by ASHLEY MILLER
for the Sequim Gazette
Alder Wood Bistro is reopening after a one-month hiatus.
The bistro has returned to its regular hours, serving lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday. The new “winter menu” is in effect, as well as chef and co-owner Gabriel Schuenemann’s oh-so-popular “a la minute” specials made with local ingredients as they become available, including freshly foraged mushrooms and just-caught seafood.
“Vacation is over and we are re-inspired to do what we love: cook local food and serve it with gusto,” said Jessica Schuenemann, co-owner and manager.
Gabriel Schuenemann said he’s particularly excited about a budding relationship with Canyon Creek Farm — located at the end of Fish Hatchery Road — buying heritage Tamworth pork.
“We’re getting a whole hog that has been pasture-raised with organic grains up the hill from our restaurant,” he said. “Tamworths are known as the bacon pig for (their) long trunk and nice marbling (and) I can’t wait to utilize all the different cuts with braising, roasting, curing …!”
A second hog, from Black Sheep Farm in Port Angeles, will be butchered at the end of the month.
Also new to the menu is local grass-fed beef purchased from the Clark Farm in Sequim.
Following the local theme, the restaurant has three peninsula-brewed beers on tap: Fathom & League, a winter brew that Gabriel Schuenemann helped produce; rye ale and bourbon porter from BarHop Brewery in Port Angeles; and a winter rye beer from a Port Townsend brewing company.
“It’s going to be hard to decide which to tap first,” Gabriel Schuenemann said.
Partnering with local farmers is important to the Schuenemanns personally and professionally.
“That’s the whole premise of our restaurant,” Jessica Schuenemann said. “We want to know where our food is coming from and that it’s raised in a humane matter; if the food you eat has a healthy life you will be healthier.”
Health benefits aside, using locally-grown produce and locally-raised livestock benefits the community, she Schuenemann added.
“Just like it takes a community to raise a child, it takes a community to run a successful restaurant and we couldn’t do it without our producers,” she said. “We’re very fortunate to be able to live our personal values through our business.”
The Schuenemanns describe Alder Wood Bistro as a casual neighborhood lunch and dinner restaurant offering unique fire-roasted seafood, gourmet pizza, hearth breads and more tasty meals made with high quality, seasonal and organic ingredients paired with local brews and wine — not to mention a “tempting” selection of desserts.
Colorful abstract watercolor paintings by Susan Gansert Shaw decorate the bistro, exuding warmth and sincerity, Jessica Schuenemann said.
Gansert Shaw will be at the restaurant to talk about her work during the First Friday Art Walk Feb. 4. The artist has lived on the peninsula for 36 years and specializes in watercolor, pastel and graphite pieces.
