“Yuck! I hate vegetables!” says just about every kid during some point in his or her young life. Let’s be honest here: no kids want to eat corn, broccoli or tomatoes when they know that there’s a box of Fruit Roll-Ups hidden behind a closed cabinet door in the kitchen. It’s rare to find a child that will tell you an actual fruit or vegetable is his or her favorite food. But when Chef John Castro of Winston’s Restaurant was growing up, he was one of those kids.
The Bardstown Road restaurant, which works in connection with Sullivan University to educate students earning a degree in hospitality studies, is hosting its 18th Annual Heirloom Tomato Dinner the third weekend in August. And considering the head chef responsible for creating the menu, it’s sure to be a one-of-a-kind feast to honor America’s classically delicious fresh fruits and vegetables.
Since he was a child, Chef Castro always understood the value of fresh food from his family’s garden and knew that food didn’t have to be pretty to be delicious. And with this in mind, he has created a five course masterpiece that will feature the freshest of produce from Ambrosia Farm, located in Finchville, Kentucky, with a special highlight on the farm’s collection of oddly shaped heirloom tomatoes.
Here’s a sneak peek at the menu:
First Course
Chilled ghost gazpacho with red onion, tomato, sour cream, fresh jalapeño, red vein sorrel and cucumber
Second Course
Herb grilled cheese with tomato with halloumi
Third Course
Mrs. Castro’s summer salad with grilled lobster
Intermezzo
Naked tomato discussion with Bourbon Barrel Foods soy sauce and assorted salts
Fourth Course
Braised beef short rib with cavatelli pasta, spicy aglio olio, tomato concasse and citrus herb gremolata
Fifth Course
Cornmeal cake with rosemary, elderflower, lemon syrup, tomato blackberry conserve and whipped cream
Winston’s Restaurant is located at 3101 Bardstown Road. The 18th Annual Heirloom Tomato Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, August 14 and Saturday, August 15. The cost is $70 per person excluding taxes and gratuity. And for an additional $40, you can have delectable wine pairings served along with your meal. To make a reservation, please call 502-456-0980.
And don’t forget that Winston’s Restaurant is open on Friday and Saturday for lunch from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and for dinner from 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. and also for brunch on Sunday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. For more information and directions, visit the restaurant’s website.
Photo courtesy of tomatofest.com
