Agricola Farm

I had a wonderful time at the farm dinner this past weekend. It was a little too icy and cold for a farm tour, but I look forward to doing that in the future at another farm dinner. Over the 5 hours we were there (yes 5!) we enjoyed a lovely and relaxing 5-​course, italian inspired meal with wonderful products from the farm and handmade pasta. Being it is winter, it was mostly grains, root veggies, and cheeses — which was fine with me! Although I am looking forward to dinners in the warmer months when there will be more of a vegetable variety. We bought some sausage and ribs and I can’t wait to try them!

How does one begin to review a place when the experience is beyond words?
I suppose that I can start by saying that the dinner at Agricola Farm can be described as no less than a physical and intellectual journey. I mean it. I have never experienced something like this in my life– and I have even eaten in Italy!
The adventurous evening stars around 5:30PM. Dinner club members (you can purchase a membership on the Farm website– but remember to get it in advance) meet in the main farm house and excitedly introduce themselves to each other. Once everyone has gathered, Ale– she does all the butchering of the animals herself!, takes us all around the farm. She shows us the sheep, the pigs, and of course, the chickens. The atmosphere is one that clearly evidences a strong relationship between growing the animals for food, and yet, at the same time, giving them a loving home. I can honestly tell you that I have never seen happier animals before. Ale really has a way with them and when you visit, ask her to demonstrate her sheep call– she’s got that packed down!
After the farm tour, we were all seated in the double farm style living room. Most of the guests came in pairs. I came alone. Was it awkward? It was anything but. I strongly recommend going alone the first time that you go so that you can really experience the environment for yourself. Step out side of your comfort zone and you will be surprised at who you can meet. I was seated at a table with some fascinating folks and the dinner discussion ranged from how amazingly delicious the food was, to our hopes and dreams. I can honestly tell you that we all entered this farm house dinner as strangers and left as friends.
The fist part of the meal, the Antipasto was served sometime after 6PM. With a view of the kitchen and the chef, the wait for the next fix (Primo) was suspenseful (in a good way!). The food that was served was unlike anything I have ever had. It was literally some of the best food I have ever tasted. After the Primo came the Insalata, Secondo, Dolce, and finally the Digestivi– each dinner club features 5 courses but they vary based on the theme. The theme of this dinner was Ear to Tail so we actually had the pleasure of trying every part of the pig; a pâté made of pig’s heart, some pig’s tongue, some crispy pig’s ear, and even the meat around the pig’s jaw! Though it can sound off putting, I swear to you up and down that all of it was soooo good, sooo fresh, and so well flavored. All of the food was prepared fresh by Chef RIchard Witting and Ale right in front of our eyes. Between the different courses, dinner chat, and Ale’s descriptions of all the dishes and Italian food culture, it was 10PM before we even knew it!
After our epic meal was over we all had a chance to pay compliments directly to both Ale and Chef RIchard Witting. It was an intimate type of conversation that you will not have the chance to experience anywhere but here. I urge you to do yourself a favor. Visit the Agricola Farm website, buy yourself the dinner club for the month of June and spend the next few weeks anticipating your adventure. Go into this dinner with a big open mind. Leave your expectations behind and prepare to be amazed, delighted, and beyond satisfied!

More like dinner party than dinner club! Hostess Alessandra brought old world charm, and intimate knowledge of the transformation of ingredients in a full cycle from a stones throw away to culinary masterpieces on the plate. Terroir, hard to experience in USA, was revealed in multiple dimensions of food flavor, wine pairings, and storytelling delivered with effortless authenticity and grace. Do not miss the opportunity to experience an event here. You will not regret it.

Fun time at Dinner Club — where they could take the «to» out of Farm to Table — you eat at the farm’s table! Got to enjoy the farm’s bounty, including Icelandic lamb, and sausage made from their own pigs. Oh, and an obscene amount of wine, that’s always nice. Everything was delicious, and I’m already looking forward to the next one!