All across the River Region, restaurant patrons are catching glimpses of their chefs dipping out of their kitchens to pick a few handfuls of Rosemary or Basil from discreet restaurant herb gardens. The uninitiated may have thought the small, green plants were mere shrubbery, only to realize the fresh, chopped leaves would soon be a part of their meal.
This latest culinary trend on the restaurant scene is actually nothing new. Having a small, window-box garden rather than relying on a grocer to provide cut bunches of herbs is a longstanding practice. By planting the herbs needed to create gastronomic delights, cooks pare down on an unhealthy reliance on non-local produce. Due to the popularity of the Green movement, chefs now feel comfortable taking their cramped terra cotta pots out of the kitchen window and right into the planters on the terrace.
Where to Eat
Such restaurants as Michael’s Table, Sinclair’s, The Olive Room, Montgomery Brewing Company, and No. 16 in Montgomery are bolstering their outdoor planters with dozens of herbs such as Basil, Rosemary, and Sage. The Eagle’s Roost Herb Farm in Rockford is known for over 40 culinary herbs, vinegars, and more.
Even a few River Region caterers are getting in on the trend. Chef Beth Clark of Jennie Weller Catering grows a plethora of herbs at the company’s location in historic Old Alabama Town and uses them in all of their fabulous culinary endeavors. The aromas they put into the atmosphere pair well with any meal.
Create Your Own
Why not take your kitchen herb garden from the windowsill right out to your front planters? With a little effort, Rosemary can be made into attractive, aromatic topiaries that you can pick from for your home recipes. A beautiful, cascading Thyme or Nasturtium plant can flow over the sides for a dramatic yet classic look. Other useful herbs like Basil, Oregano, Parsley, and Sage can be used as well. Why hide your herbs in the kitchen? As long as you don’t mind your neighbors seeing you pop out the front door in an apron to clip some fresh herbs for a meal, you might want to have your display plants do double duty.
