Day of Birthday Feasting Recap
I love Yellow Springs; one day, I hope to retire there or someplace similar. If you don't believe a town can give off a good vibe, then you have never been to Yellow Springs (or Berkeley). It has been one of my favorite places since high school, when the idea of living in a town full of cool earthy-types seemed like the ideal setting for someone like me. It still does, just a little further down the road. Maybe when the owners of the Winds decide to retire. Which brings me to brunch.
Husband and I, who have known each other since Moses was in short pants (okay, we aren't that old yet; let's just say we've known each other as long as The Simpsons has been on television), have been going to the Winds since we were either about to graduate high school or shortly thereafter. It was at the Winds where I ordered my first Tuscan bread salad, except I asked for a too-sawn bread salad, as in the city in Arizona, versus the tusk-uhn, the region in Italy. My, how far we've come. Who knew then that we would grow up eating at the Winds, and that one day, Husband would become friendly rivals with their owner and wine buyer, whose impeccable taste we have learned a great deal from. The Winds, along with a few other restaurants, helped shape my ideas about eating locally and encouraging other to do so. It's a sad thing I don't get there more often.
The Winds Cafe has been around since 1977, which is pretty amazing longevity for a small town like Yellow Springs. They place high value on supporting local purveyors. One of my favorite events I have been to at the Winds was their yearly garlic dinner. Yellow Springs is about just about a 45 minute drive from the West side of downtown, for those of you who e-mailed to ask me. While you are in Yellow Springs, you should take some time to hike along the Clifton Gorge and to visit the Glen Helen Raptor Rescue - you can see some pictures from my trip there last year in my photo album.
So! On with brunch!! First of all, we started with the fabulous cinnamon roll - never miss a baked good at the Winds, particularly their cookies and whole wheat bread with the sunflower seeds. Every time we have dinner there, I selfishly eat all of the wheat bread and hope no one notices. Unfortunately, Husband and I were so famished we at the whole thing up - about halfway through, I paused long enough to question whether we should photograph the half-eaten bit, but we decided to keep on eating. The cinnamon roll is lightly spiked with citrus and doesn't rely on a heavy glazing, showcasing the perfect laminated dough execution without being overly sweet.
Then we were on to the main course, and I am very sorry for this unfortunately blurry picture of my breakfast sandwich. The Wind's breakfast sandwich is a perfect example of the whole being more than the sum of its parts, or maybe it's that the parts are each so perfect in their own way they lead to the greater whole. Either way, great local organic eggs pair with sharp cheddar, thick slabs of salty Neuske's bacon and house-made mustard slathered on good foccaccia - I actually ate the whole thing, sacrificing only a few bits of bacon to Husband, who also had the breakfast sandwich. Which is what he always has, and never shares. We'll have to go again soon so I might try the Papas Locas, a black bean avocado egg dealie which also sounded wonderful.
No trip to the Winds is complete without a bowl of steel-cut oats, which can come with any number of things - yesterday it was fat juicy blueberries, pecans, brown sugar, cream and butter. It will make you forget why you turned your nose up at oatmeal your entire childhood.
Suddenly, birthday cake appeared! This was a surprise, as Husband usually isn't the sort who would call ahead to make birthday arrangements, and he insisted he didn't. I was mysteriously informed the Winds knew we were coming, knew it was my birthday, and sent us their best (I knew Leos were cool, but I didn't know they were psychic, too). I even got a Happy Birthday song from their venerable singing bus woman. I don't know what else to call her, she floats through the dining room cleaning tables, singing, and charming children. Thanks Winds!!! The cakes are chocolate nemesis, deep dark and chocolaty with a nice little dab of creme fraiche to cut through the sweetness, and on the right, a German chocolate cheesecake - nicely cheesy, without being too sweet:
As if all of this wasn't enough, while Husband and I were walking down the street after brunch, we walked right past Dave Chappelle! It was super cool to see him just strolling down the street talking to his wife, who was very animatedly waving her hands about.
Make the trip to the Winds very soon. Stroll through Yellow Springs and wander through the shops, marvel at the presence of roaring hoards of Harley-Davidsons ripping - strangely peacefully - through the streets, go look at a Bald Eagle up close, hike around the Gorge, stopping to read about all the local legends - including the time Daniel Boone jumped the gorge in a single bound, then settle down for dinner at the Winds. Autumn is my favorite time to go there. Take the time to read Mary Kay Smith's insightful wine notes, and then take her advice and order whatever she's offering.
Info: The Winds Cafe 215 Xenia Ave in Yellow Springs (click for directions) 937.767.1144
To wind down the day, we ended up at the Rossi bar for one of their yummy pepperoni and giardinara pizzas:
