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themoralomnivore · 11 years ago

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Loving the Ordinary: Finding Enjoyment in the Creations of our Fellow Human-Beings

Wandering around Chester Connecticut turned into a really lovely day. Although I proclaim to hate shopping, Chester was filled with independently owned shops that Julia and I marveled at. Window after window contained beautiful hand-made jewelry, paintings, pottery, delicious smelling candles and quirky little goods that we wouldn’t find anywhere else. We explored the shops, exclaiming at the beauty of a ring, sighing as we felt the cloud-that-was a $300 scarf, gingerly fingering the fragile pottery, laughing at the wall hangings embroidered with Sherlock & Downton Abby quotes. Part of me felt shallow. “Why should I get so much enjoyment from looking at stuff”, I wondered.

We stopped at a lovely little restaurant for lunch, and were as overcome by the food as anything we spent time looking at that day. The food was incredible, the cocktail we shared was exquisite, and we left as happy as we’ve ever been. The River Tavern was inspiring to say the least. Check out what they’re doing here: www.rivertavernrestaurant.com/River_Taver/Welcom.html.

As I reflected on the day, I realized that looking at “stuff” made by local artisans and finding genuine enjoyment from it, is no different than finding enjoyment in exploring flavors at an independent restaurant featuring creations from a local chef. Middletown and Chester are booming with locally owned shops and eateries. In fact, you have to drive out of town to find a Subway, McDonalds, or Starbucks. This community has made itself a safe space for the members of their community to exercise their creativity. Whether it take the shape of food, drink, or another art form, the community is willing to marvel at the locally made goods, try the locally brewed beers, and explore the world through interesting flavors their local chefs create. Local businesses cannot thrive in a community that isn’t willing to be adventurous in this way. If we scoff at the expensive albeit beautiful plates because we know we can get perfectly good dishes at Target for a fraction of the cost, we are choosing what kind of community we want to live in. Of course I’m not saying that everyone should shell up the hundreds of dollars it might cost to buy an entire set of dishes made by a local potter, but I am saying that we should be open minded.

The Moral Omnivore does not create the most ordinary food. We are not serving up hot dogs and hamburgers with a side of fries. We are playing with flavors, exploring cooking techniques, and working to do it with the local ingredients Minnesota has to offer. You all make this possible. You have given us a safe space to play, have supported our efforts, and as a result we enjoy our job. What would the world look like if we did this at every opportunity possible? If we went out of our way to support our local businesses? I saw the result in Chester, and I found inspiration in it. We have the opportunity to choose what kind of world we want to live in, simply by choosing our attitude (say “yes”!), reaching out to our neighbors, and supporting their endeavors whenever possible. Perhaps I’m preaching to the choir here. Perhaps you’ve all already thought of this, and this is why you support The Moral Omnivore. But I understood its importance on a whole new level when I realized I could choose from three locally owned coffee shops, that anyplace I chose to buy a souvenir from would be supporting a local artist, when I needed groceries and by default walked into the local co-op. When people in your community open a business, you approach the people of that business as your friends and neighbors. They become more than the cook or kid flipping your burgers; they become Phil, or Louis, or Ross-they are humanized. Our willingness to try new things, to be open minded, leads to a more connected community. Thank you for connecting with us. Until I write again, peace out friends.

If you want to check out the other restaurants we had the pleasure of trying during our time in CT, check out these links:

6 on Main, Chester CT: Head chef Rachel Carr plates up delicious & almost completely vegan dishes. The mushroom pot stickers, portabella Wellington, and potato & mushroom gnocchi were the favorites. The line up you would expect of local beers, good wine, and house cocktails accompanied and great service makes dinner a creative, enjoyable experience. The changing weekly prix fixe menu would keep us coming back, if we lived in CT! Check them out here: www.sixmain.com

Café 56, Middletown CT: We grabbed breakfast here when we had to get some paperwork done for MO one day. The breakfast menu is simple, but expertly prepared. Eggs cooked perfectly, buttery crispy bacon, & delicious toast topped with homemade compotes mingle with the friendly small-town atmosphere for a lovely start to the day. Once a month they do a dinner tasting, and I highly recommend checking them out if you’re ever in the area: www.cafe56ct.com

Krust Pizza Bar, Middletown CT: We didn’t have the pleasure of eating at Krust, but we stopped by for cocktails before a get-together one evening. The drinks were some of the best we’ve had, and one of the bar tenders chatted with us about the love the owner of Krust had put into the restaurant. From the handmade chandelier and wall separating eating space from the bar, to the delicious drinks and great smelling pizza, this place had a wonderful atmosphere worth visiting. Check them out: www.krustpizzabar.com

#twomonthroadtrip #local #organic #minnesota #moralomnivore

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