Gilding the Chicken

Local Food: Even if schnitzel is the frugal adaptation of a gold plated dish preferred by 7th century Byzantine Emperor Basileios I - where the color of the toasty bread crumbs resembles gilding - it is delicious. Our gold comes as cornmeal from Butterworks Farm.  Steven takes chicken breasts from Sunshine Acres in Hardwick, which he pounds until thin but still succulent. After lightly frying the cornmeal coated schnitzel to a golden crunch, he serves it with a jus of Riverside farm onions, Champlain Orchards apples, Flag Hill Farm apple brandy, and mustard.  The plate is served with the traditional roasted fingerling potatoes and mustard, as well as sauerkraut with bacon, offset by sweet sprouts and pickled cauliflower salad.

At the Bar: Remember our Sunday and Monday drink specials. Sunday, February 5 we offer a $2.50 pint of Rock Art, a $4 glass of Boyden Valley Seyval Blanc or Riverbend Red.  Try our Ginger Lemon Spritzer, with Green Mountain Organic Vodka, Ginger liquor, ginger beer and lemon juice, offered for $5.

Around the Galaxy:  DJ Lesson One will be warming up at Galaxy before he moves over to Claire's for the Heartthrob Dance Party. Come downtown with your dancing shoes and step into the Galaxy for a bookstore warming party from 6 until midnight. There is still a lot to do in the new space, but the new books have started arriving so stop by and check out the progress. Blood Bones & Butter is finally out in paperback and Galaxy has a good stack, as well as the eBook for sale.

Music Notes: Chickweed make their debut performance this Thursday, February 2 at 7:00.  Support our neighbors Fran Forim, Linda Warner and Abby Maier Johnson!

Local Events: Our Heartthrob Dance Party is this Friday, February 3 from 10-2! DJ Lesson One will be playing your favorites so bring your dancing shoes and your ID- 18 and over. Creative attire encouraged. $5 suggested donation at the door for music. Designated drivers who pledge to be alcohol free for the night can enjoy free non-alcoholic beverages and a $10 gift certificate.

Valentine's Day approaches, so plan to woo your sweatheart or celebrate your friends and family by making dinner reservations now.  Tell us why you love Hardwick on the Claire's Facebook page, and you will be entered to win Valentine's dinner for two! Thank you to the many folks who have already participated- we love hearing what you have to say!

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, Sundays from 5-8. We serve our special Blunch menu Sundays from 11-2. Claire's is closed every Wednesday.

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 reduced those fees.

Click on the image above to get a closer look!