Susie’s September Newsletter
Dear Crook’s Family,
September. Wild, unpredictable storms aside, a sense of rhythm and balance returns with school schedules and shorter days. The exuberance of summer produce on the menu becomes more streamlined, and flavors find a fall footing. That said, we still have fried okra with cherry tomatoes, and we will continue to have local field peas and corn for a while longer. It’s not quite time to look for persimmon pudding on the menu, yet!
I recommend trying the House- smoked Beef Brisket. It has all of those qualities I mentioned before: crispy okra and peas keep one foot in the summer, and rich smokey meat leans toward fall. It’s a small plate, so it pairs beautifully with one of our many bright salads, and a glass of 2010 Lan Rioja.
On the last Wednesday of the month (September 25) we have our Supper Club, which is a family-style meal for 20 or so of you. The idea is to create a lively, relaxed dining experience surrounded by food, friends and neighbors. Each meal has a theme or inspiration that sets the tone and from which Justin creates the menu. This month he plans to showcase Crook’s chef Bill Neal’s dishes. Bill’s two local children Matt, and Madeline will be present at the Supper Club as well as our very own Gene Hamer. They will be guests, not formal speakers, but they will surely have interesting anecdotes and insights to share. Supper Club starts at 6:00pm and includes three courses served family-style. Reserve your seats through our website- linked above.
There’s a little bit of buzz bout our football team after last week’s game, y’all. We plan to open at 4:00 on most home game days to get you fed before or after you cheer the Heels to (knock-on-wood) victory! You deserve it.
If you don’t plan to get here on game days, you may be interested in our mid-week fun, instead. All September our new owners will be taking their places at…excuse me, behind the bar here at Crook’s. The inimitable Gary Crunkleton and the eloquent Shannon Healy will expertly stir your cocktails and hearts on Tuesdays and Wednesdays accordingly. I highly recommend spending some time in their presence, and sampling their fine art. See you there!
Speaking of art, please take some time to enjoy the lovely, peaceful paintings on our walls this month. Our friend Jason Wozniac has finally agreed to show his art at Crook’s Corner, and we couldn’t be happier.
Meanwhile, our friends at the Crook’s Corner Book Prize have announced their long list of titles for consideration. Maybe you have time to read a few yourself, unless you think you can wait until January when the winner is finally awarded.
Thank you for your continued friendship and patronage. As always, you are why we do what we do.
– Susie Williamson
