The Move to Cook

Cooking was not the intended focus of our Thurman street shop, but rather, an addendum to our vision of a butcher shop, boutique grocer and farm-market.

But alas, this past year has been rife with unexpected twists and turns. Perhaps invisible to the outside observer, our lives in Northwest Portland have played akin to an epic movie plot, the details of which would solicit peals of laughter, tears of sadness, groans of disbelief and chills of terror.

On the farm this is to be expected. The endless series of surprises, comedies, existential threats, triumphs and tragedies are a part and parcel of life on a livestock farm, where the phrase “Shit happens” is birthed.

This last year of urban dwelling has suffered to instruct us that the city differs little from the farm in this regard. It seems that we are simply human animals in an urban “barnyard”, all trying to get along. Indeed, our daily “Menu du Jour” in the restaurant has become accompanied by a parallel “Crise du Jour”, as well.

These travails have galvinized our resolve. And like we’ve espoused in previous love letters, the trials have birthed confidence in our continued pursuit to bestow ‘pleasure to the palate of the people’, and has brought to heart our new mantra, ‘Food is Love’.

There are few still moments my husband and I have in the morning before our brood of rambunctious children awake. While savoring our delectable, home-brewed caffe lattes, laced with rich, creamy cow’s milk we procure weekly from our favorite local dairy; we reflect on where we are and why we are here. I hear my husband express how the restaurant component of our operation is actually deeply important to him. The vision has always been, Farm-to-table.

What many of you don’t know is that George’s journey to farming arose out of culinary passions, which in turn fed his growing realization that impeccable ingredients, farm freshness and fullness of flavor are essential to quality cooking.

This past year has rekindled the spark of desire to stand at the kitchen stove, tending to the simmering, comforting aromas and flavors that emanate from hearth and home.

Our experiences on Thurman have served like ingredients to a recipe. The combination of tastes and flavors from this season of our life have resulted in the most beautiful dish of self-reflection, and the vision has become clear:

We are thrilled to announce a new home for our culinary passions at 938 North Cook Street, three miles Northeast of here. We can’t wait to share the next season of our journey with you—The Cook Street Chapters.

With love and excitement,

Rose, George and Farmily

NOTE: We will continue to operate at our Thurman Street location through the month of August. Our first seatings and “soft opening” events in the new space will be announced in coming days and weeks. Your support is greatly appreciated.