Thursday was pretty toasty, which made it a great night for eating dinner on the patio. Not my patio as it was too hot to cook, but Grand Cafe’s. As I found a parking spot in the quiet neighborhood without much fuss, I was certain I was in the wrong place. When I saw diners out on the patio, I knew 1 – anywhere with a patio is the right place for me, and 2 – I wanted the shaded table next to them.
As I ate on the patio, I thought about how some flavors are perfect for each other; mint and lime, onion and garlic, melon and prosciutto. My favorite part of the meal was the chilled melon ginger soup served next to flatbread with prosciutto and french sorrel garnish. It was refreshing and tangy – a perfect summer combination.
Another perfect combination – Grand Cafe and their local purveyors. From Prescott, Wisconsin to Pequot Lakes, Minnesota, Grand Cafe operates with a farm-to-table approach to great effect. Or, in the case of the mushrooms, wild-to-table. But don’t ask where – chef’s secret!
As they rely on local farms, the menu changes seasonally. When summer’s through I’ll miss the melon ginger soup, but I know there will be tasty, creative dishes to look forward to in the fall. Don’t wait until fall to experience what the chefs at Grand Cafe can do – sign up for the July 22 dinner to see for yourself!
-Monica Rauchwarter
