July 12, 2011

Ivywild News: Now cooking, first element of new Ivywild project- COS INDY

http://www.csindy.com/IndyBlog/archives/2011/07/11/now-cooking-first-element-of-new-ivywild-project

POSTED BY MATTHEW SCHNIPER ON TUE, JUL 12, 2011 AT 10:30 AM

I attended last night's Food for Thought tasting at Bristol Brewing Co., described below.
But before I get to talking about Blue Star chef de cuisine Andrew Sherrill's savory eats and Blue Star pastry chef Alicia Prescott's dessert plate, a little news on the Ivywild project and some surprise changes at the Blue Star.
First, the reason Andrew Sherrill provided last night's eats was because after only six months,Daniel Gerson and the Blue Star parted ways last Friday.
As indicated in my May review of the outfit, not everything was running smoothly under Gerson, but after the lengthy search process that brought him here, many of us assumed that the menu would eventually find the right balance at his hands.
Blue Star owner Joe Coleman magnanimously had only positive things to say to me about Gerson as a person and a chef when we discussed Gerson's departure Monday night. But it was clear in that discussion that Gerson simply wasn't the right fit for the Blue Star, which like all restaurant kitchens has its particular quirks, challenges and a "crazy owner" in Coleman's words.
Sherrill, who's been with the outfit for five-plus years, has resumed the leadership role in the kitchen for the time being. We'll keep you posted when we hear whether another head chef search will be launched, or whether Sherrill will perhaps finally be tapped to move up.
As for the Ivywild project, everything's chugging along according to plan, says Mike Bristol, and the partnership could close on the building as early as September, but possibly as late as October or beyond.
Certain design features are having to be reworked around budget concerns, he says, and the planned greenhouse will likely have to be a phase-two addition after the initial bakery and brewery are opened.
Now, on to last night's dinner: As I said below, the meal was sort of a focus group, where guests were given pen and paper to make notes on the food as well as the food/beer pairing. Bristol beerocrat Laura Long and I discovered some additional beer pairings that worked well, including Black Fox Brewing Co.'s Don't Call Me Wit beer, whose light Belgian body worked beautifully with the courses' sweet whitebreads.
Bristol, Coleman and crew say they'll take this gathered criticism to heart when designing their tasting room menus once the move's been made across the street.
Here's some photos with course descriptions.
Two long tables of critics, who paid $20 for three small plates and three beers.
  • MATTHEW SCHNIPER
  • Two long tables of critics, who paid $20 for three small plates and three beers.
Two open-faced sandwiches: a grilled flank steak with caramelized onions and a horseraddish vinaigrette, and a BLT of cured pork belly, roasted tomato and an arugula-asiago spread. Both were paired with a nitrogen-charged Compass IPA.
  • MATTHEW SCHNIPER
  • Two open-faced sandwiches: a grilled flank steak with caramelized onions and a horseradish vinaigrette, and a BLT of cured pork belly, roasted tomato and an arugula-asiago spread. Both were paired with a nitrogen-charged Compass IPA.
A pretzel sandwich with honey-roasted turkey, pickled red peppers and dijonaise, which was paired with Bristols flagship Laughing Lab.
  • MATTHEW SCHNIPER
  • A pretzel sandwich with honey-roasted turkey, pickled red peppers and dijonaise, which was paired with Bristol's flagship Laughing Lab.
Bristols Beehive honey wheat was paired with Alicia Prescotts sweet dessert sandwiches. The first was banana bread with peanut butter, marshmallow fluff and bacon. The second was a chocolate sandwich with a house Nutella version mixed with homemade raspberry preserves.
  • MATTHEW SCHNIPER
  • Bristol's Beehive honey wheat was paired with Alicia Prescott's sweet dessert sandwiches. The first was banana bread with peanut butter, marshmallow fluff and bacon. The second was a chocolate sandwich with a house Nutella version mixed with homemade raspberry preserves.

——- ORIGINAL POST, 4:29 P.M., MONDAY, JULY 11 ——-
We reported this time last year on a collaborative project to turn the old Ivywild Elementary School into a bakery as well as a brewery and greenhouse operation.
Alicia Prescott and crew are getting all their desserts in a row prior to hopping across the street to Ivywild.
  • MATTHEW SCHNIPER
  • Alicia Prescott and crew are getting all their desserts in a row prior to hopping across the street to Ivywild.
But before Bristol Brewing Co. and theBlue Star's baking outfit set up shop — and other community groups such as Pikes Peak Urban Gardens begin tending a greenhouse and gardens on the site — those involved in the project want your feedback.
One way in which you can participate is to visitThe Old School Bakery's Facebook page, where you'll find info on tasting days and a Tasty Pastry Card that'll get you items like a white cake with raspberry filling and lemon buttercream or teacake lollipops dipped in white chocolate. (For sale at the Blue Star.)
Executive pastry chef Alicia Prescott and team are asking for feedback on these creations that they can take to heart before the move.
A second way to partake is with Bristol Brewing Co.'s Food for Thought series, which is sold out for tonight, but still open from 6 to 8 p.m. on July 25 as well as Aug. 8 and 22.
A $20 entry gets you Bristol beer samples paired with small plates prepared by Blue Star chefDaniel Gerson.
After tasting, you're invited to critique the food and let the staffs know what you do and don't like. Think of it as paying (versus being paid) to be part of a focus group. But hey, at least there's beer involved.

3 comments:

harpermartin said...

As for Gerson - good riddance.

We also have a 1910 Craftsman we've redone for our office in Ivywild, stop by some time. Inside's done, outside's in process. Marty Harper, 3 E Ramona Ave. (www.harpercpa.com)

harpermartin said...

As for Gerson - good riddance.

We also have a 1910 Craftsman in Ivywild we've redone for our office. Stop by sometime for a tour, the inside's (mostly) done, working on the outside. Marty Harper, 3 E Ramona Ave www.harpercpa.com

Anonymous said...

Aw, this was a really nice post. In idea I would like to put in writing like this additionally - taking time and actual effort to make a very good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and by no means seem to get something done.