Farm to Kitchen to Table

Local Food: Farm to table always involves a stop in the kitchen. For pork ribs in particular, that means time and heat to coax their juicy tenderness and complement their rich flavors. Taking pork ribs from Pete's, Steven rubs in warm and smokey spices like chile and mustard, adding maple sugar for sweetness. Next, he grills the ribs for that vital bit of charcoal and caramelization. Finally, the ribs are braised slowly in Hill Farmstead Brewery's Double Galaxy Imperial IPA, with its notes of citrus and hops, along with the long awaited first onions of the season from Bill Half at Harvest Hill Farm in Walden. These ribs are served with a creamy, herbacious polenta and a sauté of peppers, golden squash from Harvest Hill and another first of the season - corn - from Riverside Farm for a level of sweet crunch.

At the Bar: Don't forget our Sunday and Monday drink specials. This Sunday, July 31, we offer a $2.50 pint of Rock Art Sunny & 75, a $4 glass of East Shore Vineyard Traminette or Lincoln Peak Marquette. The raspberry lemon drop is offered for $5. And many thanks to Duncan Holaday and all our students for last weekend's invigorating Cocktail Class.

Around the Galaxy: On Tuesday Alex Smith of Greensboro and Elye Alexander of Craftsbury join us to talk about their work as translators. Their most recent project is the translation of The Devotion of Suspect X, a bestselling book in Japan and China. Come to Galaxy on Tuesday at 7 to hear about Alex and Elye's collaboration on this and many other translations from the Japanese.

Music Notes: Neon Campfire, a lo-fi Americana duo with a slight European aftertaste, join us Thursday, July 28 at 7:30. Read about their recently released albums reviewed by Dan Bolles at Seven Days here.

Local Events: New Leaf Designs Eclectic Nursery owner Lynette Courtney will share her professional secrets at her Deadheading Clinic on Sunday, July 31 from 1-3. Learn some of the most important skills a gardener can have to extend bloom time and keep seeds from becoming weeds with a single snip. Bring scissors and/or pruners to 281 The Bend Road in Greensboro Bend. Call 533-9836 or email newleaf@vtlink.net to register.

Reminders: We appreciate it when you use cash or a check - credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up.

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Earn Your Degree at Cocktail Class

Cocktail Class is back, with special guest Duncan Holaday, our renowned local distiller who has just embarked on a new adventure with Dunc's Mills Maple and Elderflower rums. Duncan is founder of the oldest existing distillery in Vermont, where Vermont Gold Vodka was born and Vermont Spirits once housed. He distills his rum in the traditional way, from cane sugar, and adds Vermont maple and elderflower to this unique barrel aged local spirit. On Saturday, July 23 from 4-5 pm, learn from a master what cocktails bring out the complex flavor of each variety, and how to mix rum with the flavorful produce of Vermont. Free Admission and specials on cocktails and flights if you are so inspired.

Attend four classes to earn your degree - a gift card at Claire's or The Galaxy Bookshop.

Scamorza? More than Mozzarella

Local Food: Steven's mother-in-law recently asked about Vermont cheese. "Does anyone in Vermont make Scamorza?" Mike's mom wanted to know from her California home. Similar to mozzarella, this stretched curd cheese was a favorite childhood treat shopping with her mother on Saturdays in Boston's North End. Intrigued, it didn't take Steven long to find Scamorza "affumicata" (or smoked) from Maplebrook Farm, and he uses the cheese for a touch of creaminess in a cool and crisp summer salad just right for these dog days. Provender Farm in Cabot brings us the first crop of sweet and crunchy snap peas, mixed with Pete's first heirloom tomatoes and purple beans. Provender Farm's light, leafy greens go along with scallions for a rich variety of textures, flavors and colors. The vinaigrette of garlic scape oil and red wine vinegar brightens up the plate.

Our New Hours!
Now Open for Dinner All Week
Open at 2:30
Free WiFi with coffee and bar service
Dinner seatings available 5-9, 5-8 Sundays
Blunch every Sunday from 11-2

Cocktail Class
Saturday, July 23, 4-5
Featuring Duncan Holaday of
Dunc's Mills Rum
Free Admission
Cocktail and Flight Specials

At the Bar: Cocktail Class is back, with special guest Duncan Holaday, our renowned local distiller who has just embarked on a new adventure with Dunc's Mills Maple and Elderflower rums. Duncan is founder of the oldest existing distillery in Vermont, where Vermont Gold Vodka was born and Vermont Spirits once housed. He distills his rum in the traditional way, from cane sugar, and adds Vermont maple and elderflower to this unique barrel aged local spirit. On Saturday, July 23 from 4-5 pm, learn from a master what cocktails bring out the complex flavor of each variety, and how to mix rum with the flavorful produce of Vermont. Free Admission and specials on cocktails and flights if you are so inspired.

Don't forget our Sunday and Monday drink specials. On Sunday, July 24, we offer a $2.50 pint of Wolaver's Wildflower Wheat, a $4 glass of East Shore Vineyard Cabernet Franc or Boyden Valley Seyval Blanc. The Black Raspberry Gimlet features Green Mountain Organic Gin and Larry Brochu's black raspberries, for $5.

Around the Galaxy: On Tuesday, July 26 Galaxy welcomes area translators Alex Smith and Elye Alexander. Their most recent project has brought them attention from many quarters, including The Wall Street Journal. They will talk about their translation process and The Devotion of Suspect X on the 26th at 7PM. And put August 23 on your calendar to welcome David Budbill's new collection of poems, Happy Life. The book, with a stunning cover by Lois Eby, is available now for your reading pleasure.

Music Notes: Plank House Band, "a tasty little Cornet and Banjolele duo, playing the popular music of yesterday," join us Thursday July 21 at 7:30. The Hardwick duo are also part of Vermont Vaudeville and put on a show that is not to be missed.

Local Events: Summer Music from Greensboro begins this Tuesday, July 19 at 8:00 at the United Church of Christ. Adults are $18, seniors $17 and students $10.

The Craftsbury Chamber Players perform at the Hardwick Town House on Thursday nights - don't forget the free mini-concerts for children and their friends earlier in the day at 2.

Reminders: We appreciate it when you use cash or a check- credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up.

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Beets and WiFi

Local Food: This month, we get to enjoy the first crop of beets from Pete's, roasted to bring out their crisp, earthy and supple sweetness. Steven uses Chiogga beets, also known as candy stripe, as well as golden and red beets to emphasize the variety of color, texture, and flavor. Utilizing the entire plant, he adds the deep greens of the beets for crunch and to balance the moist roasted roots. Light and tangy goat cheese from Vermont Butter and Cheese Creamery makes for a creamy touch, and spiced pecans are added for crunch. Steven tops the salad with a dill horseradish vinaigrette, made with dill from Riverside Farm and horseradish from Rabbi's Roots.

Our New Hours!

Now Open for Dinner 7 Days

Open at 2:30

Free WiFi with coffee and bar service

Dinner seatings available 5-9, 5-8 Sundays

Blunch every Sunday from 11-2

At the Bar: Remember our drink specials every Sunday and Monday. For Sunday, July 17, we offer a $2.50 pint of Trout River Rainbow Red, a $5 glass of Shelburne Vineyard Riesling or Lincoln Peak Marquette. The Tequila Sunset features 100% agave Milagro tequila, lime juice and Fresh Tracks Rosé.

Coming up at Cocktail Class: Duncan Holaday of Dunc's Mill will join us for our next cocktail class on Saturday, July 23 from 4-5. Learn about the new Vermont made rums and cocktails you can make with them. Admission is free, and you can enjoy a flight of the rums and a cocktail special.

Around the Galaxy: Anne Stuart, Greensboro's bestselling master of romance, puts the sizzle in summer starting at 7 on Tuesday, July 12. Anne Stuart will read from her newest installment in The House of Rohan series and lead a discussion about entering the world of ebooks. Anne Stuart will also introduce a newcomer to the world of romance, Kristina Douglas, who has just penned the first in a series, The Fallen: Raziel. The event is free and open to all.

Local Music: Art Edelstein and Mike Fullerton are the Borealis Guitar Duo, joining us Thursday, July 14 at 7:30. They play music from the Celtic Lands with forays into American, Scandinavian and Klezmer music.

Local Art: The art opening for Hardwick artist Ken Leslie is Monday, July 18 from 4-6. Stop by to greet Ken, admire his art and enjoy some drink specials.

Local Events: The Craftsbury Chamber Players 2011 season kicks off in Hardwick on Thursday, July 14 at 7:30. You can enjoy their performances in Burlington every Wednesday through August 17, and in Hardwick every Thursday through August 18.

Reminders: We appreciate it when you use cash or a check- credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up.

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Cherry on Top

Local Food: Hedelfingen Sweet Cherries from Champlain Orchards are here, and they are popping up all over the menu. Steven roasts the cherries to bring out their sweetness and serves them with the rich pork belly from Winding Brook Farm, along with pickled rhubarb and broccolini from Harvest Hill Farm. The maple and black pepper grilled pork loin is accompanied with a sweet cherry compote. For dessert, the tart cherries complement the silky and sweet mascarpone cheesecake. Cherries are for Blunch too, in a compote with honey from Honey Gardens and rhubarb, served with spiced pancakes and Chocorakers French Toast. Look for our cherry infused whiskey at the bar soon.

We are now open seven days a week through August!

At the Bar: Remember our drink specials every Sunday and Monday. For Sunday, July 10, we offer a $2.50 pint of Rock Art Whitetail Ale, a $4 glass of Fresh Tracks Rosé or Boyden Valley Big Barn Red. Our new cocktail, the Tomato Zinger features Green Mountain Organic Gin, sweet cherry tomatoes, lime juice and a salted rim, specially priced at $5.

Coming up at Cocktail Class: Duncan Holaday of Dunc's Mill will join us for our next cocktail class on Saturday, July 23 from 4-5. Learn about the new Vermont-made rums and the cocktails you can make with them. Admission is free, and you can enjoy a flight of the rum or a special cocktail.

Around the Galaxy: This week Galaxy celebrates the arrival of David Budbill's new book of poetry, Happy Life. The book's striking cover features Lois Eby's painting. David will read from his work at Galaxy in August and you can get your copy now. In the meantime, put the sizzle in your summer on July 12 when Greensboro's master of romance Anne Stuart & Kristina Douglas appear to introduce a hot new series plus the latest installment in The House of Rohan, Shameless.

Music Notes: Hardwick favorites The Butterbeans are back this Thursday, July 7 at 7:30. Support local music and dance to their old timey, jazz and bluegrass tunes.

Local Events: A benefit concert for the Jeudevine Library will be Saturday, July 9 at the Hardwick Town House from 7-9pm. Admission is $8, $5 for seniors and students and kids are free! Help support the fund for the new Youth Services Librarian while listening to some great local music by Laslo Cameo, Tracy Wolters and the Flood Family. For more information call the library at 472-5948.

On Sunday, July 10 Kenji Bunch and his Bluegrass Allstars play a benefit for the Craftsbury Chamber Players at 7PM in Craftsbury.

Reminders: We are open daily after 2:30 for coffee and espresso drinks, 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.

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In Hardwick When it Sizzles

Local Food: As summer heats up, so does the grill, and the juicy, flavorful and tender leg of lamb from Winding Brook Farm in Morrisville sizzles. Steven provides the classic complement to the uniquely mild flavor of the lamb with mint from his own garden, mixed with sage and walnut to create a twist on pesto. Creamy polenta from Butterworks Farm accompanies the lamb, as well as a warm slaw of Napa cabbage, turnip, radish and garlic scape, all from Craftsbury, to accompany your portion from the succulent leg of lamb.

At the Bar: As the holiday weekend approaches, remember our drink specials every Sunday and Monday. For Sunday, July 3, we offer a $2.50 pint of Wolaver's Wildflower Wheat, a $4 glass of East Shore Vineyard Traminette or Lincoln Peak Marquette. Our Cilantro Margarita features Milagro 100% agave tequila, cilantro from Riverside Farm, lime juice and a splash of Cointreau, specially priced at $5. Enjoy a cocktail before or after you watch the fireworks in Greensboro at the Four Corners Ball Field beginning at dusk.

Beginning July 6, we will be open seven days a week for the months of July and August

Around the Galaxy: On Tuesday Edward Hoagland comes to Galaxy to discuss and sign Sex and the River Styx. The essays in his latest book explore themes of aging, love, and sex in deeply personal, often surprising ways. Hoagland's prose shines with the energy and intelligence that has characterized his work for decades and the wisdom of a man whose curiosity about the world has given him, and us, a lifetime of stories. Come hear for yourself, and celebrate the man John Updike called "the best essayist of my generation" on Tuesday at 7.

Music Notes: Singer/Songwriters Don & Jenn join us Thursday, June 30 at 7:30. The duo features guitar and vocals, and perform jazz and folk inspired originals and covers.

Local Events: Circus Smirkus kicks off their 2011 Big Top Tour in Greensboro on Sunday, July 3 with two shows at 1:00 and 6:00. The theme this year is "Frontpage Follies: Big Top Big News!" performed by a company of talented Circus Troupers, ages 10-18.

Reminders: We are open daily after 2:30 for coffee and espresso drinks, 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 this Wednesday. We appreciate it when you use cash or a check- credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up.

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Berry Berry Good

Local Food: Celebrate the summer solstice with the first strawberries of the season, arriving from Pete's Greens to sweeten things up a bit. After we blend the berries, they are added to an exciting new arrival - Dunc's Mill Maple Flavored Rum. Handcrafted by Duncan Holaday at Vermont's oldest distillery, the rum adds a sweet hint of maple flavor to our strawberry daiquiri. Also available at the bar is Dunc's Mill Elderflower Flavor Rum, which blends Vermont elderberry blossoms with essence from Austrian Elder and Caribbean cane. The Elderflower Flavor Rum is perfect served straight or over ice. You will also find strawberries on our dessert menu, in the upside down cake with rhubarb and in Steven's soufflé glacé, or frozen souffle. Either one offers the perfect finish to your meal on a hot summer evening, or an enjoyable afternoon snack as you surf the web with our free WiFi.

At the Bar:Remember our drink specials every Sunday and Monday. For Sunday, June 26, our specials are a $2.50 pint of Switchback, a $4 glass of Santa Julia Pinot Grigio or their Cabernet Sauvignon. Our Dark & Stormy features Gosling's Black Seal Rum, Green Mountain Organic Maple Liqueur handcrafted in Vermont, Domaine de Canton Ginger liqueur and ginger beer, specially priced at $5.

Around the Galaxy: On Tuesday at 7, beloved storyteller Willem Lange and Caldecott medalist Mary Azarian visit Galaxy to promote their new book, A Dream of Dragons: A Saga in Verse. And mark your calendars for June 28th when Edward Hoagland comes to Galaxy with his new book Sex and the River Styx. Events are free and open to all.

Music Notes: Lesley Grant and Stepstone join us this Thursday at 7:30. The new trio featuring Mark Struhsacker, Carrie Cook and Lesley Grant blend country, folk and bluegrass music with sweet harmonies and a mix of traditional and original songs.

Local Events: Take the confusion out of composting with gardening consultant Carol Schminke at the Hardwick Community Gardens on Saturday, June 25 at 10:00. Contact Heather at the Center for an Agricultural Economy to register at 472-5840 or heather@hardwickagriculture.org

Reminders: We are open daily after 2:30 for coffee and espresso drinks, 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.

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