Loco for Locovore

With summer harvest in full season it was hard for Doniece Parson, owner of Mother Hubbards Restaurant in Buellton, to choose what she wanted to feature for her August Farm to Table Locavore Dinner on Saturday, August 29. 

(Reservations must be made by Tuesday, Aug. 25.) 

"There’s so much available and in season right now it’s hard to make some choices, especially when it came to dessert. We looked over our old menus and realized we’ve never done any poultry, mainly because we couldn’t find any in the area, but we have found a provider so we’re going to do a roasted half chicken this month," Parson announced.

The menu includes:

Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Figs

Watermelon Basil Salad with Honey Balsamic Dressing

Roasted Half Chicken with Lemons and Olives

Risotto with Summer Vegetables

Roasted Tomatoes on the Vine with Balsamic Vinegar

*Dessert is still in the works, there’s so much fresh fruit right now, but it most likely will be Roasted Fruit with Mascarpone Ice Cream* 

The popular dinner was created because Parson wanted to support local farmers and ranchers. All of her ingredients, with exception to the rice in this month's menu, are sourced within 20 miles of the Santa Ynez Valley. A locavore or localvore is a menu in which all the food is locally produced, not moved long distances to market, typically 100 miles or less. 

"The Santa Ynez Valley is the best place to eat locavore because we have such a plethora of agriculture from fresh vegetables and fruits to meats from beef, pork and now poultry," Parson said. 

Mother Hubbards offers an extensive breakfast menu with a wide range of omelets from the savory Californian and the light Montecito to the basic Denver with a few stops in between. Old fashioned basics like bacon and eggs with biscuits and gravy are to be found as well as a few surprises. 

Lunch includes a wide array of sandwiches using breads from a local area baker, from staples such as a BLT intermixed with quality wraps and specialty sandwiches on Telera bread.

Mother Hubbards prides themselves on their use of local products whenever possible, such as they get their eggs are from a local producer who raises the chickens in a cage-free environment without the use of drugs or hormones. Most of their produce is from Synergy Organic Farm in Goleta and local Santa Ynez Valley farmers including Farm Stead just south of Buellton. Many of the herbs and some other produce comes from Parson's own garden. 

"We are working in partnership with local ranchers and growers to expand our use of local, organic and sustainable foods. 

Large groups of five people or more must make a deposit of 50 percent. 

Mother Hubbards has been serving the Buellton and Santa Ynez Valley community since 1978. They are located at 373-A Avenue of Flags, Buellton. 

To make reservations for the locavore dinner call 688-3912, and log onto www.motherhubbardsrestaurant.com