Welcome to the Bistro!

Greetings from the Bistro - May 7, 2021

And, another fine, but challenging week it has been’ very busy getting the sprig/summer menu ready. It entails deciding what menu items need to be 86’d ( removed), which to change appropriate to the season and what to add on as new. Once all those decisions are made the menu itself has to be updated, sent to the graphic designer and the printer; prep and order guides changed, the Point of Sale information changed and then get all the food prepped in order to “go live” which we did yesterday. There are a lot of details that need to be followed and Sharon is on topt of the process. New items include a Burrata Bowl (Gooey, delicious fresh Mozzarella and Crispy Prosciutto,) Shrimp Cocktail, Watermelon “Steak” Salad, Gazpacho, Korean Chicken Tacos and Sticky Pork Ribs. There are several new wines including 2 Rose’s that are refreshingly tasty. Be ready to try some new treats!
 
Speaking of treats, thanks for all the dog and cat food left in the pet pantry. Meals-on-Wheels clients appreciate it very much. Pets are so, so important for mental health. I can’t imagine my life without Maddie and Sofia. Yes, I love my big guys, Z and Kos, but it’s pretty hard to snuggle with a horse. During the pandemic about 10% of adults ages 50 to 80 adopted a new pet between March 2020 and January 2021 according to a study done by the University of Michigan. Pet’s to the Rescue once again!
 
Mother’s Day is Sunday and its history dates back to 380 BC in ancient Egypt with a festival honoring Isis, Mother of the Gods. Grecians celebrated Rhea; their Mother of Deities during spring fairs and in the 1600’s Christians in England worshiped Mary the Mother of Christ which evolved to include all mothers and became Mothering Sunday, a tradition held every second Sunday in May. Early settlers to America did not carry on the holiday in the new world. They were to poor, hungry and busy to take a day to celebrate. In 1908, after her mother died, Anna Jarvis, an Appalachian homemaker, wanted to celebrate her life and campaigned for a day dedicated to mothers. By the next year many states were holding services, mostly religious, and in 1914 Woodrow Wilson signed it as a nationally observed holiday. The day has become fiercely commercial and is the largest dining out day of the year and the biggest day for florists.
 
I don’t need Mother’s Day as a reminder of how much I admire and respect my Mom. She was born Marjorie Edick in 1929, the 7th of 10 children, in Buffalo N.Y. Her father worked the second shift for the U.S. Postal Service and her mother took care of organizing the havoc that a family of 12 could create. They always ate dinner together and Grandpa would do much of the cooking. They barely fit around the table and meals were mostly a roast of some sort, veggies, potatoes, “good bread and real butter.” Game was often the “protein” part of the meal even squirrel stew. Mom remembers that there was always a huge pot of soup made on Saturday morning that would be eaten throughout the week. It was always meat based because chicken was way too expensive. Bones were cheap. Mom started school just over the age of 4 because the nuns of Annunciation Parish felt sorry for her mother having so many little ones at home. She transferred to a public school, Lafayette High, at the ripe old age of 14 where she was on the swim, diving and cheerleading teams. She took mostly clerical and business classes and graduated at 16. Over the next few years she continued working for the law firm that she’d interned at during high school, then was recruited by Western Electric Company and was secretary to a department head in the plant. During that time she met my Dad, married and had 7 of her own children. In 1967 they moved to Detroit and she continued to be a stay-at-home mom until Josephine, the youngest, was in elementary school. She horribly missed golf during the pandemic and is glad to be back at it, substituting on a golf league. She loves to read and one of the best things my Mom instilled in us as children was the love of the written word. Thanks Mom!
 
The other famous Bistro Mom is Sharon’s, Sandra Juergens. Born in Atlanta, Ga. in 1945 she, to this day, still has a soft Southern drawl. She was the youngest of 3 children and is still fortunate to have her brother William and sister Margie alive and well. Sandra studied nursing and retired after a successful 50 year career. I’ve known Sandra for over 30 years and have always admired the love she has for her profession. And, she is one tough cookie raising 3 girls after losing her husband at the tender age of 36. She pulled up her bootstraps and made a good life for her children and herself. Each of her daughters have college educations and successful careers of their own. They adore their mother. Sandra loves to travel and has been to most states, Scotland, Mexico, Finland, Italy and Sweden. She too likes to read and play cards. And, most importantly is a really good cook who taught Sharon all her secrets.
 
Our Mom’s Rock!!! We are Lucky Girls!!!

Sharon and Crew have some amazing CHALKBOARD FEATURES once again.
For a STARTER: FUSION BEEF TOSTADO: Asian Marinated Skirt Steak over a Kidney Bean Puree, Topped with Miso Flavored Slaw on a Crisp Corn Tortilla;

BISTRO PLATES INCLUDE:
GOLDEN TILEFISH: Presented with Cheddar Grits and Roasted Cauliflower;

BISTRO FILET:  6 oz. Terres Major Steak Served Sliced over Colcannon Mashed (Shaved Brussels and Green Onion Folded in,) Maple Glazed Carrots and Apple Bourbon Butter;

PANKO CRUSTED MAHI MAHI: Oven Roasted and Presented over Almond Rice with a Citrus Cucumber Slaw – All Gluten Free;

TURKEY MEATLOAF: Filled with Leek, Forest mushroom and Gruyere Cheese, Crispy Fingerling Potatoes , Green Vegetable Tangle and Gravy and

To Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth BERRY GALETTE: a Wedge of Rustic Open-Faced Pie with Sweet Cream Cheese and Berries Baked In. Served with Whipped Cream. YUM!

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT THE BISTRO
AND
WISH YOU MANY MILLION DOLLAR DAYS!!!
 
XXOO, Mary, Maddie, Sofia, Z and Kos
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