Saturday, March 15, 2008

THE RAISING OF THE SIGN..Cast and crew



It is March 15 2008, a significant day in the History of Salt Gastro pub! Starting with the design and creating of the sign by one of Salt's best friends (and the Husband of our manager Jennifer) Eric Hornung. With some ideas from Laurie and I, and a few tweeks along the way, Eric was able to put together a sign which is awesome and will represent us for eons and beyond...THANKS Eric!

Second goes out to Tim Stefanik, my electrician, and now my friend. Tim was able to supply us with the proper ladder for us to finish our task for today, and a little moral support as we weened Erion on up the ladder to do the dirty work.
To Tony for being the idea guy behind this particular project, as well as the ladder holder as well as moral support for Erion and telling him "there's no way you would die from falling from that height, maybe get pretty banged up, but not die!"

Last but not least to Erion, our own superhero "Tarz-man". Erion blindly, with nerves of steel took to that ladder and made the rest of us feel like little children in wet pants, holding to our mothers legs. He looked up at it, shook it a bit, spit on the ground raised his fist to the heavens. He tightened his belt, put a little chalk dust on his hands from the chalk pouch around his waist and just calmly looked me in the eye and said "see ya on the other side boy" and just started climbing. My jaw dropped as I felt my eyes start to well a bit and my nerves start to get the better of me. But I knew I had to be a man, I had to watch, I had to see what this Man Erion had that I did'nt, what he had that we all strive for, what makes him go where most of us just tremble thinking of...places for birds and planes, not human beings.....So as Erion put his foot on that first step and started to make his way up that 12' ladder I quietly whispered under my breath, "I love you Erion"

So we all played a part in tying the sign and attaching the sign to the truck. (This way no one person could take blame for any failure, deaths, maimings, or any other unspoken of calamities.) With this, it was tied off to the truck, slowly pulled up to its spot where Erion was bravely waiting and pretty easily hooked on and hung into place (on the second try).
So THANK YOU to all involved..it went well and the Salt legend will now begin to grow for years in the land that we have grounded our flag into and claim from here on out as SALT!! 109 rt206S is now claimed by SALT, and it is here we will start a family, grow, and prosper!
Tommorrow we will finally finish the indoor "Water Feature" in the entrance, things are getting sooo much closer... Stay tuned....
b.

Friday, March 14, 2008

A few answers to some recent comments...

Here are just a few answers to some questions that come through in the comments from various people.

-What are some of the wines you will be offering?
Well, in addition to the wines by the glass I talked about in the last post ( some of which did'nt make the cut, and others that will be added) we will have

Chardonnay, Rodney Strong, Chalk Hill Vineyard, Sonoma
Pinot Gris, Ponzi Vineyard, Oregon
Riesling, Hogue Cellars, Washington State
Viognier, Rosenblum "Kathy's Cuvee", Santa Barbara County
Pinot Grigio, Francis Coppola, Napa Valley

Syrah, Rosenblum Cellars, Santa Barbara County
Sangiovese, Silverado Vinyards, Napa Valley
Meritage Blend, Trefethen "Double T", Napa Valley
Pinot Noir, Silverado Vineyards, Napa Valley

These are just a sampling of our wine list.

-What single Malt Scotchs will you offer?

To start we will be offering
Glenlivet
Macallan
with more to be added

-What spirits will you be offering?
I will give just a small sample, but it will give you an idea

whiskey-
Seagrams 7
Makers Mark
Jack Daniels
Canadian Whiskey
Canadian Club
Seagrams VO
Irish Whiskey
Jamesons
Bushmills
Brandy/Cognac
Courvoisier
Remy Martin VSOP
Scotch
Chivas
Dewars
Johnnie Walker Black
Johnnie Walker Red
Gin
Beefeater
Bombay Sapphire
Tanqueray
Vodka
Absolut
Grey Goose
Ketel One
Stolichnaya
Tequila
Cabo Wabo
Patron

-Are you offering Ports?
Yes.

Cockburns Special Reserve
Ferreira White Port
Fonseca 10 yr Tawny
Quinta do Noval Late Bottled Vintage
Sandeman Founders Reserve
Taylor Fladgate 20 yr Tawny
Warre Late Bottled Vintage
Warre Otima 20 yr Tawny

And last but not least..for Sheila
Here are some more of our beer offerings
Draft
Guiness
NewCastle Brown Ale

Bottle
Left Hand Milk Stout
Sam Smith Oatmeal Stout
Old Rasputin Imperial Stout
Eel River Raven's Eye Imperial Stout
Paulaner Weiss
Ayinger Brauweiss
Corsendonk Brown Ale
Long Trail IPA
Victory Hop Devil IPA
Bear Republic Red Rocket Ale

just to name a few.

Thanks everyone for checking us out, we can't wait to get open and get this whole thing rolling...Things are moving quickly now and the opening is right upon us...stay tuned to find out the exact date, trust me, AS SOON as we know we will let all of you know. Next up is the menu to be finalized. Tony, Jeremiah and myself have been working at getting everything down on paper. Now we just have to start shaving it down and making final cuts and tweeks. I will be posting some sample items in the very near future. In the meantime...

"As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction."

WINE TASTING...


Another fun night at Salt, tonight was the wine tasting....So along with some cheeses that Laurie supplied from Murray's cheese shop in NYC, some crispy french loaves and some water crackers we dug right in. Bob supplied us with a good variety of reds and whites to try. The wines were
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cycles Gladiator, Central Coast, California
Cabernet Sauvignon, Hahn, Monterey, California
Merlot, Hogue Cellars, Washington State
Pinot Noir, Cycles Gladiator, Central Coast, California
Pinot Noir, Montinore, Willamette Valley, Oregon
Zinfandel, RosenblumVintners Cuvee, California

Chardonnay, Night Harvest, California
Chardonnay, Toasted Head, California
Sauvignon Blanc, Benziger, Sonoma County, California
Pinot Grigio, Rex Goliath, Central Coast, California

These were our by the glass wines that we were tasting and comparing. It was a fun time, and just like last night we were all able to walk away having learned something new about wines. So again we thank Bob!

b.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

My Weekly Thursday rant about TOP CHEF..

Ah, the new season is upon us. For those of you who watch, like myself, we have been waiting for this season. For those of you who don't but are reading this, its on Bravo Wed nights at 10. I think since the first season the show had slowly gone down the shitter...til this season. It definately seems this season the talent pool is solid and it actually has some of that grit that really is a professional kitchen...not a polished bunch of whiners and recent grad prima-donnas. Its good to hear "bleeps" on a real "restaurant" show it makes it a bit more true to life. That being said, it seemed very obvious the one going home last night was going to be Nimma. Besides her it seemed everyone was pretty solid and its tough to see any clear winners or even the top 4 at this point (granted it was only one episode, but they all seemed to be pretty talented), should prove to be a good season. What about this couple thing? Jennifer and Lisa, this is where I have a problem with the show...it's good tv, but come on, with all of the talent that probably tried out for the show why would you put on a couple? Oh, think of the drama when they have to go head to head and eliminate one another...kind of cheapens the show, but that's just my opinion. My pick for next weeks loser, Ryan....seems as though Ryan may have been a little pampered by his restaurateur father and might just not be all of that. But its early, who knows. My pick for the top 2..Richard, and Jennifer. Stay tuned on Thursdays for my view on it, and feel free to comment on it.

b.

BEER IN-SERVICE..


Its tough being a new employee at Salt, what with all the beers that need to be tasted and all....Today was a fun day at Salt, we had a beer in service held by Bob our "beer officiando" (?). It was fun seeing all of the new faces as well as some of the old "bula bunch" and I think we all learned alot. From different styles, regions, and countries to the different glasses used for different beers, and the proper ways to pour. So we brought in some pizza, Bob supplied the beer and glasses, and it was a fun time. Tommorrow should prove to be another very tough day for the staff with Bob stopping by with the Wines being served at Salt....Somehow we'll get through it...Thanks Bob!

And Kelly.....you ARE a rock star!!
b.

Monday, March 10, 2008

BEER MENU SAMPLING..for those that care

Drafts
Yuengling
Stella Artois
Pabst Blue Ribbon...sometimes ya gotta have a "classic"
North Coast Red Seal Ale
Blue Moon Belgian White
Corsendonk Pale Ale
Smithwicks
Stone IPA
Budweiser....gotta have it

Bottle
Skyscraper Lug Nut Lager
Scrimshaw Pilsner
Flying Dog Doggie Style Ale
Eel River Amber
Smuttynose IPA
Sam Smith Nutbrown
Brother Thelonious - Belgian Styled Abbey
Anchor Steam Porter
Old Rasputin Imperial Stout
Pinkus Organic Hefe Weisen
Saison Dupont
Lindeman's Pomme
Ayinger Celebrator Double Bock


Thats just a sampling.....stay tuned for more teasers (food, wine, liqour, guest celebrity appearances, million dollar give-away, free car, trips...maybe I am getting carried away, but definately food, wine and liquor..)
b.

The New York City Gods are speaking to me!


How appropriate!
b.