Rural Missouri - May 2012 - (Page 18)

O U T O F T H E W A Y E A T S and a gourmet burger with mushrooms, peppers, onions and Provolone cheese,” says David. David grinds the hamburger hirty minutes north of Kanfrom the trimmings of tendersas City, there’s a town where loins and steaks they serve, which people can go to decompress makes a higher-quality burger. from the hustle and bustle of Those with a heartier appelife. Bed-and-breakfast inns, charming tite might try the Weston Trio, old hotels, quaint shops, local winera mixed meat grill, or select the ies and a brewery are only a few of apple wood smoked ribs, filet of the reasons tourists come to the hisbeef tenderloin with bourbon toric hamlet of Weston. sauce or duckling with Chambord Another reason people visit is to and lingonberries. enjoy the delicious offerings that can Need more entrée options? You be found in the 1840s antebellum could choose the sautéed chicken structure that has been home to Avabreast with artichoke Chardonnay lon Café for the past 20 years. sauce, but then you’ll notice there “Weston used to be a river town, a are 15 entrées — so you might steamboat town, and there’s a lot of want to consider the lamb chops history here,” says David Scott, whose with chipotle chutney, sautéed eatery overlooks the picturesque veal cutlet with Portabella mushdowntown and river bottoms. rooms and Marsala wine sauce, “Our restaurant had been a resiherb-crusted salmon with artidence up until the restaurant opened choke and sun-dried tomato chutin 1992,” adds Lisa, David’s wife. “It ney or a Kansas City strip, served was actually built by a ship captain.” with a pale ale and butter glaze. Although the structure was damThe Avalon has some special aged by fire in the early 1990s, David selections for the adventurous. Try could see the charm the historic the elk strip loin with port-infused home had to offer, so he bought it. gooseberries; ostrich sirloin with a After the couple invested in a new burgundy and wild-berry compote; roof, redid the brickwork, enlarged photo by Kyle Spradley stuffed quail with pancetta, wild the kitchen and restored the wood rice and sun-dried tomatoes; or a floors, Avalon Café was a reality. Lisa and David Scott offer delicious bistro-style cuisine at Avalon Café just north of wild boar loin chop with wholeDavid grew up in Kansas City, Kansas City in the hamlet of Weston. Among the numerous offerings, the couple grain mustard and roasted garlic. starting his career with restaurants as serves wild game, such as these mouthwatering elk and quail entrées. Once you’ve enjoyed a leisurely a dishwasher at the age of 13. “But meal with attentive, but not overI always knew I wanted to open bearing service, you’ll want dessert. It’s a must. and served on a bed of greens with a place of my own one day,” says All the desserts are made at the café and include salsa fresca and Chardonnay butter. the chef, who’s lived in Weston the Avalon’s famous cinnamon bread pudding “That’s why I married him, the past 23 years. Join editor Heather Berry served with a rich vanilla cream sauce. Chocoholbecause of his crab cakes,” Lisa says. “When we first opened, we on her visit to ics might require chocolate damnation — laySalad fans won’t be disappointed. were more fine dining, and that’s Avalon Café in the ers of fudge cake, white chocolate cheesecake, The menu currently boasts seven salkind of where I was trained and the online edition at ganache, mousse and praline served with raspads including the Avalon, with fresh direction I was going,” says David. www.ruralmissouri.coop. greens, julienne vegetables, hearts berry purée and vanilla bean sauce. “But since then, we’ve added a lot Can’t make it for lunch or dinner? Try the of palm, artichoke hearts, toasted of different salads, appetizers, woodSunday brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. An abbrealmonds and bleu cheese. Or try the Weston, grilled pizzas and gourmet hamburgers to the viated menu and breakfast specials, such as with homemade chicken salad on a bed of fresh menu. omelets, pancakes, bacon, eggs and French toast, mixed greens with julienne vegetables and toast“I think what we offer now is a better fit for make up the brunch menu. “There’s a little bit ed almonds. the town,” he adds. “You can come in blue jeans for everybody,” says David. If you’re going beyond the lighter fare, you’ll or a suit and tie and be comfortable here.” David’s glad the Avalon Café is part of have difficulty choosing among the many deliFor starters, you might want to try the popuWeston’s allure and that people don’t mind a cious gourmet sandwiches, fresh pasta dishes, lar baked brie that comes with toasted almonds, little drive to experience what they have to offer. wood-grilled pizzas and signature steak burgers. grilled vegetables, fresh fruit and roasted garlic “We usually don’t have to convince people to “We originally started out with only one on baguette bread. come here,” says David. “They just come because hamburger option, and it became so popular we But Lisa would be quick to say you should try they know the food’s good.” added Cajun, bleu cheese, mushroom-and-Swiss David’s crab cakes, made of lump blue crab meat T by Heather Berry hberry@ruralmissouri.coop Bistro-style cuisine in a quaint setting Avalon Café Specialties: Beef tenderloin in bourbon sauce, wood-grilled pizza, fresh-ground gourmet steak burgers and several wild game options, such as quail, ostrich, wild boar and elk. Try the famous cinnamon bread pudding, chocolate pillars or chocolate damnation for dessert. Price: Entrées from $10 to $32; wild game prices vary according to current market price. Cash, checks, Mastercard and Visa are accepted. Details: Open Tuesday through Satur• Weston day, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Seats 110. Smoking at bar or patio dining area. Private party space available. Reservations recommended on weekends. Catering available. Address: Located at 608 Main St. in downtown Weston. Contact: 816-640-2835 or www.avaloncafeweston.com 18 WWW.RURALMISSOURI.COOP http://www.ruralmissouri.coop http://www.avaloncafeweston.com http://WWW.RURALMISSOURI.COOP

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Rural Missouri - May 2012

Rural Missouri - May 2012
Table of Contents
Comments
Columns
Moonshine mystique
Missouri snapshots contest
Curbing copper theft
Outdoors
Out of the Way Eats
The mandolin man
Knight for hire
Hearth and Home
The kid with the electric car
News Briefs
Around Missouri
Marketplace
Neighbors
Just4Kids

Rural Missouri - May 2012