Kale at Your Fingertips

Local Food: Though many of us know to "eat more kale," few know the secret to including the abundant green in a fresh salad. Just a light massage of the kale loosens and lightens it up so you can enjoy all the benefits kale has to offer. Working it with his fingertips, Steven takes kale from Harvest Hill Farm and forms a tender, mellow base to the salad. He adds grilled tofu from Vermont Soy and Tempeh from Rhapsody, scallions from Mystic Morning Farm, and nutty barley from Golden Crops in nearby Quebec. Slivers of sweet golden beets from Pete's Greens add a touch of  color and sugar. The hearty salad is tossed with herbed and watermelon vinaigrette, with mint from Steven's garden and basil, cilantro and parsley from Sandiwood Farm, along with a punchy bite from grilled garlic scapes from Michael Parker.

At the Bar: Remember our Sunday and Monday drink specials. Sunday, July 1st we offer a $2.50 pint of Wolaver's, a $4 glass of Boyden Valley Seyval Blanc or Big Barn Red. Our Cucumber Gin and Tonic with Caledonia Spirits Gin, is offered for $5.

Around the Galaxy: On Thursday night at 6, Rob Mermin & Rob Gurwitt celebrate Circus Smirkus: 25 Years of Running Home to the Circus. Then on Tuesday, July 3rd, Gish Jen discusses World and Town, now out in paperback.

Music Notes: Dave Keller returns this Thursday, June 28 at 7:00.  If you have not yet had the chance to see him, don't miss this opportunity to check out his deep soul singing and gritty guitar licks.

Local Events: The Circus Smirkus 25th Anniversary Big Top Tour begins Sunday, July 1st in Greensboro with shows at 1 pm and 6 pm.  Tickets are $19 for adults, $13 for children (2-12) and free for those under two.  For more information, contact info@smirkus.org.

Mark your calendars for First Friday in Hardwick and shop local!  Celebrate Hardwick, have a good time with the entire family, see friends and neighbors, and support local business on Friday, July 6th from 5-10.  There will be live music, massage, face painting, snacks, and the chance to visit Main Street businesses during extended hours.  Support Hardwick's economy and enter the raffle to win prizes!

Reminders: We will be open Wednesdays starting July 4th for the 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. Claire's is closed every Wednesday until July 4th.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! 

Whet and Wild

Local Food: Antipasto is the plate of small bites served to whet the appetite.  Translated from Italian as "before the meal," there are as many versions of this light appetizer as there are regions in Italy.  Steven offers a Vermont interpretation that promotes the Italian emphasis on both the fresh and the aged.  Kicking off with the wild ramps and fiddleheads Steven foraged and pickled in early spring, also featured are fresh vegetables including the first of the Sungold tomatoes from Hazendale Farm, spicy radishes from Mystic Morning Farm and cucumbers, zucchini, fennel and kohlrabi from Pete's. Salted cultured butter from Vermont Butter and Cheese Creamery goes perfectly with the crunchy radishes, or on grilled rosemary bread from Elmore Mountain Bread. Steven blends farmer cheese from Sweet Rowen Farmstead in West Glover with herbs from his own garden to round out the plate!

At the Bar: Remember our Sunday and Monday drink specials. Sunday, June 24th we offer a $2.50 pint of Rock Art, a $4 glass of Boyden Valley Seyval Blanc or Big Barn Red. Our Mojito is offered for $5.

Around the Galaxy: Alison Bechdel comes to Galaxy on Tuesday, June 19th to discuss her graphic memoir, Are You My Mother?: A Comic Drama. The event begins at 7PM. On Tuesday, June 26th noted feminist author Alix Kates Schulman will read from and sign Menage, her first novel since the bestselling Memoir of an Ex-Prom Queen.

Music Notes: Blue Fox joins us this Thursday, June 21st 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: Kingdom Creamery of Vermont hosts an Open House at their farm on Route 16 in East Hardwick on Saturday from noon-3. Ice Cream! In the meantime, you can try their Vanilla in our Root Beer Float or Strawberry Fizz.

Bread and Puppet Theater will perform Less Miserables on Saturday, June 30th at 8pm.  Suggested donation of $10 at the door.

Reminders: We will be open Wednesdays starting July 4th for the 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. Claire's is closed every Wednesday until July 4th.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! 

Summer Joy out of Pac Choi

Local Food: Grown in China for over 1500 years, pac choi (or bok choy) is a member of the cabbage family, with a mild leaf and crispy ribs. Steven quickly grills pac choi from Pete's to bring out a smokey flavor and wilt the tasty greens. Buttery Carola potatoes are sautéed, with Oyster mushrooms from Wild Branch Farm adding their meaty cap and tender stems.  Tofu from Vermont Soy and yellow bean puree, mixed with spring onions and garlic scapes, add a mix of textures to the dish.  A vinaigrette with dill and oregano from Steven's garden finishes the vegetarian dish, which can easily be made vegan at your request.

On Father's Day, our famous hearty Blunch is available from 11 am until 2 pm, and stop by anytime between 5 and 8 for dinner.

At the Bar: Remember our Sunday and Monday drink specials. Sunday, June 17 we offer a $2.50 pint of Trout River, a $4 glass of Boyden Valley Seyval Blanc or Big Barn Red. Our Cilantro Margarita is offered for $5.

Around the Galaxy: On Thursday, June 14th at 7PM, Galaxy welcomes Bethany Dunbar for the world premier of Kingdom's Bounty: A Sustainable, Eclectic, Edible Tour of Vermont's Northeast Kingdom. This long awaited guidebook showcases the best of our region's locally produced and prepared foods, and Bethany's photographs highlight the Kingdom's beauty as well as the bounty. The following Tuesday, June 19th at 7PM, Galaxy welcomes Alison Bechdel for a discussion of  her new graphic memoir Are You My Mother?: A Comic Drama.

Music Notes: Plank House Band, "a tasty little Cornet and Banjolele duo, playing the popular music of yesterday," join us Thursday June 14 at 7:00. The Hardwick duo are also part of Vermont Vaudeville and put on a show that is not to be missed.

Local Events: Tuesday, June 12 marks the beginning of Craftsbury's Trail Race series, now with mountain bikes! Registration for bikers and runners starts at 5:30PM at the Craftsbury Outdoor Center.

On Sunday, June 17th, help build the Cross Vermont Trail by cycling or running scenic gravel roads in central Vermont during the Central Vermont Cycling Tour. It is not too early to start building miles for the Farm & Food Bike Tour in August!

Lamoille County Nature Center Naturalist Carrie Riker will present "What's in the Dark?" at Craftsbury Public Library on Thursday, June 21 at 4:00, kicking off the library's summer reading program.  Have you heard them?  have you seen them?  Who can they be?  The night is alive with all sorts of critters.  You'll learn who is up and awake while we are deep asleep.  These questions will be explored and answered in this one hour presentation.  The program is geared to children 4-12 years old, but all are welcome.  Call the library at 586-9683 with questions.

Reminders: We will be open Wednesdays starting July 4th for the 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. Claire's is closed every Wednesday until July 4th.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! 

A Seasonal Treat from the Sea

Local Food: Soft-Shell Crab is in season quite briefly, so stop in and enjoy them while you can!  Blue crabs surface from hibernation in the ocean floor during late spring, and then molt their hard shells, which are replaced by soft, flavorful and edible shells.  The sweet, briny and juicy crabs are best when prepared simply.  Steven dusts the crab with cornmeal from Butterworks Farm and lightly fries it.  Spicy and bitter radicchio and sweet baby spinach from Hazendale Farm are tossed in a honey dill vinaigrette, with honey from Caledonia Spirits and dill from Pete's Greens.  Housemade ramp aioli adds the final rich and creamy touch to the dish.

At the Bar: Remember our Sunday and Monday drink specials. Sunday, June 10 we offer a $2.50 pint of Rock Art, a $4 glass of East Shore Vineyard Cabernet Franc or Shelburne Vineyard Whimsey Meadow Rosé. The Orleans Royale, with Eden Vermont Ice Cider Orleans and prosecco, is offered for $5.

Around the Galaxy:  On Thursday, June 14th, join Bethany Dunbar for the world premier of Kingdom's Bounty. The book showcases the best of our region's locally produced and prepared foods - which you can enjoy at Claire's before the event. Beginning at 5:15 join Bethany and several producers for dinner. The event is not ticketed but reservations are required and there are a couple of spots left. Call Galaxy at 472-5533 for details and to reserve your spot! The book event begins at Galaxy at 7. Be sure your calendar is marked for Alison Bechdel on June 19th!

Music Notes: Hardwick's own The Butterbeans join us Thursday, June 7 at 7:00.  Support local music and come down for a foot stompin' good time!

Local Art: Join us on Monday, June 11th for an artist reception with Elizabeth Nelson. Stop by to admire her Symbolic Landscapes show now at Claire's, and see more of her art online.

Local Events:  Our next dance party, The June Bug, is Friday, June 8 from 10-2 with DJ DMD making his debut! Bring your dancing shoes and ID, DJ DMD will bring the floss.  $5 suggested music donation. Designated drivers who pledge to be alcohol free for the night get free non-alcoholic drinks and a $10 gift card!

The Children's Parade is Saturday, June 9th at 11:00 in East Hardwick.  Bring the kids or just come to watch.  The parade starts at Hardwick Chiropractic and goes to the First Congregational Church.  Prizes are awarded for best costumes, and there is free ice cream for everyone! Fun activities and demonstrations, plus live music and a plant swap at the Grange Hall will follow.  Lineup begins at 10:30.  For more information, contact Rachel Kane at 472-6021 or rkane@vtink.net

Hardwick Second Saturdays Series continues Saturday, June 9th with a Contra Dance and Potluck Dinner at Hazen Union. Potluck begins at 5:30, dance at 6:30, with Rickey Holt calling.  For more information or to sit in with the band, call Alana at 472-5584.

Reminders: We will be open Wednesdays starting July 4th for the 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. Claire's is closed every Wednesday until July 4th.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!