Hampden residents have received an early present for the holidays!
The Dogwood, one of the neighborhood's favorite restaurants, will reopen on Dec. 17.
According to Galen Sampson, co-owner, the financial issues that saw the restuarant shutdown in August have been resolved. He and Bridget, his wife and co-owner, have redoubled their focus on The Dogwood. And while former regulars will find much that they recognize in the new and improved restaurant, there have also been a few changes.
"We've added a community table. It's 12 feet long and 28-inches wide. It's for single diners or anyone else, and its sort of like a bar because anyone can set there," says Sampson.
Other changes include a new Oyster Bar. Where once the restaurant offered a private dining room, there'll now be a bar serving four varieties of locally grown and caught oysters. "People will be able to look out the window on to the Avenue," Sampson continues.
Fans of The Dogwood's seasonal menu, updated six times a year to coincide with the local growing season, will still focus on serving local, sustainable fare. Popular dishes such as Pan-seared trout served with locally farmed baby shrimp as well as a Sweet Potato Gnocchi top a menu that will also now include more casual fare, including Herefordshire Beef hamburgers.
Now, for the bad news, one major change -- The Dogwood will only be open for dinner and will no longer serve lunch. "We're open at 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and close at 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, the Oyster Bar will open at 3 p.m. and we'll close at 11 p.m.
The Dogwood will also continue to offer its job training program for people in transition who want to learn about the restaurant industry.
"We'll have openings for six people. That's really the best number for us to maintain. We train them in the area(s) they're interested in and where they seem to fit," says Sampson.
Sampson adds that he and Bridget have received a terrific amount of support from both Hampden residents and the business community.
"The support has just been great," he says.
Source: Galen Sampson, The Dogwood
Writer: Walaika Haskins