Tastemakers: Grey Gables - Short‘s The Village Researve

Feb. 22, 2006

Grey Gables (Winter’s Night At The Castle)
This weekend Castle Farms will host their second annual Winter’s Night at the Castle. It will feature wines from the Leelanau Peninsula and craft brews from Shorts Brewery (see Bottoms Up) in Bellaire. The Saturday afternoon, early evening affair, will follow the Charlevoix Women’s Winter Tour. Pairing local wines and brews with gastronomic creations by local chefs has become the hot fundraising trend in the north. Last year’s event attracted 750 attendees who were treated to a culinary extravaganza by Grey Gables.
Located near downtown Charlevoix Grey Gables has become one of the region’s top dinning destinations. The culinary team of Darren and Kelly Romano have owned and operated Grey Gables since 1994. Graduates of the Culinary Institute of America, Darren trained in New York and Switzerland and Kelly sharpened her skills in Chicago and Detroit. The delightful ambiance of their restaurant is only surpassed by the care that is given to each dish prepared.
This weekend Grey Gables will offer an eclectic array of creations in appetizer size portions. Last year’s hits included their Homemade Mushroom Bisque, which is on their regular menu, and their Belvedere Organic Romaine Salad topped with well-marinated slices of flank steak. This weekend offers a unique opportunity to enjoy and assortment of Grey Gables culinary inspirations in historic and restored Castle Farms.
If schedule conflicts make attending this weekend a challenge be sure to make a point to visit their restaurant. Try their Key Lime Red Pepper Seafood Ceviche
off their appetizer menu. Shrimp and scallops prepared in the acid of citrus fruits
and then served over the top of homemade tortilla chips. Grey Gables does an excellent job with all of their beef, so any steak item on the menu is worthy of consideration. They also offer an assortment of whitefish entrees. For info visit
www.greygablesinn.com and to learn more about A Winter’s Night at the Castle visit www.castlefarms.com

Short’s The Village Reserve
The hearth of the community

Short’s Brewing guru Joe Short is faced with the challenge of being two places at one time. This weekend two beer events are happening 220 miles a part from each other. In the north there is the A Winter’s Night at the Castle and in the south there is the Winter Beer Festival outside in Lansing. So Short drew straws and he is headed to Lansing while his assistant will head to Charlevoix.
It should come as no surprise that Short’s brews are in demand. Since opening his brewery in Bellaire almost two years ago Joe Short has found himself brewing around the clock to keep up with the demand. At times he has had 20 different brews on tap. A local favorite has been his Village Reserve. It is Short’s tribute to the community that supported him when some protested his plans. Protestors disappeared and Short has become a prominent businessman in the quaint community.
Low in alcohol content, this straw colored light bodied brew has fresh floral aromas in the finish. A citrus sensation is found from start to finish and this brew pairs well with a variety of foods. Short will feature Village Reserve at both events. A Winter’s Night at the Castle runs from Noon to 8 p.m. and will feature wines from the Leelanau Peninsula and culinary creations from Grey Gables. The first 500 participants will receive an event wine glass to keep. The Winter Beer Festival will take place in Old Town at the corner of Turner and Grand River. The streets will be closed and this party will be outside, so dress warm. The festival is from Noon to 5 p.m. For info visit www.michiganbrewersguild.org or call 517-327-5004. For tickets or info on a Winter’s Night visit www.castlefarms.com or call (231) 938-1811.