News from firefly grill

February 2010

Issue No.2

News from the firefly

Greetings!

Here it is February already! In the greenhouse our seeds are started and before you know it you'll see Nik out working the garden soil, getting ready to plant. February is a tough month for seasonal foods, but we do have some on our menu now - hand-foraged black trumpet mushrooms, steelhead trout, bison shortribs, elk potpie - and we're looking forward to the braised lamb shank that will be available towards the end of the month. We hope you'll come by and enjoy a meal with us.

"You are what you eat."

As much as some of us would like to deny it, we do know that it's true. Although the phrase was first written in 1826, it didn't gain much notice until the 1930's when nutritionist Victor Lindlahr announced his Catabolic Diet, which emphasized fruits, vegetables, sunshine and other natural methods.

In these days of hurried meals and prepared foods, we're experiencing a trend back to natural. Organic foods, those without any chemical adulteration; sustainable foods: fruit, vegetables and meats that go directly from farm to table and that are grown or raised through responsible practices are growing in popularity. We know that with purity comes quality. And we know about superfoods, those that have health-promoting or disease-fighting properties. And through the magic of transportation, we have access to foods that are grown and raised throughout the world.

In the firefly kitchen we strive to not only serve exceptional food, but to provide food that adheres to our beliefs of pure and natural. That's why, among other things, our salmon is Inuit-caught, our elk and poultry is locally hand-raised, and our cheese comes from artisan cheesemakers.

We believe a firefly meal should be an experience, a culinary journey of tastes, textures and smells. We're excited to show you that food that tastes good can be healthy for you. It doesn't have to be deep fried or smothered in gravy to taste good. In fact, we believe that the opposite is true, that less is more. We want you to experience how flavors marry, balance, and complement each other. And to experience the new - which is why we're always on the lookout for foods that are new and different, so that we can continue to create and bring new tastes to our patrons.

Some of our recent menu favorites:

Acai Sorbet - acai is an antioxidant powerhouse that has energy-sustaining properties. This purple berry comes from a supply of organic and sustainable acai, harvested by over 10,000 Amazonians who now have an incentive to manage and protect their land. As a sorbet, what can possibly surpass a dessert that gives you energy instead of slowing you down?

Orange -Carrot-Ginger soup - low calorie and also packed with anti-oxidants: oranges, packed with vitamin-C, the primary water-soluble antioxidant in the body; carrots, which pack a wallop of nutrients including Vitamin A, beta-carotene, magnesium, potassium and Vitamin B and C; and ginger, which warms the internal organs, eases depression, and is known for its' medicinal properties. The pure, strong flavors of this soup make it delicious both hot and cold.

Elk and Bison - Elk and bson are two of the leanest meats available. With 1.9 and 2.2 fat grams respectively, they have much less fat than beef, chicken, or pork. When pasture-raised like the firefly purchases, their meat is lower in calories, higher in beta-carotene, higher in omega-3 fatty acids, and higher in congulated linoleic acid (a cancer fighting agent) than other, more commonly found, (and grain-fed) meats. Both elk and bison are an excellent choice for lean protein.

With our menu changing every day we're able to take advantage of what's new, what's in season, and only buy when the quality is at its highest. It's our commitment, not only to our patrons, but to ourselves.

Something Sweet is in the Air!

We're in the mood for love, so we're giving you several ways to celebrate Valentine's Day this year! Lunch, brunch, or dinner, our menus will offer something special for everyone!

Come in for dinner on Saturday or Sunday evening and you can order from our tasting menu, choosing the number of courses you like and pairing it with or without wine. And as our gift to you, we're offering you something special...purchase the 6-course tasting and receive a coupon for $10 off a meal in March, purchase the 8-course and you'll receive a coupon for $20. And if you prefer not to partake of the tasting, you can order a la carte! It's a great deal and a great way to spend a romantic evening with the one you love!

On Sunday bring all your sweethearts to our Valentine's Day Brunch. From 11 a.m to 2:30 p.m. we'll be serving a special sweetheart menu offering a variety of decadent choices. And we didn't forget the kids - they have their own special menu! And as a bonus, children under 5 can eat free from the kid's menu with every paid adult brunch.

Our weekend hours will be:

Saturday Lunch: served from 11 am until 2pm
(Please note: the firefly will be closing from 2-5 so that the kitchen can prepare for this very special dinner menu)

Saturday Evening: dinner from 5pm until 11pm with the bar staying open until the wee hours!

Sunday Valentine's Day Brunch: served from 11am until 2:30 pm
Sunday Valentine's Day Evening: dinner served from 4pm until 9pm

Since Valentine's weekend is such a popular time reservations are recommended, so please call us at 217-342-2002 to make yours. The complete menus are available on our website at www.ffgrill.com.

Earlier this week we were surprised to discover that some of our regular customers weren't aware that the firefly has food-to-go! We're not like the West Coast's In-and-Out with their "secret" menu - we just haven't done a good job of communicating our firefly-to-go! So we want everyone to know that anything on the menu can be ordered to take out! Just give us a call, tell us what you want, and we'll have it boxed, in a biodegradable container, of course, and ready for you! It's simple and easy - the next best thing to eating here!

Sincerely,

Kristie & Niall Campbell
firefly grill

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