Twenty-five years ago, 25 years seemed like a long time. Now … not so much. Isn’t it interesting how our perception of time changes with time? The quarter-century in the rearview mirror is on our minds because June 5th will mark 25 years since we opened Lucky 32. I ramble on (and on) about that in an insert to this letter. We’re also excited about some pretty neat things that we have planned for this summer, including: hosting two impressive “foodie weekends” at O.Henry, and building an extraordinary arbor in the GVG Courtyard.
We are honored that you choose to receive these letters. If you don’t want to continue to get them, please just email us at [email protected]. Or, if you wish to receive these electronically and potentially opt for more frequent communiqués that talk about special happenings, please sign up for email updates on our websites or follow us on Facebook. As usual, many contribute to these letters, but they are primarily written in first person by me, Dennis.
(Also see Dennis’ Rambling: “Lucky 32 — and QW — 25 Years On”)
Cheers!
Read Summer 2014 Rambling: “Lucky 32—and QW—25-Plus Years On”
Savor the South® Weekend: September 26-28
SAVOR THE SOUTH AUTHOR PHOTOS COURTESY OF FRED THOMPSON (ELLIS), ROBERT VATZ (MOOSE), WENDY YANG (PURVIS), JEANINE M. HENRY (RUBIN), JULI LEONARD (WEIGL), SCOTT M. PORUSH (WILLIS), LISSA GOTWALS (MCGREGER), ROBERT ADAM MAYER (ALEXANDER)
Food fanatics — a “Southern dozen” of them — will come together at the O.Henry Hotel to celebrate the wonderful Savor the South® cookbook collection by UNC Press. The authors of these books are all deservedly well-known cooks and writers and a lively lot, so this is sure to be a fun time. There’ll be extraordinary food and drink, mingling with the authors, cooking demonstrations and samplings of more than 30 recipes. Each day will include a four-course dinner matched with some special wines.
Drum roll, please … the authors are:
Belinda Ellis (Biscuits), Debbie Moose (Buttermilk), Kathleen Purvis (Pecans and Bourbon), Miriam Rubin (Tomatoes), April McGreger (Sweet Potatoes), Andrea Weigl (Pickles & Preserves), Kelly Alexander (Peaches) and Virginia Willis (Okra). Joining the authors are hosts Ronni Lundy (cookbook author and great friend), Nancy King Quaintance, Chef Leigh Hesling of GVG and Chef Jay Pierce of Lucky 32 (who is in the process of writing a book about shrimp for this series).
A one-night package, which includes accommodations, two tickets to Friday’s Farm-to-Fork Dinner, breakfast, Saturday’s Tasting Extravaganza Lunch and a cookbook, is $295/person, double occupancy. A two-night package, which includes accommodations, Friday dinner, Saturday lunch and Saturday night Bourbon & Bluegrass Bacchanal Dinner, is $449/person, double occupancy. See ohenryhotel.com or call 336-854-2000 for more details. Do the math. These are good deals.
Southern Living Test Kitchen on the Road: July 19-20
This is a real treat for folk who love food and Southern Living magazine: O.Henry Hotel will be one of the first stops for the Southern Living “Test Kitchen on the Road.” Vanessa McNeil Rocchio, cookbook author and test kitchen specialist, will share recipes and cooking tips, plus secrets from her 24 years at Southern Living.
In addition, she’ll host a really special farm-to-fork feast. Green Valley Grill Executive Chef Leigh Hesling will join her in preparing a dinner made from fresh finds that they’ll get from the farmers market that morning! They will demonstrate the recipes that you will enjoy during a four-course dinner, which will include wine pairings.
Before dinner, you can also enjoy a relaxing afternoon tea with Vanessa, during which she’ll sign her cookbook, What’s for Supper: 30-Minute Meals Everyone Will Love (included in your package). Most already know that the O.Henry was invited by the Southern Living editors to be a member of the prestigious Southern Living Hotel Collection. This association allows us to partner with the “South’s most trusted kitchen” for this, the first of many collaborative special events. Packages start at $245/person, double occupancy. But you can add extras, like a second night. Please call 336-854-2000 or go to ohenryhotel.com to learn more.
O.Henry Hotel Summer Getaways
Pretend that you traveled farther than you did, and let elegance and tranquility restore your spirit, plus take in the extraordinary Mediterranean flavors at Green Valley Grill. Some packages include music, art or theatre offerings. For details, please call 336-854-2000 or go to ohenryhotel.com.
Summer Weekend Getaway: Travel back to an era of Old World hospitality and experience a relaxing weekend escape. Check in early at 2 PM (or earlier if available), use the included $30 voucher toward afternoon tea or a late-night treat in Green Valley Grill, then sleep in and saunter down for a hot, delicious breakfast buffet. No need to rush — check out as late as 2 PM and maybe use that extra time by the pool. Stay on a Friday or Saturday, May 30 through September 1 (some blackout dates apply). $219 plus taxes
“A Night Out on the Town” Overnight Packages: All of the following include transportation to and from the concert or play, a bottle of wine, handcrafted chocolate truffles and a $30 credit at GVG, plus a Southern-style breakfast buffet and late checkout. (Note: The EMF package does not include event tickets.)
- June 23–July 26: The Eastern Music Festival features a world-class concert almost every night, and we’ll transport you in world-class style. $229 plus tax
- June 8–29: Triad Stage re-invents All’s Well that Ends Well, Shakespeare’s classic and one of theatre’s greatest romances. Includes two tickets. $289 plus tax
- June 13: Greensboro Symphony teams up with New York’s jazz guitarist John Pizzarelli and his bride Jessica Molaskey for “For Sentimental Reasons,” featuring American classics and Broadway songs. Includes two tickets. $309 plus tax
Green Valley Grill
WHAT’S NEW? ARBOR AT GREEN VALLEY GRILL
New Arbor: Since that first summer 15 years ago, dining al fresco at GVG has been, we’ll not-so-humbly say, pretty fantastic. When our new arbor is complete, it’ll be even better. We’ve long wanted to add a gentle breeze on cue, offer a little more shade and provide even better lighting. This arbor will make all of that happen and ought to be gentle on the eyes to boot. Our great friend, artist Jeff Hurr, is building it. Note: Give us some time! The frame will be up by the time you read this, but some of the components will be perfected and crafted, then added later.
Cooking Classes: A few tickets are available for Chef Leigh Hesling’s remaining cooking classes this year. (The June 14 class is sold out.) Join him at Proximity Hotel on September 20 and O.Henry Hotel on July 12 and October 25. Tickets are $80 per guest, or get a three-class package for $225. Enjoy a seasonal beverage during a cooking demonstration, then a three-course meal with wine. For tickets, contact Lee Healy at 336-478-9126 or [email protected].
Afternoon Tea: Taking tea, including the wonderful savory and sweet snacks by GVG, in O.Henry’s Social Lobby has become a Greensboro tradition. In fact, it’s so popular that we’re expanding the hours. Now: Friday, Saturday & Sunday, Noon—5 PM and Monday—Thursday, 2—5 PM. Reservations are always recommended. Please call GVG at 336-854-2015.
Proximity Hotel
PROXIMITY HOTEL
Here are two ideas for a relaxing summer vacation or “staycation”! For details and more ideas, please call 336-379-8200 or visit proximityhotel.com.
Sustainable Summer Weekend Getaway:Reduce your stress level and your carbon footprint at the same time. Check in early at 2 PM (or earlier if available), and spend the afternoon traveling the nearby greenway on our complimentary bikes or lounging by our infinity-style pool. Use the included $30 voucher for dinner or breakfast on Print Works Bistro’s creekside terrace. Prolong your rejuvenating getaway with a late checkout of 2 PM. This extra-special offer is available on Fridays or Saturdays, May 30 through September 1 (some blackout dates apply). $219 plus taxes
Weekend Rail Getaway Package: All aboard! Ride the Amtrak train to Greensboro, and we’ll pick you up at the historic depot for a sustainable vacation at America’s first LEED Platinum-certified hotel and restaurant. Includes overnight accommodations in a Loft King Room on Friday, Saturday or Sunday night and a $50 dining voucher for Print Works Bistro. The following morning, enjoy breakfast in bed. $249 plus tax (Please book your surprisingly affordable rail tickets separately at www.ncbytrain.org.)
Print Works Bistro
Mussels-Wine-Music: On Wednesday nights, we’ll continue our mussels and fries special for $15, five wines under $15 a bottle and live music as the sun sets (7—10 PM) by AM rOdeO with Evan Olson & Jessica Mashburn.
Bryan Series: We are delighted to be one of the sponsors of this amazing speaker series. Our friends at Guilford College bring noteworthy figures from the arts, humanities and public affairs to town to share their wisdom and perspectives. Mark your calendars for next season (2014–2015)! October 23: Ron Howard, November 11: Bill Bryson, February 17: Robert Reich, March 24: Margaret Atwood and April 19: Anderson Cooper. Season subscriptions sell quickly, so get yours now and get a Print Works voucher! For more: bryanseries.guilford.edu.
Bespoke Weddings
O.Henry’s Hawkins Brown Room
Dream Weddings: See photos, read details and learn tips from a dozen extraordinary weddings at our hotels on our photo journal blog at GreensboroDreamWeddings.com. If you know a bride-to-be, please share this with her. For more information about creating your own bespoke celebration at our hotels, please call 336-478-9111.
Southern Living Wedding Workshop on October 5: Who knew wedding planning could be so much fun? Kristen Payne, Southern Living wedding insider, will share the ideas and inspiration behind a Southern Living wedding. Taste, touch and see the latest food, drink and décor trends. Meet vendors and get plenty of tips and design ideas. $45 per guest includes afternoon tea, dessert bar, wine and goodies. For reservations, please call 336-544-9615.
Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen
Recipe Contest: What’s your favorite way to prepare fresh veggies from the garden? Please enter your recipe for an appetizer or side dish into our “Summer Veggie Recipe Contest.” Think potlucks and summer picnics! The top five recipes will be featured on our blog, and the big winner will receive a luxurious retreat to the Proximity Hotel or O.Henry Hotel, along with other goodies, including recognition on Lucky’s menu. Simply email your recipe to [email protected] by June 16. Go to lucky32.com for more details.
Farm-to-Fork Blog: Ride along as Chef Jay Pierce continues to explore Piedmont foodways with features on farms, seasonal finds and recipes. Read all of the past 70 features, and sign up for notifications for new ones at lucky32southernkitchen.com.
Tuesday’s Live Music in Greensboro: Chef Jay Pierce’s skillet-fried chicken continues to be topped with live music by our very talented friends, 7–10 PM (no cover charge). See schedule of artists at lucky32.com.
25th Anniversary Short Stories: If walls could talk, the ones at Lucky’s would have some fantastic tales to tell. Since they can’t, please consider sharing what they might say about one of your experiences at Lucky’s. You might win a prize if you do! First-prize winners in each category get a night at Proximity Hotel plus $100 in dining vouchers. Runners-up get $50 each in dining vouchers. Story categories are:
- Date Night: From first dates to parents’ night out, tell us your favorite memory.
- Celebration: There are many occasions to celebrate!
- It’s the Little Things That Count: Share your story about a staff member who did something amazing.
Email your story to [email protected] or mail to Quaintance-Weaver, 324 W. Wendover Ave, Suite 320, Greensboro, NC 27408, by July 31. We look forward to sharing some of your stories.
Black Bean Cakes
- 6½ cups black beans, rinsed and drained
- ½ cup salsa
- ½ cup diced red onions
- 1¼ cups diced red bell peppers
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 cups breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon diced jalapeño peppers
- ½ teaspoon Tabasco® Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Tabasco® Jalapeño Sauce
- 2 cups crushed tortilla chips
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
Rinse black beans in cold water. Place in a colander and drain well (at least 10 minutes). Add beans, salsa, onions, bell peppers, cilantro, breadcrumbs, jalapeños and both Tabasco® sauces to a mixing bowl. Blend well with hands, mashing some of the beans to form a thick mixture. Form into 3-ounce patties and set aside. Using a food processor, blend tortilla chips, cumin and coriander until it has a crumb consistency. Dredge each bean patty in the tortilla mixture. Heat oil in large skillet and sauté bean cakes over medium-high heat, turning when they are golden brown.
Menus, Reservations, Call Ahead & Pre-ordering
Visit printworksbistro.com, greenvalleygrill.com and lucky32.com for current seasonal menus, lots of recipes, the latest wine list and online reservations. We offer “call ahead seating” for those situations when you want to dine with us but do not have reservations, and you are concerned about waiting for your table.
With larger parties, we offer pre-ordering to expedite service so you have more time to enjoy your visit. Let us know when you make a reservation if you would like to pre-order. Just fax us your orders by 10:30 AM at lunch and 4 PM at dinner, and we’ll have your meals served within minutes of arriving. Call the restaurant or click here for a pre-order form.
Gift Certificates
Our restaurants and hotels offer gift certificates for purchase seven days a week on-site, or you can order online at qwrh.com. Customize a gift certificate for a hotel night stay (or even a variety of packages) for your fortunate recipient by calling the Proximity at 1-800-379-8200 or O.Henry at 1-800-965-8259.
