Hello Everyone!

Have you all enjoyed this Autumn as much as I have?  It just keeps going and I for one am thrilled. Everyone looks so stylish in their cute jackets and boots with an occasional, colorful scarf.  I spoke to the cutest couple who said they couldn’t stop picking apples and now are busy baking.

Speaking of baking….Mark has brought back the Floating Island or as it is called in France…Ile Flottante.  This dessert has been a favorite so we are very excited to have it on the menu again.  It melts in your mouth and is like eating sweet air.  Really!!

Enjoy the crisp air and the rich colors of the season and If you see a pile of leaves…run through them and kick them about like a child.  It will make you laugh.   Ahhh…..Vermont Autumn!

See you soon,

Melody

Hello Everyone!

As we all know…Mother nature is either early or late depending on her mood and this year she is running late.  That being said…it’s starting and from what I can see the colors are going to be rich and brilliant.  That is if we can make the rain stay away.  I understand that rain is our friend, but give me a sunny, crisp Autumn day and I walk on air…….or crunchy leaves.  Today my friends is one of those perfect Autumn days. A day for long drives, warm apple cider donuts and local apple cider.  If I were a little girl I would be twirling my dress in excitement.

We are ready for the season…..Mark is busy making his baked apple.  It is filled with brown sugar, cinnamon and raisins and then covered in marzipan and pastry.  When you order it he pops it in the oven, and 30 minutes later ….serves it with home made cinnamon ice cream.  I’m speechless…….ok, we all know that’s not true, however it is amazing.

I’ve gotten in the mood with our Autumn Sangria, Vermont Mule and Autumn Haze cocktails.  Of course they all include apple cider.  Yum!!!

As usual…I like to urge you to take a walk…hike…bike ride…or just stroll around town and shop while you enjoy this time of year. You could also pull on a warm sweater and sip on your morning coffee outside on the porch while you watch the squirrels scamper around collecting everything in site.  However you want to partake of Autumn just inhale the crisp fresh air…it will revitalize you!

Don’t forget to spot all of the  beautiful pumpkins too!

Melody

Hello Everyone!

Manchester is the best of new and old.  Neighbors sipping ice tea on their front porch in the afternoon….saying hello to passersby….while sending out a facebook post to their loved ones.  The smell of BBQ in the early evening while the kids play in the backyard with a drone.  Or….passing a beautiful Vermont Inn and taking a photo of it with your phone. I love this so much.  I love that I can go to the bookstore and read reviews in front of the books and yet they offer WiFi to listen to podcasts.  I love that I can go to the farmers market and get local honey or yogurt and then overnight it to my sister.  Shh…. it’s a surprise.

Speaking of combining new and old…….we are making a new cheeseboard using an aged cheese.  Barkeater Cheese is made by Consider Bardwell Farm and then aged for six weeks at Crown Finish Caves.  It is their take of the French style Vacherin Mont d’Or.  It is wrapped in spruce bark harvested in the Adirondack mountains. We serve it warm with a variety of accroutrements including Armenian Cherries.  This will serve 4 guests and is for $60.00.   We begin serving this on Wednesday July 31 and due to the limited amount we will only have 5 to offer this week and 6 next week.  I am so excited about this but then I have been a cheese lover for a lifetime.  Wine is so important with this cheese but I have several that will go with it well.  Let’s talk!

As usual, I like to encourage you to get out and spend time in Machester!  Hiking, swimming, shopping…it’s all fun.  Say hi to each other and stop for an ice tea to cool off.

See you in the Restaurant,

Melody

Hello Everyone!

We just re-opened after our spring break and if feels good to be back.  We painted and scrubbed and generally spring cleaned.  I must say….looking good.  My spring list seems to be never ending…I’m sure you understand.  Every task I complete makes me feel like I can conquer the world.  I feel like Hercules…or at the very least Mr. Clean.  I also planted some beautiful flowers and am hoping I didn’t plant too early.  I’ve never been a plant whisperer…however I’m tempted to go out and give them verbal encouragement.

It’s spring in Vermont which means we waffle back and forth between beautiful sunny flower days and green, rainy soup days. Good thing Mark just added our New England Clam Chowder with Fried Clams to the menu.  Hits the spot!!!  And of course I like pairing it up with a delicious new Vermentino from Troon Vineyards.  You will love it.  I do!!!

As always, take some time for yourself.   Make time for a little spring achievement…even if it’s organizing a drawer or your purse….then sit back…pour a glass of wine and pat yourself on the back.  It feels good, take it from me..

Enjoy Spring!!!!!

Melody

Hello Everyone!

I’m sitting here looking out the window from my cozy little office and I see the most glorious snow coming down.  The snowflakes are so big they look like feathers falling from the sky.  Vermont and snow just go together and might I add that there were no cancellations for tonight!  I love that.  Intrepid all!!

Mark has made some fresh ground veal lasagna and it is exactly what the Doctor ordered.  He gives a choice of homemade marinara or bechemel sauce as well and on a night like tonight I’m thinking creamy sounds so good.    I also have added “Tost” to the wine list.  It is a delicious sparkling non-alcoholic drink that is not over the top sweet and goes well with food for all of those designated drivers. For those who are not driving I have a wonderful gluhwein.  A warm honey, cinnamon and red wine drink that we flavor with an ancho chili liquor.  Perfect on a snowy day!

My hope for you is that you get to enjoy the snow either out in it or sipping tea by your window, under your fuzzy warm blanket while watching the beautiful flakes swirl around.

Wait…..Ok…..I am watching four stunning redbirds outside on my tree.  Not kidding!  See what happens when you take a moment to enjoy nature!

Hope to see you soon,

Melody