Friday,
December 18, 2009
This
year is racing to the finish. We were talking last night about
the speed with which December has hit. It is cold, a white christmas
for sure. We have realized that this is the start of a new decade
- and I think we all think that's a good thing. The "ots"
(the 2000's) may actually go down as one of those decades. Difficult,
full of acrimony, and followed by an enlightenment.
Maybe
that's what this whole "green movement" has been about.
It's our enlightenment. Being a restaurant that stands firm on
issues like sustainability, support of local farmers and artisans,
& pure food (no hormones, no antibiotics, no compromise).
It seems more like we are getting back to something rather than
starting something new.
Rachel
Hutton, of City
Pages, recently did a cattle call of opinion from local restauranteurs
asking about the best and the worst food trends of 2009. Chef
Klein and I discussed, it is more than 2009 and we think the biggest
(and best) trend has been coming for a while and it is about getting
back to basics. As far as worst food trends, we'll leave all of
the foodie's to decide that. We just keep our heads down and our
hands busy.
So,
the whole point being, a return to fundamentals can be a great
thing. Maybe this whole movement will bring us all a little closer
together as well. Maybe we can "make a difference" as
my Alma Mater
would say.
 Minnesota
Monthly is now taking votes for their
Best of the Twin Cities Awards for 2010!
Don't
forget to make your voice heard! Simply click on the
icon.
And, please consider supporting your local independents...
Oh,
and by the way, did anyone listen to MPR
last night and here the stories of Norman Rockwell by a gentleman
named Buddy? It was a sweet story that reminds us all that there
have been simpler times in this country. Even if we do romanticize
them a little, there is something different now. It may seem idealistic,
but I do have a lot of hope for the new decade. Bring it on!
 Happy
Holidays everyone!
Saturday,
November 14, 2009
 MSP
Magazine is now taking votes for their
Best of the Twin Cities Awards for 2010!
Don't
forget to make your voice heard! Simply click on the icon.
And, please consider supporting your local independents...
Thursday
- November 5, 2009
Let
it snow... let it snow... let it snow. If it's gonna be cold,
it better be white.
 There
is something about Saint Paul in winter that is beautiful, sparkling,
down right charming. I am reminded of this by the vast amount
of twinkling lights that are spread through all of the spindly
fingers of the bare downtown trees. At night, with the handsome
cabs that circle Rice Park and the Landmark Center, the trees
create a canopy of lights. During this time of year being in Meritage
seems like living in a snow globe.
It can be magical.
This
morning I have been putting together our quarterly email which
announces coming events and informs guests about features, awards,
and general news. If you haven't signed up, you should - click
here. We only send out about 4-5 a year and some events are
announced there and sold out before we are even able to make them
public. It got me thinking about all there is to do in Saint Paul
in the middle of winter. Minnesotan's take winter seriously.
 They
have just started putting together the WinterSkate,
downtown Saint Paul’s free, outdoor, artificially-chilled
ice skating rink - so quaint! It's right out our windows next
to the Landmark Center. If you haven't been there before, dig
out the skates and come for a visit. Then join us for brunch to
warm up! The season opens November 28. For
more information click here.
Check
out information on the Winter
Carnival, and all of the cool things the Minnesota
Historical Society has to offer. We spend 5+ months a year
in Winter here and one thing can be said of anyone who makes a
home here - it doesn't hold us back.
You
wanna see how serious Minnesotan's are about Winter? Check
out the Wikipedia page!
Thursday
- October 22, 2009
The
weather man said yesterday that today was one of a total of 8
days in October they expect, or that it hasn't rained. It rained
a total of two days in September. Now, that is drastic measures.
I ripped out our gardens this morning. Autumn, if not early Winter
is here.
We
are a mere 2 weeks away from the annual Animal
Humane Society's Fall Wine Dinner. 
This will be Russell's 7th year cooking for this event. It happens
to always be the first Friday in November, and coincidentally,
we opened Meritage on Thursday, November 1, 2007. Committed and
earnest, Russell ran off the night after our opening, with a full
house in the restaurant, to quick cook for the dinner, then ran
back to Meritage. We believe in what the Humane Society does.
And, this is a fun event for us. That opening year, I was also
able to slip away from the restaurant for a quick minute to bring
our rescue Posie to the dinner. Now, two years later, we'll be
slipping off again. If you'd like to participate in the dinner
and supporting the Animal Humane Society, check it out.
Otherwise,
did you hear what I just said?! We're celebrating our
2nd Anniversary!
Sunday, November 1, 2009, we turn two. Don't scoff. Two years
matters in this business. Your first two years can make all of
the difference. And, thank you all for supporting us and helping
us reach this goal. Russell and I have a lot of appreciation for
our situation; our fabulous staff who make it happen everyday,
our guests whom none of this could happen without. With a little
luck, some ingenuity, hard work, and good people - I think we've
created a little something here. Join us for dinner that
night and have a complimentary bubbly to celebrate.
Tuesday
- October 6, 2009
This
week I have nothing to say, but one of our staff members does.
Sharone, one of our core staff members who has been part of our
staff since day one had an interesting week last week, and I thought
her thoughts and reflections would be fun to share. Enjoy!
Sharone's
World - Sunday, October 4, 2009
Sunday brunches
at Meritage are always one of my favorite shifts to work because
of the community of regular customers that have made Sunday
brunch their “home”, but this past Sunday was particularly
special for me…..I got to train in the new girl…my
own daughter Lianna.
As the staff
and customers have come to expect, whenever there is special
occasion (New Year’s Eve, my birthday, or anniversary)
I take out the family tiara to wear for the day, and yes, Sunday
proved to be a perfect day for the donning of my tiara. Without
saying a word, the tiara spoke volumes to my darling daughter;
reinforcing that indeed she might be the new princess in town,
but I still happen to be queen (Chef Klein also needs a reminder
now and then).
I was so proud
to introduce Lianna to my restaurant family…. staff as
well as to regular customers: the La Fave’s, Petersons,
Tom and Donna, David and Michael, the Fuerstenberg’s etc…
Lianna took up the Sunday promenade without a hitch! She’s
a perfect fit for Meritage, not just because she’s the
most wonderful daughter, but for her high service standards
as well.
It was a very
busy Sunday, so it was a relief when 2pm came around to close,
clean up, and have something to eat from staff meal before starting
evening service. Chef and management left the empty restaurant
for respite in the office, and left us to do what we do best:
remove chaos and restore Meritage magic for evening service.
It was soon
after that a beefy, well built suited giant came in and approached
me. When I explained that we were closed, he gently put his
arm around me informing me that we would open for one more customer.
 Feeling
the weaponry underneath his suit during this hug (my law enforcement
background taking over), I said OF COURSE and asked if it would
be just him. “ No,” he said, it would be for the
dignitary for whom he was working: the honorable President of
Somalia, Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed.
Sensing that
these are not people you say no to, I led him to the table.
Beefy man then opened the door, and in walked an entourage of
security agents followed by a very royal President Ahmed. How
apropos, I thought (still wearing my tiara), royalty serving
royalty! The kitchen was furious when I told them there would
be one more table, but unhappily conceded. I thought all was
going well: they ordered and were promptly served their meals,
until another security agent joined much later wanting to eat.
THE KITCHEN IS CLOSED!
Trying to divert
an international event, while imagining scenario’s with
which the phrase diplomatic immunity would be applied, I let
my ‘mom mode’ take over. Thank God for staff meal!
I elegantly arranged a portion of our staff meal on a plate:
pancakes with strawberries. I quickly served it to the foreign
dignitaries saying “In your honor, we have prepared for
you a classic American Sunday dish…please enjoy.”
The royal way of a mom saying, “You will eat what I put
in front of you”. When checking on them a few moments
later, the pancakes were completely gone! Nods, smiles, thank
yous, and Beefy guy actually blowing kisses! Whew! They left
soon afterwards, in a procession of security agents, unmarked
cars, and police escort. Lordy, I love my job….Meritage:
where even the staff meals are fit for royalty.
The tiara coincidental.
Tuesday
- September 29, 2009
 Has
everyone heard about Heavy Table? It's this cool site that digs
deeper into the kitchen experience of Chef-driven restaurants.
Pretty cool actually. They asked to do a piece on Meritage, we
were flattered so of course complied. Read the feature from the
link to the right.
Our
writer came in on a hectic night with a pre-theatre crowd, so
she really got a look at the intensity of our kitchen. Like kitchens
in New York, it is a shoe-box of a space, lined with French-top
stoves and a talented line that seems to move like a coordinated
drum-core. Or, at least that's the goal, sometimes its more like
a tornado. A few unexpected gusts or a bump in the road can add
to the tornado effect of the Meritage kitchen, and sometimes that
can be exciting as well... there is something to the glint in
the eyes of the guys on the line when they have had an intense
night that they have pulled off successfully in spite of the debris.
Also,
WELCOME BACK WILD FANS. The new season
kicks off October 6th. And, just as we did last year - FREE VALET
for WILD ticket holders who join us for dinner before, or after,
the game.
Sunday
- September 20, 2009
It
is so hard to believe that summer is almost over. The first day
of autumn is Tuesday! In truth, it feels like autumn to me right
after Labor Day weekend. For us at Meritage, that is when our
summer break is over and we head back to the restaurant to begin
our theatre season. Don't forget, during event season in downtown,
we can book our evenings 2-3 weeks in advance. So, be sure to
make your reservations early.
The
line-up this year is fantastic. If you are looking for an event
to attend before or after dinner with us (that's right, dinner
can be the primary event too) look no further. Here are some links
to some of the events, destinations; and activities downtown St
Paul:
-
Saint
Paul Chamber Orchestra - SPCO (same building as
we're in, and at Ordway) very beautiful concerts. Chef and I
went to the 2nd half of the last concert, when they played Beethoven's
5th Symphony - it was fantastic.
-
Ordway
(1 1/2 blocks away) catch a broadway-esque show or Little House
on the Prairie.
-
Fitzgerald
Theatre (about 3-4 blocks away) GREAT for Prairie
Home Companion, Talking Volumes book series, and a variety of
boutique/grassroots concerts.
-
Science
Museum of Minnesota (2-3 blocks away) from the
Body World exhibit to the Titanic and all of its stories and
vestiges, this is one great science museum. Go to the omni for
a movie, then come to dinner - it's a great date night.
-
Xcel
Energy Center (2 blocks away) this isn't just for
Hockey, but whoa the WILD, they have descended for the season.
With regards to that, don't forget that Meritage offers
free Valet for WILD fans who dine with us beforehand.
For more information, click
here. Otherwise, the Xcel is, we believe, the best venue
in the Twin Cities for large concerts and events (the Target
Center can't hold a candle to it, so take that Minneapolis *smile*).
 With
all of this new energy in downtown St Paul, we gotta tell you,
we love this city. It was an honor this week to find out we have
just been named St Paul's Best Restaurant by
Minnesota's Monthly annual Best of the Cities
issue
(on newsstands in October). It is humbling for us, yet we take
great pride.
We've
had some new faces joining our staff the past couple of weeks,
and for them, joining our staff can be a bit intimidating - we
are all very close. Every restaurant goes through its phases of
growth and we are just emerging from one. We have added to our
management team with a great new addition, Brook Emerson Sears.
We have added to our service staff and have made some transitions
in the kitchen as well. They are learning now what we consider
one of our basest philosophies: we take what we do very seriously,
who we are - not so much. *smile*
It is important for us all to enjoy what we do, and when we're
having a good time, so are our guests.
So,
we look forward to welcoming back friendly faces as the new season
starts for us all. And, hopefully, we'll also be welcoming some
new ones.
Friday
- July 31, 2009
I
have some updates I need to do. First off, an update to the ongoing
softball competition during our Summer Employee Party. Last
year, we looked like a bunch of hooligans. This year, Chef
and I had custom softball jerseys made and personalized for all
of our staff.
Check out the new duds!
Front of House (FOH's) - 11
Back
of House (Boo's) -13
And,
yes, you read right, the back of house beat the front of house
by two points. Or, at least that's what they tell me. Every year
there is a dispute in scoring. Next year, I think we need an unbiased,
third party to keep the score. Someone who knows a little something
about softball, with no vested interest - because this is a full-on
annual competition now.
Don't
we look so team-like in our jerseys. Any other locally owned independent
restaurant wanna take us on? Lenny? JD? Vincent? Bring it, we're
not afraid!
Ever
since we got back from holiday things are busy and changing. Two
people who helped us open the restaurant are moving on this month...
Candie (Brunch Manager, Reservationist, and my loving Mother as
well) has moved on to take care of family and travel. We'll all
miss her, probably me more than anyone else.
 And,
Mel (spritely server and walking encyclopedia on wine) whom a
lot of our guests have gotten to know over the past ... almost
2 years! Mel is moving to NYC! Chef and I encourage her, knowing
that Mel could really thrive in a big city atmosphere and she
has ambitions to get exposure in some of the best restaurants
in the USA. Career servers are best when they expand and diversify
their experience. We will miss her terribly, but wish her all
the best!
That
also means there will be some new faces as well. We have just
added to our management team with Brook Emerson Sears. I will
be posting manager profiles on our "The People" pages
in the very near future. Chef and I fully recognize that you are
only as good as your staff - and our staff makes us very proud.
It
was so cool last week to pick up our monthly copy of MSP Magazine
to see we were acknowledged for our Meritage House Burger.
"Saint Paul's Best Luxe Burger" - what a great
surprise. It is important to us to be fully accessible to all
sorts of guests and a burger is a strong component of that. Pair
it with a Maudite (Quebec Beer) and a cold glass and you have
a perfect Terrace meal. Though, with the cool summer that we have
had this year, you're welcome to join us inside.
Monday
- June 29, 2009
We are
all on holiday!!! Every year we close the restaurant for the first
two weeks in July. This year we close from today, until July 14th,
Bastille Day, when we will re-open for dinner service at 5:00pm.
  As
I like to say, we holiday from American independence to the
French Revolution.
 We
closed the restaurant down last night, boxing up glasses and plates,
bringing in our herbs from the terrace. We will have Meritage
"deep cleaned" while we are away (some of us traveling;
France, New York, Wisconsin...), as well as have some general
maintenance done to the place we can't address while open.
Today,
we kick off our holiday with our annual staff party. We play softball,
go swimming, play horseshoes, badmitten, and eat Bar-B-Q. Yes,
that 's right, Bar-B-Q. We go all Americana for our summer staff
holiday - and this year for softball we had a custom jersey made
for everybody. I'll post team pictures when we return.
So,
please wish us all beautiful weather and restful days. Russell
and I find this break really important to all of our staff, ourselves,
and the Meritage itself. With no corporate giants to answer to
we can pay attention to lifestyle and to being sure we take care
of the restaurant and our staff - inside and out.
So,
happy summer everyone! We'll see you in a few weeks.
Wednesday
- May 27, 2009
Where
did Spring go? All of a sudden it's late May and we are vacillating
between 90 degrees and 40 degrees, and we're all gonna blink and
it is going to be June next week! May ended up being our busiest
month since we opened and we are just now catching our breath
- so on to the updates:
 We
have just announced that we are hosting Jim
Kyndberg and his annual Morel Fest. Jim is
a great chef and a great guy. Bayport
Cookery was a great loss. It is our honor to host him and
guests who are looking forward to one more Morel Fest Dinner,
or to see Jim and wish him their very best. We have already booked
about 1/4 of this event and we just sent out the press release
yesterday - so, register for the event soon if you plan to join
us.
***Update(6/3/09): The Morel Fest 2009 is now fully booked.
 Join
us for Brunch on Sunday June 28th, our last day
of service before our summer holiday. Chef Klein is making his
off-broadway debut as the Cop swinging his baton as the Gene Kelly
character breaks out into the namesake of the Musical "Singing
in the Rain" - at the 2:00pm Matinee showing on the final
day of the theatre run.
Make
it a package deal and call to book your seats for the "Meritage
Singing in the Rain Show", where you can receive
discounted tickets for the June 28th show
and book a reservation at Meritage either before for Brunch, or
after for Dinner. Call the Ordway Box Office to get the
special rate and for more information 651.224.4222
We will be featuring our
Singing in the Rain Menu for the entire two-week
run for guests who dine with us before the show.
Don't
forget that between now and June 14th, join us for brunch to sign
up for a chance to win two tickets to the show and brunch for
two at Meritage before the show. Drawing will be held and the
winner notified Sunday June 14th.
 We've
been getting a lot of attention for brunch lately, and a 4-bloody-mary
rating from MSPmagazine.
Russell and I are brunch people, and nothing goes better with
brunch than a group of friends in a sunny room, or an urbane terrace.
So, thank you all for the kind words and we hope to see you soon!
One
last note for Brunch, my Mother since we opened has been the Dame
of eggs benedict and brioche french toast (we are truly a family
run restaurant) and now she will be moving back out to the West
Coast during our Staff Holiday. So, if you are a brunch fan and
have gotten to know my Mother, Candie, over the last year, bid
her a farewell and safe travels.
Meritage
closes for the 1st two weeks of July for Staff Holiday. So, mark
your calendars now, we will be closed June 29 - July 13.
Friday
- March 27, 2009
Russell
and I just returned from a visit to wine country. We visited with
Russell's best friend, met the woman it looks like he may marry,
and we dined! We dined and we drank and we drove through beautiful
valleys, and old-growth forests,  and
even took in some beach.
Sunday
found us at La
Note, a quaint little brunch destination with great baguette
and preserves. The evening guided us to a highly recommended spot
called The
Slanted Door, which was a buzzy place of about 250 seats all
packed with people eating noodles and a great chicken pot (the
food is Vietnamese). Monday we headed to Napa and took on Bouchon,
followed by Bistro
Jaunty - so a full day of classic French faire. Monday evening
we had the pleasure of staying at Landmark
Vineyards (image on left) - we carry their Chardonnay
- and we tried their portfolio and I am happy to say that I think
I have found a great little Pinot called Grand Detour, what a
great name! Look for that wine to join our list soon.
 Tuesday,
we were off to Sonoma and an exquisite experience at the
Jordan Estate -Russell and I are hamming it up :)
(right).
It could not have been more beautiful, nor could they have been
more hospitable.
We met with some of their staff, talked philosophy of wine-making
and success in business (it truly boils down to doing what you
love, focusing on what you do well, and maintaining the highest
standards) all of which were demonstrated wonderfully by Jordan.
Best of all, we were able to try their highly sought after and
very limited dessert wine - which we will have the honor
of featuring at our wine dinner,
Monday - March 30th - when we host Jordan at Meritage.
The wine-maker that has been hand-selected to follow in the footsteps
of Jordan's original wine-maker, will join us for the evening
to indulge our guests in tales of wine making - they seem to value
loyalty and vision. Both great qualities.
Our
final dining experience in San Francisco before we caught the
red-eye home was at Coi.
It was truly a delight. Their Chef is an upcoming talent, and
we strongly suggest you check them our if you are seeking an upscale,
intellectual dining experience and happen to be in San Francisco.
It is worth the trip, most definitely.
We
took this trip for some badly needed R&R, some inspiration
for Spring menus and wine list, as well as for us to remember
what it is like to be on the other side of the table and to renew
our focus on hospitality and doing what we love to do - be restaurateurs.
The trip was quite a success.
Wednesday
- February 25, 2009
 We're
still a buzz in the new restaurant field apparently, having just
been named in both MN Monthly & MSP Magazine as one of the
best new restaurants (and I have to say I am glad we are starting
to make the awards lists for our wine list as well, thank you).
It's flattering, even if we are feeling our roots a little bit
now.
Our
Recession Sundays have been a huge success - for us and our
community, I believe. We have people email us on a regular basis
to see if they can get a sneak preview of the menu. Sorry, no-can-do.
Sundays are our Sous Chef, Jon Beyruether's night to cut his teeth
creatively and his menus aren't completed until right before dinner
service. So, come join us on a Sunday if you haven't already.
With half-priced wines and a fun weekly menu - what's to prevent
a weekly - affordable - adventure?
Waiting
for Spring anyone? We are! Can't wait! The
Terrace will open as soon as weather permits. Think the first
week of April - and, let's all keep our fingers crossed.
New
Project: I've decided to start writing The Meritage Cookbook
- which will be the story of the beginnings of the restaurant
itself, a little about the day-to-day of a Brasserie, and will
include some of Russell's recipes and thoughts on food and cooking.
I am finding the need to sink my teeth into something creatively...
I miss writing... so may start to post some vignettes here as
I develop them. So, give me a little time, but check back and
see my progress.
Saturday
- January 3, 2009
We
have just finished 2008, and it looks as though 2009 is off with
a bang!
January
1 2009, the Star
Tribune granted its year-end awards, and we were honored with
an Award
of Excellence, a compliment indeed. We appreciate
all of the awards and honors we receive,
and are both humbled and inspired by them.
New
Year's Eve we had a blast! It is becoming
an annual thing that even our staff looks forward to - we offer
a special 10:00pm seating every year, just for New Year's Eve,
for guests bringing in the new year with us. Tasting menus, party
favors, great company, and a whole lot of laughs - champagne toast
at midnight... welcome 2009!
December
is just a blur. After Thanksgiving (which we host at the restaurant
for our staff and their friends and family, image from this year
is below) everything goes on fast-forward until the new year.
And,
now that we're on to 2009, we look back at our first year of business
with some amazement, some amusement, and some relief. Quite seriously,
we are all very fortunate and Meritage has become its own life
force. It's a beautiful thing.
To
celebrate our accomplishments and to thank our staff, we will
be closed Sunday, January 4th for our Staff Holiday Party at Bryant
Lake Bowl. Front-of-House crushed Back-of-House in softball
over Summer, so I'll keep you posted on how it goes. I've
been told one of our Valet's was a state bowling champion. We
believe in greatness here... :)
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