As I was preparing for my weekly post, I was thinking about some of the topics I’ve written about in the past. I realize that most posts are about the great times I’ve had. With me, it’s about the fun I have with people-my friends, family and kiddos. Even some of my worst experiences can be turned into positive ones, because I’m generally with people I love.
This post will be no different. While it’s a sad topic, I feel it’s still a positive one, because my most recent experience with this place was with two people whom I dearly love.
Many of you may have heard, but family owned Organic Fresno is closing October 27th. I was very saddened when I heard the news.
Before I had ever stepped foot into their restaurant, a year or so ago, I use to see the sign off the 99, and wondered what it was. I didn’t know if it was some grocery store or a restaurant. Then one day my friend told me about this Mystery Dinner Show she wanted to go to. I had always wanted to go to one, so we made reservations and headed on down.
It was such fun!
What I loved most (other than being with my friend), was how the co-owner Tara Hamilton, explained everything to us. She knew exactly where our food came from. Everything was organic and locally grown. Tara would explain how to cook something to get the best flavor from the veggie, fruit or piece of meat. She was very detailed, but not in a fall-asleep-professor type of way. No, she held our attention, captivated us. (Not to mention she has a Canadian accent, so I could listen to her say “about” all day long.) The food she educated us on was so delightful. When I left, I felt full, but not gross full. I felt like I had eaten something almost clean like, fuel for my body, but every so tasty.
So imagine my surprise when I heard a couple of weeks ago that they were closing. I was so sad. I kind of felt like Fresno had let them down. How could we not support such a great restaurant? This family loves what they do. So, as a way to support them one more time, my friend and I decided to go to a Mystery Dinner Show last weekend. This time I took my daughter along, and guess what? We guessed who the murderer was! I knew all these years of watching Castle, Law and Order, Matlock and Murder She Wrote would finally pay off!! 😉
As usual, the food was delicious. The soup, salad and dessert were “all so good” we didn’t get a choice.
However, we had 3 options for dinner.
There was tri-tip, a vegeterian option of a butternut squash alfredo, and a vegan option of a potato and eggplant lasagna. My daughter and friend ordered the tri-tip. It came with carrots cooked with coconut brown sugar. Now I really, really, really dislike cooked carrots. My daughter’s dad use to love them (maybe it’s an East Coast thing), so I made them often. I would also cook them in brown sugar, back in the day before there was coconut brown sugar. Or at least before I knew about it. Even then, I still didn’t like them. However, these carrots were soooo good! I couldn’t stop eating them!
I ordered the butternut squash alfredo. Oh. My. Goodness. It was so creamy, yet sweet.
One of the nice things about Organic Fresno, is that we are encouraged to eat until we are full. This means we are allowed seconds or thirds. What a great opportunity to try different things! And that’s just what we did. After our main meals, both my friend and I tried the Vegan dinner option. It was good, but I still liked my original choice best. I do have a thing for butternut squash. 😉
Dessert was Vegan-a berry and plum sorbet. It was made with coconut milk. It was well received with my daughter. 😉 A quick side note: My daughter is super picky, but I was so proud of her this night, as she tried everything that she was served. That just goes to show how good the food is!
While this is not a movie, where in the last 30 minutes we find a way to raise a million dollars to donate, it is real life, and we can still help. There is still one more dinner show happening on Saturday. There is a fundraiser Bhangra Party tonight, where they are serving a 5 course Indian Meal. They will also be doing Henna and showing how to prepare a bride for her wedding. To reserve a spot for either of these, call 559-284-3976.
If these are not options for you, you could always order a cookbook written by Tara. Even if you just order Tara’s cookbook, you will still be supporting this family. You can use those recipes to cook for your family or friends, and make amazing memories, as I have done. Remember, it’s all about with whom you share your experiences!
Good-bye Organic Fresno, I’m truly going to miss you!!
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