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!