Give the treat of your heart to your heart this Valentine Weekend! And along with that slip in a few truffles to be shared with a cognac, a chewy red, or an extra black brew! Take a moment and breath the dusky aromatherapy of a tastily crafted chocolate. Ready for you gift priced at $6 for four!

We couldn't resist sharing this: Kleftiko ready to be tied up in parchment. The all-natural lamb shoulder has been seared, semi-braised in wine, and here awaits its en papillote finish...find the accompanying vegetables: eggplant, okra, fava bean, sun choke, red bell, feta, thyme, marjoram, rosemary...it's all there. And with the magic of cooking, the sum total exceeds its parts!

For all of January, our 21is Anniversary month, order a bottle of extra dry Korbel at $21 per bottle!

Think that you're done eating?! The table has been set! Symposia. A Series, XII, this Wednesday, Nov 30 at 6pm! Guest Presenter Susan Thurston, poet, cook, educator, has challenged Anna to create a dish inspired by her favorite poem, "I Would Like to Describe," which will be revealed table side (see the hint). Challenging her own Muse, Susan has promised to create a personal poem (we're calling it Stoihi tyhis--personal lines of fortune) inspired by Anna's "reading" of each guests' coffee grounds! Limit 30. RSVP required. $30/pp.

Yes, there's a "Gyradiko" in Thessaloniki, a fave of the students, that sells only Gyros: the Classic Meatloaf style, and four varieties of the "new" style Gyros: dry-rubbed, stacked and slow-roasted Pork, Chicken, TURKEY & Pheasant. Turkey Gyros is our latest effort to bring local, all-naturally raised meat to your table. Try it heaped on an open pita, a pile of fries and our Tzatziki $10.95. Available for the months of October & November after 5pm. Order by the pound: $15 and share goodness!

Orektika: Appetizers on Table when Guests Come:

Stuffed Banana Peppers Saganaki: Noreen's, Mpls Farmers' Mkt
Fire Roasted Black & White Melitzanes Tzakistes w/Pita Crisps:Noreen's
Kolokithopita: Savory Squash in Fillo: Garden Farme

Agros Retsina
Roditis

Introduction of the Courses by Anna & Guest Presenter, Tim Hall

Deutero Piato: Second Course

Horta: Just Wilted Wild Greens w/Garlic from Garden Farme
Rush River Fresh Trout Fire Grilled w/Rosemary & Lemon from Zoran

Kidonitsa, Vastistas

Kyrio Piato: Main Course

EAT! DRINK! DINE LIKE THE GREEKS! Wednesday, September 28, Gardens will host Symposia. A Series, X with guest presenter, Tim Hall with the theme, Music Building. Hall, a certified Luthier, will articulate the process of guitar and violin building with a slide show and a display of the luthier's tools. The Symposium starts with apps at 6 and winds through a four-course, chef-driven, wine-paired, family-style dinner by 9. Cost $30/pp Reservations are required. The event, limited to 30, is pod cast courtesy of iDREAM.tv. RSVP's accepted via phone or email.

The most classic Greek beverage after eons of Retsina, the Nes Frappe is Greece's choice for leisurely afternoon conversations hiding out under the ubiquitous umbrellas lining all the taverna and waterfronts.

They're in! Fresh figs from California. We snagged two cases and poached them in our Mavrodaphne wine sauce that's studded with craisins. Light, refreshing, oozing with sauce, there's always room for a fig--even when you think you've eaten your fill!

Tender all-natural chicken breasts, dry-rubbed and stacked on a vertical souvla, basted with freshly-squeezed lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil, sliced to order and piled on an open pita with a generous side of Greek fries and all the fixin's. Pair it with a Crispin's The Saint or Tetramythos Black Kalavryta.