Loose Leaf Notes

– The following first appeared in The Floyd Press on February 13, 2014.

In an opening splash, Natasha’s Market Café recently welcomed guests to the Moonlight Lounge.  The new venue, located on top of the Harvest Moon Food Store, shares space with Natasha’s and the Over the Moon Art Gallery.  It features an extensive wine menu, bottled and craft beer on tap and chef-made appetizers, served in a relaxed and art-filled setting.

Re-defined with canvas-like sails suspended over the bar, about 1/3 of the restaurant has been transformed into lounge space.  Swivel bar chairs line the bar and a banquette seating area is separated from the main dining by couches and wooden partitions. 

Harvest Moon owner Margie Redditt (pictured above) who oversees the art gallery and will be overseeing the Moonlight Lounge, explained that they plan to host more events that relate to food and art at the lounge, such as tasting and pairing events and meet the artist Gallery receptions. They also want to feature local farmers who make value added craft products.

Pam Pinto (pictured below with Lounge bartender Rick Brown), a marketing consultant who has been working on the launch, said the Lounge is a great place to drop by and have a glass of wine when you’re in town, enjoy the open space, experience the art, socialize with others and have a bite to eat without sitting down to a full meal.  “And there’s plenty of good parking,” she added.  

Lounge appetizers range from $3 to $9 and include wasabi nut brittle, sweet potato fries, BBQ buffalo sliders on homemade buns, crab cake sliders, smoked chicken wings, beer cheese, marinated olives and more.   Organic and local wines are included on the wine list and the beer selection includes organic, alcohol-free and gluten-free.  Kombucha on tap is one idea being explored and fresh popcorn with homemade toppings is always free.

At the opening Friday and Saturday guests enjoyed complimentary appetizers from 5-6 and happy hour drinks from 5-7. They voted on their favorite appetizers, marking checks on a chalkboard.

“It’s a good opportunity for Natasha (Chef Natasha Shishkevish) to highlight her menu and for people to sample what the restaurant offers,” Redditt said about the Lounge.  – Colleen Redman

Post Notes: The first combined event at Natasha’s Café will take place for Mardi Gras on March 1st. There will be a Mardi Gras inspired menu prepared by Chef Natasha and a meet the artist reception for New Orleans potter Niki Crosby, whose pottery is pictured above in front of a painting by local artist Jeanie O’Neill. Face paintings, masks and beads and a Mardi Gras throne, where patrons can take photos, will round out the festive evening. Current Moonlight Lounge hours are Tuesday and Wednesday 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursday and Friday 11:30 to 9:00, Saturday 11:00 to 9:00 and Sunday 10:30 – 2:00. Hours will be expanding in March.