Local iQ’s First Taste by Justin De La Rosa

Tuesday, 13 August 2013

Going out to eat can become a bit of a routine. Sure, the scenery may be different, but it all ends up with you going through the same motions of ordering, eating, drinking, paying and carrying on with your other plans. That’s not to say there needs to be a Vegas-style dinner with a show to make dinner special — in fact, I find that kind of thing to be quite awful. It’s just nice to change things up by making dinner an experience without any gimmicks.

Farm & Table is Albuquerque’s lauded leader of locavore cuisine, and they’re celebrating the summer with a Farmer’s Feast to be held on Aug. 18. While the menu at Farm & Table aims to be completely local, the Farmer’s Feast is their way of showcasing the great things produced by local farmers, ranchers and food artisans in a family-style meal. Think of it as a summertime cookout, but instead of burgers and bratwursts you’ll be noshing on locally-sourced fine foods and imbibing local libations.

The weekend wrap-up will kick off with a jamboree mingle and farm walk at 6:30p. It will be a chance to soak in the sun and admire the flourishing flora that surrounds Farm & Table. After the walk, get ready to sit down and indulge in the feast you won’t soon forget at 7:15p. The best way to complete a cookout on the farm is with some bluegrass tunes from none other than the Squash Blossom Boys.

Chef Jaye Wilkinson is making a menu featuring a smorgasbord of charcuterie and roasted meats that are prepared using whole animals. That’s right, nothing goes to waste and nothing gets thrown away. It will definitely be a step above your typical matanza. Along with the lamb, beef and pork, a medley of seasonal vegetables like okra, eggplant, corn and cucumbers (to name a few) will be served up in what you can be assured is nothing short of Farm & Table’s typical stellar fashion.

You can forget the fine-dining feeling for the night, as you will be presented with heaping plates of food in the middle of the table so you can help yourself to your heart and stomach’s content. Not a bad deal.

Guests can reserve a spot at the Farmer’s Feast for $45, and if you’re a farmer or purveyor of local food or drink you can get your spot for $35. For reservations contact Farm & Table.

Justin De La Rosa writes about the local food and restaurant scene. He can be reached at justin@local-iQ.com. 

See the article here: http://www.local-iq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3319&Itemid=53