Eastside Eats: Bringing Home the Turkey
People are busy these days. More often than ever, people are putting in long hours at the workplace before picking up children at daycare, cramming various errands at the end of the workday before shops close, and trying keep whatever sort of social life fits in between all of those necessary obligations.
During the Holidays, it can get even more hectic, meaning a lack of available cooking time. Or as many can sympathize with, a lack of both time and culinary intuition.
Those who are pressed for time and kitchen savvy will be happy to know that there are options for them outside of popping a frozen dinner in the microwave, or struggling through a seemingly impossible Thanksgiving dinner schedule. In this issue, we focus on what the restaurants and catering services of A Forkable Feast, located in Oakley; and What’s for Dinner, in the heart of O’Bryonville, can do to help.
We were not sure what to expect when we walked into A Forkable Feast. Opened in 2007 by Randy Bloch and Stu Schloss after a successful catering venture, we knew that AFF specialized in both catering and providing mains and sides to take home and re-heat for those short on time.
We were lucky enough to catch both Randy and Stu the evening we visited, as well as the hard at work chef Michael Shields.
When I inquired about some of the unique features of AFF, Randy was quick to mention the gluten free options they provide. From tempting cupcakes in the display case to Thanksgiving stuffing and even a gluten free beer, they don’t forget those with a gluten allergy.
Sides, salads and mains are displayed in chilled cased throughout the store, as well as fresh made pasta that can be dropped in a pot of boiling water and cooked quickly. Stu, with a wide knowledge base of wines, makes sure that the far wall is well stocked with affordable and complimentary selections for the dishes they offer. AFF also participated in this year’s Hyde Park Farmer’s Market, bringing fresh pasta, house made pesto, and other delectable dishes to share with the public – as well as obtain fresh, seasonal produce from other local vendors.
If this Thanksgiving finds you a little short on time, A Forkable Feast has you covered – provided you get your final order in by November 23rd!
We also visited What’s for Dinner the following day. WfD has a homey, grandma’s kitchen sort of feeling. The atmosphere is artistic and unusual The display cases are stocked full of casseroles, salads, bread puddings and tasty vegetable dishes. Locals rave about the macaroni and cheese, and we have to agree from experience that it’s delicious., from the lamps made with vivid stained glass pieces and cutlery, to the brightly painted walls and hand drawn signs for dishes.
Unfortunately, we did not get to meet the owners, Toni Davena and Mary McMahon, who opened WfD in 1994. Though they were not present during our visit, their creative influence is clear throughout the restaurant. They also grow their own herbs to use in their dishes, and the signature eggplant on their logo is a mainstay ingredient in the display case casseroles and salads. The desserts range from homemade breads, to cleverly named and labeled bars and brownies, which are generously portioned. What’s for Dinner differs from A Forkable Feast in that the meals there can be heated and eaten in the restaurant itself, or taken to enjoy at home.
Whatever your needs may be – a weeknight meal or that Thanksgiving feast – both A Forkable Feast and What’s for Dinner serve delicious dishes with local, quality ingredients, ranging from the simple and familiar to the gourmet and decadent. While the menus at both places change seasonally – and sometimes daily – their websites are kept up to date, and a quick call to the friendly staff at either location can answer your questions of what could be for dinner, or on your fork!
