The Kitchen Cafe

      A nifty place has popped up in Frog Hollow, Hartford, that you should definately know about. The Kitchen was opened with the innovation of providing job training and employment opportunities to residents of Frog Hollow and Billings Forge. It is a small community operated bakery/ cafe that is open to the public, and also runs a farm-to-table catering business on site. The staff is comprised of trainees with the exception of the extremely accomplished Executive Chef, Julie Carrion who makes sure that the food that makes it out of the "kitchen" and into the cafe is edible. Phew!

Besides the fact that this approach to running a business is innovative, it also has huge social ramifications. The trainees learn hands on job skills, are provided an opportunity to earn a living, and are even guided through creating food service focused resumes while learning fundamental computer skills. You have to ask yourself, why haven't other places thought of this?

Inside the cafe, you will find a smattering of small tables, inviting cushioned chairs and a picnic table to sit at. The menu is boldly enblazened on a chalkboard in vivacious colors, and the counter displays tantalizing pastries in sparkling glass jars. The menu is pleasingly healthy and simple. Lunch offerings range from salads to quiches, with some creative sandwich offerings in between. My favorite so far has been the Curry Chicken Salad with Mango chutney and pea shoots. Mmmmm. Did I mention that you get to choose a side dish with the sandwich? Yup, with yummy choices like Asian Sesame Noodles and Zucchini & Tomato Gratin.

     Every night of the week, they offer "Dinners-To-Go" which change daily and are posted on their website. Some of the typical dinners that they feature are: Chicken Breasts with Sundried Tomatoes, Lemon and Capers, Seared Salmon Steaks & Salsa Verde and Crispy Pork Shoulder. Also note worthy is that they bake artisanal breads daily which are always a necessary item to pick up.

If you have been inspired to try the Kitchen Cafe, and you end up loving the food, then you might want to check out one of their cooking classes in the near future. I promise to post the list of classes up on the blog asap!

Open Mon-Fri 9am-7pm
Ph. (860) 727-8066
Website: http://www.billingsforgeworks.org/cafe-menu-hours