View from the Kitchen

I’ve sat down several times to write this, but true to form I ended up in some far away land via the proverbial rabbit trail.  So without further ado….fresh seafood, there, I said it!

I feel myself slipping into a rippled vision day-dream right now, thoughts of freshly harvested bounties from unbridled water ways, unmolested and free from human manipulation really gets the ol’gastronomy juices flowing.

Like anything else there is a good and a bad side to everything, but left alone, fish that is caught in its natural environment, packed in ice and flown directly to you doesn’t really have a “bad” side.  And if you’re worth your salt it stays that way.  Or better yet, if I’m worth my salt it stays that way!

When it comes to fresh seafood, simple techniques will always reign supreme. This is the philosophy the culinary team uses here at the P&P.  We feel that God has already done enough, we’ll just make sure that we don’t do too much more.

Spring is fast approaching, so be on the lookout for some fantastic fish specials coming soon! This weekend we’re featuring wild-caught Scottish salmon and our signature crab cakes.

Eat well,

Chef Aaron
The Partridge & Pear Restaurant at Christmas Place

And more snow ..

We’re starting 2011 just like we ended 2010, in a blast of white.  Here are a few pics from around our block.

Last night, it was as if we were existing inside a giant snowglobe that someone had given a good shake – the flakes were falling straight down, thick and beautiful .. and fast.

Here’s an interesting image – can you see the ghost tree in the background through the flashing snowflakes?  Taken in my driveway last night.

Here’s the adjusted image – the tree is not really floating in air!

This morning, every twig and branch and blade and stone was coated in a thick layer of frosting – I’m sure the world would have been twinkling quite grandly had the sun decided to rise with us.  It slept in ..

(Pay no attention to the branches still on the ground from the last storm ..)

Frosty Caroler

I wish I could capture in pixels (yes, I started to type “on film”, then had to stop and think about it) the lights glowing on those trees under the snow – trust me, it’s gorgeous and wintery and lovely!  Now here’s me being all interesting and artsy with the camera.  Amazing, I know.

Snow on rocks

Snow on orange bush

Snow on evergreen

At least I didn’t have to walk too far to capture this triptych in the snow.  What a wonderful day to stay by the fire with a mug of hot chocolate.  More white flakes on the way tonight and through the weekend.

This Saturday through next Saturday, it’s time for the 21st Annual Wilderness Wildlife Week, check the details here.  Photography exhibits, classes, hiking & field trips – it’s an amazing time both to explore firsthand and to learn from experts about the variety and beauty of the mountain habitat we share here in the Smokies.

Stay warm!

~Janet @ The Christmas Place

Dedication Day

It’s been a special day here at Christmas Place.  Early this morning, staff of Christmas Place, The Inn at Christmas Place, and The Partridge & Pear Restaurant gathered at our new fountain for a special dedication.

As you may know, we are a family-owned business.  In August this year, we suffered the very untimely death of our president, Keith Biggs.  Keith was a very creative and compassionate leader who daily shared with us his vision for the future of the company.  He encouraged every one of us to achieve our best, both for the company and personally.  We really miss Keith’s presence around here, but share wonderful memories of the too-short time he was with us.  More than just a boss, he was our friend. 

If you ever visited any of our properties, there is a very good chance you met Keith and he served you without your ever knowing he was our president.  Making the spirit of Christmas real for every guest was one of his passions.  To commemorate his role in our present success and his inspiration for our future growth as individuals and as a company, staff and his family decided to dedicate our new fountain courtyard to Keith’s memory.  The plaque is completed, and it will be mounted to a marble base with a permanent installation by the fountain.  We unveiled the plaque this morning, and want to share the message with you.

Keith lived every bit of that dash between his dates, and we feel blessed for having known him.

~Janet @ The Christmas Place

And the light was good!

Each dining room in The Partridge & Pear Restaurant is unique, as I’ve already shown you, and the design team has chosen some really beautiful light fixtures to complement each one.  Here are four samples.

The Angel Dining Room chandelier still has a little bit of protective padding in place, but the delicate leaves around the center evoke an ethereal grace, and the red glass accents are grand and elegant.

The intricate, ornate shape of the bronze fittings and plenty of sparkling crystals on the two chandeliers in the Bavarian Dining Room will remind you of a candelabra in a gracefull banquet hall.

This is my favorite!  From the Nutcracker Dining Room ~ it just has such a sense of whimsy and fun about it!  I love the little lamp shades that remind me of a drum, and the crystal drops with one large reflecting ball in the middle.

Casting an intricate pattern of light on the delicate pear orchard ceiling mural, the chandeliers in the Conservatory Dining Room are ornate, wrought iron, reproduction bird cages.  What a clever idea!  These are delicately painted in shades that compliment the space, and their structural elements are a great pairing with the bead-board paneling in the room.  ( I have to admit, I think of this as The Room for Ladies with Gift Bags.  If you’re planning a party for the girls, this is the space to request!)

This morning, I snapped a quick picture of the newly-hung chandeliers in the Great Hall ~ I was so quick, in fact, that I clipped off the bottom of the light!  I’ll have to go back for another picture.  The plastic is off the rafters, and they are as beautiful as promised!

As the wraps are already off these beautiful lights while sawing and finishing is ongoing throughout the restaurant, I’m wondering what poor soul is going to be conscripted into dusting and polishing each of these fixtures in the days before opening .. ?  Chef??

~Janet @ The Christmas Place

Restaurant Payback ~ I mean UPdate!

I hope there was some amusing April Foolery around your workplace yesterday .. we had a nice round of it here, culminating in the chef’s vehicle being carefully preserved for him this morning on the job site .. isn’t this the latest in impervious clear-coating available on the market??  (No extra charge for the bow ~ it was a gift-with-purchase deal.)

He was complaining about driving to work with wet hair and no roof .. this should be a real help.  It’s also what you get when you try to scam the site foreman out of $10K for planting crab apples in needy neighborhoods .. you know who you are.

There is actual work being done on the site, too ~ the stonework is being installed today on the exterior walls and chimneys.

Inside, hand painted wall and ceiling murals and borders are taking shape.

Woodwork details are also being installed throughout the restaurant, as you can see in this ceiling shot.  Chef Aaron is very happy with the stainless steel installations in the kitchen, but I’m not sure how to take an interesting photo of a wall of silver – which side is up?

More to come!

~Janet @ The Christmas Place

Restaurant Update

We have a copper roof!  Check out the beautiful installation on the tower of The Partridge & Pear Restaurant ~ as it develops that lovely green, aged patina, it is going to be even more spectacular.

I can’t wait to see the stonework go up next on the outside of the grand chimney and tower stacks.  It is really going to look like the drawing!

Work continues on the inside, too ~ here’s the gold-leafed tray ceiling in the Nutcracker dining room.  This room, which is styled for family dining, may be reserved for private functions as well, and will seat 12 to 14 diners.

The walls have been faux-finished in the main dining room and a hand-painted border is coming to life.  I didn’t want to flash on the artist at work, but here’s a snippet of the stylized leaf-and-berry pattern she’s designed.

The large Bavarian Room has its own fireplace, and, judging by the fireplaces at The Inn, I know our carpenters will be installing an amazing mantel and surround.  This room may be reserved for private functions, and will seat between 45 and 55 people, depending on how it is staged.

Here’s a slightly fuzzy picture of the grand hall!  The light really streams into the space during morning hours.  The hall serves as a waiting area, and guests will be able to relax on comfortable couches by the fire or at a window seat, enjoying a glass of wine or other beverages while waiting to be seated for lunch or dinner.

Finally, the Conservatory ~ I think this might be my favorite room just because of the windows!  This dining room will have an indoor gardens feel,  and may also be reserved for private functions.  It will seat up to 30 people.  I can see a lot of birthday and bridal and baby shower parties happening here!  My pictures were taken at about 10:00 a.m., so this room is going to host some wonderful, sunny lunches.

 I don’t know if I’ve yet mentioned that we’re also restructuring the parking lot to incorporate a drive-up and drop-off traffic pattern.  There will be a new walkway across to Christmas Place as well.  In case you missed it on Wednesday, the courtyard was THIS beautiful!

 I enjoyed my Mrs. Claus’ Candy Kitchen specialty, chicken salad sandwich, under an umbrella, and the scent of these blooms was heavenly, with the warm sun on my back and the sights and sounds of birds chirping from the holly trees.  We’re expecting another day like this on Saturday .. you won’t want to miss it!

Speaking of lunch .. when you come to eat with us this summer, please accept my recommendation:  be sure to order our Waldorf Salad.  Chef served it to us at the Christmas party, and it was fantastic.  It is made with pears and either cranberries or tart cherries, and I can hardly describe how delicious his unique dressing is as a finish.  Just, WOW!  You’ll have to try it.

Can’t wait to have you join us for lunch or dinner in a couple of months!

~Janet @ The Christmas Place

The Partridge & Pear Restaurant Update

A reader has asked for an update on the restaurant ~ we’re still on track for an early summer opening (notice how carefully we are avoiding a specific date…).  There has been progress on both the interior and exterior of the building, but it’s not quite beautiful yet – just bits are beautiful!  Here are some photos I took a couple of hours ago.  As you’ll notice, it’s another cloudy day here ~ in fact, it began snowing again about 10 minutes ago.  I tried to panic and head for home, but the boss would not hear of it.  Meanie.

Coming soon - The Partridge & Pear Restaurant at Christmas Place!

The Conservatory

Clearly, it’s already in use for private parties!  (Flashback to December, I just remembered I was supposed to get a couple of those chairs for Christmas!  Who had my name in the drawing?  Someone’s got some ‘splainin’ to do..)  The last time I was in this room, the floor was a bed of loose rocks.

I did not even notice the fireplace hiding behind the ladder on the left when I was taking this picture of the marvelous tray ceiling that’s going in!  You can see it’s all taping and spackling inside this week.

A second fireplace in one of the dining rooms.  It’s become a bit of a rabbit warren now, and I can’t tell you for sure yet which room is which.  Chef Aaron knows, I hope!

 I think I was meant to use one of those hard hats .. but at least I have plenty of hairspray working for me against hard objects falling from above.

Oops!  Looks like the kitchen is last on the list for some TLC.

We’re anxious to see the stone go up on the outside of the building, and the hand-painted murals coming to life on the inside.  I’ll be back with more pictures when that starts to take shape.  Until then, keep an eye out for this logo around town ~ it means a really great food experience is heading your way!  We’ll set a place at the table for you.

You know what this all means??  Soon you’ll be able to come for a fabulous dinner, shop a little (or a lot), spend the night in luxury – and still make it to work on time in the morning!  Now that’s a quick and complete getaway.

~Janet @ The Christmas Place

We have a cupola!

It’s a gloriously sunny, almost warmish afternoon here in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains … a perfect day to place the cupola on the roof of our Partridge & Pear restaurant, opening early next summer right next door to us here in Pigeon Forge!

Yay!  It’s going to have a copper roof when completed.  The restaurant is really starting to take shape, and we’re looking forward to inviting you for a taste of Good Food & Holiday Cheer!

Janet @ The Christmas Place

And the Name is…

 The Partridge & Pear at Christmas Place!

Inspired regional fare by Chef Aaron Ward, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  We’ll offer Christmas dinner with family-style service, so you can even argue over who got the most sweet potato casserole (okay, I just made that up, I can’t promise sweet potato casserole will be on the menu…but it really should be, don’t you think? and maybe peas with those baby onions?).

We’re redesigning the space to accommodate curbside drop-off and pick-up, and expanding the restaurant to add private dining rooms you can reserve for a board meeting, business meeting, baby shower, Christmas party … private rooms!  How cool is that!

A couple of cozy fireplaces, a bake shop, and three hot meals a day.  We’re so looking forward to welcoming you to a meal with us next summer.

South view (from across the Christmas Place parking lot):

East view (from across the Parkway):

See you there!

~Janet @ The Christmas Place