this little piggy...
house cured prosciutto from tony’s pig, seed to sausage salami, richard and sylvie’s last bit of cheese, chutney, pickles, bread, crackers
the unbearable lightness of bean...
warm salad of ernie’s green beans, red onions, smoked portobello mushrooms, goat’s cheese, dried cranberries, tim and colleen’s maple syrup in a maple-cider vinaigrette
birds of a feather, or, ‘what, the flock?’...
gary’s turkey and duck, kemptville farmers’ market veggies, crêpe, béchamel
a beef history of time...
dan’s beef striploin, grilled to your liking, pâté, blue cheese, mashed potatoes, peas, carrots, red wine gravy
a berry parfait ending...
fresh berries, ice-wine soaked tea cake, honeyed whipped cream, lemon thyme and purple basil
$55 per person
authentic texas specialties, amazing live music, incredible selection of local, microbrewed draft beers and locally sourced and organic foods...
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
Chef
Story Time:
One of the things I was looking for when I moved out to California was a mentor. I haven’t mentioned that to too many folks before now, but I did, honestly, have that exact thought. I had cooked with lots of other folks before that point, but, well, I had just never been all that impressed. I guess it was a mix of my ego, the confidence of youth, and, perhaps, bad luck...But I had never found anyone who was ‘so much better’ than me that I felt like I needed to listen all that closely to what they had to say. I have stated in other of these ‘newsletter stories’ that I was a bookworm, and that trick had allowed me the keyhole through which I could view a world of more exotic, more intellectual approaches to my chosen trade. But, to date, I had never met anyone who embodied the ideals and skills that I was seeking to absorb. I needed a chef, a real chef to bring me over that hill, to take me under their wing, to nurture my obvious talent... Instead, I met Eric Tucker. (Insert winky-face emoticon here)
I should not discount the fact that I learned much of what I know from other cooks and even chefs—John and Steve at Romeo’s, a kitschy Austin Italian joint, come to mind. John, who taught me to blacken chicken, had learned how to do it directly from Paul Prudhomme, the inventor of the technique; and Steve, who showed me the ropes on our wood fired pizza oven was a quiet, patient tutor whose first job was as an executive chef overseeing the menus of the multiple restaurants in the Comida Deluxe (Austin savvy folks will know it as the Chuy’s...) restaurant group. The consulting chefs who helped open the Brazos Brewing Company taught me how to make a hollandaise and Jason at Cenare gave me my first pair of checks and taught me how to sauté. Habib at Mother’s taught me patience and perfection as well as how to make a perfect hamburger bun (believe it or not, it involves jumping up and down...) There have been a number of generous teachers over the years who have each helped to teach me how to cook, but only one made me a chef.
When I went to San Francisco, I went to become a chef. I had some names in my pocket, not many, mostly from a (pre-internet) book of vegetarian restaurants for travelers that I had picked up at a discount book store. It was a little out of date, but accurate enough for me to know that If I wanted to work in high end vegetarian cuisine I had about three choices in the US: New York, Los Angeles, or San Francisco. My first thought had been, of course, cooking school, of which I could find only one that fit my (at that time) meat free agenda, The Natural Gourmet Cooking School in Manhattan. Exactly one weird, exhausting road trip later (it involves an ex-girlfriend, a night of debauchery in Washington D.C. on July the fourth, an awkward stay on the floor of an apartment on the Lower East Side, witnessing the death of a pedestrian in traffic and, finally, a conference at a school smaller than my parents house that involved graduates discussing jobs they had gotten that paid less than my current wage...) I decided that I was either not interested in cooking school, was too late for it, or, maybe, that I just wasn’t ready for New York.
San Francisco had more pages in the book than New York anyway. It had the Greens Restaurant, an institution whose cookbook stood as one of the most important textbooks in my self designed curriculum, and it contained a brief passage about a little place in San Rafael (just across the bridge from downtown) that sounded like my perfect choice: Milly’s Restaurant, a gourmet vegan destination... I was, at the time of planning that next step, a vegan, and as such, was obviously enamoured with the idea of finding myself settled into a cozy little gourmet vegan spot in the wealthy neighbourhood of downtown San Rafael...
I had also heard about Millennium from my boss at Mother’s Café in Austin; he knew a former employee who had moved out to San Francisco and found a sweet job waiting tables at a chic veggie place right downtown. Millennium wasn’t in my book, however, so I set the thought aside. I arrived in San Francisco by bus early one morning and checked into a youth hostel that became my home for the next 6 months(!) I quickly discovered that the cash in my pocket did not translate well from Texas dollars in to San Franciscan, and began schlepping my handmade single page, friendly, interesting (I hoped) resume to whoever would receive it. The Greens took a copy, but never called. Several other places did, but my big disappointment came after an hour long bus-ride into San Rafael, an ill fated trip that would have been quickly avoided by a high speed internet connection today—Milly’s was gone. The one that was my first choice, my great hope... just plain gone. No sign to mark its passing. I ended up at Herbivore, a brand new restaurant in the Mission district—Vegan, yes, which was nice, but mentor-less and too casual for what I had hoped to find. I was managing other cooks and writing recipes for this new job within weeks and found myself, yet again, unimpressed with what was on offer to be learned. Then, one day, wandering around my neighbourhood, I found Millennium by chance. Its sign made no mention of its vegetarian credentials, only my nagging memory of the name from my former boss’ mention drew the thought to mind—it was a scant three blocks from the youth hostel where my rucksack had found a semi-permanent home all while I had spent 3 or 4 months slogging vegan fast food two neighbourhoods away.
But there it was, ‘Millennium Organic Cuisine’, a sign I later found out had been a compromise borne out of a fear that even in downtown San Francisco, no-one would darken the door of a vegan restaurant unless lured in by less jarring words. The apologetic tone ended at the sign. Once inside, Margaret Mead’s famous quote adorned the mirror in the lobby “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” I ventured in, just for a look at first...and was amazed and hooked, even before I tasted my first bite. I knew as I read the menu that not only had I found my mecca at last, I had found my mentor. It was enough, all apologies omitted, words written by a chef for foodies, not compromised language for the unenlightened. It described a host of wild and exotic foods, ethnic preparations, traditional techniques that should not have been found on a vegan menu... Odd, eclectic, exciting stuff. In short, Eric Tucker’s food. Within the week I returned for a taste and decided then and there that Millennium was why I had moved to San Francisco and that I would not rest until I had a job. My resume was filed, my follow up calls made. I became a nuisance until, out of pity, I was sure, Eric finally called me in to help with a catering job. It was the foot in the door that I needed and for the next two or three weeks I would drop by or call and see if anything else had come up. It did, it turns out, within just weeks of that first visit; a lead line cook left, a perfect position for me, and it also turned out that I was not under-qualified (as I had feared) but, in fact, over... Most of the cooks in the Millennium kitchen came there through, of course, the externship program of the very same Natural Gourmet Cooking School in New York City that I had decided for many reasons not to attend—entry level positions are easy to fill if you have a long list of people who are willing to work for college credit... As the food was unconventional, in house training was almost essential to fill lower level positions; as such, most of those jobs were filled by most of these green and eager folks just moving up the food chain. My timing, it would seem, with a long resume filled with line cooking experience was kind of providential; an experienced line cook was not what most of these cooking school graduates were in any way qualified to replace.
Luck had repaid me it seems, in more ways than one: Millennium was, it turned out, a sister to Milly’s in San Rafael. Eric had moved to the Bay Area from New York after a stint at the Natural Gourmet to work for Milly’s; like me, he had come to that school with experience but, unlike me, he had decided that it was worth it and stayed to attend. On graduating and moving to San Rafael, he had quickly moved up through the ranks at Milly’s, apparently taking over the kitchen within a year or so. When the folks behind Milly’s decided to move into the city, Eric’s position as head chef of the new venture became a condition to the investors. Millennium went forward and Milly’s, along with its founders, eventually fell to the side, and the investors, Anne and Larry Wheat, took the reins instead. Basically, I had finally found what I had come out hoping to find.
At Millennium, I finally felt challenged. There was never an easy ride; every cook came to the table with ideas, every cook was qualified and competent and trained and every menu was an exercise in pushing a boundary. At the centre of this firestorm of creativity sat Eric Tucker, quiet, unassuming, childish at times, even prone to wild mood swings, but unquestionably the unmoving centre of it all.
Eric did not teach me to cook. Most of that I knew before I walked through the front door. He did not teach me how to boil a noodle or how to smoke a block of tofu, although, on occasion, he may have guided my technique or made a suggestion. Eric taught me how to taste. How to take all those techniques and ideas and to put them together in a bowl and to taste them. His method of teaching was ’no.’ Or, more often, ‘not quite.’ Like a good bandleader from my days in rock & roll, he would bring in his own ‘songs’ or recipes and teach them to us as needed, and then he would take our ideas and help us craft them. I remember bringing in an idea for a cactus gumbo, it needed another element, ‘a roux?’ I suggested...’how about toasted cormeal instead?’ he countered. Minutes later I had my best recipe to date with the aid of his one simple idea. He had that knack for taking a good idea and pushing it to the next level. Eric taught us to cook by never accepting something as being just ‘good enough.’ At times he drove me crazy; his repeated refusal to even attempt some of my ideas felt like censorship, but, in retrospect, it wasn’t my name on the menu. And, to be fair, I was getting more ideas past him (or more songs on the record, if you will) than any of my co-workers were. So much so, that within the year I made sous chef.
‘Chef’ is a funny word. I think of it like ‘poet’: it’s something that you cannot call yourself. Chef, technically, just means chief, or boss, in this instance, the boss of a professional kitchen. At one point, I, like most people, thought it was a name that was applied to someone who is a really good cook—I now know that although cooking is important, maybe even the most important part of a chef’s job, it is only the tip of the iceberg. A good chef must be an efficient manager of goods, ordering, receiving, organizing an inventory; a good chef must be a hard worker, setting an example for his or her crew; a good chef must be a good listener and a good teacher, Eric knew and, I’m sure, knows some critical piece of data about every person in his employ, a favourite song, a joke that always gets a smile, which word makes them cringe... A good chef must inspire people to try new things, to expand their horizons. Lots of people are chefs these days, ‘personal chefs’, ‘bbq chefs’, ‘top chefs’, ‘T.V. chefs’, and, I guess, by my rule of that title being one that only others can bestow on you, that they have as much right to that word as anyone else. But when you are like me, unschooled, never having gone through a formal apprenticeship, that word means much, much more. Eric, when he promoted me, gave me that title for the first time. In my mind, he literally made me a chef. For that I am forever grateful.
Eric is not perfect. He, if he’s reading this, is cringing; he’s one of those guys who doesn’t do well with praise. So, to balance, I’ll admit that he wasn’t always the best communicator (neither am I); kitchens are high stress places and we all drop the ball. He is the best cook I’ve ever worked with, but even he will admit to a baroque streak, a tendency to keep adding elements until the plate is within moments of being completely overwhelmed. He and I used to laugh with manic glee as we rushed to assemble these monstrous incredible structures of flavour, texture and form in time for dinner service. Eric is imperfect alright. And fun. There are a thousand stories of colourful histories we concocted to dupe the newer and/or more gullible members of the staff in order to keep ourselves entertained. But never (...well, almost never,) out of cruelty.
He’s also...too far away, and Nicole and I miss dropping in on him. There is not one time I can recall that he couldn’t make me laugh if he really wanted to. And these days, for reasons I’ll omit, there are days when I wish I could find some way to be there for him as well.
Eric had a successful run with Millennium’s first cookbook; so much so that they asked him to write another. Eric honoured me and showed his true colours by inviting me to not only help with the new book, but to also share a full writer’s credit, something he was in no way obligated to do. Eric not only gave me my dream of being a chef, he gave me my dream of being a published author as well.
In 1995, living in Austin, I still wanted to be a rock star, maybe a writer. At New Year’s I decided that I was tired of fighting for too small a niche in too competitive of a scene; I knew I loved cooking and that if I applied myself, I could make a go of it. A year and a half later, I was the sous chef at one of the top rated vegetarian restaurants in North America. Don’t ever let anyone tell you there is something that you cannot do.
Eric Tucker is not the world’s biggest celebrity chef. He is well known within a community, but I can assure you he is among the best. His palate is flawless, his instincts are perfect and by at least one measure, he is someone whose influence will last long past his already substantial career. a few years back, I was able to travel to Philadelphia to help Eric cook a dinner for that city’s prestigious ‘Book and the Cook’ cookbook festival...On hand, besides myself were 3 other folks who had worked with Eric and gone on to become chefs in our own kitchens...I can track at least a half dozen other folks, just from my ‘class’ who have gone on to lead kitchens, become personal chefs, open catering companies, or even to help revolutionize the industry with ‘dinner club’ style moveable restaurants. Sean Baker, a sous chef from the year after I left went on to open ‘Gather’ in Berkeley and in 2010 was named Esquire Magazine’s ‘Chef of the Year.’ And even here in Ottawa, miles away from the left coast, another of Eric’s protégé’s, Caroline Ishii of Zen Kitchen, has been garnering a number of rave reviews...Eric doesn’t just make great food, he makes great cooks...
Eric Tucker came from New Jersey; he went out to San Francisco in 1992, a few years before I got there, and within a year and half he was the chef at the restaurant where he had come to train. This year, the restaurant that he helped to start and still holds on course with his steady hand is 17 years old. I know now that in restaurant years that is the equivalent of about one million. I went out to San Francisco to find a mentor, instead I found a chef, my chef, and I found a friend. Thanks, Eric.
One of the things I was looking for when I moved out to California was a mentor. I haven’t mentioned that to too many folks before now, but I did, honestly, have that exact thought. I had cooked with lots of other folks before that point, but, well, I had just never been all that impressed. I guess it was a mix of my ego, the confidence of youth, and, perhaps, bad luck...But I had never found anyone who was ‘so much better’ than me that I felt like I needed to listen all that closely to what they had to say. I have stated in other of these ‘newsletter stories’ that I was a bookworm, and that trick had allowed me the keyhole through which I could view a world of more exotic, more intellectual approaches to my chosen trade. But, to date, I had never met anyone who embodied the ideals and skills that I was seeking to absorb. I needed a chef, a real chef to bring me over that hill, to take me under their wing, to nurture my obvious talent... Instead, I met Eric Tucker. (Insert winky-face emoticon here)
I should not discount the fact that I learned much of what I know from other cooks and even chefs—John and Steve at Romeo’s, a kitschy Austin Italian joint, come to mind. John, who taught me to blacken chicken, had learned how to do it directly from Paul Prudhomme, the inventor of the technique; and Steve, who showed me the ropes on our wood fired pizza oven was a quiet, patient tutor whose first job was as an executive chef overseeing the menus of the multiple restaurants in the Comida Deluxe (Austin savvy folks will know it as the Chuy’s...) restaurant group. The consulting chefs who helped open the Brazos Brewing Company taught me how to make a hollandaise and Jason at Cenare gave me my first pair of checks and taught me how to sauté. Habib at Mother’s taught me patience and perfection as well as how to make a perfect hamburger bun (believe it or not, it involves jumping up and down...) There have been a number of generous teachers over the years who have each helped to teach me how to cook, but only one made me a chef.
When I went to San Francisco, I went to become a chef. I had some names in my pocket, not many, mostly from a (pre-internet) book of vegetarian restaurants for travelers that I had picked up at a discount book store. It was a little out of date, but accurate enough for me to know that If I wanted to work in high end vegetarian cuisine I had about three choices in the US: New York, Los Angeles, or San Francisco. My first thought had been, of course, cooking school, of which I could find only one that fit my (at that time) meat free agenda, The Natural Gourmet Cooking School in Manhattan. Exactly one weird, exhausting road trip later (it involves an ex-girlfriend, a night of debauchery in Washington D.C. on July the fourth, an awkward stay on the floor of an apartment on the Lower East Side, witnessing the death of a pedestrian in traffic and, finally, a conference at a school smaller than my parents house that involved graduates discussing jobs they had gotten that paid less than my current wage...) I decided that I was either not interested in cooking school, was too late for it, or, maybe, that I just wasn’t ready for New York.
San Francisco had more pages in the book than New York anyway. It had the Greens Restaurant, an institution whose cookbook stood as one of the most important textbooks in my self designed curriculum, and it contained a brief passage about a little place in San Rafael (just across the bridge from downtown) that sounded like my perfect choice: Milly’s Restaurant, a gourmet vegan destination... I was, at the time of planning that next step, a vegan, and as such, was obviously enamoured with the idea of finding myself settled into a cozy little gourmet vegan spot in the wealthy neighbourhood of downtown San Rafael...
I had also heard about Millennium from my boss at Mother’s Café in Austin; he knew a former employee who had moved out to San Francisco and found a sweet job waiting tables at a chic veggie place right downtown. Millennium wasn’t in my book, however, so I set the thought aside. I arrived in San Francisco by bus early one morning and checked into a youth hostel that became my home for the next 6 months(!) I quickly discovered that the cash in my pocket did not translate well from Texas dollars in to San Franciscan, and began schlepping my handmade single page, friendly, interesting (I hoped) resume to whoever would receive it. The Greens took a copy, but never called. Several other places did, but my big disappointment came after an hour long bus-ride into San Rafael, an ill fated trip that would have been quickly avoided by a high speed internet connection today—Milly’s was gone. The one that was my first choice, my great hope... just plain gone. No sign to mark its passing. I ended up at Herbivore, a brand new restaurant in the Mission district—Vegan, yes, which was nice, but mentor-less and too casual for what I had hoped to find. I was managing other cooks and writing recipes for this new job within weeks and found myself, yet again, unimpressed with what was on offer to be learned. Then, one day, wandering around my neighbourhood, I found Millennium by chance. Its sign made no mention of its vegetarian credentials, only my nagging memory of the name from my former boss’ mention drew the thought to mind—it was a scant three blocks from the youth hostel where my rucksack had found a semi-permanent home all while I had spent 3 or 4 months slogging vegan fast food two neighbourhoods away.
But there it was, ‘Millennium Organic Cuisine’, a sign I later found out had been a compromise borne out of a fear that even in downtown San Francisco, no-one would darken the door of a vegan restaurant unless lured in by less jarring words. The apologetic tone ended at the sign. Once inside, Margaret Mead’s famous quote adorned the mirror in the lobby “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” I ventured in, just for a look at first...and was amazed and hooked, even before I tasted my first bite. I knew as I read the menu that not only had I found my mecca at last, I had found my mentor. It was enough, all apologies omitted, words written by a chef for foodies, not compromised language for the unenlightened. It described a host of wild and exotic foods, ethnic preparations, traditional techniques that should not have been found on a vegan menu... Odd, eclectic, exciting stuff. In short, Eric Tucker’s food. Within the week I returned for a taste and decided then and there that Millennium was why I had moved to San Francisco and that I would not rest until I had a job. My resume was filed, my follow up calls made. I became a nuisance until, out of pity, I was sure, Eric finally called me in to help with a catering job. It was the foot in the door that I needed and for the next two or three weeks I would drop by or call and see if anything else had come up. It did, it turns out, within just weeks of that first visit; a lead line cook left, a perfect position for me, and it also turned out that I was not under-qualified (as I had feared) but, in fact, over... Most of the cooks in the Millennium kitchen came there through, of course, the externship program of the very same Natural Gourmet Cooking School in New York City that I had decided for many reasons not to attend—entry level positions are easy to fill if you have a long list of people who are willing to work for college credit... As the food was unconventional, in house training was almost essential to fill lower level positions; as such, most of those jobs were filled by most of these green and eager folks just moving up the food chain. My timing, it would seem, with a long resume filled with line cooking experience was kind of providential; an experienced line cook was not what most of these cooking school graduates were in any way qualified to replace.
Luck had repaid me it seems, in more ways than one: Millennium was, it turned out, a sister to Milly’s in San Rafael. Eric had moved to the Bay Area from New York after a stint at the Natural Gourmet to work for Milly’s; like me, he had come to that school with experience but, unlike me, he had decided that it was worth it and stayed to attend. On graduating and moving to San Rafael, he had quickly moved up through the ranks at Milly’s, apparently taking over the kitchen within a year or so. When the folks behind Milly’s decided to move into the city, Eric’s position as head chef of the new venture became a condition to the investors. Millennium went forward and Milly’s, along with its founders, eventually fell to the side, and the investors, Anne and Larry Wheat, took the reins instead. Basically, I had finally found what I had come out hoping to find.
At Millennium, I finally felt challenged. There was never an easy ride; every cook came to the table with ideas, every cook was qualified and competent and trained and every menu was an exercise in pushing a boundary. At the centre of this firestorm of creativity sat Eric Tucker, quiet, unassuming, childish at times, even prone to wild mood swings, but unquestionably the unmoving centre of it all.
Eric did not teach me to cook. Most of that I knew before I walked through the front door. He did not teach me how to boil a noodle or how to smoke a block of tofu, although, on occasion, he may have guided my technique or made a suggestion. Eric taught me how to taste. How to take all those techniques and ideas and to put them together in a bowl and to taste them. His method of teaching was ’no.’ Or, more often, ‘not quite.’ Like a good bandleader from my days in rock & roll, he would bring in his own ‘songs’ or recipes and teach them to us as needed, and then he would take our ideas and help us craft them. I remember bringing in an idea for a cactus gumbo, it needed another element, ‘a roux?’ I suggested...’how about toasted cormeal instead?’ he countered. Minutes later I had my best recipe to date with the aid of his one simple idea. He had that knack for taking a good idea and pushing it to the next level. Eric taught us to cook by never accepting something as being just ‘good enough.’ At times he drove me crazy; his repeated refusal to even attempt some of my ideas felt like censorship, but, in retrospect, it wasn’t my name on the menu. And, to be fair, I was getting more ideas past him (or more songs on the record, if you will) than any of my co-workers were. So much so, that within the year I made sous chef.
‘Chef’ is a funny word. I think of it like ‘poet’: it’s something that you cannot call yourself. Chef, technically, just means chief, or boss, in this instance, the boss of a professional kitchen. At one point, I, like most people, thought it was a name that was applied to someone who is a really good cook—I now know that although cooking is important, maybe even the most important part of a chef’s job, it is only the tip of the iceberg. A good chef must be an efficient manager of goods, ordering, receiving, organizing an inventory; a good chef must be a hard worker, setting an example for his or her crew; a good chef must be a good listener and a good teacher, Eric knew and, I’m sure, knows some critical piece of data about every person in his employ, a favourite song, a joke that always gets a smile, which word makes them cringe... A good chef must inspire people to try new things, to expand their horizons. Lots of people are chefs these days, ‘personal chefs’, ‘bbq chefs’, ‘top chefs’, ‘T.V. chefs’, and, I guess, by my rule of that title being one that only others can bestow on you, that they have as much right to that word as anyone else. But when you are like me, unschooled, never having gone through a formal apprenticeship, that word means much, much more. Eric, when he promoted me, gave me that title for the first time. In my mind, he literally made me a chef. For that I am forever grateful.
Eric is not perfect. He, if he’s reading this, is cringing; he’s one of those guys who doesn’t do well with praise. So, to balance, I’ll admit that he wasn’t always the best communicator (neither am I); kitchens are high stress places and we all drop the ball. He is the best cook I’ve ever worked with, but even he will admit to a baroque streak, a tendency to keep adding elements until the plate is within moments of being completely overwhelmed. He and I used to laugh with manic glee as we rushed to assemble these monstrous incredible structures of flavour, texture and form in time for dinner service. Eric is imperfect alright. And fun. There are a thousand stories of colourful histories we concocted to dupe the newer and/or more gullible members of the staff in order to keep ourselves entertained. But never (...well, almost never,) out of cruelty.
He’s also...too far away, and Nicole and I miss dropping in on him. There is not one time I can recall that he couldn’t make me laugh if he really wanted to. And these days, for reasons I’ll omit, there are days when I wish I could find some way to be there for him as well.
Eric had a successful run with Millennium’s first cookbook; so much so that they asked him to write another. Eric honoured me and showed his true colours by inviting me to not only help with the new book, but to also share a full writer’s credit, something he was in no way obligated to do. Eric not only gave me my dream of being a chef, he gave me my dream of being a published author as well.
In 1995, living in Austin, I still wanted to be a rock star, maybe a writer. At New Year’s I decided that I was tired of fighting for too small a niche in too competitive of a scene; I knew I loved cooking and that if I applied myself, I could make a go of it. A year and a half later, I was the sous chef at one of the top rated vegetarian restaurants in North America. Don’t ever let anyone tell you there is something that you cannot do.
Eric Tucker is not the world’s biggest celebrity chef. He is well known within a community, but I can assure you he is among the best. His palate is flawless, his instincts are perfect and by at least one measure, he is someone whose influence will last long past his already substantial career. a few years back, I was able to travel to Philadelphia to help Eric cook a dinner for that city’s prestigious ‘Book and the Cook’ cookbook festival...On hand, besides myself were 3 other folks who had worked with Eric and gone on to become chefs in our own kitchens...I can track at least a half dozen other folks, just from my ‘class’ who have gone on to lead kitchens, become personal chefs, open catering companies, or even to help revolutionize the industry with ‘dinner club’ style moveable restaurants. Sean Baker, a sous chef from the year after I left went on to open ‘Gather’ in Berkeley and in 2010 was named Esquire Magazine’s ‘Chef of the Year.’ And even here in Ottawa, miles away from the left coast, another of Eric’s protégé’s, Caroline Ishii of Zen Kitchen, has been garnering a number of rave reviews...Eric doesn’t just make great food, he makes great cooks...
Eric Tucker came from New Jersey; he went out to San Francisco in 1992, a few years before I got there, and within a year and half he was the chef at the restaurant where he had come to train. This year, the restaurant that he helped to start and still holds on course with his steady hand is 17 years old. I know now that in restaurant years that is the equivalent of about one million. I went out to San Francisco to find a mentor, instead I found a chef, my chef, and I found a friend. Thanks, Eric.
branch newsletter summer 2011
Greetings Summer Folk!
Well, the solstice is coming, the peak, the longest day, it is time to be outdoors, to be reveling in the full long light of the sun! Our patio is here for you, we have cast off under sail (literally...) for the summer season...For those that have not been out recently, last fall, the old wall had to come down—we all loved the old patio, but it’s state of disrepair was beyond our abilities to fix. We decided, however, that if we had to do it, that we would go all the way...Tom Lillico, John Brewer, Heather Cranek and Denise and Steve Busby (as well as many others) have all stepped up over the last few months with a bit here and a bit there and we have managed to create a new space that is not only larger (licensed for up to 40 people!) but airier (is that a word?), brighter, and more comfortable than ever—incorporating rough cedar posts, burlap, a recycled sail, shiny tables and hanging baskets of edible flowers into a cozy nook far from the cares of Kemptville or, for that matter, the world. And don’t worry, the grapevine survived and looks healthier than ever!
So, besides lounging on the patio, how shall we spend this summer? Well, if you’re around here you’ll have lots of choices...We’ve already had a pile of amazing music, with a pile more on the way—some memorable moments have included a sold out night with Ottawa’s favourite daughter, Lynn Miles (featuring Keith Glass), The Dandelion Festival, shows with Oh My Darling, Petunia, Greg Kelly, and a full house for a Bob Dylan birthday tribute night; some things coming up include a Sunday afternoon with Dave Martel (this Sunday!), the return of Folk Music Award winner Ariana Gillis (Thursday, June 30) and a personal favourite, Lynne Hanson (June 25)...We’ve also got Ontario Craft Beer week next week with a ‘six beers in three courses’ theme menu running all week long, designed to celebrate the diverse and exciting beer culture of the Ottawa Valley (3 course menu starts next Tuesday, come kick it off with a BBQ on the patio this Sunday afternoon!)
Art on the walls:
This month we are proud to feature work from ArtScene, the groovy collective from Spencerville: Although many know about events such as the Spencerville Fair, Veteran’s Memorial Highland Games, and more recently the Country Christmas Remembered festival, they may be pleasantly surprised to see how a commercial heart is also beating in the village of Spencerville.
Highway 416, while bypassing the village, makes it very reachable by anyone seeking to get off the beaten track. The village’s many heritage stone buildings tell a story of a community that grew up alongside a grist mill, the recently restored Spencerville Mill, which traces its roots back to the mid 1800’s. For six years the Mill has hosted a fine art show and sale; it is this core group of local artists and entrepreneurs who took it one step further...
A committed group of artists living in and around the scenic village of Spencerville recently combined their efforts and invested in a lifelong dream to open a Gallery they call ArtScene Spencerville. The founding artists, who have shown together annually at the nearby, historic Spencerville Mill, have a wealth of experience and involvement in this community. They wanted to not only have a place to showcase their own work on a continuing basis, but also to enrich the artistic awareness of this historic hamlet. The old Spencerville Hotel, which has been converted to apartments and retail space, is the location for this lively group. The open space is an ideal setting for the works of painters, photographers, potters, jewellers and a sculptor. Located in the centre of the village, the historic building has always attracted the interest of locals as well as travelers en route to the Nation’s Capital.
July Art:
Marguerite Boyer and her students:
During the long winter hours this past year, a group of artists, ranging from beginners to experts have been meeting once a week to paint under the tutelage of local artist, Marguerite Boyer. The studio time offers individuals an opportunity to discuss their paintings, to receive encouragement and to share their knowledge. For the first time ever, for some of them, they will be displaying their work, at the branch restaurant. They would like to thank the owners for giving them this opportunity. Please feel free to drop in and view their work.
June Music:
Starting, well, 2 Fridays ago, Frank Western, aka, ‘the man in the coonskin cap in a pigpen’, as he was so eloquently described by Dr. Robert Zimmerman in his 1968 classic, Subhonourarium Homesicle Blueperiods #12 and 35, along with his blushing bride with the banjo on her knee, the fabulous Miss Birdie Whyte, began what can only be described as an Irregular Friday Showcase, Talent Show and Wild West Revue (and Occasional Snake Oil Demonstration.) Irregular, as, it would seem, not only does it not occur every Friday, it can also be said that there is nothing regular about either the ringleader, Mr. Western, or his sidekick, Ms. Whyte. The music, however, is above reproach. Come see for yourself this Friday (June 17th) as well as on some other (...irregularly scheduled, naturally,) Fridays yet to come. Saturday features a couple of road weary veterans, John Allaire is Ottawa based and has more than a few awards and accolades under his belt after 20+ years touring and gracing stages across Canada; his co-hort in this endeavor is Bill Toms, who for over a decade played guitar in what has been described as Bruce Springsteen’s bar band, the Houserockers. With about a dozen album credits (including one produced by the Boss himself,) with them, with others and even just on his own, Bill certainly can be called a road warrior in the truest sense of the word...in short, these two gentlemen have certainly earned the label chosen for this brief tour: “Hearts of Steel,” come check it out this Saturday, June 18, 9pm, $5.
Sunday the 19th heralds the return of Canada’s closest reply to the question ‘Sufjan Stevens?’ With the words, ‘Dave Martel.’ Which is to say, indie, pop, performance, talent, skill, harmony, quality, lyricism, stage presence...all bundled together in a package, set to go, and displayed for your approval. For just $8 you get to see this world class performer, his four piece band and an opening set with Kemptville’s very own Ben and Heather Mullin, two people who seem, (to us at least,) to sing, speak and even think in perfect harmony and pitch. Come early for BBQ on the patio, paired with Kemptville’s best selection of craft brewed local beer in honour of Ontario’s official Craft Beer week. Music starts at 4pm, there will be an $8 cover for the music.
Friday June 24th is another Frank and Birdie show, followed by Ms. Lynne Hanson on June 25th. Lynne is a songwriter with a knack for a hook that keeps on reeling you in, day after day, month after month and even year after year...I’ve spent years listening to each of her three outstanding records and am still astonished to find great new bits and deeper depths with every listen. Highly recommended. This duo show (Saturday, June 25th) will be $8 and will start at 9pm.
If you missed 2009 Canadian Folk Music award winner Ariana Gillis’ last show at the branch, ask anyone who was there if it was worth seeing. I’ve heard ‘That’s the best show I’ve ever seen in this room,’ I’ve heard, ‘I can’t believe I just saw that in Kemptville,’ and, honestly, I’ve even said some fairly superlative things about it myself. But don’t take my word for it; Ariana is a star on the rise, she is young, incredibly talented, beautiful, and someday soon you’ll be saying, ‘I can’t believe I had a chance to see her at the branch...’ just don’t follow it with ‘...I wish I had...’ Thursday (...technically a Friday, since you’ll be off work on Friday...) June 30th, $10.
We are closed on Canada Day, but Saturday July 2nd we’ll be open and ready to rock with Brock Zeman, Ottawa’s hardest working country rocker. If you like barroom dust, tales of broken women and burned out honky tonk wranglers, songs about whiskey, life and a life of whiskey, then you’ll already know Brock Zeman, he’s that guy, two stools down, telling you the best story you’ve ever heard. Except this time, he’s got a guitar...9pm, $5.
Tuesday July 5th is my 40th birthday. You can do what you like on those round number birthdays, or so I’ve heard. Turns out Ringo Starr, the drummer and lead comedy actor of my favourite band (you know, the Bee-at-uls...) turns 71 just 2 days later. What do I want? I want to celebrate my 40 years so far by celebrating not only Ringo’s but all four Fabs legacy...and I want to do it singing with a bunch of my best friends...I have issued a ‘Fab 4 40th’ challenge to local music types, asking them to pay tribute to the Beatles with either a song for each Beatle or a medley, parody or even just a passing nod...We will start early and stay late and we will have fun. I hope you’ll all help me kick off my next decade in style! Tuesday, July 5th, 6pm or so...no cover...
Huntley Slim and the Suburban Cowboys are back on July 9th with their brand of what I call ‘Newgrass’ or ‘Punk Pickin’ or maybe even just ‘Twang’ music...these youngsters play original music on bluegrass instruments, they play fast and they play well...the stops that they have made at the branch in the past have always sent home lots of folks with grinning faces...that could be you! 9pm, $5...July 16th.
The week of July 10-16 is music city at the branch...the 10th is my Loose and Juicy acoustic jam, always a good reason to dust off your bazoukis, washboards, mouth-harps and castanets; Tuesday brings us the Alex Bien band from Toronto, an indie folk four piece that will feature acoustic solo sets from 2 other members (7pm, free!)...Thursday brings Lauren Mann and the Fairly Odd Folk (and Reeves) on their Cross Canada ‘Summer of Colour’ tour...Frank and Birdie perform that Friday and on Saturday...Well, the folks from River City Junction stopped in for cups of coffee and a Rubber Boots Buffet a couple of weeks back and after about 20 minutes we’d made new friends, then, after a listen online to their jammin’ hot brand of Classic Rockin’ Blues, we realized that we may have found the new fix for all you Roosterman addicts out there...Come on in Saturday, July 16 and see for yourself! 9pm, $5. Quite a week! I’ll buy a beer for anyone who makes it out to all 4 shows!
Frank and Birdie will be back the next Friday (July 22) and one of the coolest indie-roots songsmiths we’ve ever had at the branch will be back that Saturday...You may have heard him on the last trip through, when he joined local favourite John Carroll for a night of great tunes, or maybe even from the spins his buzzy new record has gotten on CBC Radio’s ‘the Vinyl Café’; Toronto’s Ron Leary, the man with the magnificent chops, sings ‘songs of love, devotion, poverty, revolution, murder and numerous odes to the highway life...’. Ron Leary (with his folk trio) plays July 23rd at 9pm, $5
July wraps up with awesome tunes by a couple of Ottawa’s brightest rising stars...they’ve been performing as Emmylou Harris and Gram Parsons in ‘Grievous Angel’ a theatrical music show that has garnered rave reviews from near and far, but on Saturday, June 30th, they will be showing you that they are not just two folks who can do justice to a legend...they are, in fact, at the moment of birthing a legend of their own. Anders Drerup was the lead guitarist, a vocalist and one of the songwriters for branch favourites Silver Creek before heading out on his own, and Kelly Prescott is warming her way into all of our hearts with her catchy, groovy rock n’ rootsy country blues album that has been spinning constantly on the trusty old branch stereo ever since we got our copy...Saturday, July 30th, $8.
August, I may as well warn you, is coming on strong as well; with a Jerry Garcia Birthday Tribute, as well as confirmed dates with Trevor Alguire, Brandon Agnew, Christo Graham and Alex Leggett (see below for dates) and with more names yet to come...I guess what I’m sayin’ is stick around; it just keeps getting better!
June Calendar:
Friday 17 ~ Frank Western and Birdie Whyte ...7pm, free! Now most Fridays!
Saturday 18 ~ John Allaire and Bill Toms (Springsteen produced)...9pm, $5
Sunday 19 ~ Dave Martel... 4pm, $8 Ben and Heather Mullin opening...
Sunday 19-Saturday 24 ~ Ontario Craft Beer Week, Try our "six beers in three courses" tasting menu with a BBQ kickoff this Sunday for Father's Day featuring live music from Dave Martel (BBQ is served from 2pm, music starts at 4pm, $8 cover...)
Friday 24 ~ Frank Western and Birdie Whyte ...7pm, free!
Saturday 25 ~ Lynne Hanson, as good as it gets!...9pm, $8
Sunday 26 ~ Open Stage 3-6pm
Thursday 30 ~ Ariana Gillis multiple folk music award winner...9pm, $10
July Calendar:
Friday 1 ~ CLOSED for firecrackers, bbq and cold cheap beer day...
Saturday 2 ~ Brock Zeman Red Dirt Country Rockin'...9pm, $5
Tuesday 5 ~ Chef Bruce (40) and Ringo's (71) Birthday Jam featuring songs of the Beatles--A 'Fab Four Fortieth Birthday' 6pm, free! Everyone is welcome, call ahead to sign up to play...also featuring wood fired Texas bbq on the patio!
Saturday 9 ~ Huntley Slim 'Newgrass'...9pm, $5
Sunday 10 ~ Chef Bruce's Loose and Juicy Acoustic Jam ...3-6pm
Tuesday 12 ~ Alex Bien Band Toronto folk-rocksters ...7pm, free!
Thursday 14 ~ Lauren Mann and the Fairly Odd Folk and Reeves ...7pm, free!
Friday 15 ~ Frank Western and Birdie Whyte ...7pm, free!
Saturday 16 ~ River City Junction Blues and Classic Rock...9pm, $5
Friday 22 ~ Frank Western and Birdie Whyte ...7pm, free!
Saturday 23 ~ Ron Leary ...9pm, $5
Saturday 30 ~ Kelly Prescott and Anders Drerup (aka Gram and Emmylou of Grevious Angel, appearing here as...themselves!) 9pm, $8
Sunday 31 ~ closed... for... something...maintenance?
August Calendar:
Tuesday 2 ~ Jerry Garcia Birthday Tribute ...Deadheads Unite! ...7pm
Saturday 6 ~ Trevor Alguire, he's back! ...9pm, $10
Saturday 13 ~ Brandon Agnew ...9pm, $5
Thursday 18 ~ Christo Graham, CD Release Party! ...9pm, $5
Saturday 20 ~ Alex Leggett ...9pm, $5
Well, the solstice is coming, the peak, the longest day, it is time to be outdoors, to be reveling in the full long light of the sun! Our patio is here for you, we have cast off under sail (literally...) for the summer season...For those that have not been out recently, last fall, the old wall had to come down—we all loved the old patio, but it’s state of disrepair was beyond our abilities to fix. We decided, however, that if we had to do it, that we would go all the way...Tom Lillico, John Brewer, Heather Cranek and Denise and Steve Busby (as well as many others) have all stepped up over the last few months with a bit here and a bit there and we have managed to create a new space that is not only larger (licensed for up to 40 people!) but airier (is that a word?), brighter, and more comfortable than ever—incorporating rough cedar posts, burlap, a recycled sail, shiny tables and hanging baskets of edible flowers into a cozy nook far from the cares of Kemptville or, for that matter, the world. And don’t worry, the grapevine survived and looks healthier than ever!
So, besides lounging on the patio, how shall we spend this summer? Well, if you’re around here you’ll have lots of choices...We’ve already had a pile of amazing music, with a pile more on the way—some memorable moments have included a sold out night with Ottawa’s favourite daughter, Lynn Miles (featuring Keith Glass), The Dandelion Festival, shows with Oh My Darling, Petunia, Greg Kelly, and a full house for a Bob Dylan birthday tribute night; some things coming up include a Sunday afternoon with Dave Martel (this Sunday!), the return of Folk Music Award winner Ariana Gillis (Thursday, June 30) and a personal favourite, Lynne Hanson (June 25)...We’ve also got Ontario Craft Beer week next week with a ‘six beers in three courses’ theme menu running all week long, designed to celebrate the diverse and exciting beer culture of the Ottawa Valley (3 course menu starts next Tuesday, come kick it off with a BBQ on the patio this Sunday afternoon!)
Art on the walls:
This month we are proud to feature work from ArtScene, the groovy collective from Spencerville: Although many know about events such as the Spencerville Fair, Veteran’s Memorial Highland Games, and more recently the Country Christmas Remembered festival, they may be pleasantly surprised to see how a commercial heart is also beating in the village of Spencerville.
Highway 416, while bypassing the village, makes it very reachable by anyone seeking to get off the beaten track. The village’s many heritage stone buildings tell a story of a community that grew up alongside a grist mill, the recently restored Spencerville Mill, which traces its roots back to the mid 1800’s. For six years the Mill has hosted a fine art show and sale; it is this core group of local artists and entrepreneurs who took it one step further...
A committed group of artists living in and around the scenic village of Spencerville recently combined their efforts and invested in a lifelong dream to open a Gallery they call ArtScene Spencerville. The founding artists, who have shown together annually at the nearby, historic Spencerville Mill, have a wealth of experience and involvement in this community. They wanted to not only have a place to showcase their own work on a continuing basis, but also to enrich the artistic awareness of this historic hamlet. The old Spencerville Hotel, which has been converted to apartments and retail space, is the location for this lively group. The open space is an ideal setting for the works of painters, photographers, potters, jewellers and a sculptor. Located in the centre of the village, the historic building has always attracted the interest of locals as well as travelers en route to the Nation’s Capital.
July Art:
Marguerite Boyer and her students:
During the long winter hours this past year, a group of artists, ranging from beginners to experts have been meeting once a week to paint under the tutelage of local artist, Marguerite Boyer. The studio time offers individuals an opportunity to discuss their paintings, to receive encouragement and to share their knowledge. For the first time ever, for some of them, they will be displaying their work, at the branch restaurant. They would like to thank the owners for giving them this opportunity. Please feel free to drop in and view their work.
June Music:
Starting, well, 2 Fridays ago, Frank Western, aka, ‘the man in the coonskin cap in a pigpen’, as he was so eloquently described by Dr. Robert Zimmerman in his 1968 classic, Subhonourarium Homesicle Blueperiods #12 and 35, along with his blushing bride with the banjo on her knee, the fabulous Miss Birdie Whyte, began what can only be described as an Irregular Friday Showcase, Talent Show and Wild West Revue (and Occasional Snake Oil Demonstration.) Irregular, as, it would seem, not only does it not occur every Friday, it can also be said that there is nothing regular about either the ringleader, Mr. Western, or his sidekick, Ms. Whyte. The music, however, is above reproach. Come see for yourself this Friday (June 17th) as well as on some other (...irregularly scheduled, naturally,) Fridays yet to come. Saturday features a couple of road weary veterans, John Allaire is Ottawa based and has more than a few awards and accolades under his belt after 20+ years touring and gracing stages across Canada; his co-hort in this endeavor is Bill Toms, who for over a decade played guitar in what has been described as Bruce Springsteen’s bar band, the Houserockers. With about a dozen album credits (including one produced by the Boss himself,) with them, with others and even just on his own, Bill certainly can be called a road warrior in the truest sense of the word...in short, these two gentlemen have certainly earned the label chosen for this brief tour: “Hearts of Steel,” come check it out this Saturday, June 18, 9pm, $5.
Sunday the 19th heralds the return of Canada’s closest reply to the question ‘Sufjan Stevens?’ With the words, ‘Dave Martel.’ Which is to say, indie, pop, performance, talent, skill, harmony, quality, lyricism, stage presence...all bundled together in a package, set to go, and displayed for your approval. For just $8 you get to see this world class performer, his four piece band and an opening set with Kemptville’s very own Ben and Heather Mullin, two people who seem, (to us at least,) to sing, speak and even think in perfect harmony and pitch. Come early for BBQ on the patio, paired with Kemptville’s best selection of craft brewed local beer in honour of Ontario’s official Craft Beer week. Music starts at 4pm, there will be an $8 cover for the music.
Friday June 24th is another Frank and Birdie show, followed by Ms. Lynne Hanson on June 25th. Lynne is a songwriter with a knack for a hook that keeps on reeling you in, day after day, month after month and even year after year...I’ve spent years listening to each of her three outstanding records and am still astonished to find great new bits and deeper depths with every listen. Highly recommended. This duo show (Saturday, June 25th) will be $8 and will start at 9pm.
If you missed 2009 Canadian Folk Music award winner Ariana Gillis’ last show at the branch, ask anyone who was there if it was worth seeing. I’ve heard ‘That’s the best show I’ve ever seen in this room,’ I’ve heard, ‘I can’t believe I just saw that in Kemptville,’ and, honestly, I’ve even said some fairly superlative things about it myself. But don’t take my word for it; Ariana is a star on the rise, she is young, incredibly talented, beautiful, and someday soon you’ll be saying, ‘I can’t believe I had a chance to see her at the branch...’ just don’t follow it with ‘...I wish I had...’ Thursday (...technically a Friday, since you’ll be off work on Friday...) June 30th, $10.
We are closed on Canada Day, but Saturday July 2nd we’ll be open and ready to rock with Brock Zeman, Ottawa’s hardest working country rocker. If you like barroom dust, tales of broken women and burned out honky tonk wranglers, songs about whiskey, life and a life of whiskey, then you’ll already know Brock Zeman, he’s that guy, two stools down, telling you the best story you’ve ever heard. Except this time, he’s got a guitar...9pm, $5.
Tuesday July 5th is my 40th birthday. You can do what you like on those round number birthdays, or so I’ve heard. Turns out Ringo Starr, the drummer and lead comedy actor of my favourite band (you know, the Bee-at-uls...) turns 71 just 2 days later. What do I want? I want to celebrate my 40 years so far by celebrating not only Ringo’s but all four Fabs legacy...and I want to do it singing with a bunch of my best friends...I have issued a ‘Fab 4 40th’ challenge to local music types, asking them to pay tribute to the Beatles with either a song for each Beatle or a medley, parody or even just a passing nod...We will start early and stay late and we will have fun. I hope you’ll all help me kick off my next decade in style! Tuesday, July 5th, 6pm or so...no cover...
Huntley Slim and the Suburban Cowboys are back on July 9th with their brand of what I call ‘Newgrass’ or ‘Punk Pickin’ or maybe even just ‘Twang’ music...these youngsters play original music on bluegrass instruments, they play fast and they play well...the stops that they have made at the branch in the past have always sent home lots of folks with grinning faces...that could be you! 9pm, $5...July 16th.
The week of July 10-16 is music city at the branch...the 10th is my Loose and Juicy acoustic jam, always a good reason to dust off your bazoukis, washboards, mouth-harps and castanets; Tuesday brings us the Alex Bien band from Toronto, an indie folk four piece that will feature acoustic solo sets from 2 other members (7pm, free!)...Thursday brings Lauren Mann and the Fairly Odd Folk (and Reeves) on their Cross Canada ‘Summer of Colour’ tour...Frank and Birdie perform that Friday and on Saturday...Well, the folks from River City Junction stopped in for cups of coffee and a Rubber Boots Buffet a couple of weeks back and after about 20 minutes we’d made new friends, then, after a listen online to their jammin’ hot brand of Classic Rockin’ Blues, we realized that we may have found the new fix for all you Roosterman addicts out there...Come on in Saturday, July 16 and see for yourself! 9pm, $5. Quite a week! I’ll buy a beer for anyone who makes it out to all 4 shows!
Frank and Birdie will be back the next Friday (July 22) and one of the coolest indie-roots songsmiths we’ve ever had at the branch will be back that Saturday...You may have heard him on the last trip through, when he joined local favourite John Carroll for a night of great tunes, or maybe even from the spins his buzzy new record has gotten on CBC Radio’s ‘the Vinyl Café’; Toronto’s Ron Leary, the man with the magnificent chops, sings ‘songs of love, devotion, poverty, revolution, murder and numerous odes to the highway life...’. Ron Leary (with his folk trio) plays July 23rd at 9pm, $5
July wraps up with awesome tunes by a couple of Ottawa’s brightest rising stars...they’ve been performing as Emmylou Harris and Gram Parsons in ‘Grievous Angel’ a theatrical music show that has garnered rave reviews from near and far, but on Saturday, June 30th, they will be showing you that they are not just two folks who can do justice to a legend...they are, in fact, at the moment of birthing a legend of their own. Anders Drerup was the lead guitarist, a vocalist and one of the songwriters for branch favourites Silver Creek before heading out on his own, and Kelly Prescott is warming her way into all of our hearts with her catchy, groovy rock n’ rootsy country blues album that has been spinning constantly on the trusty old branch stereo ever since we got our copy...Saturday, July 30th, $8.
August, I may as well warn you, is coming on strong as well; with a Jerry Garcia Birthday Tribute, as well as confirmed dates with Trevor Alguire, Brandon Agnew, Christo Graham and Alex Leggett (see below for dates) and with more names yet to come...I guess what I’m sayin’ is stick around; it just keeps getting better!
June Calendar:
Friday 17 ~ Frank Western and Birdie Whyte ...7pm, free! Now most Fridays!
Saturday 18 ~ John Allaire and Bill Toms (Springsteen produced)...9pm, $5
Sunday 19 ~ Dave Martel... 4pm, $8 Ben and Heather Mullin opening...
Sunday 19-Saturday 24 ~ Ontario Craft Beer Week, Try our "six beers in three courses" tasting menu with a BBQ kickoff this Sunday for Father's Day featuring live music from Dave Martel (BBQ is served from 2pm, music starts at 4pm, $8 cover...)
Friday 24 ~ Frank Western and Birdie Whyte ...7pm, free!
Saturday 25 ~ Lynne Hanson, as good as it gets!...9pm, $8
Sunday 26 ~ Open Stage 3-6pm
Thursday 30 ~ Ariana Gillis multiple folk music award winner...9pm, $10
July Calendar:
Friday 1 ~ CLOSED for firecrackers, bbq and cold cheap beer day...
Saturday 2 ~ Brock Zeman Red Dirt Country Rockin'...9pm, $5
Tuesday 5 ~ Chef Bruce (40) and Ringo's (71) Birthday Jam featuring songs of the Beatles--A 'Fab Four Fortieth Birthday' 6pm, free! Everyone is welcome, call ahead to sign up to play...also featuring wood fired Texas bbq on the patio!
Saturday 9 ~ Huntley Slim 'Newgrass'...9pm, $5
Sunday 10 ~ Chef Bruce's Loose and Juicy Acoustic Jam ...3-6pm
Tuesday 12 ~ Alex Bien Band Toronto folk-rocksters ...7pm, free!
Thursday 14 ~ Lauren Mann and the Fairly Odd Folk and Reeves ...7pm, free!
Friday 15 ~ Frank Western and Birdie Whyte ...7pm, free!
Saturday 16 ~ River City Junction Blues and Classic Rock...9pm, $5
Friday 22 ~ Frank Western and Birdie Whyte ...7pm, free!
Saturday 23 ~ Ron Leary ...9pm, $5
Saturday 30 ~ Kelly Prescott and Anders Drerup (aka Gram and Emmylou of Grevious Angel, appearing here as...themselves!) 9pm, $8
Sunday 31 ~ closed... for... something...maintenance?
August Calendar:
Tuesday 2 ~ Jerry Garcia Birthday Tribute ...Deadheads Unite! ...7pm
Saturday 6 ~ Trevor Alguire, he's back! ...9pm, $10
Saturday 13 ~ Brandon Agnew ...9pm, $5
Thursday 18 ~ Christo Graham, CD Release Party! ...9pm, $5
Saturday 20 ~ Alex Leggett ...9pm, $5
Thursday, May 12, 2011
A spring-time picnic for the family...
Asparagus ‘Fries’ with Rhubarb-Maple Ketchup; Black Bean Hummus Burritos with Fresh Corn Tortillas; and Abigail’s Raspberry-Coconut Muffins
At the branch restaurant, we have found that an ever increasing proportion of our clientele are seeking out gluten free options for their families; according to at least one source, these days, as many as one in eight people is sensitive or even allergic to gluten-containing products, if you think about it, that means that almost every other family may have a gluten intolerant member! Nicole and I are no exception, in fact, our daughter Abigail is in that number. As a chef, I feel lucky, after all, coming up with new food ideas within limitations is my stock and trade, but for many folks, many of whom have always enjoyed the comforts of easy picnics like burgers, hot dogs or even just plain old ham and cheese or peanut butter sandwiches, this means scrambling for new ways to feed our kids with these issues healthy and tasty foods that are still fun and not too far out there for the more ‘skeptical’ eaters...For this feature Nicole and I thought we’d share some ideas that are good for Abigail, along with the rest of those who are gluten sensitive out there, but that are also tasty and fun foods for anyone looking for some new picnic ideas!
Asparagus ‘Fries’ and Rhubarb-Maple ‘Ketchup’;
You can’t beat local, seasonal food for flavour and colour, two thing that keep even the hardest to please happy, but when in doubt, some smoke and mirrors may help to bring a tougher sell (like green veggies) to your pickier eaters...Try presenting this fun, seasonal treat in a small paper sack like the fries from your favourite chip stand...I bet that if you can sell them on the first bite, you’ll have a brand new spring-time favourite on your hands!
serves 4
For the ketchup:
3 cups rhubarb stems, washed and sliced thin against the grain
½ small red onion, peeled and sliced
½ cup maple syrup
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 tablespoons wheat free Tamari soy sauce
For the fries:
1 to 2 bundles of asparagus, trimmed (depending on the size of the asparagus and your appetites...)
corn starch or arrowroot powder
oil for frying
salt and pepper to taste
In a medium saucepan, bring several cups of salted water to a boil. Blanch the rhubarb and onion together for just one minute, (until soft but still brightly coloured,) then drain and cool. In a blender or small food processor, combine the cooked rhubarb and onion mixture, the maple syrup, tamari, and tomato paste and blend until smooth.
Heat about a half inch of frying oil in skillet large enough to hold the trimmed asparagus spears, dust the spears with the cornstarch or arrowroot powder and fry in batches, draining on a paper towel, season to taste, then pack the fried spears into a small paper bag to look like your kid’s favourite French fries and serve with the sweet and tart rhubarb ketchup for dipping.
Black Bean Hummus Burritos on Fresh Corn Tortillas;
This southwestern style hummus is a call back to my Texas roots. It is a both delicious and healthy filler for tacos or burritos and it travels well, which, as we all know, is an essential for any successful picnic. Serve it on fresh, homemade corn tortillas if you have the time, (Maseca brand masa is available in some local shops, the instructions for making the tortillas is on the bag..) or on your favourite gluten free (or even regular) wrap. Make your picnic a fun party by bringing a selection of different toppings such as lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, sour cream, cheese, onions, guacamole and fresh cilantro, and, if you are like me, a couple of minced fresh jalapenos! Best to keep those hot peppers away from the non-Texan kids, however, and yes, sadly, that is the voice of experience talking...
Black Bean Hummus:
serves 4
3 cups cooked black beans
6 tablespooons pumpkin seed butter (available in health food shops)
juice and zest of 1 large lime
2 teaspoons of cumin seed, toasted and ground
1 teaspoon salt
2 cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
4-6 tablespooons fresh cilantro (coriander), tough stems removed and roughly chopped
¼ cup salad oil, such as sunflower or canola
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (or LOTS more to taste! You know, depending on the kid...or the other parent...)
Combine all ingredients in a blender or small food processor and blend until smooth, adding a bit more oil (or water, if you prefer,) if necessary.
Abigail’s Raspberry Coconut Muffins:
Our little girl is on a strict diet that limits most carbohydrates, these muffins are a fun treat that we have adapted and perfected over the last few months using coconut flour (which is available in many health food stores,) and whatever berries or fruit we have in the freezer left over from last fall’s crop...So far, the judge has given us an unqualified thumb’s up on our efforts!
(makes about one dozen regular muffins which will keep well in the fridge...if they survive the picnic that is...)
6 large eggs, separated
1 cup coconut flour, sifted
¾ cup coconut milk
3 tablespoons sunflower seed oil
½ cup honey
2 cups frozen raspberries
pinch of salt
Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare a standard twelve muffin tin with spray or cupcake liners. Using a mixer with a whisk attachment; beat the egg whites until stiff (hard peaks.) In a separate bowl combine the yolks with the coconut milk, oil and honey and whisk together. Sift in the coconut flour and combine. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the egg whites, taking care not to over mix; then sprinkle on the raspberries.
Place the muffin tin, empty, into the hot oven for five minutes to preheat. Working quickly, remove the warm tin to a heat-safe surface and, using an ice cream scoop, portion the batter into the warm tin and return to the oven. Immediately reduce the heat to 350 degrees. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into one of the central muffins comes out dry.
Turn out when cool and enjoy!
At the branch restaurant, we have found that an ever increasing proportion of our clientele are seeking out gluten free options for their families; according to at least one source, these days, as many as one in eight people is sensitive or even allergic to gluten-containing products, if you think about it, that means that almost every other family may have a gluten intolerant member! Nicole and I are no exception, in fact, our daughter Abigail is in that number. As a chef, I feel lucky, after all, coming up with new food ideas within limitations is my stock and trade, but for many folks, many of whom have always enjoyed the comforts of easy picnics like burgers, hot dogs or even just plain old ham and cheese or peanut butter sandwiches, this means scrambling for new ways to feed our kids with these issues healthy and tasty foods that are still fun and not too far out there for the more ‘skeptical’ eaters...For this feature Nicole and I thought we’d share some ideas that are good for Abigail, along with the rest of those who are gluten sensitive out there, but that are also tasty and fun foods for anyone looking for some new picnic ideas!
Asparagus ‘Fries’ and Rhubarb-Maple ‘Ketchup’;
You can’t beat local, seasonal food for flavour and colour, two thing that keep even the hardest to please happy, but when in doubt, some smoke and mirrors may help to bring a tougher sell (like green veggies) to your pickier eaters...Try presenting this fun, seasonal treat in a small paper sack like the fries from your favourite chip stand...I bet that if you can sell them on the first bite, you’ll have a brand new spring-time favourite on your hands!
serves 4
For the ketchup:
3 cups rhubarb stems, washed and sliced thin against the grain
½ small red onion, peeled and sliced
½ cup maple syrup
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 tablespoons wheat free Tamari soy sauce
For the fries:
1 to 2 bundles of asparagus, trimmed (depending on the size of the asparagus and your appetites...)
corn starch or arrowroot powder
oil for frying
salt and pepper to taste
In a medium saucepan, bring several cups of salted water to a boil. Blanch the rhubarb and onion together for just one minute, (until soft but still brightly coloured,) then drain and cool. In a blender or small food processor, combine the cooked rhubarb and onion mixture, the maple syrup, tamari, and tomato paste and blend until smooth.
Heat about a half inch of frying oil in skillet large enough to hold the trimmed asparagus spears, dust the spears with the cornstarch or arrowroot powder and fry in batches, draining on a paper towel, season to taste, then pack the fried spears into a small paper bag to look like your kid’s favourite French fries and serve with the sweet and tart rhubarb ketchup for dipping.
Black Bean Hummus Burritos on Fresh Corn Tortillas;
This southwestern style hummus is a call back to my Texas roots. It is a both delicious and healthy filler for tacos or burritos and it travels well, which, as we all know, is an essential for any successful picnic. Serve it on fresh, homemade corn tortillas if you have the time, (Maseca brand masa is available in some local shops, the instructions for making the tortillas is on the bag..) or on your favourite gluten free (or even regular) wrap. Make your picnic a fun party by bringing a selection of different toppings such as lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, sour cream, cheese, onions, guacamole and fresh cilantro, and, if you are like me, a couple of minced fresh jalapenos! Best to keep those hot peppers away from the non-Texan kids, however, and yes, sadly, that is the voice of experience talking...
Black Bean Hummus:
serves 4
3 cups cooked black beans
6 tablespooons pumpkin seed butter (available in health food shops)
juice and zest of 1 large lime
2 teaspoons of cumin seed, toasted and ground
1 teaspoon salt
2 cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
4-6 tablespooons fresh cilantro (coriander), tough stems removed and roughly chopped
¼ cup salad oil, such as sunflower or canola
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (or LOTS more to taste! You know, depending on the kid...or the other parent...)
Combine all ingredients in a blender or small food processor and blend until smooth, adding a bit more oil (or water, if you prefer,) if necessary.
Abigail’s Raspberry Coconut Muffins:
Our little girl is on a strict diet that limits most carbohydrates, these muffins are a fun treat that we have adapted and perfected over the last few months using coconut flour (which is available in many health food stores,) and whatever berries or fruit we have in the freezer left over from last fall’s crop...So far, the judge has given us an unqualified thumb’s up on our efforts!
(makes about one dozen regular muffins which will keep well in the fridge...if they survive the picnic that is...)
6 large eggs, separated
1 cup coconut flour, sifted
¾ cup coconut milk
3 tablespoons sunflower seed oil
½ cup honey
2 cups frozen raspberries
pinch of salt
Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare a standard twelve muffin tin with spray or cupcake liners. Using a mixer with a whisk attachment; beat the egg whites until stiff (hard peaks.) In a separate bowl combine the yolks with the coconut milk, oil and honey and whisk together. Sift in the coconut flour and combine. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the egg whites, taking care not to over mix; then sprinkle on the raspberries.
Place the muffin tin, empty, into the hot oven for five minutes to preheat. Working quickly, remove the warm tin to a heat-safe surface and, using an ice cream scoop, portion the batter into the warm tin and return to the oven. Immediately reduce the heat to 350 degrees. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into one of the central muffins comes out dry.
Turn out when cool and enjoy!
Meredith Luce, on the release of her new live album...
Meredith Luce is a chickadee...like that cute quirky little bird of
which she has written, her sweet, reedy and full, clear voice is the
piccolo pure solo in the concerto of any afternoon--to say nothing of
her remarkable guitar playing and her intelligent, emotionally mature
and well-crafted songs. Her music is one of our favourite sounds here
at the branch where we have had the honour of hearing it so many
times; she came to us for the first time over 4 years ago as a
teenager with a precocious talent, I'll never forget her first
show...we were having a quiet night, but she was on fire--there were
only about 5 people in the room, but after experiencing the magnetic
presence of this talented artist, at the next show, everyone who had
been to the first came back and brought friends...a trend that has
continued unabated ever since to the point that we now have to turn
people away whenever we are lucky enough to have her back. It has been
a pleasure and a thrill to be among those folks in the front row
watching her grow into that big voice and all of those incredible
stories. Meredith was an easy choice as the first artist to perform
in our new 'Listening Room' series of shows, (the show that is
documented here,) and this cd will make that apparent to anyone who
hears it for one simple reason...she is well worth listening to.'
--Bruce Enloe
which she has written, her sweet, reedy and full, clear voice is the
piccolo pure solo in the concerto of any afternoon--to say nothing of
her remarkable guitar playing and her intelligent, emotionally mature
and well-crafted songs. Her music is one of our favourite sounds here
at the branch where we have had the honour of hearing it so many
times; she came to us for the first time over 4 years ago as a
teenager with a precocious talent, I'll never forget her first
show...we were having a quiet night, but she was on fire--there were
only about 5 people in the room, but after experiencing the magnetic
presence of this talented artist, at the next show, everyone who had
been to the first came back and brought friends...a trend that has
continued unabated ever since to the point that we now have to turn
people away whenever we are lucky enough to have her back. It has been
a pleasure and a thrill to be among those folks in the front row
watching her grow into that big voice and all of those incredible
stories. Meredith was an easy choice as the first artist to perform
in our new 'Listening Room' series of shows, (the show that is
documented here,) and this cd will make that apparent to anyone who
hears it for one simple reason...she is well worth listening to.'
--Bruce Enloe
Thursday, April 21, 2011
A City of the Violet Crown
Something about the quality of the sunlight in the spring always takes me back to Austin. In 1894, O. Henry, a poet and an Austinite, referenced what some have said was this quality of light, calling his home ‘the city of the violet crown.’ Most people think he was referring to the summer sunlight’s bright, almost violet glow; but some have speculated that he called it that as a satirization, a reference to the fact that Austinites of that day, in their desire to be a center of culture, described their budding city as the ‘Athens of the South’. Athens, Greece, as you may you may know, has long been considered the center and the origin of world culture, even the birthplace of civilization. It is also said to have a violet crown for the incredibly mundane reason of the presence of a great deal of mauve tinted marble on the Acropolis hill. But I swear, whether or not it was just hubris, honest desire, or even just willful stubbornness (...a decidedly Texan trait, I might add...) but when I think of Austin, I do think of Athens, of culture, and for whatever reason, I do recall, with startling clarity, an almost mystical purple glow hovering above it exactly like a violet crown.
Austin is a beautiful city, situated on the Balcones fault line; it has three lakes within the city limits as well as the sprawling grandeur of the Texas hill country that starts at about Lamar Avenue and rolls westward like the waves of a sandy limestone ocean all the way out to the west Texas desert. It is a green city, in both the literal and more recent definitions of the term, forethought and planning have kept it so. Laws were passed to protect trees in the old neighbourhoods, meaning that parking lots are often gerrymandered through thickets of post oak; huge tracts of land were protected and made into the broad green belt that encircles and holds up the downtown as well as forming the numerous and pleasant parks that connect throughout the city to create a second, silent Austin for pedestrians and cyclists who almost never have to fight city traffic for a bike lane. It is a city full of youth: a major University fills a large, central bit of downtown real estate, in addition to a number of smaller colleges, and, thanks in part to this, the businesses have developed a quirky, fun and creative subculture all their own, catering to that vibrant spirit. Austin’s official motto is ‘The Live Music Capital of the World’ and its unofficial one is ‘Keep Austin Weird’, a nod to that well defined culture that distinguishes the downtown core. It is also a wealthy city; the state capital is seated here, always a good source of cash flow for those lucky enough to be so geographically and politically inclined; and its youth culture and reputation for fun and quirky cool has also attracted a big, cheesy slice of the high tech business pizza pie. Though it is not perfect, (traffic congestion has always been a challenge) it is still one of the most livable cities in the world, attracting a broad spectrum of talented, creative people who come from everywhere to help keep its unique spirit alive.
I probably first saw Austin as a kid with my folks on a road trip to visit my aunt and uncle. I seem to remember the Capitol building and its unobstructed views and the exit for the LBJ library. I also remember the way that the upper and lower levels of the I-35 interstate highway split into four separate roads that run in parallels; two over and two under, through much of downtown. Driving on the lower levels is a bit like driving through a scene from a 70s sci-fi film, especially at night, where, in the eerie glow of the streetlights you feel like you’re shooting forward into some kind of giant yellow columned and starlit covered corridor. We didn’t have any highways like that back in Bryan.
The first time I really saw Austin was in high school, when a friend and I pulled the classic ‘I’ll say I’m staying at your house, you say you’re staying at mine’ ruse and, unlike in the movies, actually got away with it (...‘til now, I guess, sorry Mom...) We drove, ecstatic and slightly intoxicated by our courage, through the cool fall night to attend a Halloween party at the home of a friend who graduated the year before and had moved to Austin to live—as if someone could actually do that! I’ll never forget that night in Austin, the first of many and varied trips over the next few years to visit friends and to experience culture in that beautiful city that was just an hour and half drive east from where I lived. It seemed like so far to drive at that age, and so, so much closer now in my memory. Austin, to us, was where you went if you were a kid like me; you know, ‘different.’ I didn’t play sports, I played music. I didn’t wear boots and I didn’t rope steers, instead, I grew my hair long and, you know, got accused of being queer. I wrote poems; I liked books, not trucks. I ate vegetables; I did not ‘fit in.’ For us, for the weird kids, Austin was our light at the end of the long miserable tunnel that was the life of an oddball teenage Texan. It was our prize. The Austin of my youth felt like an entire city that was built for me, for my people; I felt that even just walking down the street I could and probably would have random encounters with strangers that would feel more meaningful than all of the polite, but ultimately frustrating, high school conversations that I’d ever had. I know it’s just nostalgia, but...
I didn’t move to Austin right away; several of my friends did, it took me a bit longer. I had a few things I had to work through first, and that’s another story. It took me a couple of years, but then one day a friend, a former bandmate, came over from Austin to visit me in Bryan. I was living alone, recently divorced (you know, the other story,) very sad and feeling very isolated. I’ll never forget the way he asked me ‘Why the f*$# are you still here? Why don’t you move to Austin? That’s where the rest of us are!’ It all came back, all the visits, the road-trips, that Halloween party, the sunny afternoons in Zilker park, the original Whole Foods market, Mother’s Café (an actual vegetarian restaurant!) Suddenly, for the first time in my, at that time, short adult life I felt like I might, just possibly, have a home...or at least a chance at one.
I spent much of the next four years in Austin, cooking by day, trying my best to survive in the competitive, glorious, and joyfully noisy music scene at night. When my car broke down, I was amazed to discover what people who grow up in cities know by instinct, that a bus pass and a bike are as good as a car for almost any need, even in the car culture ground zero of Texas. After a couple of jobs trying to build on my experience in Italian cuisine, I realized that I didn’t have to—I could cook what I actually ate (vegetarian at the time...) and even make a living at it. I lived on the flight path (...you would have had to be there...), played in a band, and even found and lost love a few more times, as youth will have us do. Like many who live in Austin, I saw so much great live music that I became stony in the face of quality that would send shivers up my spine today. I ate well in a wonderful food city: tacos and BBQ, Vietnamese and Thai, my first tastes of sushi, of Pho, of habañero chilies, of good coffee, of homebrewed and of craft beer, of finer wines, even of anything organic, were all tasted there. I became a film buff: I discovered, with the expert tutelage of the good folks at a shop fittingly called ‘I Love Video’, how to mine the depths of a director’s or an actor’s career. I became a music nerd in earnest, with the help of the folks at Sound Exchange and Waterloo Records. I learned how to dress myself, carving out a fashion sense aided and abetted by the thrift stores, secondhand shops, and the excellent examples of my many well dressed friends. In short, I became myself; I became the Bruce we all know today.
I moved away from Austin in the mid-nineties and spent a few years in San Francisco. I even travelled to Europe and, of course, Canada... Over time I found a great deal of what I started looking for all those years ago in Austin, and then, I got a chance to do something very interesting. I got a chance to move back. Nicole and I landed in Austin for a year and a half before we finally settled back here in Canada. It was and still is weird, wonderful and welcoming. It is still a place where art and culture create a magnet that pulls on the hearts of a thousand small town misfits. It is still, for me, a place that I will always feel at least a little bit at home. I got a chance to go back, and when I did, I think part of me hoped to recapture some bit of that magic, that sunshine, that taste of youth that had so sweetly seasoned my memories of Austin. But instead, I had a job. A life, you know, a bunch of things to do....
You see, for all of my spit-shine and polish on those early years in Austin, they were not the best days of my life. To be fair, the fact that they were not my best days was never Austin’s fault. Austin is a wonderful city, a beautiful city. But living for days on end in a state of hangover followed by drunk followed by hangover, with the metallic taste of bourbon, cheap cigarettes and Lone Star beer lingering like acid reflux in my sinuses; living in hovels or sleeping on couches, occasionally having to pick up extra shifts at work just for a chance at a staff meal; finding love, sure, but losing it again and again and wanting it so badly, aching for it for so long...I feel like those days, when I’m honest with myself, that even while I was being shaped and molded, that even while I tried so hard to live a full and storied life, I was almost always discontent, searching, hoping and looking for something...They were heady days, sure, ‘days of wine and roses,’ they were good days, fun days, but there were plenty of bad days too and no, when I’m honest, knowing what I know now, they were not the best days of my life.
The best days started with Nicole, the eloquent answer to that deep and anxious question posed so starkly by my heart, ‘will I ever find true love?’ The best days continued when I met Abigail, our daughter and, strangely enough, the same answer to the same question. Those Austin days were exciting, fun at times and certainly full, but these Kemptville days are surely the best.
But that is my story, not Austin’s. There was and still is something there, something important. Something tangible, something so sweet, and not just what was baked into that nostalgic batter; there is something to be found in what lies beyond and through that giant yellow columned and starlight covered corridor. As I have grown older, I’ve come to realize that the Austin that I go to on these bright spring days is no longer to be found on a map at the junction of Interstate 35 and Highway 290; it is, instead, a place in my heart, a place in my mind, a place in my spirit. It is the place where my dreams came alive and where my hopes took flight; a place where that misfit kid, where that young and lonely divorcee could go...a place to hope for, a place to belong. When the sun shines in the spring and for whatever reason, I see in its light that violet crown I feel, even if just for a fleeting moment, that sense of hope, of belonging, of peace, and that, that’s my Austin.
I’ve also been lucky enough to discover that my Austin fits in my suitcase. Austin did not become the place that it is by accident. Lots of people over lots of time built the culture that has become the magnet. People who needed a place to go, to be together, to feel included, all moved closer and closer together until something happened, something clicked, and then, after it did, they fought like hell to keep it. I guess, in a way, that is the story of any town, but it is not the story of every culture—just the good ones, just the ones worth keeping. I’ve taken a little bit of Austin with me everywhere I’ve ever gone. I’ve even, I hope, brought some of it with me here. In a way, the branch is my Austin now: smoky barbecue, enchiladas, live music—even a chance to sit outside in the sun, in the spring, on the patio. We’ve brought, I hope, a little bit of that Balcones beauty to our little town in other ways, helping with arts and culture wherever we can, be it by helping to start the Farmers’ Market, by hosting arts shows, historical society meetings, movies, charity events, or even, at times, by sitting on committees or in meetings with other folks, like-minded and otherwise, and by trying to remind them that there is more to a gathering of people in a municipality than just a momentum of years; that there is an important lesson in the hard work of creating the kind of place, the kind of culture that makes people want to not only come here, but to stay; that makes them want to come back year after year, that makes them want to call it home. Kemptville is on the precipice of a lot of growth, a lot of change, and we all have a great opportunity, and maybe it’s not as simple for us as saying: ‘Keep Kemptville Weird’ (...although, there is something to be said for that idea...). But maybe, as we grow, like those folks back in Austin who had the foresight and audacity to call their city a new Athens, maybe it’s time for us to seriously consider the kind of culture we want to create, the kind of community we want to have. We can have another Barrhaven if we want to—and we may if we aren’t careful: no downtown to stroll through, giant houses on small lots, chain restaurants and stores... Or, if we are bold, we can build on the kind of community that is already growing, that is already here; the small quirky businesses, the green space, the trails, the wealth of arts, of local foods...we can choose to support each other and we can work together and build the kind of oasis, the kind of magnet that will make us sustainable, strong, interesting and the kind of place that I think most us would like to call not just a bedroom community, but a living room and maybe even a kitchen community as well. We can, if we want, make Kemptville into our Athens, our Austin; not the physical one, but more like the one in my suitcase. Our sunshine daydream. A place to hope for. A home.
When I think of that mystical glow, that violet crown that hangs above the Austin of my memory, of my heart, I can’t help but think that the reason it exists is not just a simple flaw in my recollection or even some weird spectral phenomenon explained by a trick of the light. It is there because of people like you and me, people who needed it. It is there because we crowned her, because we decided that it should be. That crown exists, that violet crown. It is real over Austin, and it is real outside my window over Kemptville today. And it is there because we put it there.
Austin is a beautiful city, situated on the Balcones fault line; it has three lakes within the city limits as well as the sprawling grandeur of the Texas hill country that starts at about Lamar Avenue and rolls westward like the waves of a sandy limestone ocean all the way out to the west Texas desert. It is a green city, in both the literal and more recent definitions of the term, forethought and planning have kept it so. Laws were passed to protect trees in the old neighbourhoods, meaning that parking lots are often gerrymandered through thickets of post oak; huge tracts of land were protected and made into the broad green belt that encircles and holds up the downtown as well as forming the numerous and pleasant parks that connect throughout the city to create a second, silent Austin for pedestrians and cyclists who almost never have to fight city traffic for a bike lane. It is a city full of youth: a major University fills a large, central bit of downtown real estate, in addition to a number of smaller colleges, and, thanks in part to this, the businesses have developed a quirky, fun and creative subculture all their own, catering to that vibrant spirit. Austin’s official motto is ‘The Live Music Capital of the World’ and its unofficial one is ‘Keep Austin Weird’, a nod to that well defined culture that distinguishes the downtown core. It is also a wealthy city; the state capital is seated here, always a good source of cash flow for those lucky enough to be so geographically and politically inclined; and its youth culture and reputation for fun and quirky cool has also attracted a big, cheesy slice of the high tech business pizza pie. Though it is not perfect, (traffic congestion has always been a challenge) it is still one of the most livable cities in the world, attracting a broad spectrum of talented, creative people who come from everywhere to help keep its unique spirit alive.
I probably first saw Austin as a kid with my folks on a road trip to visit my aunt and uncle. I seem to remember the Capitol building and its unobstructed views and the exit for the LBJ library. I also remember the way that the upper and lower levels of the I-35 interstate highway split into four separate roads that run in parallels; two over and two under, through much of downtown. Driving on the lower levels is a bit like driving through a scene from a 70s sci-fi film, especially at night, where, in the eerie glow of the streetlights you feel like you’re shooting forward into some kind of giant yellow columned and starlit covered corridor. We didn’t have any highways like that back in Bryan.
The first time I really saw Austin was in high school, when a friend and I pulled the classic ‘I’ll say I’m staying at your house, you say you’re staying at mine’ ruse and, unlike in the movies, actually got away with it (...‘til now, I guess, sorry Mom...) We drove, ecstatic and slightly intoxicated by our courage, through the cool fall night to attend a Halloween party at the home of a friend who graduated the year before and had moved to Austin to live—as if someone could actually do that! I’ll never forget that night in Austin, the first of many and varied trips over the next few years to visit friends and to experience culture in that beautiful city that was just an hour and half drive east from where I lived. It seemed like so far to drive at that age, and so, so much closer now in my memory. Austin, to us, was where you went if you were a kid like me; you know, ‘different.’ I didn’t play sports, I played music. I didn’t wear boots and I didn’t rope steers, instead, I grew my hair long and, you know, got accused of being queer. I wrote poems; I liked books, not trucks. I ate vegetables; I did not ‘fit in.’ For us, for the weird kids, Austin was our light at the end of the long miserable tunnel that was the life of an oddball teenage Texan. It was our prize. The Austin of my youth felt like an entire city that was built for me, for my people; I felt that even just walking down the street I could and probably would have random encounters with strangers that would feel more meaningful than all of the polite, but ultimately frustrating, high school conversations that I’d ever had. I know it’s just nostalgia, but...
I didn’t move to Austin right away; several of my friends did, it took me a bit longer. I had a few things I had to work through first, and that’s another story. It took me a couple of years, but then one day a friend, a former bandmate, came over from Austin to visit me in Bryan. I was living alone, recently divorced (you know, the other story,) very sad and feeling very isolated. I’ll never forget the way he asked me ‘Why the f*$# are you still here? Why don’t you move to Austin? That’s where the rest of us are!’ It all came back, all the visits, the road-trips, that Halloween party, the sunny afternoons in Zilker park, the original Whole Foods market, Mother’s Café (an actual vegetarian restaurant!) Suddenly, for the first time in my, at that time, short adult life I felt like I might, just possibly, have a home...or at least a chance at one.
I spent much of the next four years in Austin, cooking by day, trying my best to survive in the competitive, glorious, and joyfully noisy music scene at night. When my car broke down, I was amazed to discover what people who grow up in cities know by instinct, that a bus pass and a bike are as good as a car for almost any need, even in the car culture ground zero of Texas. After a couple of jobs trying to build on my experience in Italian cuisine, I realized that I didn’t have to—I could cook what I actually ate (vegetarian at the time...) and even make a living at it. I lived on the flight path (...you would have had to be there...), played in a band, and even found and lost love a few more times, as youth will have us do. Like many who live in Austin, I saw so much great live music that I became stony in the face of quality that would send shivers up my spine today. I ate well in a wonderful food city: tacos and BBQ, Vietnamese and Thai, my first tastes of sushi, of Pho, of habañero chilies, of good coffee, of homebrewed and of craft beer, of finer wines, even of anything organic, were all tasted there. I became a film buff: I discovered, with the expert tutelage of the good folks at a shop fittingly called ‘I Love Video’, how to mine the depths of a director’s or an actor’s career. I became a music nerd in earnest, with the help of the folks at Sound Exchange and Waterloo Records. I learned how to dress myself, carving out a fashion sense aided and abetted by the thrift stores, secondhand shops, and the excellent examples of my many well dressed friends. In short, I became myself; I became the Bruce we all know today.
I moved away from Austin in the mid-nineties and spent a few years in San Francisco. I even travelled to Europe and, of course, Canada... Over time I found a great deal of what I started looking for all those years ago in Austin, and then, I got a chance to do something very interesting. I got a chance to move back. Nicole and I landed in Austin for a year and a half before we finally settled back here in Canada. It was and still is weird, wonderful and welcoming. It is still a place where art and culture create a magnet that pulls on the hearts of a thousand small town misfits. It is still, for me, a place that I will always feel at least a little bit at home. I got a chance to go back, and when I did, I think part of me hoped to recapture some bit of that magic, that sunshine, that taste of youth that had so sweetly seasoned my memories of Austin. But instead, I had a job. A life, you know, a bunch of things to do....
You see, for all of my spit-shine and polish on those early years in Austin, they were not the best days of my life. To be fair, the fact that they were not my best days was never Austin’s fault. Austin is a wonderful city, a beautiful city. But living for days on end in a state of hangover followed by drunk followed by hangover, with the metallic taste of bourbon, cheap cigarettes and Lone Star beer lingering like acid reflux in my sinuses; living in hovels or sleeping on couches, occasionally having to pick up extra shifts at work just for a chance at a staff meal; finding love, sure, but losing it again and again and wanting it so badly, aching for it for so long...I feel like those days, when I’m honest with myself, that even while I was being shaped and molded, that even while I tried so hard to live a full and storied life, I was almost always discontent, searching, hoping and looking for something...They were heady days, sure, ‘days of wine and roses,’ they were good days, fun days, but there were plenty of bad days too and no, when I’m honest, knowing what I know now, they were not the best days of my life.
The best days started with Nicole, the eloquent answer to that deep and anxious question posed so starkly by my heart, ‘will I ever find true love?’ The best days continued when I met Abigail, our daughter and, strangely enough, the same answer to the same question. Those Austin days were exciting, fun at times and certainly full, but these Kemptville days are surely the best.
But that is my story, not Austin’s. There was and still is something there, something important. Something tangible, something so sweet, and not just what was baked into that nostalgic batter; there is something to be found in what lies beyond and through that giant yellow columned and starlight covered corridor. As I have grown older, I’ve come to realize that the Austin that I go to on these bright spring days is no longer to be found on a map at the junction of Interstate 35 and Highway 290; it is, instead, a place in my heart, a place in my mind, a place in my spirit. It is the place where my dreams came alive and where my hopes took flight; a place where that misfit kid, where that young and lonely divorcee could go...a place to hope for, a place to belong. When the sun shines in the spring and for whatever reason, I see in its light that violet crown I feel, even if just for a fleeting moment, that sense of hope, of belonging, of peace, and that, that’s my Austin.
I’ve also been lucky enough to discover that my Austin fits in my suitcase. Austin did not become the place that it is by accident. Lots of people over lots of time built the culture that has become the magnet. People who needed a place to go, to be together, to feel included, all moved closer and closer together until something happened, something clicked, and then, after it did, they fought like hell to keep it. I guess, in a way, that is the story of any town, but it is not the story of every culture—just the good ones, just the ones worth keeping. I’ve taken a little bit of Austin with me everywhere I’ve ever gone. I’ve even, I hope, brought some of it with me here. In a way, the branch is my Austin now: smoky barbecue, enchiladas, live music—even a chance to sit outside in the sun, in the spring, on the patio. We’ve brought, I hope, a little bit of that Balcones beauty to our little town in other ways, helping with arts and culture wherever we can, be it by helping to start the Farmers’ Market, by hosting arts shows, historical society meetings, movies, charity events, or even, at times, by sitting on committees or in meetings with other folks, like-minded and otherwise, and by trying to remind them that there is more to a gathering of people in a municipality than just a momentum of years; that there is an important lesson in the hard work of creating the kind of place, the kind of culture that makes people want to not only come here, but to stay; that makes them want to come back year after year, that makes them want to call it home. Kemptville is on the precipice of a lot of growth, a lot of change, and we all have a great opportunity, and maybe it’s not as simple for us as saying: ‘Keep Kemptville Weird’ (...although, there is something to be said for that idea...). But maybe, as we grow, like those folks back in Austin who had the foresight and audacity to call their city a new Athens, maybe it’s time for us to seriously consider the kind of culture we want to create, the kind of community we want to have. We can have another Barrhaven if we want to—and we may if we aren’t careful: no downtown to stroll through, giant houses on small lots, chain restaurants and stores... Or, if we are bold, we can build on the kind of community that is already growing, that is already here; the small quirky businesses, the green space, the trails, the wealth of arts, of local foods...we can choose to support each other and we can work together and build the kind of oasis, the kind of magnet that will make us sustainable, strong, interesting and the kind of place that I think most us would like to call not just a bedroom community, but a living room and maybe even a kitchen community as well. We can, if we want, make Kemptville into our Athens, our Austin; not the physical one, but more like the one in my suitcase. Our sunshine daydream. A place to hope for. A home.
When I think of that mystical glow, that violet crown that hangs above the Austin of my memory, of my heart, I can’t help but think that the reason it exists is not just a simple flaw in my recollection or even some weird spectral phenomenon explained by a trick of the light. It is there because of people like you and me, people who needed it. It is there because we crowned her, because we decided that it should be. That crown exists, that violet crown. It is real over Austin, and it is real outside my window over Kemptville today. And it is there because we put it there.
newsletter spring 2011
Yes, yes, I know it has been quite a while since I’ve managed to send out one of these branchy newslettery things...technical issues are a big part of it, anxiety, time...the one thing has not been a lack of desire or effort. In fact I actually finished a newsletter (sans story) last month but was unable to send it! But here, I hope, is finally the news you’ve all been patiently waiting for... As a side note, you may have noticed some changes...or even that you are receiving this for the first time in a while...or, possibly, are receiving it and did not expect it as you had unsubscribed or something in times past--Well, that's probably because I am, for the first time, using a new program. Please bear with us--if you do not wish to receive this, please, just politely unsubscribe, this new program will make sure that the unsubscribe will be permanent (one of the reasons I switched)--and it will make all of our lives easier than if you mark it as spam...Well, let's all hope this works and I'd just like to say...it sure is good to be back!
I usually start these things off with a recap...but the fact is that at this point I don’t even remember all of the amazing things that have happened since last we spoke back in, I don’t know, February? Gosh, we’ve had George Harrison’s birthday tribute, Valentine’s day, Ariana Gillis, TWO Frank and Birdie shows...the list goes on...Why don’t we just agree, this one time, to let bygones be bye-gones and move on to the news? I mean, I didn’t even mention Simon Beach...or the BluegrassOpen Stage...or our new Spring and Summer Hours....
...Speaking of our new Spring and Summer Hours (did you see how I did that?) That’s right, we are bringing back the 6 evening a week hours that we had before it got all cold and stuff outside! Those new, old hours are, (for those who didn’t bother to memorize them last time around,) as follows:
Tuesday-Saturday Lunch: 11:30am-2pm
Tuesday-Wednesday Dinner: 5-8pm
Thursday-Saturday Dinner: 5-9:30pm
Sunday, Rubber Boots Buffet: 2-8pm (Open Stage 3-6pm)
Closed Mondays (and for Easter and some other stuff like that...)
So there you have it. Many more chances to let us do the cooking! (and, of course, the washing up...we know why you really dine out...)
Art!
I do feel awful that I never got to tell you about last month’s art show in this forum; The North Grenville Photography Club have shown with us before and will, I’m sure, be back again. It was a wonderful show and I do hope that many of you got a chance to see it, even if I never did pass it along in an actual newsletter...
This month, we are featuring the Merrickville Artists’ Guild, another returning favourite, who have provided the following information:
The Merrickville Artists’ Guild artists' work will be on exhibition at the restaurant from April 4 until May 1. the branch is located at 15 Clothier St. East in Kemptville.
The Merrickville Artist’s Guild (MAG) is well known to the area producing fine art and craft for over 25 years. Their popular annual studio tour attracts hundreds of people to Merrickville and the surrounding area each fall. MAG is very excited to come together under one roof at the beautiful branch restaurant and celebrate the love for art that thrives in this area.
The artists of the guild provide a diverse array of unique art. The MAG talents include painters, mixed media artists, potters, glass blowers, glass artisans, a gourd artiste, jewelers, a textile creator, wood turners and an artist who works with iron at Canada’s oldest foundry.
For more information on the Merrickville Artist’s Guild please visit our website where you can view some of the artwork: http://www.merrickvilleartists.com/studiotour.htm
Music!
Let’s start with this weekend: the recipe for a JD Edwards from Winnipeg is apparently one part Blind Melon funk and one part Black Crowes’ blues, stir in a little Van Morrison add a dash of Ben Harper and serve...You get the idea...Tom Savage from Kingston is joining him and bringing his brand of good ol’ rock 'n' roll with a bit of a country twist, he’s got a pile of well-crafted songs inspired by dudes like Neil Young and Townes Van Zandt...you know what? It all sounds pretty darn good to me! (April 23rd, 9pm, $5) We’re closed this Sunday for the egg thing, but we’ll make up for it next Wednesday with a rousing evening featuring several of our Open Stage regulars; specifically Dr. Shawn, Katie Nolan and Mr. Doug Hendry, esq. (April 27th, 7pm, no cover) I’ll be returning to the stage as well that Saturday along with newcomer Rick Ventrella in support of local master songwriter, Andy McGaw—he’s our very own local version of John Prine or Gordon Lightfoot, his songs are valuable, timeless and important...and, of course, I’ll play some stuff, too. Show starts at 8 with emerging local talent, Rick Ventrella (April 30, 8pm, no cover). That Sunday, May 1st, is an open stage hosted by me (Chef Bruce) from 3-6pm, but the real May fun starts that Thursday with the girls from the prairies, Oh, My Darling! Their website offers up a great description: ‘prairie roots mixed with bluegrass, Appalachian old time, southern twang, and Franco-folk, makes their style a melting pot of musical languages,’ you may remember them from last time, you will certainly remember them from this time. I once had the privilege of seeing the Dixie Chicks in a bar about the size of our restaurant right before they got very, very big—it was not a show I regret seeing. Just sayin’. (May 5, 9pm, $10) That Friday will be the first ‘First Friday’ showcase of the regularly scheduled ‘First Thursday’ event (catch all that?) ‘the Frank and Birdie show’ featuring Frank Western and Birdie Whyte, two locals that you know so well that you don’t even know that you know them. (May 6, 7pm, no cover) That Saturday, May 7th, will be our first show with the luminous songstress, Ms. Tara Porter...Tara has found us through members of our vibrant local Yoga community and we look forward to seeing her poses and hearing her mantras...or her tasteful and well-crafted original songs...either way, I’m sure it will be a delightful and rewarding evening among friends. (May 7, 9pm, $5)
May 8th, Sunday, is our annual Mothers’ Day Brunch at the Municipal Centre in support of the Salvation Army Food Bank. This year’s event will again feature lots of local, organic and handmade mom day goodies that she is not required to either cook or clean up after...It will also include a taste of the Farmers’ Market, Bluegrass and Gospel music (with Kim Wallace and the fellows from County Road 44) and a bunch of good people coming together for a worthy cause. That’s Sunday, May 8 from 10am to 2pm at the Municipal Centre, ALL proceeds go to benefit the local Sally Ann...Do it for mom, she’s worth it! Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door, kids pay their age, volunteers welcome, and kids: one hour of volunteering buys a brunch for mom...Even you can afford that!
Wednesday May 11th brings us the dulcet, jazz influenced tones of Larra Skye, a Newmarket, Ontario native who has since travelled far on the success of her 2006 Jazz outing ‘the World Disappears’, for this tour, she will be playing and singing a new batch of acoustic, original pop inflected folk. (May 11, 7pm, no cover) That Saturday brings us Meg O’Malley Iredale all the way from Victoria, BC. I’ve been enjoying this songwriter quite a bit—follow the link below to get a taste of her indie/ethereal/thoughtful original tunes that hearken back to a an old-time folksy wonderland. (May 14th, 9pm,, $5) The following Tuesday brings back the one and only Ryan Cook for a listening room show, reserve now. ‘Nuff said. (Tuesday, May 17th, 8pm, $8) Join Ray Harris and his Bastard Sons’ of Bitches that Saturday for an evening of original as well as some well chosen country and country-rock covers! (May 21, 9pm, $5).
With yet another Tuesday night show, we will be bringing together a crew of local artists on May 24th to celebrate the birthday and the continuing story of one of the world’s all time greatest songwriters, Robert ‘Bob Dylan’ Zimmerman, the cipher, the poet, the priest...a man about who we can all agree to disagree. Show starts at 7pm, LOTS of people are performing.
CAB are back that Thursday at 8pm, no cover—this crazy two-piece old time rootsy blues band from Montreal tore up the room when they played here earlier this year as part of a 2 band show—now, on their own, we look forward to a whole evening of their magnificent Waits-y psych-blues swagger. Join the rest of K-ville for our premier event ‘The Dandelion Festival’ that weekend and see numerous bands on the main stage right outside our own front door.
I can’t tell you about everything that is coming up (yet...), but I should point out that yes, that is actually Lynn Miles (as in ‘THE Lynn Miles') playing on Saturday June 4th. We’ve already sold about half of the available seats, so if you’d like to come, the time to move is NOW!
Anyway, lots of good stuff coming up, we look forward to seeing you all!
Here’s that calendar again...
April:
Saturday 23 ~ Tom Savage from Kingston and JD Edwardsfrom Winnipeg ...9pm, $5 cover
Sunday 24 ~ closed for Egg Hunting Season
Wednesday 27 ~ Shawn Yakimovich, Katie Nolan and Doug Hendry; harmony, folk songs & lots of incredible strings ...7pm
Saturday 30 ~ Andy McGawand Chef Bruce with Rick Ventrella
May Calendar:
Sun May 1: ~ Open Stage 3-6pm
Thursday 5 ~ Oh, My Darling!Pickin' and singin with the ladies! Prairie roots mixed with bluegrass, Appalachian old time, southern twang, and Franco-folk, makes their style a melting pot of musical languages, 9pm, $10
Friday 8 ~ The Frank and Birdie Show featuring Frank Westernand Birdie Whyte... details TBA
Saturday 7 ~ Tara Porter...9pm, $5 Listening Room Show
Sunday 8 ~ Mother’s Day Brunch Salvation Army Fundraiser 10am-2pm at the Municipal Centre
Wednesday 11 ~ Larra Skye: sweet-voiced folk/pop songwriter from Toronto, singing songs from her second forthcoming album, "Wishing Tree" and unique renditions of popular tunes......7pm, no cover
Saturday 14 ~ Meg O’Mally Iredale 9pm, $5 cover
Sunday 15 ~ Open Stage 3-6pm
Tuesday 17 ~ Ryan Cook! Listening Room Show, $8, 8pm
Saturday 21 ~ Ray Harris and the Bastard Sons of Bitches, $5, 9pm
Sunday 22 ~ Closed for TWO-FOUR
Tuesday 24 ~ Bob Dylan Birthday Tribute, contact chef Bruce to sign up...8pm, free!
Thursday 26 ~ CAB, Montreal old time blues...8pm, no cover
Friday, Saturday, Sunday May 27, 28, 29: Dandelion Festival!
June Calendar:
Saturday 4 ~ Lynn Miles, Holy Smokes!...9pm, $20 cover
Friday 10 ~ Petunia!
Saturday 11 ~ Greg Kelly and the Broken Window Philharmonic...9pm, $5 cover Saturday 18 ~ John Allaireand Bill Toms...9pm, cover TBA
Sunday 19 ~ Dave Martel... (not confirmed, cross your fingers!)
Saturday 25 ~ Lynne Hanson, ...9pm, $8
Thursday 30 ~ Ariana Gillis
July Calendar:
Saturday 2 ~ Brock Zeman
Tuesday 5 ~ Bruce and Ringo's Birthday Jam featuring songs of the Beatles--sign up with your friendly neighbourhood chef if you want to play!
Saturday 9 ~ Huntley Slim
Saturday 16 ~ Brandon Agnew
I usually start these things off with a recap...but the fact is that at this point I don’t even remember all of the amazing things that have happened since last we spoke back in, I don’t know, February? Gosh, we’ve had George Harrison’s birthday tribute, Valentine’s day, Ariana Gillis, TWO Frank and Birdie shows...the list goes on...Why don’t we just agree, this one time, to let bygones be bye-gones and move on to the news? I mean, I didn’t even mention Simon Beach...or the BluegrassOpen Stage...or our new Spring and Summer Hours....
...Speaking of our new Spring and Summer Hours (did you see how I did that?) That’s right, we are bringing back the 6 evening a week hours that we had before it got all cold and stuff outside! Those new, old hours are, (for those who didn’t bother to memorize them last time around,) as follows:
Tuesday-Saturday Lunch: 11:30am-2pm
Tuesday-Wednesday Dinner: 5-8pm
Thursday-Saturday Dinner: 5-9:30pm
Sunday, Rubber Boots Buffet: 2-8pm (Open Stage 3-6pm)
Closed Mondays (and for Easter and some other stuff like that...)
So there you have it. Many more chances to let us do the cooking! (and, of course, the washing up...we know why you really dine out...)
Art!
I do feel awful that I never got to tell you about last month’s art show in this forum; The North Grenville Photography Club have shown with us before and will, I’m sure, be back again. It was a wonderful show and I do hope that many of you got a chance to see it, even if I never did pass it along in an actual newsletter...
This month, we are featuring the Merrickville Artists’ Guild, another returning favourite, who have provided the following information:
The Merrickville Artists’ Guild artists' work will be on exhibition at the restaurant from April 4 until May 1. the branch is located at 15 Clothier St. East in Kemptville.
The Merrickville Artist’s Guild (MAG) is well known to the area producing fine art and craft for over 25 years. Their popular annual studio tour attracts hundreds of people to Merrickville and the surrounding area each fall. MAG is very excited to come together under one roof at the beautiful branch restaurant and celebrate the love for art that thrives in this area.
The artists of the guild provide a diverse array of unique art. The MAG talents include painters, mixed media artists, potters, glass blowers, glass artisans, a gourd artiste, jewelers, a textile creator, wood turners and an artist who works with iron at Canada’s oldest foundry.
For more information on the Merrickville Artist’s Guild please visit our website where you can view some of the artwork: http://www.merrickvilleartists.com/studiotour.htm
Music!
Let’s start with this weekend: the recipe for a JD Edwards from Winnipeg is apparently one part Blind Melon funk and one part Black Crowes’ blues, stir in a little Van Morrison add a dash of Ben Harper and serve...You get the idea...Tom Savage from Kingston is joining him and bringing his brand of good ol’ rock 'n' roll with a bit of a country twist, he’s got a pile of well-crafted songs inspired by dudes like Neil Young and Townes Van Zandt...you know what? It all sounds pretty darn good to me! (April 23rd, 9pm, $5) We’re closed this Sunday for the egg thing, but we’ll make up for it next Wednesday with a rousing evening featuring several of our Open Stage regulars; specifically Dr. Shawn, Katie Nolan and Mr. Doug Hendry, esq. (April 27th, 7pm, no cover) I’ll be returning to the stage as well that Saturday along with newcomer Rick Ventrella in support of local master songwriter, Andy McGaw—he’s our very own local version of John Prine or Gordon Lightfoot, his songs are valuable, timeless and important...and, of course, I’ll play some stuff, too. Show starts at 8 with emerging local talent, Rick Ventrella (April 30, 8pm, no cover). That Sunday, May 1st, is an open stage hosted by me (Chef Bruce) from 3-6pm, but the real May fun starts that Thursday with the girls from the prairies, Oh, My Darling! Their website offers up a great description: ‘prairie roots mixed with bluegrass, Appalachian old time, southern twang, and Franco-folk, makes their style a melting pot of musical languages,’ you may remember them from last time, you will certainly remember them from this time. I once had the privilege of seeing the Dixie Chicks in a bar about the size of our restaurant right before they got very, very big—it was not a show I regret seeing. Just sayin’. (May 5, 9pm, $10) That Friday will be the first ‘First Friday’ showcase of the regularly scheduled ‘First Thursday’ event (catch all that?) ‘the Frank and Birdie show’ featuring Frank Western and Birdie Whyte, two locals that you know so well that you don’t even know that you know them. (May 6, 7pm, no cover) That Saturday, May 7th, will be our first show with the luminous songstress, Ms. Tara Porter...Tara has found us through members of our vibrant local Yoga community and we look forward to seeing her poses and hearing her mantras...or her tasteful and well-crafted original songs...either way, I’m sure it will be a delightful and rewarding evening among friends. (May 7, 9pm, $5)
May 8th, Sunday, is our annual Mothers’ Day Brunch at the Municipal Centre in support of the Salvation Army Food Bank. This year’s event will again feature lots of local, organic and handmade mom day goodies that she is not required to either cook or clean up after...It will also include a taste of the Farmers’ Market, Bluegrass and Gospel music (with Kim Wallace and the fellows from County Road 44) and a bunch of good people coming together for a worthy cause. That’s Sunday, May 8 from 10am to 2pm at the Municipal Centre, ALL proceeds go to benefit the local Sally Ann...Do it for mom, she’s worth it! Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door, kids pay their age, volunteers welcome, and kids: one hour of volunteering buys a brunch for mom...Even you can afford that!
Wednesday May 11th brings us the dulcet, jazz influenced tones of Larra Skye, a Newmarket, Ontario native who has since travelled far on the success of her 2006 Jazz outing ‘the World Disappears’, for this tour, she will be playing and singing a new batch of acoustic, original pop inflected folk. (May 11, 7pm, no cover) That Saturday brings us Meg O’Malley Iredale all the way from Victoria, BC. I’ve been enjoying this songwriter quite a bit—follow the link below to get a taste of her indie/ethereal/thoughtful original tunes that hearken back to a an old-time folksy wonderland. (May 14th, 9pm,, $5) The following Tuesday brings back the one and only Ryan Cook for a listening room show, reserve now. ‘Nuff said. (Tuesday, May 17th, 8pm, $8) Join Ray Harris and his Bastard Sons’ of Bitches that Saturday for an evening of original as well as some well chosen country and country-rock covers! (May 21, 9pm, $5).
With yet another Tuesday night show, we will be bringing together a crew of local artists on May 24th to celebrate the birthday and the continuing story of one of the world’s all time greatest songwriters, Robert ‘Bob Dylan’ Zimmerman, the cipher, the poet, the priest...a man about who we can all agree to disagree. Show starts at 7pm, LOTS of people are performing.
CAB are back that Thursday at 8pm, no cover—this crazy two-piece old time rootsy blues band from Montreal tore up the room when they played here earlier this year as part of a 2 band show—now, on their own, we look forward to a whole evening of their magnificent Waits-y psych-blues swagger. Join the rest of K-ville for our premier event ‘The Dandelion Festival’ that weekend and see numerous bands on the main stage right outside our own front door.
I can’t tell you about everything that is coming up (yet...), but I should point out that yes, that is actually Lynn Miles (as in ‘THE Lynn Miles') playing on Saturday June 4th. We’ve already sold about half of the available seats, so if you’d like to come, the time to move is NOW!
Anyway, lots of good stuff coming up, we look forward to seeing you all!
Here’s that calendar again...
April:
Saturday 23 ~ Tom Savage from Kingston and JD Edwardsfrom Winnipeg ...9pm, $5 cover
Sunday 24 ~ closed for Egg Hunting Season
Wednesday 27 ~ Shawn Yakimovich, Katie Nolan and Doug Hendry; harmony, folk songs & lots of incredible strings ...7pm
Saturday 30 ~ Andy McGawand Chef Bruce with Rick Ventrella
May Calendar:
Sun May 1: ~ Open Stage 3-6pm
Thursday 5 ~ Oh, My Darling!Pickin' and singin with the ladies! Prairie roots mixed with bluegrass, Appalachian old time, southern twang, and Franco-folk, makes their style a melting pot of musical languages, 9pm, $10
Friday 8 ~ The Frank and Birdie Show featuring Frank Westernand Birdie Whyte... details TBA
Saturday 7 ~ Tara Porter...9pm, $5 Listening Room Show
Sunday 8 ~ Mother’s Day Brunch Salvation Army Fundraiser 10am-2pm at the Municipal Centre
Wednesday 11 ~ Larra Skye: sweet-voiced folk/pop songwriter from Toronto, singing songs from her second forthcoming album, "Wishing Tree" and unique renditions of popular tunes......7pm, no cover
Saturday 14 ~ Meg O’Mally Iredale 9pm, $5 cover
Sunday 15 ~ Open Stage 3-6pm
Tuesday 17 ~ Ryan Cook! Listening Room Show, $8, 8pm
Saturday 21 ~ Ray Harris and the Bastard Sons of Bitches, $5, 9pm
Sunday 22 ~ Closed for TWO-FOUR
Tuesday 24 ~ Bob Dylan Birthday Tribute, contact chef Bruce to sign up...8pm, free!
Thursday 26 ~ CAB, Montreal old time blues...8pm, no cover
Friday, Saturday, Sunday May 27, 28, 29: Dandelion Festival!
June Calendar:
Saturday 4 ~ Lynn Miles, Holy Smokes!...9pm, $20 cover
Friday 10 ~ Petunia!
Saturday 11 ~ Greg Kelly and the Broken Window Philharmonic...9pm, $5 cover Saturday 18 ~ John Allaireand Bill Toms...9pm, cover TBA
Sunday 19 ~ Dave Martel... (not confirmed, cross your fingers!)
Saturday 25 ~ Lynne Hanson, ...9pm, $8
Thursday 30 ~ Ariana Gillis
July Calendar:
Saturday 2 ~ Brock Zeman
Tuesday 5 ~ Bruce and Ringo's Birthday Jam featuring songs of the Beatles--sign up with your friendly neighbourhood chef if you want to play!
Saturday 9 ~ Huntley Slim
Saturday 16 ~ Brandon Agnew
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