Sweet blog. It almost feels like an entire era has passed since my last post. I guess that may become a re-occurring theme with the tales of Andouille. So much to tell, where to begin? Ahh, yes, the title, an appropriate introduction to this post. Because I do feel the Earth move under my feet. Any of you who know me should appreciate my palpable affection towards love songs (especially the cheesy ones).
I seem to have established a more grounded connection with the Earth, hence the notion of recognizing the movement underneath my feet. My trip to Telluride, first time in seven years I was able to escape the Restaurant during the summer, to see Phish, helped my feet find their rightful position of gripping the Earth. I had previously been to Telluride on one other occasion, my first trip to the Rockies, for Bluegrass Fest in 1998. I remember how wonderful I thought Telluride was then, and I was quickly reminded how spectacular it still is. The experience itself was absolutely magical. By far the best vibe I've been a part of at any concert I've ever attended. A profound statement indeed, one that is certainly worthy of some serious recognition. Where else can one soak their feet in a glacier cold river sipping a cold microbrew a mere minutes from walking into a venue to see Phish? I'm still glowing from this delightful experience in Telluride.
As for yoga, I've decided that any pose having to do with water is my work from now on. Sometimes I feel as if I'm about as limber as a whale. In fact, I think it would be great to name a posture the whale. I can't quite picture the pose yet, but I'm sure it would be a fun one. Anyway dolphin and fish are two poses that come to mind that I struggle with greatly. Aside from that I'm an arm balance maestro, easily my favorite poses. As soon as my body (or my mind) decides to become a touch more flexible, I'll be busting some crazy pretzel like arm balance action. My yoga practice has been consistent; however, and I am so happy about it! I am beginning to open more and more and the practice shows! Yet still it's as if I am prying my body open and ever so slowly are things happening. The key here, howver, is I have made yoga a priority.
And now for the Restaurant talk. The fact that I was able to sneak away for a four day excursion to see Phish suggests that I have a competent and capable staff. I'm actually in disbelief typing those very words. It might be the first time in a loooong time this has been the case. Not to mention we wrapped a record breaking month in July! So business is good and the staff is even better. We still have enormous challenges to endure, on a nightly basis, because even though we are experiencing record breaking revenue we are not experiencing any kind of increase in staff. This has done two things that I can see: Made us all stronger, and made us really appreciate our days off! Either way I honestly feel like things are better than they have ever been in Kandyland (Cafe Kandahar land). Last Friday night we had one of those seamless nights that we always strive for. Where everything just happens with such ease and grace while all the diners want to talk with me and thank me for such a fantastic experience. Those are the nights we dream of, when all cylinders are firing equally, all systems are in tact and efficient, and the well greased machine is just pumping away. Despite all of our efforts on a continual basis, these nights are few and far between. Tonight was not one of those nights. I burned myself fairly intensely, streaks of blisters now accompany my index finger, thumb, and middle finger of my right hand. I don't need any sympathy though, I'll be fine again tomorrow. My hands have been burnt so much that any pain that exists usually only sticks around for a few hours since the majority of my nerve endings have been crisped like a chia pet in a house fire. August is also on par to work into the record breaking revenue category. It feels like it should be cause for celebration, but then again I'm just too tired to celebrate. I'll post some recent menus instead. First up, a wine dinner from our annual Taste of the Flathead dinner: All ingredients featured were local! (except Truffles and Chocolate)
*Squash Blossoms, Sweet Peas, Goat Cheese, Roast Garlic, Sorrel
*Summer Squash & Walla Walla Onion Soup, Basil Pistou, Black Pepper Brioche
*Pork Belly, Candied Heirlooms, Braised Cabbage, Radishes
*"Highmont" Beef Carpaccio, Cherry Tomatoes, Artichokes, Fennel, Cauliflower
*Elk Tenderloin, Flathead Cherries, Kohlrabi, Kale, Baby Beets
*Buffalo Tenderloin, Fava Beans, Black Truffles, Celeraic, Baby Carrots, Swiss Chard
*Huckleberry Mousse, White & Dark Chocolate
Being in this business has some perks without a doubt. One of my favorites is being able to hang with certain celebs and what not. Actors, sports figures, politicians, CEO's, and just rich folks in general are the kind of people that if not for my position and my Restaurant it would be doubtful any relationship would exist. But since I am who I am, and I do what I do, I have befriended various folks of social esteem. One of those fine individuals is my good buddy Drew Bledsoe, former NFL quarterback and all around stand out guy. He and his wife Maura dine at least once a season and the usual protocol is they sit down and I begin throwing out dishes. Last night was one of those nights, and the menu is as follows:
*Dungeness Crab Saute, Black Trumpets, Asparagus, Black Truffles, Arugula
*Poached Yellowfin Tuna, Mache, Lemongrass, Capers, Champagne-Truffle Vinaigrette, Saffron
*Squash Blossoms, Lobster, Sweet Peas, Golden Tomatoes, Basil, Microgreens, Summer Squash
*Scallops, Fennel, Salt Pork, Preserved Lemon, Fennel Pollen, Parsnips, Mache, Truffle Oil
*Braised Cabbage, Duck Confit, Frisee, Parma Prosciutto, Duck Cracklins, Tomato Oil
*Pork Belly, Watermelon, Radish, Watercress
*Elk Tenderloin, Cherry Glace, Sweet Potatoes, Kale
*Huckleberry Mousse
I always love the challenge of when somebody comes into the Restaurant and says "Just send us out something good." Not that Drew necessarily says that, its just part of our relationship. The nice thing is he always brings in some wine for me to taste from his cellar, last night it was the 99 Archery Summit Pinot and 04 Sangiovese from Leonetti. Some tasty juice!
I suppose that can be all for now. Oh, one more thing, the running part of this blog. Well, I still haven't ran since the Restaurant opened. But I did do a 13 mile hike last week, in less than 6 hours, I was definitely moving! Talk about pure bliss, I was dazzled by the colorful display of wildflowers the Jewel Basin was offering. The flowers were not the only thing blooming either, consciousness was blooming like crazy on the trail. I am reminded of why I moved to Montana in the first place. I think I'll go for another hike soon. Jumping in a alpine lake, with no one around, while hiking in the most beautiful setting imaginable is kinda fun.
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