Hello Everyone,

Wow!  I hope you are here today because I don’t think I have ever seen a more beautiful day in Manchester.  Perfect sun, perfect temperature.  It reminds me of my childhood 4th of Julys when I would jump out of bed, throw on a pair of shorts and run outside.  Before cell phones, the only thing my parents had was a promise to be good and a kid’s appetite that would bring me home to check in.  I would rush out again with a kiss and a final promise to return after the fireworks.

I also remember sitting under a tree with all of the kids and eating grilled hotdogs.  Although I have nothing but respect for the summertime “dog”…….I must say that now I truly relish (relish…get it) Mark’s style.  I am thinking that today is a good day for his amazing weiner schnitzle.   He makes it with German potato salad…..the kind with bacon and stone ground mustard….yes that’s right!   SO GOOD!!!  You must try it!   While your at it you might as well go all in and get a glass of our Barbara di’ Asti to go with it.  Some decisions you never regret.

I hope you have a wonderful July 4th weekend filled with food, fun and fireworks.

See you soon,

Melody

Hi Everyone!

Manchester has turned green, lush and beautiful.  Everyone is out and about and I have just one word:  Flowers.  I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love the smell of lavender.   Mark has even started hitting a few golf balls around in the afternoons.  Apparently he has found his Zen time on the green because he has come up with even more delicious ideas.

My new favorite appetizer is a special at the moment.  He is making a petite Panini filled with slow roasted pulled pork, pate de foie gras and caramelized onions.  He serves this with a few salt and vinegar homemade chips.   And you should see the way it is presented…..so creative and fun.

In case you don’t know I am all about the wine……..seriously…. but this time it is a beer that I am recommending. We have a delicious Harpoon summer ale that I just love with this dish.   Don’t get me wrong….I still can pair up at least four wines with this appetizer as well but the beer just seems to hit the spot.  Aren’t I so lucky that this counts as part of my job?

I hope you can come in soon but in the meantime….just enjoy the color show that nature has gifted us.

Melody

Hello Everyone!!!

We are so excited to be opening tonight.  We took some great time this spring to refresh the restaurant as well as work on so many projects rather than take a long trip.  It feels good to get so much accomplished.  I do feel as though I am painted out.  We did manage to spend a few days in Boston.  What fun!  So much to see and do.

Mark has come up with some new items for our menu and they are amazing.  I just posted the new menu today so please take a look.  I really love the Tamarind BBQ Salmon.  He serves it with pidgeon pea stew, mofongo and avocado.  This dish is full of flavor, texture and…..ok….I’m gushing.  Wait till you try it…you will see what I mean.  And now…..wine with it…hmmmmm……definitely our  PASCAL BOUCHARD,  PETIT CHABLIS , FRANCE, 2013.   You will love it.       

Melody      

P.S.  (  3 hours later…..)   Definitely the Petit Chablis  !!!

Hello Everyone,

Spring is on the way.  Blue skies, bright sun and crisp wind.  It’s a great day for a warm scarf and cool shades….and a Jazz station on the radio.  It’s also a great day for wine!  But then when it is not?

Most of you know that I like to have a wine flight available.  I feature three wines that are the equivalent  of two glasses of wine and we serve them side by side with a description.  I think it is a fun way to go through your meal and a way for me to have even more fun with wine.  Starting on Friday I am going to feature three wines from the best known regions of Europe.  Chianti, Rioja and Bordeaux.   RIGHT?  I can’t wait. 

We have so many things on our menu that these would pair with beautifully…..but you know I have something in mind.  Mark has made fresh ground veal lasagna.  I am not kidding.  It is a lighter version of lasagna with all the flavor and he offers you a choice of homemade marinara or béchamel sauce.  Just say “YUM” now. I hope you can come in soon to try this combo.

One more thing……take time to look out the window and soak up the sun,

Melody

Hello Everyone,

It is just so quintessential Vermont here.  The snow is piled up and there is more coming.  I just love going out and taking a deep breath of the crisp, clean, white air.  It just smells so good to me.  Of course I scurry back into the warmth, grab my tea and watch out the window.  A quick breeze sends a bit of snow from the roof outside in a dancing swirl and in a moment of reflection I think…..  perhaps I should have wine?

In the restaurant I can smell Mark creating in the kitchen.  Yesterday he added the most delicious appetizer of crisp flatbread topped with tamarind BBQ pulled duck confit, shitake mushrooms and goat cheese.  It’s so good I almost melted.  I can’t wait for you to try it.  As usual I am pairing up a wine and I am thinking…..a Cote du Rhone would be perfect.

Hope to see you soon,  Enjoy the smell of winter!!!

Melody