TASTINGS

February 2008

  “Too much of a good thing is wonderful!” 

Copyright © 2008 by
The Air Field Cafe, Inc.

What’s New

     Nancy recently hosted a visit by the Concord CASE Collaborative.  Students received a tour of the airfield given by local pilot volunteers and then lunched at the Café.  It was a memorable time for all involved.
     Nancy, who grew up in Switzerland eating raclette, is now serving it in the Café, complete with Bagna cheese, boiled potatoes, cornichons, and fresh pepper. Look for this comfort food as one of the ‘Ploughman’s Plates’.
     Planning has begun for the spring garden. Catalogs are starting to pour in, and seeds and seedlings are being ordered.
    The Café will soon have a constellation of new paper stars discovered in a splendid gift shop on a recent ‘discovery trip’ to Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Artist’s Reception Series February 10th

If you are a Stow resident, you may recognize Greg Troxel, our February artist. Greg often uses his camera to record such local events as Springfest and the Perambulation of the Town Bounds. However, Greg’s photographic interests extend far beyond the town’s boundaries. On Sunday, February 10th, you will have an opportunity to meet this local photographer from 3:00 - 4:30 at Nancy’s.  Enjoy wine, cheese, cookies and juice as you view the collection of artwork that Greg has specially selected for this month’s show.

Chocolate Indulgence

     For thousands of years, chocolate held an esteemed place in society. Ancient Mayans considered cacao pods to be symbols of life, while Aztecs believed that drinking chocolate brought wisdom. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, February 8, 9, and 10, come to the Café to celebrate the glory that is chocolate.
     Besides being an ingredient in many desserts and other sweets, chocolate also adds complexity and depth to savory sauces, such as chicken molé and chili. The menu, now posted on our website, is sure to please chocolate lovers, who are certain to discover just how versatile their favorite flavoring can be in a variety of breakfast, lunch, and dinner dishes.
     Whether you already adore chocolate or not, join us that weekend to discover why so many people considered chocolate a food of the gods. Remember, reservations are always recommended for dinner.

Meet Our Suppliers: Westview Farm

In 1994, three brothers used their education, experience, and love of agriculture to start Westview Farm in Boxborough and Stow. At a time when most farmers were retiring, Steve, Alan, and Scott Cumming were entering the business with enthusiasm. They loved working outdoors, and all had worked for a successful local farm stand. They were sure they would succeed at some type of farming operation, while holding down fulltime jobs elsewhere.

Since then, the farm has changed and evolved. Acreage, equipment, and crops have expanded and contracted. Some years were exceptionally good, while others were awful. Recently, the brothers added landscaping to their repertoire. Yet one thing remains constant: “It gives you a good feeling,” said Alan, “to produce a crop that people appreciate.” The Café has always appreciated their corn and pumpkins. Time will tell what this year’s bounty proves to be.

February Gallery Artist: Greg Troxel

Greg Troxel has always been interested in photography. This interest blossomed at the age of 15 when he and his family toured national parks in the West. On that trip, he used a manual Nikon film camera and shot 8 rolls of Kodachrome. Later, he worked at a college newspaper and used its darkroom for developing. At the turn of the century, he switched to a Nikon digital, but his interest in documenting places and events never faltered.

Today Greg still takes numerous pictures that depict groups, events, and locations. His work has been published in local newspapers, calendars, and websites, and his images have also been displayed at the O’Neill Branch library in Cambridge, MA. In the meantime, Greg has also worked to create photographs that he feels have a wider appeal than his snapshots. Attention to composition is what distinguishes this group. See examples and meet the artist on Sunday, February 10th, from 3:00 - 4:30 pm, or visit his website at www.lexort.com/studios/.  Refreshments will be served.

Champagne Cocktail & Featured Food

Our featured cocktail, Chocolate Orange Champagne, will delight those who love the richness of chocolate enlivened by the sweet tang of oranges.

In fact, oranges are one of our featured foods this month, when Nancy will play with the entire citrus family. She might cook a citrusy chicken, add fresh oranges to salads, and perhaps even flavor a poppyseed pound cake with lemon.

Happy Valentine’s Day!    Nancy