I talk a lot about Tracy O’Grady, executive chef and co-owner of the best darn watering hole I have ever found. It is easy- she is earnest and outgoing and a real people-person. I had her baby kale salad last night as a light entree, and I have to tell you the food at her Willow Restaurant is to die for.

The Fish and Wildlife crew was back for one of their games of Trivial Pursuit and twenty or so of them occupied the Cocktail Nook at the front of the bar. It was good to see them again, since their move from the building next door to the Skyline Area off Duke street to “save” the government money. They all hate it down there- it is way too far from Willow.

I was by myself, reading at the bar with a couple glasses of white wine. It being the holiday season, the usual suspects are scattered across the country and Heather, Willow’s events coordinator, stopped by to get an after-work glass of Happy Red. She is ready to get back to the Keystone State with her new cat and settle in with the family for a couple days. I ticked off some of the seasonal things I intend to do- better late than never, right?

I have to find a yoga mat today, there is the Kennedy Center Show tomorrow featuring the Choral Arts Society and my pal Senior Executive Jerry. Then, Christmas Dinner with the Russians down at the farm featuring a fresh venison roast provided by Bambi’s mom, and yoga on Friday to start easing into the New Year with a better core and balance. Or to work off some of the calories before adding them back at Buffalo Night at Willow. That will be a sandwich that will last the rest of the weekend, or actually nearly the rest of the year.

Anyway, Kate Jansen doesn’t get enough credit for her contribution to the wonderful cuisine at Willow. As you know, she started making her mark at the Firehook Bakery, and she creates all the wonderful breads and desserts and exotic gluten-free goodies on the menu. Her most spectacular objects are her cakes- it is an institution amongst the Usual Suspects. Jon-without was the last birthday- a week ago Friday- and The Lovely Bea commissioned a delightful strawberry-chiffon-coconut creation to commemorate the event.

Willow was bought out for a private party- the whole thing- but Kate and Tracy interceded to give us the little dining room in the back to celebrate. It was a neat affair, and the delightful food made a sort of bridge between Thanksgiving and the High Holidays.

This is Kate personally delivering the cake to Jon-without on his birthday earlier this month. She is a baking superstar.

Here is the cake up close, with probably enough calories for Heather’s whole little Pennsyl-tucky town:

Anyway, Heather was meeting a nice Lesbian couple at six who were planning the reception for their wedding ceremony, so I just hung out at the bar and let the seasonal atmosphere sort of flow over me with the Trivial Pursuit questions emanating from the Cocktail Nook. I didn’t think I was going to get into the holiday spirit, what with all the lunacy going on in the land, but despite myself I felt the mellowing effect of the seasonal music, the intricacy of the questions, and the delicate taste of the vinaigrette dressing on the kale-and-bacon-almond salad.

And the wine, of course.

Heather completed the planning session and came back and we talked about family customs and the way we would spend the holidays if we had a clean slate, She finished her lass of wine that I had been guarding and announced she was going to take off- but not before getting me the cookies I had ordered last week.

I had frankly forgotten, which is not an unexpected event at the Amen Corner. Last Thursday some of Kate’s seasonal shortbread cookies came out of the kitchen on a small china plate, and Old Jim and I dueled for them. Sammy the Moroccan bartender told us that they came in assortments, and one thing led to another and I ordered a dozen. Heather remembered for me, and sauntered away to get them as I prepared to pay the check.

Here are the jolly shortbread snowmen.

Chocolate Peppermint Biscotti, anyone?

In this bag is a delightful mix of decorated shortbreads and almond macaroon, with caramel or raspberry filling.

I wished everyone a Happy Holiday as I left the bar, with the significant heft of the paper bag with the cookies in my left hand. I couldn’t shake it. I realized I was having a merry Christmas after all, and I will hand out the cookies to the first five friends I see. Five acts of random seasonal kindness.

Ho ho ho and all that- and done with the inspiration of Kate Jansen, the best baker in town.

Happy Holidays!

Copyright 2014 Vic Socotra
www.vicsocotra.com
Twitter: @jayare303