Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Happening at Claire's and in Hardwick

Snow and more snow! Time to ski, then come on in to Claire's and enjoy some of Steven's soups and stews.

New Year's Eve: Music this week will be WEDNESDAY night to celebrate 2009. Dog House Roses will play from 10 PM to 12:30. Give us a call if you'd like to come for dinner - reservations between 5 and 9:00 pm - or just come out to celebrate.

2009: We'll be open New Year's Day, Friday, and Saturday. We'll take a brief vacation from January 4 through January 14, and reopen Thursday, January 15 with the music of Chris Lyon and Fran Forum.

The Bee's Knees: You can satisfy your hunger for local produce at The Bee's Knees in Morrisville - in their new dining room. Sharon raised funds through the Community Supported Restaurant model to expand her wildly popular restaurant and music venue. I certainly plan to check out the new space. The Bee's Knees

Winter Hours (with Blunch!): We'll return from vacation with Blunch on Sundays from 11 AM til 3 PM. Music will remain Thursday nights and we will serve dinner Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and Monday from 5-9 PM. We will be closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the winter.

Skiing: As many of you know, we have some of the best cross-country ski areas in the state. The trails at Highland Lodge in Greensboro and the Craftsbury Outdoor Center are open! And don't forget great (free) skiing on the John Morton-designed trails here in Hardwick. We've provided links for places to stay in the right hand column if you're coming up for our snow.

As we look forward to 2009, we'd like to thank all of you who have supported and encouraged us through our first seven months of operation. It has been a wild and exciting ride. Sharing it with all of you has been a great joy. Thank you!

Kristina

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Happy Chanukah and Merry Christmas!
With appreciation for your kindness and support,
from all of us at Claire's!

We will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
You can still purchase a Claire's Gift Card
at the Galaxy Bookshop on Christmas Eve
See you on Boxing Day!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Happening at Claire's and in Hardwick

We're in the height of the season here at Claire's. We've got snow on the ground and snowflakes on our windows - hand-stenciled and painted by Craftsbury graphic designer and Claire's server Sarah Mutrux. They are beautiful. Thank you Sarah!

Steven prepared an array of tantalizing appetizers for the crowd at a holiday party hosted by Hardwick area's agricultural businesses for their employees and families - High Mowing Seeds, Vermont Soy, Vermont Natural Coatings, Jasper Hill Farm and Pete's Greens. Steven's cheesy wheatberry balls were a standout favorite - wheatberries from Butterworks, squash from Riverside, onions from Pete, garlic from Harvest Hill and Vermont Milk Co. cheddar blended together and deep fried, served with a spicy tomato sauce from Pete's tomatoes. There are rumors that this delectable treat will hit the menu sometime soon - so stay tuned!

New Year's Eve: We would love to ring in the New Year with you! Make your reservations for New Year's Eve at Claire's. Come for dinner, come for dinner and dancing to Dog House Roses, or just come for dancing. We're taking dinner reservations for any time between 5 and 9 PM. The band will play from 10:00 to 12:30.

Gift Certificates are still available and we are thrilled to be donating $10.00 for every $100 in gift certificates sold to NOFA Vermont's Farm Share program.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Happening at Claire's and in Hardwick

Three Ways to Celebrate New Year's Eve at Claire's!

1. Come in for dinner and celebrate with the best produce from our local farms. Then head home or to a friend's hearth to welcome the New Year before a roaring fire.
2. Come for dinner and stay for the party, featuring the music of Dog House Roses.
3. Come for the party and dance the night away.

Dinner reservations from 5 to 9 pm
Music from 10 pm until 12:30

Weekend Hours for the December Holiday Season. Weekends Visiting? Shopping with our local merchants or open studios? We've changed our hours to celebrate the Holiday Season with you. Join us on Saturdays in December for drinks, coffee and treats from 2 - 5 PM, regular dinner service from 5 - 9 PM. Sundays, we serve dinner from 2 PM until 7 PM.

Shop local, bring your receipt from a local business or artist or craftsperson, and we'll buy you a cup of coffee or tea! Of course, we have gift certificates available so you can give the best local produce - for each purchase of $100 worth of gift certificates, we will donate $10.00 to the Northeast Organic Farmer's Association Farm Share program which helps low income families buy farm CSAs.

From Steven's Kitchen: One of my favorite things about cooking is the creative aspect of it. Soup is one of those things for me where I can choose a main ingredient - say the last of the Fennel from Pete's Greens - and the journey starts there. Combined with Brian Titus' potatoes from Woods Edge Farm, onions from Bruce and Judy at Riverside Farm, Bill Half's garlic from Harvest Hill and Vermont Butter & Cheese cultured butter and lastly how could I not add Butterworks Farm cream and voila it has been transformed into a luscious, soul warming bowl of goodness. The final addition of crispy fennel, onions and leeks from Robin Taylor round out the creaminess with the always welcome addition of a little crunch. So get it while you can, the Fennel Potato Soup is on the menu for only a couple more days then we will all have to wait until next year and its next incarnation - happy eating everyone!

Music Notes: Thursday December 11, Jay Ekis comes to play at Claire's. Jay is a rock musician influenced by many elements of world music. He has a new CD out called "Touched by War." We are thrilled and honored to have him come to Claire's. You definitely don't want to miss this show. Check out Jay and sample his music at www.ekismusic.com. Music starts at 7:30.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Happening at Claire's and in Hardwick

Hi everyone!

We hope you all had a lovely holiday. When you're leftovers run out or you just want to get out and have someone else cook for you, come on down to Claire's for a delicious meal. New tonight on the menu will be Steven's Lobster and Clam Chowder. Ed from Stowe Seafood has brought us some beautiful Maine lobster and Rhode Island clams that Steven cooks with Butterworks cream, Riverside Farm onions and Harvest Hill Farm potatoes.

Music Notes: This Thursday we will be treated to a repeat performance from a great performer, singer and guitar player - Jeremy Raboin. We loved him the last time he played at Claire's and are eagerly anticipating his return. Music starts at 7:30.

Book Notes: This Saturday December 6, Claire's partner Linda Ramsdell will be hosting a celebration at The Galaxy Bookshop marking the independent bookstore's 20th year in business. Yes, I said 20 years! The Galaxy Bookshop has been enriching our minds and our community for 20 years and we can't thank Linda and Sandy and Stella enough for all they do! The party will go from 8 AM to 5 PM. Please come out and celebrate this Hardwick treasure. For more details, you can go to the bookstore's website at www.galaxybookshop.com.

Ski Notes: The Craftsbury Outdoor Center will be hosting its Craftsbury X-C Ski Race Sunday December 7 beginning at 10 AM with day of race registration at 9 AM. We have snow! Come on out to experience what we think is the best cross-country skiing around. Then, after working hard all day on the trails, come on down to Claire's for dinner. We'd love to hear all about the race. For more information, you can call 586-7767.

Enjoy your week and we look forward to seeing you soon.

peace