This from a Wall Street Journal article from May of 2017…
Going Out for Lunch Is a Dying Tradition
Restaurants suffer as people eat at their desks; no more three-martini sit-down meals
Well, tell that to the hundreds of guests who come to Chestnut every week for lunch!
I have had some interesting input on our Lunch business which I would like to share with you. While visiting with an old friend recently, she shared this story about lunch at Chestnut, “I thought that Chestnut was not a good choice for lunch for several reasons. It is “full-service”, which usually means “takes way too long”. I also thought that it is a little fancy, kind of upscale. Frankly I was concerned about the cost. Also, who wants to have a drink with lunch anymore? Frankly, I was surprised. Mostly at the prices which I found to be right around the same as counter-service restaurants. I also was pleasantly surprised at how quickly the food came out and how nice it is to have a wait person there to take care of everything. I have to admit, I had a glass of wine after all, because the wine list is so inviting.”
So, the thing is, we like lunch. Maybe not as much as Brunch, but hey, Lunch happens five days a week, so it is much easier to get onto my Google calendar!
Here’s a Sample menu, highly recommended, by yours truly, the Chef! I designed it for a party of four, because, the more the merrier…
BASKET OF CHIPS
Chestnut Chips, Honey Mustard (GF, V) ~ 4.5
BRASSTOWN BURGER*
Grilled 7 oz, Brioche Bun, Lettuce, Pickled Green Tomato, Onion ~ 11
Additional Toppings – $1 (Avocado, Bacon, Mushrooms, Freid Egg)
GRILLED LEMON CHICKEN COBB SALAD
Local Lettuce Leaves, Lemon Vinaigrette, Blue Cheese, Bacon, Cheddar, Avocado, Tomato, Julienne Prosciutto (GF) ~ 11.5
BRUSSELS SPROUT SALAD
Roasted Chestnuts, Pancetta, Pomegranates, Parmesan, Local Cider Reduction, Horseradish Dressing (GF) ~ 11
FRIED CALAMARI ON KALE SALAD
Grappa Currants, Marcona Almonds, Parmesan, Fried Preserved Lemons, Lemon Oregano Aioli ~ 12
A Glass of wine or one of our “Mocktails” will go nicely I think.
Then Get one of Karen Neal’s desserts…
PISTACHIO PROFITEROLES
Trio of Pâte à Choux, Pistachio Ice Cream, Chocolate Sauce, Candied Pistachios ~ 7
CHOCOLATE CRÈME BRÛLÉE
Triple Chocolate Custard, Chantilly Cream, Chocolate Phyllo Crust (GF Upon Request) ~ 8
FRENCH APPLE CAKE
Rustic Apple Brandy Cake, Crème Fraîche, Fennel Chip, Fennel Seed Tuile, Star Anise-Apple ~ 7
See, lunch can be easy, quick, affordable, but most of all it can be really, really nice.
– Joe Scully, Chef/Owner
