Is it OK to rant a little about a garden center?

Now I don't usually do this, but I've given a bad review. I've just rated this nursery in the Go Gardening, but I can't restrain myself from noting it here as well. I've been irritated by Thanksgiving Farms each time I go there by the rudeness of the lady who runs it, but the plants (though expensive are really nice) is what kept me going back to pick up a few things each year. This year I've happily stayed away due to having more than I can keep up with thanks to the generosity of all the absolutely fabulous people I've met through DG.

Here's what finally got my goat. An local upcoming upscale restaurant who plans to use only local fresh ingredients was just dissed after a visit to the nursery.

Quoted from the Frederick News-Post

"Our next stop was Thanksgiving Farms in Adamstown, where 57 acres of cherries, peas, spring onions, broccoli and cabbage share space with flowers, shrubs and other ornamental plants. Unlike the other farmers and vendors we met, the woman who spoke with us sounded dubious about the farm's ability to sell to Volt. After she explained that most of the farm's produce goes to its stands at farmer's markets in Baltimore and College Park, she excused herself to return to her farm chores. Voltaggio purchased some asparagus from the small market at the front of the farm before we moved on."

Here's a link to the article in it's entirety. http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/art_life/display_food.htm?StoryID=77843
Now this probably doesn't sound as harsh as I seem to make of it to you, but having delt with this woman, I can well imagine the tone and the abruptness that she most likely showed to them.

So glad to get that off my chest. Rant over, thanks for listening.

Bobbie

Went to Volt for a pre-opening party on Thursday - all I can say is YUM and double YUM. They officially opened on Friday to the public. http://www.voltrestaurant.com/ They are not finished decorating the walls and window treatments but that did not affect the taste and quality of the food.

I think I may have run across that woman. I don't go there very often so I have not had the "pleasure" this season. My friend who owns Summer Creek Farm in Thurmont does sell some produce to Chef Voltaggio.

-Kim

Oh my gosh, I just found this thread while doing a search for something else. I frequent that College Park farmer's market and have bought from the TF stand many times. Not that this helps, but FWIW, the man who works the table - as well as his daughter - has always been friendly and they have a great selection of produce and plants. I wonder if the woman that is mentioned in the article is his wife.

By far, their stand has the widest selection of *locally grown* fruit & veg'. Some of the other stands actually bring in their produce from as far away as Florida ... man, that annoys me.

I agree that the plants are over-priced though, so I rarely purchase them anymore. Also, to my knowledge, they use pesticides.

Have you been to that new restaurant? I've heard great things about the chef ... almost worth the long drive to Frederick if it's super good. Such a shame that the woman has an attitude problem! I'd be curious to see if she has had it adjusted since that article came out...

Bluekat, what did you order at Volt??? =)

Mmmmm, I just went to their site and looked at the pictures and lunch and dinner menu. Looks wonderful.

Thanks for the bump I had forgotten about this thread!

I have had several of their appetizers, fish, tasting menu and a couple of desserts. His menu changes all the time. I love that he sources lots of local ingredients and cooks seasonally. You won't find Everything was perfectly cooked and smaller portions so you can get all those courses in your belly! The cooking methods and presentation are out of this world, expect the unexpected, not just a meat with veg. it is an experience in addition to being food on a plate.

I will be going again in the next couple of weeks and will try to remember to report back!
-Kim

I know exactly what you mean about the lady at TF - she's turned that steely tone on me more than once...and I just have to say...some folks aren't "people persons". They find it taxing to interact with people asking thier endless questions and not using their common sense, etc. Todays customer service obssessed philosophy would simply conclude that she has no place in business. But she is a plantsman first and she delivers wonderful (albeit expensive) and some unusual plants to market. I frankly look at her as one (and there are several) of the colorful stalwarts that make up the plant community. Think of her like a lovely cactus, pracitcal and specialized, but not something you'd want to spend much close time with!!!!!

yvgfjayne, That's too funny. like a prickly pear cactus, pretty but ouch!

Volt's chef/partner is going to be on Bravo's next season of Top Chef. His brother who is now a chef in Los Angeles is also competing. Here's the article from the Baltimore Sun
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/dining/reviews/blog/2009/07/two_maryland_contestants_on_to.html

and his bio on the show's website.
http://www.bravotv.com/top-chef/bio/bryan-voltaggio

Very cool!

Here is your chance to see Bryan before he becomes even more famous after Top Chef. If anyone comes out I will be working at Summer Creek Farm - come say hello!
-Kim

Summer Festival on July 11, 09!
West Frederick Farmer's Market

Let us celebrate the arrival of Summer vegetables and fruits such as corns, tomatoes and blueberries! Chef Bryan Voltaggio will be back for his second Chef's Challenge. We will have "Passport to Freshness" raffle and be drawing winners three times on this day. KEY103 will be broadcasting live at the market from 10 am to 12 pm.
http://www.frederickfarmfresh.com/index.html

Oh, wonderful! We're finally back in town, so we're planning to go to the Market this Saturday... sounds like we'd better plan on spending more time there! :-)

Does anyone know of a market that sells emu?

Perhaps the woman is experiencing burn out,which I can identify with after almost 50 years in the Dog game I find I am very irritable with many new customers.If they survive the initial encounter we usually get on well.I think it is a unconsious culling process.As I have tryed to overcome it and no success which I think is OK
Peter

There is emu at the Westminster market:

http://westminsterfarmfresh.com/
http://www.carlhavenemufarm.com/