Hot Times at Old Town

Appearing below are selections from the hard copy Hot Times. The objective is to highlight activities at the School and in the larger community, especially those featuring or of special interest to teachers and staff. Your suggestions are welcome. Enter a comment (under any item); it will come to me rather than automatically appearing.

New Years Eve: Fiddlehead and The Punch Brothers

Going out for New Years Eve but not sure where? If so, the School’s Punch Brothers shows (7:30, 10:30) will be a great choice. And consider dinner at the Fiddlehead.

The Punch Brothers have the energy of bluegrass along with gentre-breaking creativity of Chris Theil. Thile has earned respect and musical credibility far beyond his 26 years. His continuous forward motion helped generate the popular success of his Grammy winning band Nickel Creek along with a prolific list of recognized solo work and collaborations. This will be an exciting evening. And the second show will include champagne! (Check out the details: oldtownschool.org.

As for dinner, what about dining near the school? Right up the block at 4600 Lincoln is Fiddlehead, a neat restaurant on the corner where Square Kitchen used to be. We liked Square Kitchen, but we love Fiddlehead. They’ve got cheese flights, wine flights, a wonderful duck confit sandwich, a nice steak with three kinds of french fries, and great desserts. AND in addition to their regular menu offerings, they have two New Year’s Eve tasting menus (and wine options for each); and one is vegetarian. (Vegetarian!) As these menus are not (as far as I can see) on their website, below is what their email says. (The individual prices are, I gather, what you pay if you want individual items from that menu). Some of the combinations sound unusual but we’re trusted their judgement and our experience has been very good.

FIDDLEHEAD NON-VEGETATRIAN NEW YEARS EVE TASTING MENU 2008

Roasted Winter Squash and Lobster Bisque,

Butter Poached Snow Crab Legs, Maple-Bourbon Cream Fraiche

Vanilla Syrup

$10.00

2004 Chardonnay, Medlock Ames, “ Bell Mountain ,” Alexander Valley , CA

$5.15/$11.50

House-Made Bacon

Arugula Salad, Fried Brioche, Warm Figs, Salted Caramel

$8.00

2004 Pinot Noir, Domain Carneros, Napa , CA

$6.85/$14.50

Bay Scallop

Jicama, Grapefruit, Watercress Salad

Uni Cream Sauce

$12.00

2006 Riesling Kabinett, Gysler, Weinheimer , Germany

$3.85/$8.50

Grilled Sirloin

Fondant Potato, Spinach, Celery Root Puree

Wild Mushrooms Jus

$28.00

2003 Zinfandel, D-Cubed, Napa Valley , CA

$6.25/$13.00

Chocolate and Kumquat Napoleon

Champagne Sabayon

$8.00

2004 Eiswein, Peter Muller, Rheinhessen , Germany

$6.00/$12.00

Tasting Menu $60

Wine Pairing $25

FIDDLEHEAD VEGETARIAN NEW YEARS TASTING MENU 2008

Blood Orange and Meyer Lemon,

Rosemary Infused Honey, Mizuna

NV Sparkling Moscatel, Bodegas Reymos , Valencia , Spain

3.55/7.50

Chestnut and Celery Root Ravioli,

Apples, Prunes, Brussel Sprouts, Shallots

Brown Butter, Apple Cider Reduction

$10.00

2004 Chardonnay, Medlock Ames, “ Bell Mountain ,” Alexander Valley , CA

$5.15/$11.50

Jerusalem Artichokes, Mache’ Hazelnuts

Spinach, Sweet Potato Puree, Pecorino Grand Cru

Toasted Faro, Cauliflower, Wild Mushrooms, Figs

$18

2006 Riesling Kabinett, Gysler, Weinheimer , Germany

$3.85/$8.50

Chocolate and Kumquat Napoleon

Champagne Sabayon

$8.00

2004 Eiswein, Peter Muller, Rheinhessen , Germany

$6.00/$12.00

Tasting Menu $35

Wine Pairing $17

Fiddlehead isn’t your only choice, of course. A recent party at La Champagne was surprisingly less expensive than we expected. And the Indian restaurant across the street from Fiddlehead is good enough to have made trips to Devon Avenue much less compelling. (There, it’s the lunchtime buffet that’s the treat).

If you haven’t tried Fiddlehead, for New Years Eve or some other time, think of stopping in for a wine or cheese flight, or share one of their chocolate desserts. (And help make this restaurant a keeper!) Their number is 773.751.1500.

Filed under: Interesting dining by Skip | December 15, 2007 | Comments (0)


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