October BLiCher Creature
The Lazy Susan will plant its roots this fall in the Standale neighborhood of Grand Rapids. Looking to bring to life the vision of a new kind of diner, Bob and Shana Waterbury have turned their little space on Wilson Avenue into a homage to all the lovely traditions that have inspired their careers and lives. Don’t let the vintage plates and décor mislead you; although the food is a tribute to those who came before us and shaped our culture in the Midwest, it is anything but stuck in the past. The couple wanted to give the community something they could be familiar with, all while using the myriad of local farms to create new ideas within our Great Lakes food traditions. As both a cook and a diner, we are looking to discover more about our food culture in this unique place of the world. We know about things like pasty's in the U.P., or the fish fry on Friday nights, but what else is there? That desire to learn and grow will shape the direction of The Lazy Susan’s cooking and hospitality moving forward. We aim to give our neighborhood an opportunity to experience the best of what our region has to offer, which we are finding out is quite a lot.
In addition to looking for inspiration in our corner of the world, Bob and Shana will offer a monthly changing or “traveling” menu set to focus on the food and culture of a specific country or region. A recurring theme in the careers of both owners has been travel. Time spent growing up in New York, Las Vegas, and the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee have shaped the cooking style and techniques, both traditional and modern, used in our kitchen. Working with a variety of cooking philosophies and flavor profiles have always been a driving force behind getting in the kitchen every day, and sharing new knowledge with peers and guests is a reward in itself. It’s a bit like connecting memories, bridging the old and the new while sharing what we love with our community. Encouraging our guests to inquire about where we get those amazing tomatoes from, and understanding why they won’t see them on the menu in a couple weeks is a key part of helping everyone eat better. We don’t think anyone should have to go out of their way to eat great food; it’s life’s greatest pleasure and one we should all be enjoying together.
Check out Bob and Shana's Recipe for Ebleskivers (Danish pancakes) here.
Be sure to give their restaurant The Lazy Susan a visit also!