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Bits & Bites: New Eatery, Lavender Fun, and an Island Dinner

Casual Fare with a Southern Twist

A new eatery in Sister Bay brings all the down-home flavors of the Southwest to Door County. Crain’s Kitchen, 10635 N. Bay Shore Dr., comes from Andy Crain. He’s from Green Bay but spent a significant amount of time in Denver, where he developed his palate for Southwestern fare. 

Featuring from-scratch house biscuits (both buttermilk and gluten-free sweet potato), homemade soup stocks, and roasted meats, the menu – described as casual food with a South-by-Southwest flair – offers fresh, flavorful options that are approachable, but anything but ordinary. See the full menu and hours at crainskitchendc.com.

Dine among the Vines

Dinner in the Vineyard, set among the vines at Gathering Ground as its annual fundraiser, will return to Washington Island on July 29 to celebrate local flavors and artisans.

This year’s event will feature food, wine and cider pairings from Washington Island and guest chefs, including Island Edibles, Island Orchard Cider, Roots Inn and Kitchen, Jean True and Ashley Hamilton. Each course will also feature fresh produce from local farms, including Hoot Blossom Farm, Island Harvest, Folk Tree Farm and other local growers and producers. Talented musicians Donna Bell, Mark Flasch and Pauline Taylor will provide live music. 

All proceeds from the event and its silent auction will go toward funding Gathering Ground’s programs and plantings, including Ground School, a 10-week program for young adults who want to learn about sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship through hands-on work at Gathering Ground’s demonstration farm and other local farms. 

Tickets, at $135 each, are limited to 60 diners at Gathering Ground, 1751 Lake View Road on Washington Island. Tickets are available online at donorbox.org/events/336626, or in person at Gathering Ground’s table at the Washington Island farmers market, held Saturdays, 9 am – 12 pm, on Main Road. 

Pop-up Lavender Fair

The Savory Spoon Cooking School, 12042 Hwy 42 in Ellison Bay, will host its annual pop-up lavender fair July 16, 10 am – 2 pm, featuring Door Botanicals, owned by Tom and Bonnie Ansley. The outdoor educational event will offer Door Botanicals’ lavender products for purchase, samples of delicious lavender lemonade and lavender ice cream, and recipes to create tasty lavender treats at home. 

New Brewery Project Opens in Baileys Harbor
2434 Cty F in Baileys Harbor

Belly up to the counter at the new Sway Brewing + Blending – located below Heirloom Cafe and Provisions in Baileys Harbor – to taste the results of Door County’s latest beer project Friday, July 15, 3-9 pm; Saturday, July 16, 11 am – 9 pm; and Sunday, July 17, 11 am – 6 pm. The brainchild of Matt Sampson of Hacienda Beer Co., Sway focuses on simple, easy- drinking, sessionable brews that highlight local, foraged, organic and storied ingredients.

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