music Notes: Last October join us Thursday, September 27th at 7:30.  A truly unique listening experience, this acoustic singer/songwriter duo create a musical journey that will deeply tug at your heartstrings.  Honing their crafts from different sides of the country, Erica Stroem and James Kinne came together through their sheer love and respect for music.  With powerful harmonies, rich song writing, and passionate storytelling, Last October has found a distinctive way to interpret their rapidly evolving style.

Local Events: Pete's Greens Harvest Celebration is this Saturday, September 29th. Pete and others will give farm tours throughout the afternoon, with plenty of food and snacks.  Evening brings a farm to table dinner and a special benefit concert with Anais Mitchell!  Dinner begins at 5:00, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Vermont Farm Fund. The concert begins at 7:30, and a portion of the ticket proceeds benefit the Vermont Local Food & Farms Fund, an extension of the Vermont Community Foundation. Tickets are available to purchase at The Galaxy Bookshop.

The annual Share the Harvest fundraiser will be held Thursday, October 4th to benefit NOFA-VT's Farm Share Program. The program helps limited-income Vermonters afford CSA shares from their local farms. On October 4th, restaurants, co-ops and food stores will participate in Share the Harvest by donating a portion of the day's sales to the program. Both Claire's and Buffalo Mountain Co-op in Hardwick will participate.

Reminders: We are open seven days a week in September!

We are open daily after 2:30 for coffee, bar service, and baked goods, and free WiFi, with dinner reservations available from 5-9, Sundays from 5-8. We serve our special Blunch menu Sundays from 11-2. We appreciate it when you use cash or a check - credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up. Thanks to many of you we have been able to significantly reduce those fees.

Click on the image above to get a closer look!

Monday, September 17, 2012

Muscles From Brussels?

Local Food: If it's Tuesday, this must be Belgium?  Maybe not, as many think Brussels sprouts originated in Roman Italy.  No matter (and despite two movie references in our post so far!).  Modern Brussels sprouts were first cultivated in large quantities near the French-speaking Belgian capital. The sprouts actually resemble a mini cabbage head.  Tender, sweet, and just a bit nutty, Brussels sprouts from Mystic Morning Farm and Provender Farm have all the heft of that other famous Belgian.  Steven roasts them until brown, crispy and flavorful, sprinkles them with salt from Maine Sea Salt and serves them as a rustic starter.  The versatile Brussels sprouts can also be found in Steven's famous beer battered veggies, best dipped in grilled tomato aioli.  Shaved Brussels sprouts delicately enhance the crispy pork belly.  And pickled Brussels sprouts adorn our Bloody Mary and Dirty Martini at the bar.

At the Bar: Remember our Sunday and Monday drink specials. Sunday, September 23rd we offer a $2.50 pint of Fiddlehead IPA, a $4 glass of Boyden Valley Seyval Blanc or Big Barn Red. The Tossed Salad, with cucumber infused vodka, tomato shrub and basil salted rim, is offered for $5.  Monday enjoy a pint of Switchback with Grilled Cheese for $8.50.

Around the Galaxy:  Galaxy welcomes David Budbill on Tuesday, September 18th for a dramatic reading of Park Songs: A Poem/Play. David will be joined by guest performer and Galaxy bookseller Edgar Davis. David and Edgar last appeared together on the occasion of Galaxy's move to Main Street 9 months ago! Come at 7PM on September 18th to welcome them back to the Galaxy stage. Come early to check out these new cookbooks: Burma: Rivers of Flavor and Primal Cuts.

Music Notes: Hair of the Dog returns Thursday, September 20 at 7:30. Check out their variety of tunes- classic rock, alternative and country- a little something for everyone! They will donate their tips from the evening to the Hardwick Trails Cabin Project Fund, so you can support a great cause while having a great time!

Local Events: After a summer of traveling the world, Vermont Vaudeville is back at the Hardwick Town House with an all-star lineup of local and international performers! The shows are Friday, September 21 and Saturday, September 22 at 8pm.  Advance tickets are available at Galaxy Bookshop.  Suggested donation is $10 for adults, $5 for children.

Reminders: We are open seven days a week in September!

We are open daily after 2:30 for coffee, bar service, and baked goods, and free WiFi, with dinner reservations available from 5-9, Sundays from 5-8. We serve our special Blunch menu Sundays from 11-2. We appreciate it when you use cash or a check - credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up. Thanks to many of you we have been able to significantly reduce those fees.

Click on the image above to get a closer look!

Monday, September 10, 2012

A Bite of Italy

Local Food: Take a trip to Milan with a Vermont variation of the classic Osso Buco -- Italian for "bone with a hole" and named for the marrow hollow at the center of the shank or shin typically used in the dish.  Inspired as well by the use of oxtail for American versions of Osso Buco, Steven improvises a tantalizing appetizer. He rubs a small portion of well-marbled lamb from the tip of the vertebrae, where the bone is narrowest, with warm spices including cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg. The tender Bonnieview Farm lamb is then braised in Shelburne Vineyard red wine, with sautéed carmen peppers from Pete's, sweet red onions from Provender Farm, tomatoes from Riverside Farm and garlic from Sandiwood Farm, finished with a bit of Vermont Creamery butter.  Steven serves the Osso Buco with its traditional accompaniment, gremolata, made with lemon verbena from Mystic Morning Farm and sage, savory and mint from Steven's garden.  Spaghetti squash from Hazendale Farm is roasted and provides just the right complement to the richness of this small plate.  A great way to warm up as cooler evenings approach, as a starter or as a light supper before dessert, it is especially good when accompanied by a glass of Cantine Barbera's Nero D'Avola from Sicily.

At the Bar: Remember our Sunday and Monday drink specials. Sunday, September 16th we offer a $2.50 pint of Trapp Golden Helles, a $4 glass of Boyden Valley Seyval Blanc or Big Barn Red. The Bemis Block, with Barr Hill Gin, Urban Moonshine Bitters and St. Germain, is offered for $5.  Monday enjoy a pint of Switchback with Grilled Cheese for $8.50.

Around the Galaxy: Elvis is coming! Galaxy is excited to welcome Elvis Munis as a part of his round the world bicycle trip to raise money for the Tanzania Conservation Resource Centre. So far he has logged 9000 kilometers, and he will talk about his trip and his goals at 7PM on Thursday, September 13th. Read more here. Elvis will also be at Provender Farm the night before, September 12th at 6PM. The following week, Galaxy welcomes David Budbill in celebration of his new book Park Songs. The book is available at Galaxy now, and David will be at Galaxy on Tuesday, September 18th at 7PM. Bookseller and actor Edgar Davis will join David for a dramatic reading.

Music Notes: Dale Cavanaugh, will play an evening of John Prine music on Thursday, September 13 at 7:30.  He is currently promoting a "mini" benefit tour called "Wash Out Irene Tour," donating ALL of his tips and donations to the Vermont Disaster Relief Fund.  Enjoy an evening of songs by a treasured songwriter while helping out fellow Vermonters.

Local Events: Tammy Fletcher Trio helps launch the Jeudevine Library Building Campaign this Saturday, September 15th at 8pm at the Hardwick Town House.  Tammy, aka The Mountain Girl, and her trio will bring Tammy's rich sound to launch the campaign to build an addition on the library.  Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for kids six and older.  Call the library at 472-5948 for more information.

Reminders: We are open seven days a week in September!

We are open daily after 2:30 for coffee, bar service, and baked goods, and free WiFi, with dinner reservations available from 5-9, Sundays from 5-8. We serve our special Blunch menu Sundays from 11-2. We appreciate it when you use cash or a check - credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up. Thanks to many of you we have been able to significantly reduce those fees.

Click on the image above to get a closer look!

Monday, September 3, 2012

Tempting Melons

Local Food:  A cantaloupe is a confusing thing.  First, American cantaloupe is not the same fruit brought from Armenia and cultivated in a town near Rome called Cantalupo centuries ago. We enjoy the muskmelon, which might be a less exotic sounding variety but has just as deep a history and flavor.  Second, the sweet meat of this fruit is balanced just right to be the perfect pairing for savory or sweet flavors.  When so-called cantaloupe arrived from Pete's, Steven found an unlikely but tempting mate for the fruit in salty feta from Bonnieview Farm. The flavor combination is complemented with scallions from Hatchbrook Farm, adding a nice bite, along with crunchy radishes.  Steven roasts nutty edamame, also called soy beans, from Mystic Morning Farm, and tosses the salad with a mint vinaigrette and a touch of lime juice to finish.

At the Bar: Remember our Sunday and Monday drink specials. Sunday, September 9th we offer a $2.50 pint of Rock Art , a $4 glass of Boyden Valley Seyval Blanc or Big Barn Red. Our Mojito, with Dunc's Mill Elderflower Rum, is offered for $5.

Around the Galaxy: Lindsey Scott, pictured in last week's blog delivering blackberries to Claire's, has also delivered a new event to Galaxy. On September 13th, her Tanzanian friend Elvis Munis will talk about his round the world bicycle trip and his mission to raise money for the Tanzania Conservation Resource Centre. So far Elvis has logged 9000 kilometers, and he will talk about his trip and his goals at 7PM on the 13th. Read more here and plan to come to Galaxy to welcome Elvis to Hardwick. The following week, Galaxy welcomes David Budbill in celebration of his new book Park Songs. The book is available at Galaxy now, and David will be at Galaxy on Tuesday, September 18th at 7PM.

Music Notes: Poor Howard joins us this Thursday, September 6 at 7:30.  Check out his acoustic delta blues on six and 12-string guitar, punctuated with an endless supply of anecdotes, puns and shaggy dog stories.

Local Events: First Friday in Hardwick is coming up Friday, September 7 from 5-10. Celebrate Hardwick, have a good time with family, friends and neighbors, enjoy live music, sales, snacks, and extended hours. We'll be serving Vermont beer, wine, and cocktail specials from 2:30.

Reminders: We are now open seven days a week in summer!

We are open daily after 2:30 for coffee, bar service, and baked goods, and free WiFi, with dinner reservations available from 5-9, Sundays from 5-8. We serve our special Blunch menu Sundays from 11-2. We appreciate it when you use cash or a check - credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up. Thanks to many of you we have been able to significantly reduce those fees.

Click on the image above to get a closer look!

Monday, August 27, 2012

You Can't Type on this Blackberry!

Local Food: Plump, sweet and tart, wild blackberries brighten any dish. Steven uses the luscious blackberries from Provender Farm in Cabot to add sweet tartness to the herby vinaigrette with parsley and cranberries on the Red Bore and Kale Salad.  The juicy, aromatic berries top the Beet and Arugula Salad with toasted almonds and Mossend Blue cheese from Bonnieview Farm.  Savory and sweet chutney of blackberries, peaches and red onion accompanies the maple pork chop. Crossing our fingers for cornmeal from Butterworks Farm, we hope to see Steven's famous upside down cake on the dessert menu, with a dollop of whipped cream.  Look for blackberries at the bar in our Blackberry Basil Margarita, using basil from Steven's backyard garden.

At the Bar: Remember our Sunday and Monday drink specials. Sunday, September 2nd we offer a $2.50 pint of Rock Art Ridge Runner, a $4 glass of Boyden Valley Seyval Blanc or Big Barn Red. Our Blackberry Basil Margarita is offered for $5.

Around the Galaxy: On Tuesday, August 28th at 7PM Galaxy welcomes Julia Alvarez in celebration of A Wedding in Haiti: The Story of a Friendship. The book chronicles her journey to Haiti, first for a wedding, and then again after the devastating earthquake in 2010. She will include photos and audio from her trip in her presentation. All are welcome and the event is free. Please note that the event will be held in the gallery of the Hardwick Inn, just up the street from Galaxy. Be sure to have September 18th marked on your calendar for David Budbill and his new book Park Songs, available now at The Galaxy Bookshop.

Music Notes: Tritium Well bring us their radioactive roots, rock and reggae on Thursday, August 30th at 7:30.  Check out this quintet and support local music!

Local Events: First Friday in Hardwick is coming up Friday, September 7 from 5-10. Celebrate Hardwick, have a good time with family, friends and neighbors, enjoy live music, sales, snacks, and extended hours. We'll be serving Vermont beer, wine, and cocktail specials from 2:30.

Reminders: We are now open seven days a week in summer!

We are open daily after 2:30 for coffee, bar service, and baked goods, and free WiFi, with dinner reservations available from 5-9, Sundays from 5-8. We serve our special Blunch menu Sundays from 11-2. We appreciate it when you use cash or a check - credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up. Thanks to many of you we have been able to significantly reduce those fees.

Click on the image above to get a closer look!

Monday, August 20, 2012

Fritter Away the Last Days of Summer!

Local Food: So far, this has been an abundant season for produce in Vermont, and we're thankful for that.  Right now, it almost seems like we have corn coming out of our ears!  Johanna Laggis from Laggis Farm in East Hardwick brought by bushels for this week, and Steven brings out their sweetness with a little roasting. Shaving the kernels off the cob, he adds them to a batter and mixes in garlic from Mystic Morning Farm, red onion from Pete's and cilantro from his own garden. After a quick trip to the fryer, the fritters are crunchy on the outside and hot through and through, a good match for a duo of sauces.  Peach hot sauce made with habanero peppers from Mystic Morning Farm is blended with a bit of crème fraîche to balance the heat and offers a bit of creaminess to the fritters.  Salsa made with grilled tomatillos, onions, garlic, jalapeno and cilantro adds a smokiness to accompany the corn fritters.

At the Bar: Remember our Sunday and Monday drink specials. Sunday, August 26th we offer a $2.50 pint of Wolaver's, a $4 glass of Boyden Valley Seyval Blanc or Big Barn Red. Our Q-cumber, with cucumber infused vodka, tonic and lime, is offered for $5.

Around the Galaxy: Galaxy welcomes Julia Alvarez on Tuesday, August 28th at 7PM in celebration of A Wedding in Haiti: The Story of a Friendship. The book chronicles her journey to Haiti, first for a wedding, and then again after the devastating earthquake in 2010. She will include photos and audio from her trip in her presentation. All are welcome and the event is free. Galaxy also has a few more signed copies of Mark Bittman's books, and some delicious cookbooks at bargain prices, including One Big Table by Molly O'Neill for $17.98.

Music Notes: Dave Hall and friends join us this Thursday, August 23 at 7:30.  Support Hardwick's music scene and enjoy Dave on guitar and bouzouki, playing originals and covers of folk, blues, rock, country music and more!

Local Events: Check out Twin City Riot's White Wedding Bout on Saturday, August 25 in Barre.  Doors open at 6pm- whistle is at 7pm.  Presale tickets are $10 or $15 at the door. Help support the Central Vermont Roller Derby League and have a good time doing it.

Reminders: We are open seven days a week in summer!

We are open
 daily after 2:30 for coffee, bar service, and baked goods, and free WiFi, with dinner reservations available from 5-9, Sundays from 5-8. We serve our special Blunch menu Sundays from 11-2. We appreciate it when you use cash or a check - credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up. Thanks to many of you we have been able to significantly reduce those fees.

Click on the image above to get a closer look!

Monday, August 13, 2012

The Colors of Summer

Local Food: Bright and deep purple, Japanese eggplant is known for meaty, flavorful flesh, thin skin and for having few seeds.  These qualities make them a perfect match for the grill, where they become tender, creamy and smokey after a quick trip over the fire.  The eggplant joins with a variety of summer squash from Mystic Morning Farm, Eastview Farm and Steven's own kitchen garden.  He grills sweet and small pattypan to add a dash of sunshine. Zucchini and costata provide a hit of jadeite, while Lebanese squash brings a subtle variation with their muted palette. Crookneck squash has buttery tones that contrast nicely with the vibrant eggplant. The plate is served with sweet roasted cherry tomatoes that are intensely orange-red.  The bright summer veggies are mixed with a vinaigrette of toasted cumin and cilantro (also from Steven's garden), with crumbled tangy feta cheese from Bonnieview Farm.

At the Bar: Remember our Sunday and Monday drink specials. Sunday, August 19th we offer a $2.50 pint of Trout River, a $4 glass of Boyden Valley Seyval Blanc or Big Barn Red. Our Hot & Dirty, with Jalapeno Vodka, is offered for $5.

Around the Galaxy: Come to Galaxy on Tuesday when naturalist Bernd Heinrich will discuss his new book Life Everlasting: The Animal Way of Death. At 7PM, Heinrich, one of the keenest observers of the natural world, turns his eye to the lessons, ecological and spiritual, raised by looking at how the animal world renews itself. Be sure you have Tuesday, August 28th on your calendar for a visit by Julia Alvarez!

Music Notes: Spider Roulette join us this Thursday, August 16th at 7:30.  They'll play something for everyone, from blues to folk, jazz to country, and maybe even an Irish waltz!

Local Art: Join us one week from today, August 20th, as we welcome Shelburne artist Mathew Pardue.  Stop by and meet Mathew, enjoy drink specials and snacks from 4-6pm.

Local Events: The Circus Smirkus 25th Anniversary Big Top Tour wraps up this weekend, with 4 shows in Greensboro at the Circus Barn.  Saturday's shows are at 2pm and 7pm; Sunday's at 1pm and 6pm.  Tickets are $20 for adults, $16.50 for children (2-12) and free for those under two.  For more information, contact info@smirkus.org or call 1-877-SMIRKUS to order tickets.

Reminders: We are open seven days a week in summer!

We are open
 daily after 2:30 for coffee, bar service, and baked goods, and free WiFi, with dinner reservations available from 5-9, Sundays from 5-8. We serve our special Blunch menu Sundays from 11-2. We appreciate it when you use cash or a check - credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up. Thanks to many of you we have been able to significantly reduce those fees.

Click on the image above to get a closer look!

Monday, August 6, 2012

Summer's Working Landscape Comes Indoors

Local Food:  A restaurant might not be the first thing that comes to mind when someone says "farm work."  This time of year, with tomatoes from Pete's Greens and Harvest Hill Farm, the working landscape comes indoors, and our kitchen showcases what it means to be a true value-added agricultural operation in Hardwick.  Cleaned, cut, and dressed, colorful bundles of flavor right off the vine are headed directly to the table in the form of an heirloom tomato salad.  Cooked, herbed, and spiced - with a little sweetness along the way - tomatoes are turned into a supply of ketchup we hope to last the year ahead.  And tomatoes are joining the beans and cauliflower that Steven already put up for winter pleasures, just like a farmhouse kitchen almost anywhere.  The vast majority of the food we serve comes directly from the farm and is processed entirely in house, with Steven and his staff adding flavor and value to our region's produce.  Accompanying these efforts are the products of our neighborly bakers, cheesemakers, sugarmakers, brewers, and vintners who provide other ingredients for most plates.  We even start with farm fresh produce at our bar to make our own shrub and some of our syrups, with pure vegan sugars.  With your support and patronage, Claire's has become one of the largest value added agricultural operations in the Hardwick area.

At the Bar: Remember our Sunday and Monday drink specials. Sunday, August 12th we offer a $2.50 pint of Trapp Helles, a $4 glass of Boyden Valley Seyval Blanc or Big Barn Red. Dunc's Fizz, with Dunc's Mill Elderflower Rum, soda water and berries, is offered for $5.

Around the Galaxy: Essayist and Harper's contributing editor Garret Keizer will discuss his latest book, Privacy at the Galaxy Bookshop on August 7th at 7PM. In Privacy, Keizer examines the nature and changing face of privacy in America. Come to Galaxy for an evening of insightful and thought-provoking discussion. We were lucky enough to have Mark Bittman stop by last week to sign our stock of  his cookbooks, so come by for a signed copy!

Music Notes: Cosa Buena join us this Thursday, August 9 at 7:30 for acoustic music with a gentle Latin-Jazz feel.  Their sound is romantic while at the same time infused with exciting energy to warm the soul.

Local Events: Our next dance party, Shakin' & Bakin', is this Friday, August 10 from 10-2! Bring your friends, get your blood flowing and your dance on with DJ DMD. No cover, full bar and snacks.  Cash donation for music encouraged.  18+, photo ID at the door.
 

Reminders: We are now open seven days a week in summer! 


We are open daily after 2:30 for coffee, bar service, and baked goods, and free WiFi, with dinner reservations available from 5-9, Sundays from 5-8. We serve our special Blunch menu Sundays from 11-2. We appreciate it when you use cash or a check - credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up. Thanks to many of you we have been able to significantly reduce those fees.

Click on the image above to get a closer look!

Monday, July 30, 2012

Peaches and Cream

Local Food:  Juicy and delicious, no summer fruit stands up to the golden fleshed peach.  On our menu are Sweet Red Haven peaches from Amish Country in Pennsylvania.  A testament to a time-honored growing and distribution system across the mid Atlantic and New England states, the peaches we serve are grown at Sunhill Orchard, then come to Vermont via the Wadel family farm in Wolcott.  Steven grills the half peach to bring out the juices while enhancing the sweetness of this joyful summer fruit whose short season intensifies its deliciousness.  The grill caramelizes the sugar from the peach, and the slightly smokey flavor pairs perfectly with a smooth, delicate and slightly sweet ricotta cheese from Maplebrook Cheese.  A common Italian dessert component, the fresh ricotta adds creaminess, with a drizzle of with raw honey from Caledonia Spirits.

At the Bar: Remember our Sunday and Monday drink specials. Sunday, August 5th we offer a $2.50 pint of Wolaver's Wildflower Wheat, a $4 glass of Boyden Valley Seyval Blanc or Big Barn Red. Our Green Goddess, with cucumber, tequila and lime, is offered for $5.

Around the Galaxy: Earth pond building expert Tim Matson will be at The Galaxy on Tuesday, July 31st, to talk about the new updated edition of his classic guide, Earth Ponds: The Country Pond Maker's Guide to Building, Maintenance, and Restoration. Bring questions about your own pond or plans straight to the source! On Thursday at 6PM, David Goodman will discuss When the River Rose and the flooding last August in Waterbury. Goodman will be joined by his wife, Sue Minter, Vermont's Irene Recovery Officer to talk about the flooding and ongoing recovery efforts around the state. Finally, for First Friday, the Galaxy will be open from 10-10, featuring specials and a new shipment of bargain books.

Music Notes:Big Hat, No Cattle, Vermont's newest old time western swing trio join us this Thursday, August 2 at 7:30. Support local music and don't miss their honky tonk tunes!

Local Events:
First Friday in Hardwick is this Friday, August 3 from 5-10. Celebrate Hardwick, have a good time with family, friends and neighbors, enjoy live music, sales, health and fitness activities, snacks, and extended hours. We're hosting our own Pop up Art Gallery and Pub with Cornerstone Restoration at the top of the main stairs in the Hardwick Inn.  Meet local artists, with works by Ed Stehle, Louise Arnold, and Tom Cote, from 5-7, and enjoy our Pub from 7-10, with beer, wine, sodas, and snacks, and live music from 5-10.  Jeanne Miller helped us book local talent, including Kristina Michelsen, Josh Gould, Tracy Wolters, and Danville Dan.  In the restaurant, we'll be serving Vermont beer, wine, and cocktail specials from 2:30.

Mark your calendars for our next dance party, Shakin' & Bakin' on Friday, August 10 from 10-2. Get your blood flowing and your dance on with DJ DMD. No cover, full bar and snacks.  Cash donation for music encouraged.  18+, photo ID at the door. 


Reminders: We are now open seven days a week in summer!
We are open daily after 2:30 for coffee, bar service, and baked goods, and free WiFi, with dinner reservations available from 5-9, Sundays from 5-8. We serve our special Blunch menu Sundays from 11-2. We appreciate it when you use cash or a check - credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up. Thanks to many of you we have been able to significantly reduce those fees.

Click on the image above to get a closer look!

Monday, July 23, 2012

Your Bucks at Work

Thanks to the enthusiasm and support you've demonstrated by dining with us, more than $1,000,000 has passed through our doors and right back into the hands of our hard working neighbors since we opened in 2008. Overall, in a recession, diners at Claire’s have been a significant driver of economic activity, including the new jobs at the restaurant and direct payments for purchases to our farmers and farm related businesses. Claire’s spends 70 cents of every food dollar within 15 miles. Now, the restaurant is launching a challenge to bring the total purchases from farms within 15 miles to $500,000 by the end of 2012.

You could say, the buck doesn't stop here - it goes right back into the local economy.  And when you enjoy a good meal with good people at Claire’s, you can also be confident that the money you spend with us provides income to friends and neighbors.

Overall, jobs and area farms are on top.  While restaurants typically devote the lion’s share of their budget to these areas, our mission has been to invest these dollars in the Hardwick area economy from the very beginning.

23 new jobs in Hardwick, including management, servers, bussers, and in the kitchen – providing a much needed source of income and economic activity since the economy began to falter in 2007.

$625,000 in total wages paid directly to staff who live within 15 miles of the restaurant.

Those jobs have included two full-time positions and from 15-21 flextime and part-time positions, depending on the season.

The flexible staffing arrangements enable parents to share child raising responsibilities while earning a living, allow some staff to supplement income from farming or other businesses, and provide much needed income and new training for students completing their education.

The impact on the local economy of income directly to staff is even greater than this number indicates, as our wages do not include tips that servers receive from guests.  Nor are we accounting for money we spend on professional services like accounting, insurance, or laundry, which are also spent in Hardwick.

Steven has spent $433,000 in food purchased for the kitchen at farms and farming businesses within 15 miles of the restaurant.

  We currently spend 70 cents of every food dollar within this same region; our share of expenditures locally has fluctuated between 65 and 70 cents per dollar since opening.

  Top suppliers include Hazendale Farm, Harvest Hill Farm, Pete’s Greens, beef and pork from Snug Valley Farm (above right), Riverside Farm (above center-right, with Lindsey Scott, who now has Provender Farm), Applecheek Farm, and Sunshine Acres.

  At the same time, Steven eagerly sources food from a number of small and newer operations, including Provender Farm, Eastview Farm, Mystic Morning, and Peace of Earth Farm.

  Bread comes from three local bakers – Patchwork Farm in East Hardwick (above left), Bohemian Bakery in Calais, and Elmore Mountain Bread.  Artisan cheese makers include Bonnieview Farm (above center left).

  These local numbers do not reflect purchases of apples, cooking wine, butter, and sunflower oil from elsewhere in Vermont, nor the restaurant’s commitment to sustainable harvested seafood caught and processed along the New England Coast.

While many restaurants talk about local, Steven has always seen his responsibilities as chef owner to deliver.   This is a commitment we owe to the community that supported us from the beginning.  And when we buy from a bit farther afield, we want to trust that those we buy from support their own communities. Even focusing on the New England coast, for example, means we have to avoid seafood that is caught there but sent overseas to be processed.

This has meant a different approach to dining and cooking for the restaurant.  Seasonal ingredients require weekly and sometimes daily changes to the menu, and the almost exclusive reliance on raw ingredients fresh out of the ground or root cellar changes the way a kitchen operates.  We’ve got to clean and cut everything – nothing comes out of a can and the only thing not cooked here is the bread!  For our guests, it means growing accustomed to eating what each week brings to the table, with the variety of sizes that come from different growers and livestock, and anticipating those changes.  Steven has also paid careful attention to training his staff and sharing an appreciation for the food that has been grown around them their entire lives.

These purchases do not include area beer and spirits that are the focus of the restaurant’s bar.  We believe that spirits, beer, and wine start with farmers as well, and so we put our dollars into the hands of local producers, which is Veronica’s commitment as bar manager, working with a team of dedicated and crafty bartenders.

Also this year, our innovative Community Supported Restaurant (CSR) program drew to a close, with the restaurant completing "payments" to half of those who provided the original startup funding through the redemption of pre-purchased meal coupons.  Some CSR holders retain a dollar value on their coupons, and the restaurant has extended the period during which they can redeem them.  We so much appreciate all the support we have received since the beginning, and the idea of the CSR has spread far and wide.  We wanted to make sure everyone had the opportunity to get their dollars’ worth.  We are also developing a new pre-purchase program to launch soon.

Our $500K Challenge

We anticipate that purchases from local farms will pass half a million dollars by the end of 2012, given your visits to our dining room in the past few years.  So we invite everyone to make one big push to achieve that milestone, and we want to reward you for your commitment to our neighbors.  As the restaurant grows closer to the goal, we will announce a nightly countdown.   Every diner who leaves their name on the night when purchases from area farms pass $500k will be entered into a drawing to receive a free meal for 4 on New Years Eve.  Claire’s will also donate a portion of our receipts on that night to the Hardwick Area Food Pantry.

Every meal starts with our farmers, and we’ve wanted nothing more than that each of us in and around Hardwick has the opportunity to celebrate the good food that comes from our soil.  We want to be able to really measure the impact on our local economy of everyone who enjoys eating at Claire’s. We are excited about being on the threshold of a half million dollars in purchases for our kitchen from our neighbors, and we know you'll make that goal a reality.

At the Bar: Remember our Sunday and Monday drink specials. Sunday, July 29th we offer a $2.50 pint of Rock Art, a $4 glass of Boyden Valley Seyval Blanc or Big Barn Red. Our Honeycomb, with Smugglers' Notch Vodka, Caledonia Spirits Honey- Black Currant wine and lemon, is offered for $5.

Around the Galaxy: Earth pond building expert Tim Matson will be at The Galaxy on Tuesday, July 31st, to talk about the new updated edition of his classic guide, Earth Ponds: The Country Pond Maker's Guide to Building, Maintenance, and Restoration. Bring questions about your own pond or plans straight to the source!

Music Notes: Last October join us Thursday, July 26 at 7:30.  A truly unique listening experience, this acoustic singer/songwriter duo create a musical journey that will deeply tug at your heart strings.  Honing their crafts from different sides of the country, Erica Stroem and James Kinne came together through their sheer love and respect for music.  With powerful harmonies, rich song writing, and passionate storytelling, Last October has found a distinctive way to interpret their rapidly evolving style.

Local Events: Greensboro Arts Alliance Residency presents The Sound of Music July 25-28 behind the Lakeview Inn in Greensboro.  Performances begin at 7:30.  Tickets are $30 adults, $20 seniors, $18 children, students and veterans, and are available at Greensboro Garage in Greensboro, Connie's Kitchen, Hazendale Farm, and Willey's Store. Call 533-7487 for more information.

Reminders: We are now open seven days a week in summer! 

We are open daily after 2:30 for coffee, bar service, and baked goods, and free WiFi, with dinner reservations available from 5-9, Sundays from 5-8. We serve our special Blunch menu Sundays from 11-2. We appreciate it when you use cash or a check - credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up. Thanks to many of you we have been able to significantly reduce those fees.

Click on the image above to get a closer look!