Come visit us at Summer Tuesdays and be sure to stop by and have a bite to eat at the Valley Cooks booth. 
Each week, a different local restaurant and chef will be featured serving a special item created for Summer Tuesdays.
(Scheduled chefs and menus could be subject to change.)



July 6, 2010 "For the Love of Animals" featuring:
     Afton House Inn
  Chef: Mark Rose

Enjoy the elegant setting of the Wheel Room, where intimate dinners by candlelight enliven the senses and take away your cares.  Tableside cooking and exceptional service promise to make your evening perfect.  The Pennington Room offers a more private setting for weddings, rehearsal dinners or corporate/client entertaining.  High standards are our trademark, and our famous Sunday Gourmet Brunch is no exception.  For those seeking delicious casual fare, the Catfish Saloon offers a menu complete with great hamburgers and pizza. The Afton House Inn also does offsite catering.

For more information on Afton House Inn go to: http://www.aftonhouseinn.com/ call at: 651-436-8883

Mark will be serving: 
Farmer's Stew
Comfort food at its best!  Chunks of beef prime rib meet carrots and onions in this thick, rich stew.  Served with mashed potatoes and a fresh dinner roll.




 July 13, 2010  "Health and Wellness"  featuring:
     Reve' 324
 

Chef: Nate Utsch

Nate went to culinary school in North Dakota and graduated in 1997. After college, he moved to the Twin Cities and became a kitchen manager and corporate trainer for Timber Lodge Steakhouse. He then moved on to be the head chef of the Dock Cafe and finally decided to open Reve' 324 with Matt Stabehow last year.

With an ideal location at 324 Main Street in Stillwater, Reve' 324 boasts a menu of wonderful sandwiches, creamy pasta salads, fresh honey flatbread pizzas, and entrees such as Seared Halibut or a Filet of Beef with Caramelized Carrots.

Reve' is French for “Dream.”   Reve' 324 owners Nate and Matt have created an atmosphere of fine dining with the feel of a small town eatery.  Reve' 324 is a wonderful place to have anything from organic coffee and warm conversation, to a quick bite to eat before you stroll down main street antiquing.

Their signature dish is Seared Halibut with Pappardelle Pasta, tossed in a wild mushroom marsala ragout and finished with white truffle oil.

For more information on Reve' 324 go to: http://reve324restaurant.com/ or call them at: 651-342-1594

Nate will be serving:
Fresh Tomato and Goat Cheese Sandwhich and Pickled Cucumber Salad.
    
Fresh tomato, basil, cucumber, sweet potato, alfalfa sprouts, goat cheese, 
        and an aged balsamic drizzle on focaccia. 
    Cucumbers and onions in a sour cream and vinegar sauce.




July 20, 2010   "Americana"   featuring:
       Joseph's Family Restaurant
 

 Chef: Todd Scheel

Todd has been in the restaurant and catering business for over 25 years, and is currently the Manager & Catering Manager at Joseph's Family Restaurant.

Joseph's has been pleasing the St. Croix Valley for over 35 years. They are an award winning family restaurant, providing home-cooked traditonal American dining fare. Known especially for their over thirty kinds of fully scratch-made nine-inch pies, prepared daily in their own in-store bakery. Their pie crusts have been rolled by the same pie maker for almost 20 years. In addition to their wide variety of award winning pies, Joseph's proudly offers specialized cake services, featuring custom-made cakes and cupcakes with homemade butter cream frosting.

For your breakfast, lunch and dinner experience, Joseph's offers favorites like their own hand dipped french toast, handmade omelets, buttermilk pancakes, Joseph's Tower, Smokehouse Burger, salads, hand cut steaks, seafood, Broasted Chicken, healthy meal options at under 400 calories, and much more.

Joseph's also offers full service custom catering. For more information on Joseph's go to: www.jospehsstillwater.com call 651-439-3336

Todd will be serving:

Rotisserie Chicken Salad, Pretzel Bread Stick, and a Piece of Apple Cranberry Walnut Pie.
Fresh spring mix greens, diced celery, candid walnuts, gorgonzola cheese, sliced red grapes, tossed balsamic vinaigrette dressing, topped with warm rotisserie chicken.



 




 July 27, 2010  "Mardi Gras featuring:
   Smalley's Caribbean Barbeque and Pirate Bar
Chef: Shawn Smalley

Shawn Smalley has always wanted a restaurant in Stillwater, and he also has always had a thing for pirates. So much so that his business card reads "Dread Pirate Smalley."  He and his wife even had a pirate theme wedding, and his wedding ring features a skull and crossbones.

Smalley's is located in the historic Brick Alley building at 423 Main Street South.  They specialize in exceptionally delicious grilled meats with a Jamacian flair. As one of the owners, Smalley partners with Josh Thoma, and Tim McKee, owner of Stillwater's former La Belle Vie. To familarize themselves with authentic Jamaican food, the three chefs traveled to the island to sample Jerk barbeque. The chefs found their samplings at a place in Bourbon Beach in Jamacia.  Smalley's brings a great, fun atmopshere to downtown Stillwater. Enjoy yourselves at one of two eclectic bars, near the fire on a chilly day, or on their back patio with a view of the St. Croix.

Shawn will be serving:
Jerk Pork Tacos
Served with Pico de Gallo, Scallion Aioli and Queso Fresco



August 3, 2010  "Minnesota's Night to Unite"  featuring:
  Leo's Grill and Malt Shop


 
Chef: Cory Buettner

Leo's Grill and Malt Shop is named in memory of Cory's father, Leo Buettner.  Leo was raised in rural Minnesota during the Great Depression, and served in the Army in the Second World War.  With his wife of 55 years, Gloria, Leo raised 11 children and operated a successful construction business in St. Cloud. 

Visit  Leo's to experience classic malt shop decor and dining. They also have a nicely landscaped outdoor patio, where you can enjoy one of their juicy hand-formed burgers while overlooking the St. Croix River and the surrounding bluffs.

Chef Cory will be serving:

Pulled Pork Sandwich with a side of pickles and house-made potato chips



 August 10, 2010  "International Bazaar"  featuring:
     
Aristo's
  Chef: Samy Youssef

While opening Aristos in June 2009, their roots in the Stillwater area are much deeper. The owner and head chef of Aristos Restaurant has been serving the good people of Stillwater and their guests for over 20 years at the Main Café on Main Street in downtown Stillwater . As owner and chef of the Main Café, his success and lovable personality allowed Samy and his partner Zak, and the rest of their family to take on a new adventure that was sure to be a success. Creating the first Mediterranean eating experience in the area!

With his culinary experience as a restaurateur in France and his experience at the Main Café, Samy and Zak bring great traditional and unique dishes from all over the Mediterranean, with service that is unmatched.

Using only the freshest ingredients and the making the best menu items from scratch, you will enjoy your food and experience at Aristos Restaurant.

Chef Samy will be serving:

Mini Gyros and pita chips with Tzatziki sauce

slices of the rotisserie favorite with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and Tzatziki sauce
Tzatziki sauce: yogurt cucumber garlic dip made of homemade yogurt blended with fresh garlic, grated cucumber, dill, and seasoning.




August 17, 2010  "Living Local"  featuring:

River Market Community Co-op

 

Chef: John Tapper II

John is a graduate of the famed Le Cordon Bleu culinary school.  He has interned in New Orleans, Louisiana, and is the assistant deli manager of the River Market Co-op in downtown Stillwater.

River Market Community Co-op has been offering local and natural food in the St. Croix Valley for over 30 years. The mission of the co-op is be healthy, help the environment, live your values, build relationships, be successul, and be kind.  Our goal is to help improve human health and the natural environment by providing the healthiest natural food and products in the St. Croix Valley!

John will be serving: 
Local Trout Sandwich and Forbidden Black Rice Salad
Star Praire Trout and local, organic produce





Interested in previous Valley Cooks? See our archives!
Summer Tuesdays  Valley Cooks - 2009


Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce | Summer Tuesdays Committee
1950 Northwestern Ave, Suite 101, Stillwater, MN 55082
phone: 651-439-4001 |fax: 651-439-4035
http://www.webaloo.com