Winter Sprouts

Local Food: The joyful flavors of winter come in a variety of surprising packages, including salad. Steven draws out the nutty and spicy intensity of sprouts to balance the sweet and tart flavors of thinly sliced root vegetables, also providing a hint of that intense green color mostly absent from the season's landscape. Arugula, sunflower, mung bean, and red cabbage sprouts, with some pea shoots, all from Toll a Bell Farm in East Calais, blend with a rainbow of root vegetables, including radishes, orange and yellow carrots and red onion, all tossed with an herby cider vinaigrette.

Music Notes: We look forward to welcoming the popular Eames Brothers Band in their first appearance at Claire's on Thursday at 7:30. Listen to a preview of their mountain blues here.

Around the Galaxy: Just in, Michael Pollan's new book Food Rules: An Eater's Manual, a thoughtful guide to action for those who would are mindful of the food they eat. Visit The Galaxy Bookshop in person or online for more information.

Local Events: In case you missed the viewing of the Emeril Green episode filmed in Hardwick, the Jeudevine Library will host another viewing on Saturday, January 30th at 3:00 at the library.

Menu for the Future: Join a six week (January 21 - February 25) reading and discussion at the Greensboro Public Library exploring food systems and their impacts on culture, society and our planet. Course book available on loan or for purchase ($21) at the library. Session 1 - "What's Eating America." Call 802-533-2531 for more information.

Claire's in your kitchen

The magazine Edible Green Mountain features Steven's account of working with celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse, along with four of Steven's popular dishes from our menu. You can find the recipes on the magazine's website at the links below, including a version of the Baked Squash Steven prepared with Chef Lagasse on Emeril Green:

Baked Acorn Squash with Grains, Garlic Cream, and Clothbound Cheddar

Baguette Flambée

Spiced Beef Brisket Braised in Cider and Beer with Apples

Cranberry and Blueberry Upside-Down Cornmeal Cake

And We're Back!

Local Food: We reopen this Thursday, January 14th and invite you to join us for dinner from 5-9, with music beginning at 7:30. We are excited to start fresh, welcome you back for what you've been missing - Steven's creations right out of the kitchen.

Local Events: If you could not catch the Emeril Green episode about Hardwick last week, the Center for an Agricultural Economy on Main Street will replay it on a big screen at 6:30 on Thursday. The event is co-sponsored by the Jeudevine Library. Come by and see us for a bite, a pint, and the music after. For more information on the show, visit here.

Highfields Center for Composting will host the First Annual Compost Cabaret on Saturday, January 16th from 7-10 at Cabot Town Hall. The event kicks off Highfields' community supported compost share program. Click here for more information about the celebration.

Winter Break

We close for our Winter Break on Monday, January 4, and reopen for Music Night the following Thursday, January 14, refreshed and eager to start the new year. In the meantime, don't forget to watch the Emeril Green episode featuring Hardwick agriculture on the Planet Green network, premiering Monday, January 4, at 8:00pm.

Happy New Year

Local Food: Whether you're ready to say goodbye to 2009 or eager to welcome 2010, we all can invest in the New Year. When you celebrate with us this New Year's Eve, you can trust that 79 cents of every food dollar we spend will go to local farmers and artisan producers. A meal with us is in investment in our community, in your friends and neighbors, for the year ahead. Come in and enjoy a few appetizing appetizers, select one of Steven's enticing entrees, or share a sense-ational sweet. His New Year's Eve menu offers an assortment of classic comforts with some special treats. Dinner reservations are available from 5 to 9, and dancing after 10 with Rachael Rice and the Cosmic Americans.

And we are pleased that your holiday giving generated more than $400 from us for the NOFA Farm Share program, thanks to all the gift cards purchased in December.

Local Events: Jeudevine Memorial Library hosts a free viewing of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince at 3:00 on Wednesday, December 30.

The Craftsbury Outdoor Center hosts the Craftsbury Classic, with a race for all ages on Sunday, January 3rd. Details available here.

Local News: We've heard the episode of Emeril Green featuring Hardwick will air on Planet Green January 4th at 8:00. We'll keep you posted.



We will be closed January 4th though the 13th. We reopen for dinner on Thursday, January 14, refreshed and ready for a great new year.

Merry Christmas!

Local Food: Just in time for those last harried days before Christmas, the perfect dish to match our bar specials every Monday. Starting this week, Steven presents the ultimate comfort food - grilled cheese with Grafton cheddar on bread baked by Charlie at Patchwork Farm, served with fries and a pint of Switchback, all for $7.00. Pint, wine, and cocktail specials are available every Sunday and Monday. Or bring in a receipt from a local merchant or artist Monday or Tuesday between 2:30 and 5:00, and we'll buy you a cup of coffee or tea.

Local Farms on New Year's Eve: In just over a week, we have the pleasure of sending off a year that offered some historic moments amidst troubling times. As 2009 comes to a close, we hope for an all around better year ahead. Start off on the right foot by welcoming the New Year and investing in 2010. With 79 percent of our food dollars going to local farms and artisans, when you celebrate with us, you're investing in your friends and neighbors for the New Year. Join us for dinner, or come in for the party with Rachael Rice and the Cosmic Americans. Dinner reservations are available from 5-9, and we'll dance in the New Year from 10-12:30.

Gift Cards & Holiday Hours: Give the gift of local food - our gift cards make delicious stocking stuffers. On Wednesday and Thursday, you can purchase Claire's Cards at the Galaxy Bookshop, cash and check only.

We are closed Wednesday, December 23, through Friday December 25 to be with our families. We look forward to welcoming you back on the 26th.

Local Events: Highland Lodge & Ski Touring Center will open for their 36th year of cross country skiing December 24th. Learn more here. Also stop by their Annual Gift Shop Sale through January 4th.

Celebrate the Winter Solstice at 12:47 p.m. on Monday the 21st. Read about the connection between plants, agriculture and humans on the solstice here.

Local Food: With all the snow that's finally falling, nothing will chase the chill away like a piping hot pot pie. Filled with a variety of earthy root vegetables including potatoes, carrots, and rutabagas, a splash of Shelburne Vineyard's Cayuga wine, and topped with a buttery, flaky crust made with cornmeal from Butterworks Farm, you can add to Steven's vegetarian pot pie with tofu from Vermont Soy, or turkey from Agape Hill Farm. This homey dish is a great way to take the bite out of a frigid day.

New Year's Eve is just around the corner and we'd love to celebrate with you at Claire's. Dinner reservations available from 5-9, and Rachael Rice and the Cosmic Americans will begin at 10:00 and play through the New Year. It promises to be a fun filled evening. Make your reservation today.

Celebrate the Season: There is still time to plan a holiday party with your friends at work or a family celebration. We can work with you for many different types of events, and our gift certificates are a popular gift that your loved ones can enjoy all year. We donate $10 to the NOFA Farm Share Program for each purchase of $100 in gift certificates for the Holidays.

Around the Galaxy: Thanks to everyone who came to enjoy our Judith Jones event last Tuesday. We were lucky to get a few more copies of Judith's book, The Pleasures of Cooking for One from our friends at Norwich Bookstore. You can also find other books from past Our Kitchen Bookshelf events that make great gifts for the food lover and cooks on your list. Our extended holiday hours give you more time to shop before dinner at Claire's - details on the web at http://www.galaxybookshop.com/.

Local Art: Check out our new winter window decorations, courtesy of local artist Sarah Mutrux.

Music Notes: New to Vermont and Sterling College, folk singer/songwriter Chris Dorman joins us Thursday at 7:00.