Welcome to the Bistro!!

​And, another fine week it has been. The pups have been thrilled to take longer walks in the sunny cooler weather and the horses are borderline OVERLY frisky. As the fall temperatures settle in all the horses in the barn kick up their heels. And we, the riders, really need to sharpen our awareness while on top of their backs as they’re ready to GO. Once I can wrap my head around Z being so “UP” it is really fun to channel the power into An incredible work out for us both. It is a great time of the year to ride especially with the anticipation of the zero or below mornings soon on their way making it  way too cold to do so. And, Pico and Niki will have to forgo their daily traipses down the lane with the snow and ice obstacles none of us want to encounter.  Please let me be wrong!
 
I read an interesting article in an industry publication that quoted a Gallup poll ranking 24 business sectors as to popularity with Americans. With a net positive response of 59 the restaurant industry, #1, outperformed the computer industry, #2, by 6 % points. The federal government came in last. National Restaurant Association research shows that nine in 10 consumers say they enjoy going to restaurants while 2 in 5 say that Bistros (!) are an essential part of their lifestyle. Half of all Americans have worked in the industry at some time of their lives and a third acquired their first jobs in the hospitality industry. Restaurants are the nation’s second largest private sector employer employing nearly 10% of the workforce. They contribute $3 billion a year to charitable causes and are deeply involved with their communities. The computer industry comes in second, grocery third and farming fourth. Pretty impressive numbers!! It’s official! Americans love restaurants more than Gadgets. 
 
Last Sunday my dear friends Phil and Molly and I went to see the play Pulp at the Williamston Theater. It has come to be a tradition with us that we see one a year then share a nice evening together. Mol and Phil have been “on stage” as actors in their past and love, as I do, live theater. Open now for 10 years and boasting 10,000 patrons attending shows the Williamston Theater is a well-established cultural attraction in our mid-Michigan area. I highly recommend a visit to this very intimate, close-up venue. It’s a great way to enjoy a play while being almost on the stage!
 
Halloween is Monday night and a holiday of superstition, ghosts, costumes, haunted houses and trick or treating. It is thought to have originated with the Celtic fest that marks the end of harvest and beginning of winter or, the darker half of the year. It is always celebrated on October 31st, the day before All Saints Day. The word means Hallowed or Holy Evening. The holiday reaps in 6 billion dollars a year and is the second largest only after Christmas and accounts for ¼ of US yearly candy sales. BOO!!!
 
Chalkboard Features are awesome Per Se!  As expected, as Sharon is recently back from Italy, there is a lovely Italian Vermentino boasting Ripe Apricot and a Mineral Finish. Bistro Plates include: Pretzel Crusted Florida Grouper served over Smoky Chipotle Grits and Wilted Swiss Chard; Balsamic, Garlic & Rosemary Marinated Flank Steak is Grilled, Thinly Sliced and Accompanied with Fried Yukon Gold Potatoes, Blistered Tomatoes and Cognac Butter; Lake Superior Perch is Sautéed and Presented with Butternut Squash Quinoa, Brussels Sprouts and Hazelnut Butter Sauce and a Vegan Plate with Soy and Ginger Glazed Shiitake and Portabella Mushrooms with Chili-Garlic Pea Pods over Braised Barley with a Sprinkle of Crushed Cashews. YUM!! Can’t Wait for Show and Tell!!
 
 
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT THE BISTRO!
 
AND WISH YOU MANY MILLION DOLLAR DAYS.
 
XO, MARY, NIKI, PICO, Z AND PICASSO