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SPRING 2004 Dear Neighbors, “Go local, young man!” Horace Greeley popularized the John B. L. Soule quote, “Go West, young man, and grow up with the country,” in 1865. This notion was a huge part of my (Dennis) youth, growing up (or, at least getting older) in Iowa, Nevada, but mostly in Western Montana. The drive-in theater near Missoula was even called the “Go West.” Now, with this humble enterprise, right here in the Old North State, we are declaring, “Go Local!!” Our guests are local, our staff is local, we are local… let’s be more and more “local.” (You’re thinking loco, aren’t you?) We will buy more “stuff” that is made locally. For us this could mean as much as “Go West” has meant to many. Three years ago we started along these lines with our Sustainable Practices
Initiative and now we are formalizing the notion of buying not only
food, but also other things that we need from local artisans and craftsmen.
In this letter, we’ll talk about commissioning objects of art that
are made with love and passion. (Visit our QWRH
website to learn more about our “nearer the farm to the fork, the
better the flavor,” ideas, and in future letters, we’ll explain
how we intend to take this “Go Local” mantra further.) We’ll
also talk about our outdoor dining environments, plus we’ll share
some news about deals at the O.Henry and a spring recipe. Cheers! Dennis & Nancy King Quaintance Scroll
down to read our entire Neighborhood Letter or click the links below
for articles of interest...
Get Local & Go A couple of years ago we decided that we wanted to warm up the “feel”
of our Lucky 32 restaurants so we installed some small lamps around
the dining rooms to help. They looked OK but they were not “us;”
they lacked authenticity — they bugged me. That was about
the same time that we bought our “Field Truck” and started
buying more of our food locally. Well, sometimes we are a little slow,
but we have finally connected the dots. With our “Go Local” notion, we are seeking “authenticity” for our guests, our staff and ourselves. Here is a little bit about some of theauthentic artists (I’ll leave it to you to decide what I mean by that!) who create objects for our restaurants and hotel that I sincerely hope brighten your day. (The artists’ quotations are from interviews conducted by our good and authentic friend, Sara Sherman. Obviously we edited out their “less than flattering” comments.) Greensboro artist, Frank P. Holton, III (better known
as Chip Holton) Greensboro sculptor, Jim
Gallucci Raleigh artists, Matt
McConnell and Mac Farrior She Spoiled You, Why Not Spoil Her?
Upcoming Packages & Deals at the O.Henry Hotel Get the royal treatment with our Royal
Retreat for $249*. Fulfill your dreams of
For reservations or more information visit the O.Henry Hotel website or contact our Reservations Manager, Ana Abella, at 336-544-9603 or 800-965-8259. Rates are based on double occupancy, subject to availability and do not include tax. Wedding Celebrations, Large or Small
Of course, we can accommodate larger groups, as well. Our banquet space is versatile, our catering team is accomplished and our planning professionals are attentive. Please let us know how we can help plan your next event by contacting Leslie Dupuis at 336-544-9609 or visit the O.Henry Hotel website for more information, including menu samples and room diagrams.
To prepare filling: Combine eggs, yolks, and sugar in the top of a
double broiler or a bowl placed over a pot of boiling water. Whisk over
boiling water until the curd is thick and pale yellow, about 8-10 minutes.
Add the butter, piece by piece allowing each piece to melt before adding
the next. Add zest and lemon juice, whisking about 4 minutes, until
the mixture is thick and custard-like and the first bubbles appear on
the surface. The mixture should not boil. Pour the finished lemon mixture
into the pre-baked and cooled lemon tart pastry. Smooth the filling
with a spatula and set the tart aside “to set,” for about
30 minutes. ©1989-2004 This recipe is property of Quaintance-Weaver, Inc. Unauthorized commercial use is forbidden. Every month or so our featured menus at Lucky 32 and the Green Valley Grill change to reflect the season. At Lucky 32 each menu features an American regional cuisine, while the Green Valley Grill features menus that are inspired by European regional recipes. Visit our Lucky 32 and Green Valley Grill websites for our upcoming featured menus. “She was dressed with such expensive plainness
that she made you consider lace and ruffles as mere tatters and
rags. But one great ostrich plume that she wore would have marked her
anywhere in the army of beauty…” |
Our
outdoor dining areas at the 
The
Green Valley Grill’s courtyard is an intimate outdoor dining
area, inspired by the hidden urban gardens found throughout Europe.
It’s focal point is a soothing fountain surrounded by lush plantings.
The terrace at our Cary Lucky 32 includes a “secret garden,”
and our North Raleigh Lucky’s features a covered area, so
dining outdoors is comfortable (almost) year-round, rain or shine. If
you join us on the courtyard of our Winston-Salem Lucky’s
this summer, you’ll hear live jazz on Thursdays (exact dates to
be announced). Plus, you’ll soon be able to dine under a wonderful
trellis on our Greensboro Lucky’s Veranda. Chip Holton’s
sketch demonstratesthe garden-like environment that we’re creating.
Since
we seek “authenticity” in our own dining experiences and we
want to offer such to our guests, by golly, let’s get some of that
authenticity potion. My experience of authenticity is
linked to being in the presence of (or, in the case of food, consuming)
things that are nurtured with love, cooperation, free ideas and high
spirits. (This is kind of like that infamous quote about a non-related
subject, “I don’t have a definition, but I know it when I
see it.”) So---two years later, we don’t have those less
than authentic lamps, we have “tulip” light diffusers
commissioned from Raleigh artist Matt McConnell.
“My
friend Don Rives [our Minister of Design – ed.] introduced
me to Dennis when they were in the planning stages of the first Lucky
32 in 1989. I painted the murals at the Lucky’s in Greensboro,
Winston-Salem and Raleigh. I also painted the large mural in the Green
Valley Grill dining room, and I’ve worked on a few other projects
at the O.Henry. Working with them is great – we get together and
brainstorm, then I interpret what we’ve talked about. This way
my unique abilities as an artist come out, and that is really satisfying.”
Dennis
called me after seeing some lights I made for the café at the
NC Museum of Art and within two months we had installed the lighting
in the new Cary Lucky 32. Then we went on to create custom lighting
at the other three Lucky’s. They are the best clients, not only
because of the volume and scale of the work, but also because they’re
fun, light-hearted and creative. There’s a good balance between
finding creative solutions to problems and being high energy and focused.
”
Mother’s
Day is Sunday, May 9th! 
This
package includes one night’s gracious accommodations; a cheese
& fruit platter, with a bottle of wine delivered to your room; breakfast
in bed; late check-out and a refreshing “spa” gift basket
filled with Cru de Provence milk body lotion, bubble bath, hand cream,
foaming milk bath, a decorative canister of foot soak, bath salt, bath
tea, scented soap, a thick bath sponge, back scrubber, wooden shower
brush and a red candle.
spending
an enchanted night away from home. Take advantage of our Mid-Summer
Night’s Dream Package that includes one night’s gracious
accommodations for two, a $30.00 gift certificate for the Green Valley
Grill or Lucky 32 and a full, hot buffet breakfast. For an extra special
evening, dine under the stars in Green Valley Grill's Courtyard. This
package is available June 1 – August 14, 2004 for $194*.
The
award-winning professional theater, 
We’re
partnering with the 
Many
of our neighbors know that the O.Henry Hotel is an elegant setting for
weddings. You may not know that we are also able to accommodate smaller
gatherings such as rehearsal dinners, bridesmaid’s luncheons and
groomsmen’s dinners. Our Merchants & Manufacturers Room is
especially intimate and elegant. Its design was inspired by the wine-tasting
rooms found adjacent to fine subterranean wine cellars and it seats
up to 14 guests.
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