Around Town ~ Ol' Mad

Change can sometimes be difficult to handle but it can also have many rewards.  The changes that have transpired over time at the old Ice House have been transformative.  From a fledgling brewery, creating and brewing a variety of beers to opening their doors to welcome food vendors.  The change has been a time of transition and so worth the wait.  

Ol’ Mad is a wonderful stop for anyone looking to experience food in a creative and tasteful way, for Sulphur Springs.  No one around town has the same menu and features that Ol’ Mad brings to the table.  With the use of as many local products as possible, sustainability and quality are at the top of the list for Chef John at Ol’ Mad.  John brings his culinary skills and creativity from the West Coast, to help challenge your pallet at every bite.

Ol’ Mad is currently located in the same building where Backstory Brewery found its start, at 211 Magnolia Street in Sulphur Springs, their location is primed and ready for the growth that the city has planned for downtown.  While they are closed on Monday and have only dinner service from 4 p.m. - 9 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, you can find their doors fully open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday through Saturday, with brunch service on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Who could be sad about food now being offered at the brewery location, after all who doesn’t want a little bit to eat when consuming small batch beer.  Have you been wondering like I have where the name comes from, well we found out so that you could know.  Ol’ Mad, in Danish roughly means “Beer Food.” The restaurant is aptly named, since the main focus of the building is to still brew beer.

Since its inception, Backstory Brewery had the goal of reaching consumers beyond the county line, and so you can find their cans in select stores across North Texas.  Don’t forget you can still take home your favorite beer in a growler or if you happen to be out of town and want to share with your friends be sure to look for them at the store.  You never know what you might discover.  But while you dine be sure to grab a pint of your favorite or try one of their signature cocktails with your meal. 

Ol’ Mad is more than just a restaurant, they host and cater events on or off site.  I’ve even heard that the Freedom Ball will be held there in November.  I can’t wait to see what they serve up for their guests.  If you have a special occasion coming up and need some delicious and creative food, be sure to check out their menu to see what they can cook up for you.  

If you haven’t been in to try their food, be sure to do so soon.  We hope to stop in for brunch soon to experience a “brewery brunch”, and possibly a house made Bloody Mary.  You know the choices are good when the chef stated that he eats their burger almost everyday, so that has to be a top choice, as well as their short ribs or pork belly. 

Experience something new at Ol’ Mad and you just might find your next favorite place to eat in town.  The chairs have been upgraded and the atmosphere is perfect for gathering friends, or a quiet evening with your special someone.  We hope you give Ol’ Mad a try, you won’t be disappointed.

At The Oaks ~ Celebrating Life's Milestones

 

Spring is in the air, and for many families in our community, that means milestone moments are just around the corner. Graduations from high school and college, the start of a new career, the completion of a trade program, or the beginning of a marriage, these are the kinds of occasions that call for more than just a dinner reservation. They deserve a space that can rise to meet them.

The Oaks Bed and Breakfast has long been a familiar name to those passing through town, known as a comfortable place to rest and recharge. But for many locals, it has grown into something more, a gathering place where the community comes together to mark the moments that matter most. The start of a new life, new beginnings as a couple, and even the celebration of a lost loved one, The Oaks has been honored to host events marking the passing of time for every kind of occasion.

The property offers both indoor and outdoor event spaces, giving hosts the flexibility to plan around the season or the size of their group. Imagine sitting under the lights on a beautiful spring evening, soft music playing in the background, while friends and family are gathered around to celebrate. Whether it is an intimate backyard-style gathering under open skies or a more formal sit-down affair in a well-appointed interior room, the spaces can be arranged to fit the occasion rather than the other way around. The open concept of the great room allows for flexible seating arrangements to suit different group sizes and styles. Small family celebrations and large multi-generational gatherings have both found a comfortable home here.

One of the things that sets The Oaks apart from a typical event rental is its in-house catering. Rather than coordinating with an outside vendor, guests work directly with the staff to build a menu from scratch. That might mean a spread of appetizers and cocktails for a casual graduation party, or a full sit-down dinner for a more formal event. Some of the most sought after selections have included Citrus Glazed Pork Tenderloin and Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Chicken, alongside sides like roasted seasonal vegetables and scratch-made mac and cheese. Whenever possible, the menu draws from local growers and producers, keeping the food rooted in the same community it is served in. The focus is always on matching the food to the feel of the occasion, so guests are never working around a menu that does not quite fit.

Beyond private events, The Oaks also hosts public gatherings throughout the year, evenings centered around food, fellowship, and a little fun, open to anyone in the community looking for something to do and someone to share it with. Many of these events have featured four and five course meals, offering a chance to slow down and enjoy good food and good company. Details on upcoming events are announced as they are scheduled, so it is worth keeping an eye on their social media pages to stay in the loop.

For those interested in booking a private event, the process starts with a simple phone call to choose a date and begin building out the experience from there. Nine years of celebrations, gatherings, and community have made The Oaks what it is today, and there is still plenty of room at the table.

Herb Infused Cocktail ~ Sangria

 

    For this month’s herb infused cocktail of the month, I’m changing things up a little bit.  We have a few events coming up at The Oaks Bed and Breakfast and want to have an easy way to mix up a big batch of cocktails so they are ready when ordered.  For this month we are trying out and mixing up some delicious Sangria.  

The best thing about Sangria is that you can make it your own. If you want it to be sweeter, add more juice.  If you want to have a white Sangria instead of a red, use white wine.  There are even Sangria recipes that do not use wine at all, but are rather a mixture of a multitude of spirits.  However you choose to make your Sangria is the right way.  There can be no wrong ways.  Sangria works great as a party drink, since it can be made ahead of time to be ready for pouring when your guests arrive.    

Dress up your Sangria with matching fruit to the flavors you are melding together.  Or with whatever fruit you have on hand.  We like to use berries and citrus, specifically oranges or blood oranges.  Apples can work as well, since there should be some citrus to help keep them from turning brown.

For this month, we are keeping to a more traditional Sangria and using red wine.  But we will also probably end up swapping our wines around to change things up, based on the event.  

Sangria

2 cans Underwood Pinot Noir

1 ½ cups pineapple juice

1 cup Cognac

A mix of fresh fruit

Splash of Club Soda

Fresh Mint

Prepare your fruit in your pitcher that you will serve your guests.  Cut up larger pieces like apples to make them bite sized. Add in all the liquid except the Club Soda.  The Club soda will be added after pouring into glasses to give it that bubbly look.  We have used black berries, oranges, green apples, and strawberries today.  Garnish with a slice of fruit and mint.  Mint makes the perfect herb to pair with your Sangria. 

Like we said earlier, make this your own.  Mix up your wine options with a white wine.  We used cans since it’s easy to use and makes portioning the drink easier. If you want a more tart drink, change out your juice option.  Orange juice or even cranberry juice.  Club soda can also be substituted with Sprite or Sparkling water.  

This makes an easy mocktail as well.  Drop the wine, and cognac, and mix in more juice and bubbles of choice.  You can always use sparkling wine, for a little extra touch of class for those not imbibing in alcohol.  Remember to always drink responsibly, and have a designated driver. Cheers!