Welcome New Year 2010! Good riddance to 2009! Many challenges have faced therestaurant in the past year and lessons are always learned... every day. The restaurant business is by far more challenging as we enter each New Year. New opportunities await as we tenuously move slowly forward. Economic difficult times may hopefully be a thing of the past.

This year, I believe will be the year of really hunkering down and going back to the basics. Good, hearty comfort food will be the focus, yet creating dishes with higher quality ingredients will be something that drives this trend. The year of the burger (2009) is over. Now let's go forward as we investigate a new ways to serve pot roast, prepare inventive tetrazzini and redo simple classics with a twist.

Menu pricing is challenging. We are not yet out of the bad economic woods just yet. So new incarnations of our menu with be friendlier and streamlined for better service without cutting quality. Our customers are savvy and will find the best deal that fits their budget. So with that said, prix fixe menus are all the rage right now. Mixing and matching flavor profiles that will fit almost anyone’s palate will be ongoing and changing continually, until the right mix is found.

With the Christmas season finally over, people will be getting their credit card bills in the mail. The first quarter of the year is the second most challenging quarter of the year (third quarter is the most difficult). Many events are scattered throughout this quarter; Valentine’s Day, Mardi Gras, Lent (fish fry), St. Patrick's Day and Easter is then literally right around the corner. This usually drives a somewhat first half, strong January and then towards the second half starts to come to a halt. February, Valentine's Day and other small dates of interest create great opportunities to be able to show your "stuff" by creating some great dishes. March is the month that signals the start of wedding banquet season. Cinco de Mayo is a great opportunity to get your Mexican/Spanish staff involved with down home specials. Then St. Patrick's Day is next. This is the day/week to consume corned beef & cabbage until it comes out your ears.

It will be an interesting year this 2010. Let's keep our fingers crossed and anticipate for the best without looking back to the difficulties of 2009.

This is my first real blog writing since I have created this page over a year ago. I am thinking that blogging may be a little easier as I get my creative juices flowing and my fingers "hunting and pecking" my keyboard. More blogging.... continued "Facebooking" and maybe some more Tweeting this year.

Check Out Our Dinner Specials This Weekend! (05-29-09)

SOUP SELECTIONS
Baked Potato (FR)
Creole Seafood Gumbo (FR)
Sweet Pepper Crab (SA)
Steak & Potato (SA)

APPETIZER SPECIAL
Prince Edward Island Mussels
Fresh PEI mussels simmered in a roasted garlic infused clam broth
accompanied with crostini for dipping. 9.95

ENTREE SPECIALS
Skirt & Heels
Char-grilled PRIME skirt steak teamed with bacon wrapped prawns in our bbq rub, served with baby roasted russet potatoes lyonnaise, asparagus spears & a barbeque bearnaise. 27.95

Veal Scallopini Dijonnaise
Paneed veal tenderloin medallions simmered in a delicate cream blended with chardonnay wine, Dijon mustard, mushrooms & rosemary accompanied with pan-fried smashed
Yukon gold potatoes topped with lemon crème fraiche. 23.95

Florida Red Grouper
Paneed Florida red grouper fillet, set atop a bed of stir fried jasmine rice, served with grilled pineapple & a brandy soy beurre blanc. 23.95

Mixed Grill
Char-grilled Atlantic salmon teamed with (2) Prawns & Hawaiian
Butterfish, accompanied with garlic mashed potatoes, house sautéed
vegetables & a citrus butter sauce. 23.95

Pretzel Chicken
Paneed boneless breast of chicken encrusted with our pretzel breading, painted with a honey Dijon vinaigrette then topped with baby arugala salad tossed with roasted garlic basil vinaigrette, grape tomatoes, red onion & parmesano reggiano cheese. 16.95

the BIG Burger Deal!

Now let's all settle down! The stimulus package is not going to be here any time soon. But we are here to help! Starting Monday February 2, 2009 we are introducing the "BIG" Burger Deal. Try our 1/2 pound Black Angus Burger topped with American, Cheddar, Swiss, Provolone or Monterey Jack cheese, accompanied with leaf lettuce, tomato, red onion & pickles seved on our pretzel roll, graced with crispy batter fried french fries. This offer is available every Monday from 11:30am to 2:00pm. Dining coupons & all other offers may not be used in conjunction with the Prix Fixe dining menu. Thank you.

 Follow this link for more info! http://www.branmors.com/promotions/promo_monday.htm

Prix Fixe Dining is Back @ Branmor's

Starting January 27, 2009, Branmor’s American Grill “Prix Fixe Dining” will be returning to favorable review! This three course dining program has been expanded; choose from 5 different starters, 5 intriguing entrees & five delectable dessert selections. Just choose one selection from each course and enjoy! There are boundless possibilities! All of this for $19.95! This is a specially priced dining event. Dining coupons & all other offers may not be used in conjunction with the Prix Fixe dining menu. Thank you.

Follow this link for more info! http://www.branmors.com/promotions/prixfixemenu.htm

12-12-09 Mini Degustation Menu

Branmor's American Grill | 12-12-08 Mini Degustation | Course #1 - Poached Pear Wedge Salad - Red wine poached Bartlett pears teamed with mini iceberg lettuce wedge, Black River buttermilk bleu cheese, grape tomatoes, fried onions and a lemon poppyseed vinaigrette.

Branmor's American Grill | 12-12-08 Mini Degustation | Course #1 - French Onion Soup with Grafton Village white cheddar cheese ciabatta crouton, topped with pulled pork butt.

Branmor's American Grill | 12-12-08 Mini Degustation | Course #2 - Paneed Artic Char set atop roasted garlic risotto and sauteed baby spinach, surrounded bay a Malbec wine reduction & pureed cremini mushroom.

Branmor's American Grill | 12-12-08 Mini Degustation | Course #3 - Char-grilled Beef Tenderloin Oscar Style, teamed with our garlic mashed potatoes, topped with steamed asparagus spears, hollandaise sauce and backfin crabmeat.

Branmor's American Grill | 12-12-08 Mini Degustation | Course #4 - Chocolate Charlotte - Ladyfingers surrounding a Cointreau chocolat truffle, topped with a port wine infused chocolate mousse, teamed with creme anglaise and raspberry coulis.

Branmor's American Grill | 12-12-08 Mini Degustation | Course #4 - Upside Down Apple Tartlette - Delicate puff pastry round baked right-side up with pasrty cream & cinnamon roasted apples, topped with cinnamon ice cream, teamed with creme anglaise and raspberry coulis.

Holiday Gift Card Promotion!

The holidays are in fact here! Branmor's American Grill is the place to be festive. Starting November27, 2007 Branmor's will be offering the "Buy $100 Get, $20 ". Purchase $100 in gift certificates @ Branmor's American Grill for your loved ones & receive a $20 Gift Coupon (Use it for yourself, you are worth it!). This offer is available through December 24, 2008. Merry Christmas!

Mini Degustation @ Branmor's American Grill.

Back by popular demand. Our Mini Degustation is BACK! This special menu will be featured FRIDAY'S & SATURDAY'S only. The highlight of this menu is that it will feature two main "small plate" entrees. This week the 1st course will be a Zuchinni Al Forno topped with roasted grape tomatoes, grilled red onion & shaved Parmesano Reggianno cheese, graced with chardonnay vinaigrette & balsamic syrup. The second course is Pan Seared Dayboat Scallops set atop roasted butternut squash topped with caramelized red onions & goat cheese, teamed with a spinach coulis & pomegranate gastrique. Our third course is the Mini Beef Wellington with peppercorn demi glace, roasted fingerling potatoes lyonnaise & asparagus spears. The fourth course is the dessert course. Choose from either the Minted Chocolate Creme Brulee or the Spiced Pumpkin Mousse, each are fantastic! Our General Manager will pre-select the wine pairings featuring wines from our cellar to match each course. The Degustation without wine is $32; with wine $45. We hope to see you in the upcoming weekends. Remember this Mini Degustation will change from week to week and will feature higher end offerings. Bon Appetite!

http://www.branmors.com/promotions/10-2008_minidegustation.htm

Prix Fixe Dining For $19.95!

       Prixe Fixe Dining is here @ Branmor's American Grill once again. Starting October 26, 2008 (Sunday through Thursday 4:00pm to closing) we will be offering three course meals for just $19.95. Have your choice from a selection of 5 starters, 5 entrees & 5 desserts! Just make one selection from each group... the variations are virtually endless. The starters include three of our most popular appetizers designed to be individual servings (Crab & Shrimp Stuffed Mushrooms, Gorgonzola Bruschetta & Calamari Fritters) and our House Salad or choice of Soup Du Jour. The entrees are equally enticing. They include; Chicken Salsiccia, Monticello Chicken, London Broil (with  Bleu Cheese Fondue), Mojito Pork & Honey Citrus Tilapia. The dessert selections are just as enticing. These are designed to be individual portions with the emphasis of full flavor. Try the Autumn Apple Suprise, Chocolate Amaretto Mousse, Peppermint Profiterole, Peach Navajo or the Seven Layer Bar with French Vanilla Ice Cream. Make your dining experience a true mini deustation with wine pairings available at an additional cost.  I am looking forward to serving you and your guests in the coming weeks. Bon Appetite!

http://www.branmors.com/promotions/10-26-08_prixfixe.htm

Oktoberfest 2008 @ Branmor's

       Starting September 2008 Branmor's American Grill will be launching our 13th Annual Oktoberfest. This event features 8 German specialties with an American twist. 95.9FM The River kicked off this event with the Rock & Roll Diner. A few of the entrees are: Jaegerschnitzel, Pretzel Pork, Danish Cornish Hen & Guinness Beer Battered Perch. Lunch items may change frequently but may comsist of: German Meatball Sandwich, Smoked Sausage (both with white cheddar cheese & sauerkraut)& a Jaegerschnitzel Sandwich. All entrees are priced from 16.95 to 21.95 & sandwiches are 7.95 to 9.95. This special event will run from September 19, 2008 through Ocober 19, 2008.

GUTEN APETIT!

follow this link below to view the Oktoberfest lineup!
http://www.branmors.com/events/Oktoberfest2008/oktoberfest_2008.htm