Work hard, play hard has always been a great motto of ours. I think Davidson really defined the term, and Matt and I carry it into our lives.
It’s certainly the motto of the week!!
We worked like crazy all afternoon. When I say “worked like crazy” I mean we jumped from one task to another blindly. There was no direction just “Do this, now do this” over and over until we accomplished a massive to-do list.
Part of my list included scanning 12 employees x 2 sheets x 12 PDFs to email to our payroll service.
And eating Cville Cluster Granola!!
I made a chalkboard open sign, went to the bank, went to the copy shop, hung signs, and more that I can’t even remember.
Calibowls for the Breadboard!! They make such a great community butter + jam bowl because of the inner lip!
And FLOWERS from my grandmother, Smotey and Mary Frances!
At 6 I think everyone wanted to go to dinner but Matt and me. We wanted to keep working! Part of the reason GH is here is to help balance us out.
So we headed out – to MAS! See the first time we went to Mas when we were here to look for a location in March of 2010!
Tomas, the owner, has a nice loaf of Honey waiting for him tomorrow. He made an appearance on KERF recently and we wanted to repay the courtesy!
MAS is cool!!
Drinks were poured
Lauren got this amazing Cucumber + Ginger martini!
But I was in the mood for a big red
We ordered a bunch of delicious bites for the table….prepare to salivate! I sure did.
Hummus con pan (chickpeas, tahini, harissa, olive oil, and garlic with bread)
[Favorite dish of the night – SMOKED!!]
Tomates asados( hot-smoked roma tomatoes in their own juices)
Datil con tocino (fat, juicy, pitted Medjool dates roasted inside of applewood-smoked bacon)
Pescado al Sartén (pan-roasted wild-caught Pacific King Salmon w/ endive, radicchio, grapefruit, fava beans and basil salad)
Gambas al’ parilla (Jumbo shrimp grilled Catalan style-in the shell-w/ garlic alioli and grey salt)
Grass-fed beef over pita with a smoky cheese sauce
Lots of fun. Lots of learning!
First night of the GH series of dinners we’ve gotten dessert!! I think Mike from St. Cloud and I were leaning towards yes 🙂
Tart of the Day: Black Cherry + blueberry
Flourless Chocolate Cake!
After dinner, Matt drove me to the bakery and I biked home from there at dusk. It was so peaceful – I really do LOVE bike-commuting. Sometimes it’s scary, sometimes it’s really hot, sometimes my quads burn, but most of the time I just love the flow of the hills and my pedals.
Early to bed, very early to rise!!
Lisa Fine says
Sounds like you’re accomplishing a lot in a little time. I also love how organized Great Harvest is, and that their HQ assists in the openings.
I wish there was a GH in the northeast! I don’t think there’s one…going to check the website now!
KathEats says
There are tons in the Northeast!!
Lisa Fine says
How did I not know that? For some reason the last time I searched, they all seemed far away from where I live…but looking at the GH locator, there are one or two possibilities that I want to check out that could be a destination for a road trip. 🙂
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
I am just totally jealous of the restaurant scene in Cville. You guys have some amazing places. I could only hope for 1 of those by us!
Laura Jane @ Recovering Chocoholic says
Wow, just reading about your huge to-do-list that you accomplished made me tired! You’re making so much progress. I love your “Open” sign.
Holly @ The Runny Egg says
All of that food looks amazing — I just love bacon wrapped dates.
I’m glad you were able to get out and go to dinner — you both are working so hard but you need to relax and rest too.
Emily says
It’s getting so close to opening day!! Your dinner looked faaaaantastic.
Kristin @ Iowa Girl Eats says
I’ve been loving reading about your bike adventures lately and was THIS EXCITED to find a road bike at an employee garage sale at work today for $25!!!! I’m only 5’2 and it was just my size – totally meant to be. Just needs a few touch ups – new handle bar padding and seat – then I’m ready to ride!
staceyhealthylife says
Great dinner of yummy tasty treats. Glad you enjoyed your evening.
Val @ Balancing Val says
I cant applaud you ENOUGH for serving local food 🙂
It makes me so happy that this is really catching on!!
Liv @ The Salty n' Sweet says
You guys are really getting everything ready. It looks like you’re right on track, and I’m sure it’ll be a big hit.
Look at that giant plate of hummus! It looks perfect, and so does that fluffy bread 🙂
Rest hard to work/play hard!
Averie (LoveVeggiesandYoga) says
Cucumber + Ginger martini looks and sounds amazing!
but so does your red 🙂
I love that you have such a passion for biking. FABULOUS!
And that food…all of it…looks amazing. So glad things are falling RIGHT into place at the bakery! woo hoo for opening day coming!
Krissy - Shiawase Life says
Is the second ‘e’ really small on “coffee” on that sign????
Lea says
Ha–I was wondering the very same thing!
Larbs says
Oh man, I want to eat here!!!!
kris (everyday oats) says
What a fantastic looking dinner! Particularly the desserts 🙂 Can’t wait to read about the official opening of your bakery!
Miranda @ Working Mom Works Out says
Holy moly, that food looks AMAZEBALL!
Julie says
Tell Mike I’m a prof at the College of St. Benedict/St. John University and I’ll stop by his GH next time I’m in St. Cloud! Also, a big congrats on your bakery! Opening day is very soon and you should be very proud of your HUGE accomplishments!
Valerie @ City|Life|Eats says
Congrats on being so close to opening!!
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
Wow, what a dinner!! You all deserved every bite. Can’t believe you’re almost OPEN!! 😀
Justeen @ Blissful Baking says
That restaurant has some seriously delicious looking food! Flourless chocolate cake is one of my FAV desserts ever!
Lee says
I’m very excited for you to open! I know you and Matt have put a ton of hard work into this and it’s totally going to pay off.
Abby says
I love all of the chalkboards! 🙂
Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn says
I just can’t get over how beautiful and FRESH your GH looks!!! I can’t wait to see it when it’s in full bloom!
Angel7 says
Very pretty flowers!
All that food looks amazing!!!
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
val @ lots of dishes says
that dinner looks really awesome, esp the hummus (and i hate hummus!!)
i just started biking, and i love it! i can see why you do too!
kaila @ healthy helper! says
Oh mi…that tart looks delicious! SO juicy and fresh looking! Ahhhh can’t wait to make something like that soon!
Jenny @ Fitness Health and Food says
oh my goodness me all of that food looks AMAZING! 🙂
I love the idea of community butter and jam bowls 🙂 Everything is looking amazing! 🙂
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) says
I can’t believe tomorrow is the last day before you guys open! God, I wish I lived close so I could go 🙂
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Amazing foods and company! Can’t wait for the opening, which is 1 more day! Wahoo 😀
Khushboo says
I love the gooeyness of flourless cakes! Any idea what actually goes in one of them??
Chelsea @ Go Chelsea Go! says
Sounds like a very happy day! I love days when I get to be productive, have a drink (or two), and eat lots of good food! Wishing you luck with the opening!
char @ char on a mission says
That flourless chocolate cake looks so delicious! Jealous of all your good eats lately!
Laura N. says
The shrimp dish at Mas is probably my favorite! I could probably lick that plate clean!
Jessica @ The Process of Healing says
That chocolate cake.. oh YUM!!
Alaina says
Those pictures are definitely making me want tapas. 🙂 Only 1 more day till opening!!
Hannah (tickledtofu) says
I love reading about your bakery adventures! Maybe someday I’ll be able to do the same!
Gina (Yogattude) says
Oh my, all those plates look amazing! Good luck tomorrow…I’m routing for you!!!
Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife says
oh yummy! Your dinner looks fancy, beautiful, and delicious! I esp loved the dessert pics…. 🙂
Lenna says
You have such a lot of things to do and you are dealing soo good with that!!!
I love those meal pictures, it seems like you had a lot of fun plus a lot of good food, which is always the best combination:)
lynn @ the actor's diet says
i just watched the food network’s “best thing i ever ate smoked” episode. your dish looks better than anything mentioned in that show!
Heidi - apples under my bed says
holy moley all the eats there look outstanding! absolutely delicious. Great work – nearly opening day, so exciting 🙂
Heidi xo
Lisa says
Love your T Shirt !!!!! How do I get one I live in Australia !!! Would you post one ? Or are they available on a website??
KathEats says
We had them made for Great Harvest. I might sell them in the future.
Suzie says
I think you totally should sell the T’s in your store! I bet Great Harvest Corporate would soon realize what a great idea it is…..
Sarah W says
Kath!
Where did Matt get his FOOD PERSON tshirt?? I want!!
KathEats says
It’s from the the Cooking Channel’s website. I got it in some blog event goodie bag
Cait @ Beyond Bananas says
I want.. no NEED that black cherry and blueberry tart!
Sarah@The Flying ONION says
For a second I thought the beef was a morel mushroom!! The entire meal looks fabulous. 😀
The signs look so great! Good luck on opening day!! 😀
Lauren says
Wow, all of that food has me salivating! You weren’t kidding. 🙂 Good luck tomorrow!!
Hillary says
YUM. I am drooling just looking at those pictures! Also love Matt’s “Food Person” shirt!
Molly @ RDexposed says
Hope Matt with Chimay Blue. I can’t get enough of it! Well, I can since it’s strong for me! HA! And you’re food looks a-ma-zing!
Laura @ ASwissAmericanLife says
What kind of camera do you use? Your photos always look fantastic!!
KathEats says
Canon DSLR XSi with Canon 35mm lens. Thanks!
Katie says
You are so lucky to have such wonderful restaurants. I’m thinking I may have to try to make those tomatoes with some grape tomatoes today. Hope you didn’t have to get up too early, I’ve been up since 4:30 and I need to get remotivated! Have a great day!
Kate says
I’m live here in Charlottesville and would love to take my kindergarten class on a field trip to your bakery next school year. Are you open to field trips?
KathEats says
Absolutely!!
Amy says
I’ve heard the owner of Mas is COMPLETELY insane (like, I’m not linking to my blog here because he might follow me there and trash me insane). From multiple sources.
BUT, I have eaten there before and that roasted tomato dish is HEAVEN. And I want that martini. Mmmmm.
Can’t wait for your opening tomorrow!!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
I’m glad everyone convinced you to go out for dinner. You guys need a break from working so hard!
Jill says
Question for Mike – how far is his Great Harvest store from St. Cloud State University?
My nephew is going there in the fall and he is a carb-lover. Instead of mailing him goodies, I’m wondering if I could buy goodies for him from his location via phone/email and my nephew could come in there to pick it up? Ohh, I’m liking this more and more as I think about it. REAL bread and cookies versus cafeteria food? That’s a no-brainer. Keeping my fingers crossed that the store is fairly close to the university….
TheMeatHouse says
Love Matt’s shirt! We are major food people over here too. Thumbs up for grass fed beef 🙂
Jessica says
I’ve been reading your blog for a long time now, and I’m so excited to see your store within days of opening! I live in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and I’m suddenly paying a lot more attention to our Great Harvest since you’ve talked so much about it. I just saw an ad they ran in our local paper that they’re getting ready to celebrate their 19th anniversary!
Katherina @ Zephyr Runs says
Cucumber Ginger martini!? Yes please!!! I love that you’re able to use local produce and products in the bakery, that makes it special!
Melissa says
Looks like you are treating yourselves well after all of these days of hard work! Good for you–it’s so hard to find that balance!
I keep thinking about how cool it is that you are blogging throughout this whole experience. It will be amazing to look back on it all someday in such great detail. Love that!
Paula says
OH MY! That is exactly my kind of place. I think I could probably eat there every night of the week!
Glad I read the description of the hummus – the other day my boss was telling me about a hummus he got at a farmers market, as he was remembering the ingredients told to him by the vendor he got stuck on one in particular. “Chareesa? ariso? …. sounded like she was saying chorizo, but that’s not it!” LOL! Now I know it was HARISSA 🙂
Happy Anniversary! Hope you’re having a lovely day.
Jil @ Big City, Lil Kitchen says
Ohh – that meal looks amazing!! and those dates – wowww.
Nicole says
Since I started reading your blog, I’ve been wishing I could try all this Great Harvest bread, but I assumed it was an East Coast chain since I’ve never heard of it. Yesterday I was taking a different route home and I passed right by a Great Harvest, only a few miles from my house! I’m so excited; I can’t wait to give it a try!
tomas rahal says
kath, matt thanks for the big ups on dinner. only an insane person would prepare such food! especially hope you liked our breads from the brick hearth, a total labor of love. here’s to your new beginning!
KathEats says
Insanely fabulous dinner!! The breads were great – nice and chewy!! Hope the loaf of Honey Whole Wheat we left made it to your mouth!
Tracy says
What do you mean when you say Tomas made an “appearance” on KERF? On your blog?
KathEats says
In the comments- like the one just above yours!
becca (bellebottoms) says
the food looks delish!! i love tapas style restaurants…that’s what dining should be about, everyone getting to just taste/share/enjoy!! 🙂
happy grand opening eve!!
JenATX says
wow.. you were right, I did salivate! gorgeous pics as usual, Kath 🙂
Heather says
Aw. St. Cloud is my home town!!!