6 week session – Saturday afternoons from 2 to 4PM.

This is a great opportunity for anyone who has ever wanted to expand their knowledge in the kitchen or to just add a few recipes to their cook book. Blu Moon Cafe cooking classes will be presentation style with take home recipes and materials. Volunteers will be requested to help with preparation, and any and all questions will be welcomed. Each class will end with enjoying the meal we’ve created along with an appropriate wine pairing.

The cost is $30 per class, or $25 if you book all 6 classes at once. Reservations must be made by the Wednesday prior. Payment is due upon reservation; however cancellations will be accepted up to the Friday preceding the class.

March 20th Back to Basics
In this class we will introduce you to the fundamentals of cooking. We will be discussing different knives and their uses, prepping and cooking techniques, and basic food terminology.

March 27th Breakfast and Brunch
Want to wow your friends and family at Easter, this class will show you how. We will highlight some of the classics and introduce you to a few of our new favorites.

April 10th Pastas and Sauces
Hop in the gondola, we’re taking a culinary tour of Italy. We will talk about the different types of pasta and how they compliment different sauces as we prepare some of our own delectable dishes.

April 17th Spring Appetizers
This class will have everyone planning a garden party or hosting the best tailgate for Steeplechase. We will get really creative and practice our knife skills while utilizing the fruits and vegetables of the season.

May 1st Healthy Living
This is not diet food, this is good food. We will focus on the importance of fresh, local and organic vegetables and meats and demonstrate healthy ways to showcase all of their benefits.

May 15th Great on The Grill
With the weather heating up, you’ll be ready to take the cooking outdoors. We will create an entire menu to be prepared out of doors and on the open flames.

For more information or to schedule classes, call us at 704-288-1766 or email us at blumooncafe@gmail.com. Hurry, classes are sure to fill up soon!

This year we will be hosting a V-day dinner on both Friday and Saturday (February 12 – February 13th). You will have many options to choose from as we are preparing a special dinner for 2 for only $50.00. If that does not suit your needs you are free to order off our regular dinner menu or you may choose to pick some of the selections from below.

This is our V-Day dinner, feel free to choose any of these items for your regular meal as well.

We are now taking reservations, but make sure you hurry… spots are filling up fast.

Valentine’s Day Couples Special
$50.00 for Two (includes 1 appetizer, 2 starters, 2 entrees, 1 dessert)

Appetizer
Fried Oysters with Bacon Horseradish Hollandaise
or
any menu appetizer

Starter
Roasted Pear, Goat Cheese and Walnut Salad
with Port Wine Vinaigrette
or
Cream of Asparagus Soup
with Garlic Croutons

Entrees
Grilled Sirloin with Mustard Peppercorn Sauce
with Truffled Mashed Potatoes and Asparagus
or
Fettuccine with Wild Mushrooms and Parmesan
or
Grilled Salmon with Cherry and Port Wine Reduction
with Truffled Mashed Potatoes and Asparagus

Dessert
Death by Chocolate
an assortment of chocolate favorites

Spanish Tapas and Wine Dinner

Saturday, January 23, 2010

7pm

$35.00 per person

Upon arrival we will be sampling

Juve y Camps Cava

First Course

Sopa de Garbanzo

(Garbanzo bean soup)

With chorizo sausage and smoked paprika oil

Paired with

Bodega Fontana Mesta Blanco

Second Course

“Taste of Tapas”

Manchego y Jamon

(Manchego cheese wrapped in prosciutto)

Tortilla Espanola

(Potato, onion and egg torte)

Serrano Ham and Blu Cheese Croquettes

Paired with

Almira “Los Dos”

Third Course

Pinchos Morunos

(Spicy pork skewers)

With Salsa Verde and Paella

Paired with

Piqueras Valcanto Tempranillo

Fourth Course

Bizcocho Borracho

(Drunken cinnamon cake)

With Chili Anglaise and Chocolate Drizzle

Paired with

Hildalgo Morenita Cream Sherry

Reservation must be made or cancelled by Jan 21st

Blu Moon Cafe will be closing at 2:30pm tomorrow December 24th for the holidays, and will reopen for lunch and dinner on Saturday, December 26th…. See you then!

A Real Christmas Treat
Need a boost to get you into the Christmas Spirit…..
we have just what Santa ordered

6-9pm Friday, December 11th
Live Acoustical Christmas Classics with CHARLES DICKENS

We will be Closed Saturday Evening at 5:30pm

We will be hosting an annual Boujolais Nouveau party Thursday, November 19th at 4:30pm.  What is Boujolais Nouveau? Below are 10 interesting facts about the event.  The event is free and the wine is free, we are hoping you love the wine so much that you cannot go home without a bottle of your own!

1. Beaujolais [BOE-zjoh-lay] Nouveau is always released the third Thursday of November, regardless of the start of the harvest.

2. The region of Beaujolais is 34 miles long from north to south and 7 to 9 miles wide. There are nearly 4,000 grape growers who make their living in this picturesque region just north of France’s third largest city, Lyon.

3. All the grapes in the Beaujolais region must be picked by hand. These are the only vineyards, along with Champagne, where hand harvesting is mandatory.

4. Gamay (Gamay noir Jus Blanc) is the only grape permitted for Beaujolais. While certain California wineries may label their wine “Gamay Beaujolais” this is not the same grape variety as what is grown in France, and is quite different in taste and growing habits.

5. Beaujolais Nouveau cannot be made from grapes grown in the 10 crus (great growths) of Beaujolais-only from grapes coming from the appellations of Beaujolais and Beaujolais-Villages.

6. Beaujolais Nouveau owes its easy drinkability to a winemaking process called carbonic maceration, also called whole berry fermentation. This technique preserves the fresh, fruity quality of the wine, without extracting bitter tannins from the grape skins.

7. Beaujolais Nouveau is meant to be drunk young-in average vintages it should be consumed by the following May after its release. However, in excellent vintages (such as 2000) the wine can live much longer and can be enjoyed until the next harvest rolls around.

8. Serve Beaujolais Nouveau slightly cool, at about 55 degrees Fahrenheit-the wine is more refreshing and its forward fruit more apparent than if you serve it at room temperature.

9. Approximately 1/3 of the entire crop of the Beaujolais region is sold as Beaujolais Nouveau.

10. The region of Beaujolais is known for its fabulous food. The famed Paul Bocuse Restaurant is just minutes from the heart of Beaujolais, as is Georges Blanc’s eponymous culinary temple. These great restaurants have plenty of Beaujolais on their wine lists. This quintessential food wine goes well with either haute cuisine or Tuesday night’s meat loaf.

First Course begins at 7:30, bar opens at 6:30
Wines presented by Melanie Presson of Grape Vine Distributing

First Course
Creamy Wild Mushroom Soup
With Foie Gras
2004 Delas Muscat Beaume De Venice

Second Course
Hazelnut Infused Butter Poached Salmon
Over Sauteed Leeks
2007 Chehalem Reserve Pinot Gris

Third Course
Sweet Potato Gnocchi
With Asiago and Fried Sage
2007 Sineann Pinot Noir

Fourth Course
Pepper Crusted Venison Medalions
With Pomegranate Molasses
Over Parnip Puree
2007 Owen Roe Keeper Cabernet Franc

Fifth Course
Pumpkin Mousse
With Chocolate Dipped Pepita Brittle
2007 Amity Late Harvest Riesling

Union County Chefs Reunite
Blu Moon Cafe Will Host Guest Chefs
Logan Rink and Daylen Algarin
Friday Evening October 9th, 2009

Logan and Daylen have been traveling the world and are ready to share some of their culinary experiences with us. Come enjoy their fusion specialties from South Korea and Puerto Rico.

October 2nd and 3rd will be the bi-annual art walk in Downtown Monroe.  Stop by and see some of our great featured artists, and stay for dinner.

October 2nd – Rachel Garcia Quartet will be playing on the Patio, bring your friends!

Dinner Specials include:

Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Lemon Sage Butter

Mustard Tarragon Chicken Breasts
with Truffled Mashed Potatoes

12oz Organic Ribeye
with Truffled Mashed Potatoes

We have some very exciting events on the calender for August.

Tomorrow night(August 15th) we will be holding a benefit for one of our former employees.  Jamie Medlin was recently paralyzed in an auto accident, he has no insurance and needs our help… Saturday, August 15th, we will be holding a benefit featuring the music from One Big Love, 50/50 raffle,  silent auction with gifts donated from LOCAL businesses.  One Big Love will start playing at 10:00pm.

We will also be having a mid-month beer tasting on Monday, August 17th.   These will be great summer beers that con be enjoyed in the hot sticky weather.  As always, appetizers and beer are only $10. Starts at 5:30pm

Our own Jahson from One Big Love will be perform some acoustical tracks for your pleasure… Bring your friends and enjoy a fine southern evening on the patio!

Friday, May 29th
Shelton the Jazz Man

Saturday, May 30th
Rachel Garcia Quartet

Blu Moon will be closed for the Memorial Day weekend.  Enjoy with your families, we will see you on Tuesday!

Open Mic Poetry Night.
Welcome poets, lyricists and storytellers.

In observence of the Easter Holiday, Blu Moon Cafe will be closed on Monday, April 13th.
Please rejoin us on Tuesday, April 14th.

Starters

French Toast Bread Pudding
Topped with Maple Syrup Crème Anglaise
6.95

Pastry Plate
An assortment of Sticky Buns, Muffins and Scones
With Whipped Butter and Preserves
6.95

Fried Green Tomatoes
With Chili Lime Aioli
7.95

Additions
Baked Cheddar Grits          3.95
Order of Peppered Bacon 3.95
Roasted New Potatoes      3.50
Sautéed Asparagus             3.50
Fresh Fruit Salad                 3.95

Entrees

Caramelized Onion, Apple and Brie Quiche
with Simple Salad or Fresh Fruit
9.95

Eggs Benedict
Toasted English Muffins topped with
Sautéed Baby Spinach, Canadian bacon, Poached Eggs and Hollandaise Sauce
With Roasted New Potatoes and Fruit
11.95

Garden Omelet
Sautéed Baby Spinach, Grilled Spring Onions,
Sun dried tomatoes, and Goat Cheese
With Roasted New Potatoes and Fruit
9.95

Chicken and Waffles  – A true Southern Treat!
Two Buttermilk Waffles topped with Fried Chicken Cutlets
Served with Real Maple Syrup
10.95

Cilantro Lime Crab Salad
With Cherry Tomato, Avocado Slices and Red Onion on a bed of Field Greens
10.95

Croque Monsieur
Buttery grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich topped with a Béchamel Sauce
With Fresh Fruit
9.95

Chardonnay Poached Salmon
With Roasted New Potatoes and Sautéed Asparagus
15.95

Herb Crusted Lamb Chops
With Mint Jelly Peppercorn Sauce
With Roasted New Potatoes and Sautéed Asparagus
18.95

Open Mic Poetry Night.
Welcome poets, lyricists and storytellers.

This is our 1st poetry night, help us make it an annual event, for questions or comments contact Sarah at blumooncafe@gmail.com

St. Patties Day Celebration

Corned Beef and Cabbage, Shepherd’s Pie, and Irish Potato and Stout Soup
Irish Beer Specials, Beads,
and ONE BIG LOVE layin’ down tracks!!!
(Checkout One Big Love on myspace)

Blu Moon Cafe will be open all day today (Monday, March 2nd)

Dont foget about our wine tasting tonight with our special guest Dennis Vineyards from Albermarle.
Starts at 5:30pm

Still only $10 for wine and appetizers