Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Events Dine Al Fresco with Nfocus
Posted by Chris Chamberlain on Tue, Aug 28, 2012 at 6:27 AM
But fear not if you weren't an insider with the advance knowledge. Our corporate cousins over at Nfocus have their own farm-to-table dinner coming up that you can attend for a less money than the $200 cover charge at Brown's dinner. (Hmm ... I'm sounding like I'm just a little jealous.)
Nfocus Al Fresco will be held at the historic Carnton Plantation in Franklin on Thursday, Sept. 20, starting at 6 p.m.
Attendees will dine under a huge oak tree at the plantation, enjoying farm-to-table Southern fare while being serenaded by bluegrass music. After a cocktail hour, everyone will sit down to dinner with wine, beer and cocktail pairings. And the event costs just $55 per person until Sept. 1, when the price goes up to $75.
Chef Bart Pickens, the executive chef of the Loveless Event Catering is planning a fantastic menu, which will mostly be served family style at one long table that could have as many as 150 diners. Pass to the left, please.
Best of all, the event benefits Mercy Children's Clinic, an organization that provides pediatric care to children in Williamson County who otherwise might not have access.
Take a look at this menu below (subject to a little tweaking), and I think you'll agree it's a cut above even the normal excellent Loveless fare:
Nfocus Al Fresco Dinner
APPETIZERS
Deviled Country Ham Profiteroles
Hickory-Smoked Trout, Crème Fraîche on Plank Potatoes
Blue Corn Hoe Cakes with Pulled Pork Barbeque
Locally-Raised Chow Chow Deviled Eggs
FIRST COURSE (plated)
Shrimp and Tennessee Cheddar Grits Cake with Country Ham, Sorghum Drizzle and Braised Collard Greens
SECOND COURSE (plated)
Chopped Salad with Limestone Bibb Lettuce, Heirloom Tomatoes, Dried Corn, and Fried Onions in a Cheese Crisp with Creamy Basil Dressing
FAMILY STYLE DINNER
Loveless Watermelon Ribs, Famous Fried Chicken, and Local Whiskey Smoked Brisket
Squash Casserole, Roasted Root Vegetables and Marinated Vegetable Salad
DESSERT (plated)
Loveless Peach Crisp with Homemade Goat Cheese Ice Cream
It should be a beautiful event with Italian street-fair lights illuminating the common table set with fun mismatched vintage china. If I remember correctly, the Outstanding events request that you bring your own flatware, so there's another checkmark for Al Fresco!
So don't be bitter that you missed the chance to dine with Chef Brown; do something positive and buy your tickets here to help out Mercy Children's Clinic.
