We're Starting a New Restaurant

Many years ago I came up with a Quick Service concept whose time is right/ripe. I called it “Burgers Beers and Brownies” At first we were building up Shevek & Co and then due to the recession and our need to focus on keep the existing restaurant alive it was put on a shelf, but I believe now is the time to make it a reality. The concept combines the burger craze with Americans love of beer and chocolate and the desire for to eat a more sustainable meal in a Quick Service setting. Think a slightly gourmet Five Guys with the Chipotle philosophy—sustainable/humane/no antibiotics/no hormones—and the addition of a place where one can satisfy that chocolate/dessert craving in a tasty but sensible way. Silver City would be the first location to work out the kinks before expanding via corporate stores and/or franchising. To do this will cost approximately $115k in total. We are looking for $50 to $65k from investors—10-13 people at $5k each or 6-7 at $10k each, etc.—while Shevek and Amberwind Barnhart will provide the other $50k via equipment, some money and expertise.

For a copy of our business plan please contact us at the restaurant or through Messenger.

Thank you to all of our supporters throughout the years.

OOPS!

Somehow I dropped the Food Processor Mayonnaise Recipe , so here it is again. I makes approximately 2 cups:

• 2 whole eggs
•  2 egg yolks
• 3 ounces fresh lemon juice
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 pinches cayenne pepper
• 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup canola oil

1. Place all the ingredients EXCEPT the oils into the food processor. Blend until the yolks are pale yellow--about 1.5 minutes.
2. combi8ne both oils. With the food processor running steadily pour in the oils--the stream should be now larger than a dime in diameter.
3. Run 1 minute more. Chill.

You can use this mayo immediately if desired, without chilling.
Will last a couple of weeks in a sealed container under refrigeration.
If you desire a more store bought flavor do the following substitutions:

• Use 1 Tbs Lemon juice with a 1/4 cup + 1 Tbs white vinegar
• Use only canola oil

If appropriate for the flavor you ca use all extra virgin olive oil.

Chocolate Fantasia

For the first time in eight years--a long story--I will be participating in the Mimbres Regional Arts Council (MRAC) fundraiser called "Chocolate Fantasia." On Saturday February 9th from 11am to 4pm you can go around to various places in Historic Downtown Silver City and for a $20 ticket taste chocolate from various different venues. I will be serving my 'Dark Chocolate-Caramel-Lavender-Fleur de Sel Mousse" made with 60% cocoa solids Belgium chocolates. I hope you help this worthy cause since this event helps fund the Blues Music Festival that occurs each Memorial Day weekend; which our late friend Jason Hammond started.

A Sexy Valentine's Dinner

Online now at the Shevek & Co. Restaurant website is our menu for our Valentine's Aphrodisiac Tasting dinner. We are serving it on Thursday February 14th and Friday February 15th to allow folks the option of avoiding the crowds as well as to have the next day be a weekend after their celebration. You will have a choice of a 4 or 5 course dinner that will include a complimentary toast--choose either sparkling wine (Cava or Lambrusco), beer or nonalcoholic sparkling apple cider. Reservations are highly recommended!

Cooking Classes/Wine Tasting Dinners

The Cooking Class and Wine Tasting Dinner schedules are now online. This year I'm trying something very different--I've, in all but one case, have scheduled a Wine Tasting Dinner and the weekend after a cooking class where I will be teaching each of those dishes. (The one exception will be the cooking class which will be two weekends later due to the scheduling of the SRAM Tour of the Gila Bicycle Race.) Each class will feature dishes I've never taught before. And both the dinners and classes will also introduce new dishes I've never offered at the restaurant.

Dinners will be six courses with the option of matching wines. They will each follow a theme of a country or region of food we do:

Iberian Peninsula--Spain and Portrugual
France
Italy
Greece
Middle East--Turkey, Lebanon, Israel and Egypt
North Africa--Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia

The above list is in no particular order--which will be on the Shevek & Co. Restaurant website under our "Calendar and Special Events page. There is also a link for the Cooking Classes there as well or you can go to The Kiss Method Gourmet website--both links are at the top of the blog.

Long Time No See

I've been busy due to an abbreviated staff during a real bad year in Silver City. Between the recession--which always lasts longer in small towns--the loss of tourism due to the national media talking about, "The largest fire in New Mexico's history," constantly even though it was 100+ miles away, the usual 4 year downtown in retail and restaurant sales starting the July before every presidential election and the terrible holiday season via the national media constantly yelling, "Fiscal cliff!" We are down to our dishwasher Zach, Amberwind and I as the only full time employees and part time Chef Cody--who I share with Diane's Restaurant--and part time waitperson Dan. After six years of having her smiling face and beautiful singing voice we lost Teresa to her preferred  job working at Mis Amigos Kennel--which has inspired her to go back to school to fulfill her dream of becoming a Veterinarian Tech. Scott left us after three years to pursue his dream of building a business of creating websites. We miss them both, though they have each jumped in to help us on holidays when we are too busy for such a small staff.

In other news, we are still working on a plan to be announced soon, both here and on Facebook.

Talking about Facebook--at this point I'm ready to  keep it strictly for the business and ignore my personal site over privacy concerns. If your on Facebook and have a question for me please use the messenger service since it will preclude--at least until they change that as well--the whole world being able to read our exchanges. Anyone want to tell me if Google+ is any better on privacy? I've been reluctant to join since it could also turn out to be as bad as Facebook is.

Wishing all a Happy, Healthy and more Prosperous New Year.

Restaurant Owners Beware!

AVOID US Foods New Mexico, especially those out of the El Paso office- particularly the rep named Jeremy Wolff- my whole experience has been my being ripped off! Call the restaurant for details.