Bite Club

7 Questions For: Richard McCarthy, Executive Director of Slow Food USA

by Corin Hirsch Posted on January 31, 2014 at 10:53PM

This weekend, the brand-new executive director of Slow Food USA, Richard McCarthy, will tour some of Burlington's culinary hotspots — the Farmers Market, the Intervale South End Kitchen and Hen of the Wood among them.Why is he here? This year, Slow Food Vermont was one of the top four U.S. chapters in terms of new membership; McCarthy's visit is a reward of sorts."I have been so proud of our chapter for the past five years, coming up with good, clean and fair programming for all in Vermont," writes Mara Welton, co-owner of the Intervale's Half Pint Farm and the leader of Slow Food Vermont.

Midweek Swig: Cidre Bourgeois From Citizen Cider

by Corin Hirsch Posted on January 30, 2014 at 2:08PM

This week: Cidre Bourgeois from Citizen CiderCost: $11.99 for a 750-ml bottle at Healthy Living Market in South BurlingtonStrength: 6.2 percent abv.The pour: Almost clear but faintly tinged with gold. There's no head to speak of, just a few lazy bubbles bobbing around the glass.

Sandor Katz to Teach Fermentation at Sterling College

by Alice Levitt Posted on January 29, 2014 at 6:22PM

When Sandor Katz, author of the James Beard Foundation Award-winning The Art of Fermentation, spoke at Sterling College last spring, he attracted a standing-room-only crowd. Now he's returning to the institution, this time as a teacher.Katz, also known as Sandorkraut, will be at Sterling from July 7 through 18 to teach "Fermentation with Sandor Katz."According to Christian Feuerstein, Sterling's director of communications, "He is going to be available to learn fermentation one on one."

Alice Eats: A Busy Winter Weekend

by Alice Levitt Posted on January 28, 2014 at 12:36PM

In Good Taste, St. AlbansIt used to be that January was the Vermont dining nadir. Everyone was light on both product and motivation to do much besides try to lose weight gained over the holidays.Clearly, times have changed.

Alchemist to Expand With New Tasting Room

by Alice Levitt Posted on January 23, 2014 at 3:51PM

On November 5, 2013, the owners of Vermont cult brewery the Alchemist announced they were closing their tasting room to the public. Now, Jen Kimmich, who runs the company with brewer husband John, has announced the plan to add a new property that will hold a second brewery, a tasting room and a retail shop.Jen Kimmich says she has been looking at properties in the Waterbury area, and down the Route 100 corridor into Stowe.

Farmhouse Group to Open New Restaurant in nika Space

by Alice Levitt Posted on January 21, 2014 at 7:22PM

Nika, the Mediterranean restaurant that opened at 83 Church Street last March, closed suddenly earlier this month. On Tuesday, Seven Days learned that the company behind Farmhouse Tap & Grill, El Cortijo Taqueria Y Cantina, Guild Tavern and Guild Fine Meats is planning to open a new restaurant in the former nika space."We're planning a new, casual Italian restaurant," says Kristina Bond, director of marketing for the Farmhouse Group.

Alice Eats: The Hawker Stall

by Alice Levitt Posted on January 21, 2014 at 11:42AM

Wednesdays at ArtsRiot Kitchen Collective, 400 Pine Street, Burlington, 540-0406Just as it should, the ArtsRiot Kitchen Collective has continued to morph since I visited every pop-up dinner for a week in November. Last week, I made it to the Hawker Stall, which debuted its Wednesday night dinners last month.But the man behind the Hawker Stall isn't new to ArtsRiot.

How to Help Maple Wind Farm After Last Week's Fire

by Alice Levitt Posted on January 20, 2014 at 6:11PM

The destroyed barn Richmond last summerBefore most of us were awake on Monday, January 13, Beth Whiting and Bruce Hennessey of Maple Wind Farm had already received some very bad news. Just an hour and a half after the fire department arrived, their historic barn was declared a total loss.Though the pair's home farm is in Huntington, an expansion in the summer of 2013 meant adding a Richmond property, including the barn that was destroyed.The damage amounts to about $200,000, including refrigerators, washing tools, office space and 10,000 pounds of frozen vegetables.Reached by phone this afternoon, Whiting was surprisingly upbeat.

Grazing: Country-politan with Boggy Meadow 'Switchel' Cider Vodka

by Corin Hirsch Posted on January 17, 2014 at 7:55PM

Vodka is the most infused of spirits. Berries, orange peel, citron, black pepper, chili peppers and vanilla beans all meet their ends in its clear depths, and drinkers never seem to tire of these infusions. Until now, though, no one (as far as I can tell) has thought to blend the clear spirit with apple cider and ... vinegar?Yes.

South End Kitchen to Open Next Week in Burlington

by Corin Hirsch Posted on January 15, 2014 at 6:37PM

After a yearlong, multimillion-dollar renovation of the former Sondik Supply building at 716 Pine Street, the staff of Lake Champlain Chocolates will unveil their bold new culinary center next week.The colorful, 45-seat South End Kitchen at Lake Champlain Chocolates — bedecked in golden-rod tiles, filled with wooden tables and adorned with a stone hearth — anchors the 8,500-square-foot space. It's flanked on either side by an airy education kitchen and a glassed-in production area for Blue Bandana Chocolate Maker."It's a unique space, and it was fun to take an old warehouse" and transform it, said Jim Lampman, LCC's founder, who worked closely with his son, Eric, and architect John Anderson on the project.