Capitol Eats

Salad bar in the Capitol Cafe every Wednesday!!!!!

2010-07-22T15:52:00.001-04:00

A Letter

2010-05-19T11:01:00.000-04:00

12 May, 2010

Dear failthful friends and loyal customers,

As some of you may have heard, I will be leaving Meriwether's at the Capitol on May 26, 2010 to return to culinary school full time. I have been offered a spot in the June 1 class at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. While the decision to leave Meriwether's wasn't an easy one, I know that the best time to realize my ambitions is while I am both young and unattached, and that the Chef-Instructors at The Culinary are among the best in the world from which to learn.

I want to thank you all for the chance you've given me to share both food and stories with you, it's been a tremendous opportunity, and I will always remember it fondly. Your smiles and faithful patronage (not to mention food and other treats) have been an incredible source of both support and inspiration. I would like to encourage you to continue to frequent your preferred Meriwether's location to see what the new Chef will bring to the table. Of course you'll still be able to sample fantastic home made and home grown food all summer, and throughout the year, and can rest assured that Meriwether Godsey always seeks out locally made products that are both delicious and sustainable.

I intend to keep a blog chronicling my adventures in culinary school and the career that follows, so that those of you who wish can keep track of me. And as always, I welcome recipes or anything else you'd like to share. The breaking of bread, sharing of a meal and a maybe a story is a most basic act, and yet it has the potential to do an immeasurable amount of good for both body and soul. I can only hope that we'll have the chance to share many meals and many stories together in the years to come.

Food Is Love.
Bon Apetite!

Your Humble Servant

Chef Chris Blain

chefchrisblain@gmail.com
http://chefchrisblain.blogspot.com

Earth Day! Thursday 22nd

2010-04-19T12:46:00.002-04:00

On April 22, 2010, we will join people across the globe to celebrate our Earth.
We will be featuring local foods and reduced meat menus to raise awareness about how our choices impact the environment.
Using local ingredients means we reduce long-distance trucking and increase support for local economies and small businesses.

Ice Cream Social!

2010-04-09T15:32:00.003-04:00

Tuesday, April 13, 2010, 12pm – 3pm
Virginia State Capitol Building (Extension)

Thomas Jefferson was famous for serving Ice Cream with meals at Monticello.
In celebration of his birthday we will host an Ice Cream Social complete with fabulous ice cream and amazing toppings ($1/per person).

Here Comes Session

2009-12-29T23:09:00.003-05:00

As we get ready for the 2010 General Assembly, we at Meriwether's at the Capitol want to make sure you know we're here for you.
Starting Monday, January 11, 2010 The General Assembly Cafeteria will open for breakfast at 6AM.
As always during session the Capitol Cafe will be open from 8AM until 4PM, or half an hour after the adjournment of both the House and Senate, whichever is later.

Here's a complete list of our Session Hours:
GAB Cafeteria
6AM-4PM Monday-Friday
7AM-3PM Any Saturday the General Assembly Meets

GAB Window
8AM-3PM Monday-Friday

Capitol Cafe
8AM-4PM or 30 minutes after adjournment

Don't forget, we're ready for your catering needs too!
Check our website for a better idea of everything we offer.

Crunchy Goodness

2009-12-29T23:02:00.005-05:00

Coming soon to a salad bar or yogurt parfait near you: Zaydie's Granola!
Locally made and naturally delicious, Zaydie's Granola is low in sodium and sugar, and makes for a delicious addition to that bowl of yogurt or cottage cheese, or even adds a nice crunch to any salad. Zaydie's is even a favorite of Giada De Laurentiis!

I scream, you scream,

2009-12-29T22:49:00.004-05:00

We all scream for Ice Cream!
Yup, you heard it hear first, Meriwether's at the Capitol will serving hand dipped ice cream cups or cones starting Monday, January 4th!
Coming Soon: Milkshakes!

The Broccoli Stands Alone

2009-12-29T22:27:00.002-05:00

We got a blast of winter not too long ago, and the last little bit of fall decided to pop it's head through the snow. Our broccoli gave us one last tiny tasty treat for the salad bar, and a good laugh too.
Check our facebook for other snowy Meriwether's at the Capitol pics.

Season's Greetings

2009-12-08T22:34:00.002-05:00

We're gearing up for the holidays, which means hot apple cider and cocoa, rum balls and ginger cookies, all those little things that you really only get to enjoy this time of year. Come check out our decorations in both Meriwether's locations, and enjoy one of our favorite recipes: the most requested- Ginger Cookies!

Ginger Cookies

Meriwether Godsey Signature Recipe

Yield: 4 dozen cookies

Ingredients:

1/2 lb all purpose flour
1 Tbsp ground ginger
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup all-purpose shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup molasses
1 Tbsp sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 F
Sift first 6 ingredients 3 times and return to sifter
Using mixer with paddle, beat shortening until creamy. Stop mixer; scrape down bowl & paddle well
Gradually add sugar and continue to beat. Again, stop mixer; scrape down bowl & paddle well.
Beat in egg and molasses. Sift in dry ingredients 1/4 at a time, mixing just until flour is incorporated in between.
Roll dough into nickel sized balls
Toss balls in additional sugar, places 2 inches apart on paper lined baking sheet.
Bake for 8-10 minutes at 350 F until rounded and crackly. DON'T OVERBAKE. Cookies should still look a little raw when removed from the oven.

Save Moolah!

2009-11-07T16:32:00.006-05:00

Customer Appreciation
Meriwether's wants to save you money this session.

Purchase a gift card in any amount over $20 from either Meriwether's location (Capitol Cafe or GAB) and receive an additional 15% on your card!

Gift cards are a great way to manage your spending, or just say thanks to that hard working special someone.

With a gift card, there's no waiting to sign reciepts, they're quick and painless, and your balance is good for a full year!

Ugly Mug

2009-11-07T16:24:00.003-05:00

Go Green with Meriwether's!
By Purchasing a Meriwether's Green Mug, you can make a difference by reusing your earth friendly, biodgradable mug everyday.

In the US alone, almost 16 billion cups are used just for coffee each year. Click here to learn more.

You can purchase a GREEN Mug in the Capitol Cafe or General Assembly Building Cafeteria for $5.95.
Receive the first 10 fill up's FREE!
All fill up's after that are only $0.95!

Tilt Skillet!

2009-10-28T21:32:00.002-04:00

With the season change among us we adapt the menu to what is seasonal. Fall is soup season, we strive to vary the soup selection daily to provide our customers with new and exciting soups. With the addition of our newest piece of equipment The Tilt Skillet we are able to now make 30 gallons of soup at one time. This is important to ensure the freshest quality and ingredients as well as quantity. If you try the soup today and love it and would like to share it with your family. Ask up about purchasing soup Togo. We would love to know what is your favorite soup?

Fun fact – during session 08-09 meriwether’s made 30 gallons of soup a day

for a 30 day long session that is 900 gallons of soup

Tilt skillet cooking abilities- frying, braising, boiling, steaming, cooking, 30 gallon capacity,

Harvest Time

2009-10-12T18:48:00.002-04:00

Here Tamela harvests collards and kale to serve as part of FTD '09. Turnout for this local harvest meal was fantastic, one of our busiest meals in weeks!
Thanks to everyone who stopped by for lunch!

"hyper-local"

2009-10-01T18:08:00.001-04:00

You've heard of "locavore"- a person who eats predominantly locally grown or raised food. Here's a new one to add to your vocabulary- "hyper-local".

Hyper local is beyond just local, it's from your (or your neighbors) backyard. Think about it; no carbon footprint from shipping/travel, no pesticides or fertilizers (unless you added them), nothing to worry about but that delicious homegrown satisfaction.

As we head into cooler weather it's the perfect time for greens and lettuces. Our collards and kale have almost doubled in size in the last week or so. You can look forward to seeing them on your plate soon!

Feed The Difference '09

2009-09-30T12:08:00.003-04:00

Menu for FTD '09
Soup:
Roasted Red Pepper & Cheasapeak Bay Crab Soup

Capitol Sandwich Special:
Glazed Tofu Ciabatta
OR
Local Chicken, Bacon & Apple Ciabatta

General Assembly Hot Lunch:
Glazed Twin Oaks Tofu
OR
Glazed Smithfield Pork Tenderloin
Roasted Fall Veggies
Local Mashed Potatoes
Local Apple Cobbler

Check the Salad Bar for "hyper-local" greens!

Feed the Difference

2009-09-29T20:49:00.003-04:00

MG is all about learning and sharing.
Join us October 6th for the 2nd annual Feed The Difference
At the Virginia State Capitol we always try to feature local produce, but for FTD we go all out. We'll do local eggs and goat cheese for breakfast, local veggies and meats for our lunch features, and some no-meat options, too! Cutting out meat from even one meal a week dramatically reduces both your risk of heart disease and your carbon footprint at the same time! Our menus for FTD and the rest of the week will be posted tomorrow. Make sure to check back, and we look forward to seeing you Tuesday, October 6th for Feed The Difference.

Capitol Eats!

2009-09-20T20:33:00.002-04:00

Welcome to Capitol Eats, a weekly update of what's happening with Meriwether's at the Capitol.
Check hear to find out events we're planning, fun things we've done, recipes and much more! Follow us on twitter for daily specials, and Facebook for events and pictures.

We've also got some great updates on other MG blogs.
Check back soon for more!