OK, in case you didn’t check out the blog online (that’s www.2wineguys atthegrind.com for those of you playing at home), we had a happy visit from the New Hanover County Health Department on Friday, who issued a permit for our kitchen…so we can now offer food to our wine-drinking customers. All right, you don’t have to be a wine-drinking customer to eat here, but, if you aren’t, wouldn’t this be a great time to start?

Anyway, we will come out of the gate relatively slow, and build our menu as we go. Our initial focus will be our antipasti platters, the already famous Finnerty’s Flatbreads, and Panini sandwiches. We have more ideas than you could fit in the space shuttle, so once we get comfortable in the new kitchen, there will be some amazing things showing up on tables at the Treehouse Bistro. In the meantime, have a glass of wine and relax, and watch our menu grow!

Thursday, Liza rocked, as always, as we sold out of almost every wine she showed. People stayed and drank off the shelf, and the Chamber of Commerce once again put on a great fireworks display just for us. This week’s tasting should be even better, as you will be able to order something to eat to go with your selection. Or, order a selection to go with something to eat. Either way, we can hook you up.

Friday, The Elected Officials once again shook The Grind, and a nice crowd showed up to imbibe in adult beverages and listen to a little rock and roll. Next week, the boys play on Saturday night… Rumour has it Dave returns Friday night!

All in all, we have had a great beginning to our summer, and we are really looking forward to firing up the kitchen this week, and seeing if we can put all that shining stainless steel to the test. And, hey, even if nobody eats here, at least we will be able to get a decent meal at night. Seriously, after we closed Saturday we tried to find something to eat, going to three different places and being rebuffed each time. We couldn’t even get a stinkin’ gas station hot dog! Seriously, what is this world coming to?

We actually had to get in line with 47 other cars at the McDonald’s drive-thru. I can’t remember the last time I ate that swill, but with the aftertaste fresh in my mouth, I can assure you it will be a long time before I do it again. I’m not kidding, even their French fries suck. They used to be the best fries in the business, then they decided to get healthy, and used another oil. Now, they are flavorless cardboard strips. I mean, if I want nutrition, I am NOT going to McDonald’s! So, quit it! Give me full-fat, lard if you’ve got it, and I will decide when it is too much!

I’m sorry, was that me? As you can see, I am fairly passionate about food. As much, if not more so, than I am about wine. So, the natural pairing upon which we are about to embark is tremendously exciting for me. I sure hope all of you are just as excited, because your taste buds are about to get a total freak out! And I’m not just saying that because we make good food, I am…OK, well, actually, I am saying that because we make good food. But, also, because we are creative, and will have fun…yes, fun, dammit!...and the chalkboard menu will give us the ability to change things up and keep the food interesting.

Wow. All of that just came out by itself. Maybe I won’t have that stroke after all. Which would be nice, because I don’t have health insurance, and Congress doesn’t seem to be in any hurry to give it to me, and I already owe enough money for the kitchen without adding a major health event to the pile. Of course, if I was a veg, I probably wouldn’t care…maybe I should have that stroke…

Kidding, of course. I am anxious to get our Bistro cranking, and haven’t slept much anyway, so, obviously, I can go a long time without it.

So, bring your appetite, and come on down to the Treehouse Bistro, and let 2 Wine Guys @ The Grind pour you a glass!

Shawn

Post Date: 06/24/2009