Tag Archives: Sound Food

Farm-to-table restaurant opening in Winslow

Sound Food’s Carolyn Goodwin uncovered some exciting culinary news about a new “farm-to-table” restaurant opening in Winslow next month.

“My curiosity was piqued today by a new sign on the papered-over Winslow Way windows of what was Gibilaro’s, then Isabella’s, now closed. Mysteries always intrigue me, so I dashed home to do some sleuthing” Goodwin wrote in a recent Sound Food blog post.

She learned it’s name is Hitchock and its owner is chef Brendan McGill, who has worked in several high-end Seattle restaurants and studied the foody arts in Spain, Italy and France.

Goodwin also tracked down Hitchcock’s “help wanted” ad for some more info:

“So what does McGill have in mind for Bainbridge Island? His help-wanted ad on Craigslist (he’s looking for a cook, a bartender, and a server) offers some hints about his farm-to-table concept: ‘The centerpiece of the kitchen is an applewood-fired oven that we’ll use to roast fish, vegetables & meats to order. We’ll be making fresh pasta daily, working an in-house charcuterie program, butchering small animals procured from local farms and using them to their fullest extent. All desserts are made in-house.'”

Hitchcock already has a website, hitchcockrestaurant.com, where you can read more about the chef/owner and see a preliminary menu.

Farmers market opens Saturday

farminternThe Bainbridge Farmers Market kicks off another season this Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the park between City Hall and Bainbridge Performing Arts.

Local farmers say crops are taking a little longer to grow because of unpredictable weather. Many are waiting for temperatures to warm up before they can offer their usual spring bounty.

“It’s a slower growing season this year, even slower than last year,” Jackie Aitchison, executive director of the Washington Farmers Market Association, told Sun reporter Brynn Grimley for a story this week on the county’s markets.

Despite this season’s weather challenges, the Bainbridge market’s growers told Sound Food’s Carolyn Goodwin that customers can expect some popular offerings on Saturday.

Here’s what Goodwin had to say on a recent post:

Early offerings will be mostly in the hardy greens category. But a fresh local salad tastes amazingly good after a winter of grocery greens. Crumble some creamy Port Madison Farm goat cheese over the top and you’ll finally get a taste of spring.

Butler Green Farm also has spinach, bok choy, leeks and carrots. Our favorite Island food blog, Small Potatoes, recently posted a tasty recipe for Spinach Pie that would be a perfect way to celebrate your first bag of local spinach. Brian’s bok choy is fabulous, this week I steamed it with some shiitake mushrooms and cod fillets in a super-simple recipe that is wonderful over some brown basmati rice. It will be even better with some of the fresh halibut that just hit T&C this week.

Betsey Wittick of Laughing Crow Farm will bring some overwintered potatoes and cabbage (I’m working through the box of German Butterball potatoes I bought from her at the end of last season, and they still make great eating). Rebecca Slattery of Persephone Farm always has some interesting early-season crops like cardoons, which are at their best in the late winter.

Read the rest of Goodwin’s post, as well as several recipes using local ingredients, at Sound Food’s Web site.