Dining at Wolf Laurel Country Club
New, Fresh and Local
By Don Mathis, Al Rossiter, and Tony Davenport
A number of new and exciting changes are being made to enhance the uniquely enjoyable opportunity to dine and socialize at Wolf Laurel Country Club.
Foremost among these changes is the introduction of Chef Jack Keeran. Jack comes to Wolf Laurel with many years of culinary experience in the WNC area including eight years at Asheville Country Club, three years as Executive Chef at the Swag Country Inn, Waynesville, NC (voted in the top 25 Inns in the country) and, most recently, as owner and operator of Sunnyside Café in Weaverville. Jack brings many new menu ideas and a strong commitment to assuring a focus on “fresh and local” ingredients. Chef Jack will be working alongside Chef Rudi as co-chef for most of the season before assuming the role of Executive chef.
We are particularly pleased to announce Chef Rudi’s return for his eleventh season at Wolf Laurel in this year of transition. We are all the beneficiaries of Chef Rudi’s years of personal contribution to WLCC and we are especially looking forward to menu offerings that blend Chef Jack’s new items with many of the traditional favorites that have become Chef Rudi’s hallmark. Planning is under way for a special appreciation dinner for Chef Rudi scheduled for September 12th – mark your calendar!
For 2012, we have expanded the club’s casual dining options to include informal, light-fare items (burgers, salads, sandwiches, etc.) in both the dining room and lounge throughout the week. As a new option, a take-out menu is being added throughout the week featuring pizza, sandwiches and salads. Whether you’re in the mood for a fine dining experience, just a burger or a pick-up pizza, you’ll find it at the club.
Chefs Jack and Rudi are already working on the weekly menu offerings with an emphasis on retaining the most popular items while introducing new entrees throughout the season. The bistro menu format, with complimentary wine, will be featured on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Fine dining will be the focus of the Friday and Saturday menus. Wednesday’s will offer a unique focus each week ranging from grilled items to themed menus (Italian, traditional Southern, New England, Oriental, etc.). As a new feature, the third Wednesday of each month will be “Neighborhood Dining” with the dining room and lounge open to all residents of the Wolf Laurel community. Lastly, look for an expanded Sunday brunch menu with a variety of new items to please the whole family.
Our effort to refresh the food and beverage experience at WLCC doesn’t stop with the restaurant! In the lounge, you’ll quickly note a number of changes – thanks to Sandy and the many Member suggestions. Most notably, we have added draft local beer. Taking advantage of Asheville’s reputation as one of the finest craft beer locations in the country, WLCC will be offering local beers with new brews introduced throughout the season. Don’t know which beer you’d like? – try the Wolf Laurel Draft Sampler. In addition to draft beer, we are introducing a new martini menu and refreshed wine list. To alleviate crowding at the bar area, new bar stools and some reconfiguration will more than double the bar seating and beverages will be available at a satellite bar on the new deck during peak hours.
A special note - for 2012, all purchases of food and beverage in the dining room and lounge will be included against the “food minimum” for all Members without an increase in the minimum.
We will be working hard in the coming months to keep our Members informed on the weekly menu offerings and the initiatives we’re taking to continuously improve the WLCC experience. Visit the WLCC bulletin board at www.wolflaurelcc.blogspot.com frequently to stay informed on all that is happening at your club.
We look forward to a very exciting season and the many changes being implemented to improve your enjoyment of our club. Special thanks to Chefs Jack and Rudi, Sandy Howard and Sue Solazzo for their recommendations and enthusiasm.
If you have any suggestions or questions, please contact us. We look forward to a memorable 2012 season.
Blog Editor's Notes
1- I am told that the print version of this article cited the incorrect address for the WLCC Blog. The correct address is shown in this online version.
2- Using This Blog Promote WLCC
3- See left sidebar of The Blog Home Page for ways to auto subscribe etc for the 2012 Season.
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