A few days in Duluth, Part 1: New Scenic Cafe

We spent a few days in Duluth last weekend, and when we weren't hiking, biking or swimming, we were eating. Our first night, we decided to drive further up the shore (just 8 miles) to the New Scenic Cafe. This place was highly recommended my the In-Laws (and pretty much anyone else who's ever been to Duluth and has good taste). From the moment we pulled into their unpaved lot and were greeted by beautiful blossoms in their flower garden, I knew we were in for a treat. There were quite a few cars in the lot, but once inside, the restaurant was not crowded and very quaint. We were seated overlooking for garden and the lake, with a narrow highway between the two.

I like wine, but not even pretend to know much about it. If I like it I'll drink it, if I don't I won't. In the liquor store I chose my wines by the labels. On a wine list I chose by the names. I chose the D'Arenberg The Hermit Crab Marsanne/Viognier for obvious reasons. And it was delightful. Light and fruity, and very appropriate for our scorching hot weather. We had two servers for the evening, and we believe he was training her in. They both knew their wines and their food, and offered recommendations. We chose two appetizers, yet it could have easily been four. Husband had to go with his favorite, Escargot.

And these were great. No messy shells to worry about and look at that bread. There was a dallop of cilantro pesto atop each one along with lots of garlic butter and a tiny crouton. We also chose the Ahi Tuna Tacos, which I've been craving and talking about since.
Starting with a deep-friend wonton wrapper shaped like a taco shell, the cafe stuffs it with raw tuna and a few slices of avocado. Tuna and avocado, could it be better? It can. They serve the tacos with a beautiful asian slaw and a touch of homemade wasabi. And when I say homemade, I mean sinus-clearing-no-fooling-around-homemade. Wowzer, that's good. We licked the plate clean, took a sip of wine and moved onto the main courses. (Yes, there's more!)

Husband seemed to be doing the all-seafood weekend, so he chose the halibut served with avocado, black trumpet mushrooms, fresh peas and a creamy sauce. (There's avocado on top there, under the sauce, which makes it look kinds thick.) I stole a mushroom (I'm a recent convert) and was actually surprised to like the texture. The halibut was beautifully prepared, but I didn't get a bite.

I took a detour from my usual entree chose and went with the pork loin. It was served with a corn custard and grape tomato salad, and glazed with a chipotle sauce. The pork was really, really tender, the custard was piping hot and fresh from the ear, and the tomatoes offered a chilly contrast, both temperature and spice level. I just wish I would have been able to eat the whole thing. Sure is pretty, ain't it?

We had to pass on dessert, as my stomach was already maxed out. But an interesting side note. While our server was talking to a table near us, he asked if they were from Hawaii. Yes, they were. So was he. Small world. They talked of Hawaii surfing vs Lake Superior surfing, among other things, and we listened intently as we savored our meal. We should have gone back the next night, but it will have to wait until we make it up there again. Hopefully soon. Maybe tonight?

Grazefest 2007

I am so far behind, and have enjoyed so much good food recently. It seems to make sense to start at the farm. Last weekend, sister, her husband and KJ drove down to New Prague to visit Grazefest 2007.

Essentially, its a festival celebrating local and organic farming, and it was hosted by Cedar Summit Farm. There were fresh brats, lectures from farmers and a fabulous cooking demonstration.

Chef Philip Dorwart cooked up a cumin-pork tenderloin with a sauce he called "liquid corn on the cob." And it was simple. He dusted the pork tenderloin (pasture-raised, organic) with cumin, salt and pepper and grilled it over natural briquettes and apple wood. He then simmered the corn (cut from the cob), some garlic, salt and chicken stock right on the grill. He added a touch (a whole lot) of butter and a bit of cream (from Cedar Summit Farm) and pureed it with an immersion blender (I gotta get me one of these).


And then we got to taste it. He served the sauce beneath the pork, and added just a tiny dallop of goast cheese and a chive. We were ecstatic, and hoped to find time to make it before Sister went back to CO. But no...

But we did have some really great, fresh ice cream. We took our cones and walked across the street to visit the cows. They were really happy cows, and looked great. They are much smaller than industrial cows, and they're long flappy ears were just adorable. We thanked them for the creamy ice cream and went inside to buy some meat.

All in all, a great day on the farm. We learned a little something, and tried some great food. And best of all, KJ and I decided we'll try the 100-mile diet. More on that later

This is why I watch Iron Chef

This is a piece of sushi by Iron Chef Morimoto. He created it during "Battle Asparagus." It is surrounded by a Dashi Foam. And Alton called it a church window. All I know, is I've never had any sushi this beautiful, and honestly, I'm not sure if I could eat it.

(And yes, I paused Tivo and took a photo of my TV.)

A Tiny Harvest.

I pulled my first tomatoes out of the garden today. Two perfect little grape tomatoes. They're actually much larger than a grape, and I haven't the heart to eat them quite yet. Maybe tomorrow. Along with them, I pulled off the first banana pepper and the remaining sugar snap peas. Dog got a little one on the walk to the house. And I think our neighborhood deer has been helping herself. It's a start, at least. There are plenty of growing green tomatoes and with this heat, they should be red soon!

Taste #32: Cookbook Queen - Paulette Mitchell

Prolific ought to be Paulette Mitchell’s middle name (actually, it’s Gwendolyn, and she’s not fond of it). It suits a dynamo who has produced a dozen cookbooks since 1984, each one brainstormed and tested in the culinary think-tank otherwise known as her inviting Edina kitchen. Mitchell’s work has often embraced one of two themes: envelope-pushing vegetarian or quick preparation. “There’s always the question of whether cookbook authors follow the trends or set them,” Mitchell said. She probably does both. Mitchell’s influence extends beyond cookbooks, with a busy schedule as a television and Webcast host and producer and as a cruise-ship cooking instructor. Not that Mitchell will be traveling much this summer. She’ll be in her kitchen, formulating “15 Minute Gourmet: Timeless Recipes,” scheduled to appear in bookstores in fall 2008.

And the Strib is right. This 15-minute vegetarian cookbook is jammed full of tasty recipes, including the beautiful cover dish, asparagus and cashew stir-fry. (I just wish I had picked up the book a month ago, when asparagus was the only green vegetable at the market). I paged through and found the pesto pasta, which is hard to beat. I followed the squash recomendation, but added tomatoes as well. Because, well, I had to.

A light, impromptu lunch.

K took me out yesterday so I could learn how to ride my new scooter, and along the way we stopped at the lovely Birchwood Cafe for a glass of lemonade. Once inside, the idea grew into maybe something sweet. There were slices of cake, scones, berry cobblers and one totally to die for bread pudding. Then K saw the soup list and tried a sample of the chilled Thai Tomato Ginger soup. We quickly ordered two cups of the soup and a piece of the Whiskey Chocolate Cherry Bread Pupping with Caramel Sauce and Whipped Cream.

Hello, lunch?? I think so.

We ended up drinking water. So much for the lemonade.