Dear Friends,
When I was a kid, school didn't start until September. Now it's mid-August. Boy, do I feel lucky I grew up in the good old days! Bring the kids in for a burger and a shake to keep their summer fun going. The warm, dry days and morning chill of Indian Summer always remind me of corn, sweet red peppers and pimentos - vibrant veggies native to the Americas, plus apples and pears, of course. If you're looking for a new way to use your garden fresh tomatoes, try this month's recipe for Tomato-Apricot Chutney and enjoy the sweet taste of summer all year.
At Mustards Grill, Michael has taken his inspiration from Native American cuisine for this month's Pour-Off Pair-Off (every Thursday). There are so many interesting ingredients, techniques and culinary traditions, we're looking forward to introducing you to incredibly delicious dishes like Cherokee Brunswick Rabbit Stew, Grilled Venison Loin with huckleberry sauce, and Fire Roasted Wild Salmon with mountain mushrooms, purslane and pine nuts - all paired with fabulous wines. Don't miss it.
Three cheers for Bacon & Eggs! That's the theme John has chosen for September's Supper Club (Wednesdays & Thursdays) at Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen. Think bacon and eggs are just for breakfast? Wait 'til you see what John is cooking up. Look for tasty dishes like Salad Lyonnaise (frisée with red wine bacon lardons and a poached egg), our BLAT (Bacon, Lettuce, Avocado and Tomato sandwich) with a fried organic egg and polenta fries. For dessert, we've got egg-rich treats like Caramel Apple bread pudding and Bourbon pecan pie. If you're looking for a fantastic salad that doubles as an entrée, the new Grilled Ahi salad with soba noodles is my favorite. Perfect for a warm afternoon or evening.
CP's Wood Grill has a new Grilled Chicken sandwich with Fontina cheese on a housemade roll and spiced corn chips that's flying out of the kitchen (no pun intended). Taste it while getting "splashed" by a vintner any Saturday evening. September's line-up includes Flora Springs, Domaine Charbay, T-Vine and Ferrari-Carano. And in mid-September, we'll unveil our fall menu, with comfort foods of the season. Come and check it out.
Monterey is absolutely gorgeous in September, and of course that includes the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The exhibits are less crowded, and the seasonal dishes at Cindy's Waterfront are scrumptious. Watch sea otters, harbor seals, shore birds and more while you dine. It's a great getaway.
St. Helena residents and guests: Leave the driving to the pros and with the town's new door-to-door shuttle. Fares are $.50-1.00 each way. Such a deal! Call them for details at (707) 963-3007.
Kudos to those of you already booking your fall events, family gatherings and holiday parties! Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen and CP's Wood Grill have wonderful venues for parties large and small, or we'd be delighted to cater at your special site. Contact us at catering@cindypawlcyn.com.
Cindy's Shout-Out: John and I have been canning fruits and berries all summer. Since jam needs to cook at a specific temperature to set properly, you'll want to get an accurate reading. We use a Thermapen instant-read digital thermometer that reads in three seconds. It's great for all kinds of cooking and baking and although it's a bit spendy, it's worth it.
Have a sweet September,

P.S. September 19 is "Talk like a Pirate Day." Come in for some grub and a Salty Dog, and say "Ahoy!" to our maids and mates.
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