What do you think of when you hear the word, community? Do you think of a particular neighborhood with homes and businesses that give it an identity? I like to think of community as people united in a common good, something active and purposeful. With this vision of community in mind, I’m struck by the symbolic nature of 2013’s first hashcapade at Clyde Common. Let me explain…
We ate family style at large, sturdy communal tables, united by a common interest in food (hash) and diverse people. Also, folks who bought copies of Hashcapades helped enrich the lives of underprivileged students in communities across the US through GIFT (explained here). Therefore, Clyde Common Hashcapade = Communal Tables + Common Purpose + Community!
So let me take you on a brief tour of Clyde Common. Located on SW Stark & SW 10th, Clyde Common is a gorgeous, open space with impossibly high ceilings and large glass windows. With a fully stocked bar to the right as you enter, you know that you’re in good hands. In fact, the renowned bartender, Jeffrey Morganthaler, holds court here. As you take in the massive communal tables, you see the lovely open kitchen to the left, further back. I was particularly taken by the funky and functional storage space beneath the kitchen’s serving area – very cool!
Now on to the custom menu for our hash adventure. Because our party was so large, we settled upon a simple, family style serving of Greens, Jo-Jos, Smoked Lamb Hash and Smoked Grana Quiche. The presentation was positively stunning: large dark wooden slabs contained the hash and quiche with jo-jos on the other. We rushed to take photos like paparazzi stalking the rich and famous, except our quarry was hash. Would that make us hasharazzi?
Speaking of cameras, I simply must mention that this hashcapade was filmed for Food.Farmer.Earth. The brainchild of Rebecca Gerendasy, F.F.E is “a journey of wide discovery about our food and sustainable agriculture.” Earlier in the week, she joined me for a hashcapade and interview at “Chez Clark” where my kids and I whipped up a fabulous Braised Pork Hash. Check out her awesome video below. Thank you, Rebecca!
Okay, okay! Back to the food…how was it? A-mazing! The Smoked Grana Quiche was simply divine. Crunchy crust, firm, moist quiche with a sublime roasted garlic flavor and a smokey, cheesy counterpoint from the grana was delicious.
The pièce de résistance was the Smoked Lamb Hash. First of all, I’ve never had a hash served on a platter in a free-standing manner, topped with silky poached eggs. Digging into the hash, I could taste the succulent lamb, the tangy yogurt and the nice kick from the Calabrian chili along with the parsnips and potatoes. Well done, Clyde Common!
Thanks to the my community of awesome hashcateers: Mark, Gina, Kristin, Suzanne, Lisa, Dawn, Dana, Tony, Mary, Jackie, Mike, Mary, Jenn, Vivian, Jeff, Chris, Ryan, David, Maria, Alina & family; special thanks to Clair, Nick and Courtney for hosting us!
Happy Hashcapades,
Clark
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