2009.01.30
Local Roots Cafe to reopen with new features
Attention locavores. A Roanoke eatery with a focus on serving fresh, locally-produced foods reopens on Tuesday.
The Local Roots Cafe on Grandin Road has shut its doors for the past two weeks for reorganizing. It will open back up with new menu selections and more space for dining.
Owner Rives Elliot told me recently that along with an a la carte menu, the restaurant will offer three, five and eight course prix fixe meals.
The courses will feature the same kinds of foods that already are on Local Roots' menu, including meats from Mountain Run Farm in Sedalia, local breads and Homestead Creamery dairy products.
Also, specific wines will be paired with different courses. The price for the three-course meal will be $30, but prices for the others haven't yet been determined.
"The idea is you get to try more than a regular meal," said Elliot, who opened Local Roots in early 2008. "It's very experiential."
Also, his cafe will offer corporate lunch catering for small and large groups.
You'll also find eight additional seats for lunch and dinner dining in the front room of the cafe, where Elliot has set up more tables.
And look for some special events in the new year at Local Roots, such as a Feb. 14 five and ten course prix fixe meal for Valentine's Day.
As part of other dinner events during the year, local farmers and other businesses, such as Amrhein Wine Cellars, will make appearances at Local Roots to talk about their food and wine products.
You can keep updated on these events by checking out Local Roots Cafe's Web site.
Jenny, the new Trio is now open. I stopped by and grabbed a menu today. Looks really nice and the menu is not bad. Some things are a bit pricey like the $11 Steak Hoagie but the $6 sandwhich and $6 lunch salads look pretty good. The desserts look nice too. According to the menu they are prepared by "The Buttered Spoon". Single desert prices range from $1.50 to $8. They are selling whole cakes also but for the $45 asking price of a cheesecake, I could bake two of them myself. Ask you friend to let us know if they ever sell one at that price. If they do, I want to meet the person who buys it because they are probably an overpaid CEO and I have a few things to say to those people. I'll let you know if I get a chance to try it out this week.
Comment by Greg — February 3, 2009 @ 4:00 pm
Greg,
Thanks for the heads up on Trio's reopening, the food and some of the prices. I'll inquire about those cheesecake prices!
Comment by Jenny — February 4, 2009 @ 5:24 pm
What's going on with the other new brewhouse that was suppose to go somewhere downtown? I see we have a brewery, Roanoke Railhouse, but if you call them, their answering machine says they don't sell to the public or do tastings. What's up with this place?
Comment by Rod — February 5, 2009 @ 11:04 am
I bought my lunch from Trio today and their chicken salad is wonderful. They gave me a little sample to taste before I ordered it. They also have out a plate of their carrot cake for people to sample. It's delicious!
Comment by Debbie — February 6, 2009 @ 12:10 pm
Hi, Rod,
The Roanoke Railhouse Brewing Co. is a local microbrewery that recently began selling beer to local bars and restaurants. Its facility is located on McClanahan Street in South Roanoke. Right now, this brewery only is selling beer to restaurants, through a distributor.
In the future, one of the owners said that he'd like to sell the brew on a retail basis.
Comment by Jenny — February 9, 2009 @ 10:44 am
Thanks, Jenny. Is this the brewery that you mentioned months ago that was suppose to open downtown? I believe the one mentioned in the paper said that it would offer tastings and growlers.
Comment by Rod — February 9, 2009 @ 11:52 am