My friend and accomplice, Russ Salazar, has been after me for some time to try The Farm Table, the new restaurant and market at 311 Main Street in Placerville. I had added it to our list, but for some reason we ended up going other places instead.
A week ago last Tuesday we decided to give them a try, so we met there around 11 a.m. to have lunch. We grabbed a couple of menus, a couple of glasses of water and some utensils and found an empty table near the window looking out to Main Street.
Last November I had attended their Grand Opening and sampled a number of the meats and sausages that they make and/or cure themselves, and I was very impressed. Everything was excellent. So, I let Russ pick what we would try that day.
The special of the day was a house-made bratwurst on a poppy seed sandwich roll with whole grain mustard and pickled, braised cabbage. Both of us thought sounded really good. For our second sandwich, he picked the Farm Table Ham and Cheese, made with house-made ham, brie, mushrooms and winter greens on ciabatta, grilled. We asked to have each one cut in two, which is the way two people should share lunch.
You can add sides for $3 each, so he asked what the soup of the day was. It was lamb stew soup, so we has to try that. I was fascinated by the Pickled Root Vegetables, so that too went on our order.
Their food is made to order and it takes time. Don’t expect fast-food speed, so plan on 10 or so minutes or so of pleasant conversation and catching up.
When they brought our food the presentation was outstanding. Everything looked delicious.The side of soup turned out to be a bowl. The nice lady who brought our food said they thought we might like enough to split. She was right and it was delicious, and even better for chile-heads like us, after adding a couple of drops of Tabasco.
The bratwurst sandwich was delicious, but the bratwurst kept trying to escape. I didn’t care, I just kept pushing it back into the roll and taking another bite. Russ said if he was home he would have split it end to end so it wouldn’t slide.
On the plate with it was a small bowl of their potato salad. It was very good but I thought it needed a bit of salt (much better than having too much salt). Russ said prefers potato salad with celery so you get some “crunch.”
The ham and cheese sandwich was the star of the lunch. It was pressed and grilled flat. The ham, brie and mushrooms were in every bite and, combined with the ciabatta, tasted wonderful. It was another sandwich I wanted to go on forever.
While eating it we both snacked on the thinly sliced pickled root vegetables, like you might with pickles. They, by themselves, were habit forming. After they were gone Russ took a piece of bread and sopped up all the remaining pickling juices and said that was even better.
In addition to our great lunch choices, The Farm Table serves a Hot Reuben made with their own lean pastrami; The Cajun, a sandwich made with a hearty portion of sliced meats, Provolone and more; the Turkey Tarragon; Roasted Garlic and Red Pepper; a Páte Sandwich and a kids ham and cheese.
You can also choose from a Chefs Platter of meat and cheeses, a Charcuterie and Cheese Platter of you choice, both with baguette crackers and house-made pickled things, and a Sausage Platter with accouterments.
They also have the daily soup, a house salad and a delicious looking Walnut and Blue Cheese Salad.
If you want, you can select a delicious dessert from their display case and enjoy a real treat.
To accompany your meal they have imported and local wines, microbrews, gourmet sodas, coffee and tea.
In addition to the restaurant side of the business they also sell their house-made goodies like sausages, pátes and much more from display cases in the store.
They are open for business from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; until 8 p.m.,Thursday through Saturday, and until 5 on Sunday. Closed on Monday.
After 5 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, they serve dinner from a great looking menu of small plates and large plates (including Rabbit Pot Pie) that you really need to check out either on-line or posted in the window (when you stop for lunch, of course), and they just started serving Sunday brunch, so you surely want to check that out too.
Seating downstairs or upstairs on the balcony.
It can get a bit crowded during peak lunch hours and for sure at dinner and brunch, so give them a call if you have a large party.
The owners, Kara and Zach Taylor started business in 2010 by making apple sausage under the name of Smokey Ridge Charcuterie and selling lunches at their family’s farm in Apple Hill. In just these few short years their success has led them to opening The Farm Table, this fantastic restaurant and market in downtown Placerville. Stop by and you will find out why.
For more information call (530) 295-8140 or visit them on the internet at ourfarmtable.com, where you will find their menus and much more.