Eats

Spring courtyard series begins at Café Vermilionville

by Kari Walker

Small plates, cocktails and a musical serenade

If you're looking for a mid-week outdoor dining experience to celebrate the arrival of spring, consider heading over to Café Vermilionville for this season's debut of the courtyard concert series. It's an evening of live music, lush greenery and dining under the stars.

Courtyard guests have the option of ordering a half-plate dish and either two glasses of champagne or wine or three beers for $30. Café V's selection of half-plate dishes and appetizers for this season's concert series represent some of the hottest dishes on Chef Pat Waters' menu - for starters, the crispy braised pork belly is worthy of indulging. The pork belly is braised in pinot noir and accompanied by a truffled white bean puree, Parmesan stuffed pasta and a garnish of arugula and shiitake mushrooms.

Photo via Café Vermilionville

Half-plate dishes available every Wednesday evening during the concert series

New to this season's half-plate menu is the seared breast of duck where Waters is serving up the fowl with a foie gras and chickpea fritter, black olives, roasted tomatoes and a sprout salad.

This Wednesday's musical guest is Troy Richard and Friends. Make reservations by contacting Café Vermilionville at 237-0100. This seasonal event will happen ever Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. through April 23.