Extreme Makeover: Rookery Edition A Dozen Decadent Desserts to Devour It's been awhile since the Rookery made major changes to our dessert menu. Last summer, of course, we added luscious locally made cheesecake -- including a rotating flavor of the week. And the previous summer we began serving the illustrious ice cream made by the good folks at West's Hayward Dairy. As for the rest of our desserts? Well, frankly we thought they were getting a bit stale. Not the actual items of course! But the flavor of our dessert menu overall. So beginning this weekend we're introducing SEVEN all-new premium desserts featuring only natural ingredients -- with no preservatives, no artificial flavoring, and no hydrogenated fats. We were aiming for no calories as well, but regret to say we couldn't quite achieve that particular objective. ;) Of course along with change often comes a bit of an adjustment. And so now we have a slight problem. The thing is the only existing desserts that will survive our menu makeover will be the local cheesecake and ice cream. But it seems we still have in stock a few cases of desserts to be discontinued. So we're counting on your help! Come to the Rookery this weekend and you'll still find more than a dozen decadent desserts to decide between. We realize it will be a tough call. Sample an intriguing new option? Or satisfy one final craving for a favorite old standby? To make your choice perhaps just a bit easier, we're offering 50% off ALL discontinued desserts beginning this weekend until they're gone. All the calories. Just half the price.
Remember Your Reservations...
It's that time of year again. Memorial Day weekend is the traditional kickoff for our busy summer season here in the Northwoods. And at the Rookery a welcome, yet often abrupt, reminder about our growing popularity. We HATE turning prospective guests away. But our dining capacity IS limited. So PLEASE call for a reservation if you'd like to join us this weekend, or pretty much any weekend this summer.
Reservations also are encouraged and appreciated for dinner most any day of the week from now through mid-October. Reservations not only ensure you a table, but help us better serve you by being able to plan our staffing and food preparation needs each day. Thanks and we hope to welcome you soon!
...And Don't Forget Your Salad! (A Reminder Rerun) As previously announced, the Rookery will once again this summer be offering our guests a convenient and very affordable way to do what your mom always told you to do: "Eat your veggies!" And these aren't just any vegetables, but rather fresh organic produce from the same folks who supply the Rookery with much of the flavorful food you've come to love and expect.
And what a bargain it is! Only $390 for a half bushel box of fresh organic produce delivered to the Rookery each week (for 22 weeks) to be picked up at your convenience. The contents of each box vary by season, but will usually contain salad greens and 6-8 other vegetables, cooking tips, recipes, and other useful information. It will be delivered to the Rookery (most likely on Thursdays) where we'll keep it refrigerated until you can retrieve it.
This is the same great stuff we're so keen on serving at the restaurant that we currently drive nearly 3 hours RT every week to pick it up. Heck, that probably costs us more than $390 in gas alone over the course of the summer. (But shh...don't tell my dad. He's been doing most of the driving of late and is happy to be reimbursed with an occasional meal and martini.)
Another little secret I'll share is the only reason our friends at DragSmith Farms and Six Rivers Cooperative don't currently deliver to the Rookery is that we're the only restaurant in the Cable/Hayward area that purchases fresh organic produce from them. Yet every week they drive a full truckload of produce to the Twin Cities, where some of the finest restaurants are as enthusiastic about their product as we are.
Just a few months ago, in fact, I had occasion to dine at the relatively new Mill Valley Kitchen in St. Louis Park. I opted to try the ahi tuna, in part to see how it would stack up against the fresh ahi we often serve at the Rookery. It was quite good...though in all objectivity I truly believe it didn't rival Chef Mike's. :) But the one thing that really stood out to me was the garnish of micro greens. I couldn't resist asking my server. Sure enough, they came from DragSmith Farms, just like ours! So there you have it. Now you too can enjoy some of the same great produce featured at the best restaurants in the Twin Cities...AND northwest Wisconsin!
But get your order in soon. The 22 week farm share program begins June 11 and continues through November 12. Or take advantage of a shorter term vacation package: $225 for 9 weeks of fresh veggies (July 2-August 27).
Simply drop off your check at the Rookery (payable to DragSmith Farms) and we'll do the rest. Or you can mail it directly to DragSmith Farms, 1346 16-1/2 Ave, Barron, WI 54812 (in which case be sure to tell them you'll be picking up your farm share at the Rookery). Any questions? Call the Rookery or speak with someone directly at the farm (715-537-3307).
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