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Mistretta's Online Newsletter

Here's the scoop at Mistretta's

Our website is constantly being updated, and, besides daily menus, we have in-depth descriptions of most of our meats and cheeses, wine features, such as a discussion of which wines to serve with various meals, (including charts), a Ballantine Ale page, a map to Mistretta's, and plans to add new features throughout the year… T-Shirt specials will be featured (Mistretta's T-Shirts retail for $15) – announcements such as special events, weekend brunch, patio renovations, plus any expansion plans will be on the website as appropriate… We have also set up a "New Products" category, where new flavors of wine & beer, grocery items, etc. are available at a mouse-click…Remember to do Christmas shopping at Mistretta's-our gift baskets can be customized for special tastes.

MISTRETTAS' FAÇADE

We hope you noticed the "makeover" of our storefront: The red, white and green parking bumpers and deep blue backgound were the creation of local artist John Spofforth, who would like to do similar footprints for Athens businesses as an ongoing art project. John, we thank you. We've been big fans since taking a "wavy brick" tour of John's work throughout Athens – the Casa interior and the Unitarian Church are two examples of this west side artist's unusual work.

BALLANTINE ALE

Well, after jumping through hoops to get the brand into Athens, we're proud to report that over the last three months, Ballantine 6-pak sales have exceeded 6-pak sales for: Bud, Bud Lite, Corona, Corona Lite, Heineken, Miller Lite, Miller Draft, Coors Lite, Natural Lite, Michelob and Becks combined, with spare change. A few of the downtown bars now have ordered it too. The moral? Stop by and drop $3.99 on a 6-pak. For those of you who have read our flyer on Ballantine, reference was made to Steinbeck's elegy to Ballantine Ale, written in 1953 for Life Magazine. Soon after customer and OU English professor Bob DeMott discovered Ballantine at the store, he brought in a dynamite review he had written as a Steinbeck scholar for the Steinbeck Newsletter in 1990, exploring Steinbeck's ability to write – even a commercial piece such as this possessed the Steinbeck mastery in turning a phrase. Thanks, Bob.

Learn More About Ballantine Ale... | Rebus Puzzle Solutions

BREAKFAST

We feature Italy's #1 coffee, Lavazza, as well as a Viennese Roast and a flavored blend such as Hazelnut Cream or Vanilla daily, along with fruit salad (daily), warm ciabatta bread with butter or cream cheese, homemade muffins or coffee cake daily, plus egg-based frittatas on Wednesdays and Fridays. A frittata is an oven-baked Italian omelette with various fillings: sausage, double-smoked bacon or salami, veggies, cheeses or mushrooms. A frittata serves 8 and costs $24. Call ahead and reserve your favorite frittata for that breakfast meeting.

Today's Deli Specials

NEWS FLASH –
VEGETARIANS LOVE ITALIAN FOOD!

Our daily selections – soups, sandwiches, salads and hot meals always have something for Athens' vegetarians. Many traditional Italian dishes from the countryside are delicious and inexpensive, and feature little or no meat, since meat was outside most peasant budgets. We bring in the freshest vegetables from local growers and the results have been fine soups and dinners.

Today's Deli Specials | The Nutritional Value of Pasta

LUNCH DELIVERY

We'll deliver lunch anywhere in Athens between 11:00am and 2:00pm. Minimum order $10. Check daily specials on our website, or take home our sandwich menu, and call ahead:
594-4949
(Hot meals are available daily, but after 4:00pm, so not deliverable as lunch). Our soups, all homemade, are terrific. Popular favorites are: Corn Chowder – With pancetta, potatoes and bell peppers. Emeril's St. John's Club – Sausage, kale, potatoes & white beans. Cream of Red Pepper – With red onions, red peppers, and pureed. Bookmark and check the website daily if you're into soups. Several combo lunches are available under $5. Daily.

Today's Deli Specials

WINE-OF-THE-MONTH CLUB

Reliance on technology. We plan to enter the world of Interactive E-Commerce in October. This will require an Email from us and a selection by members from 4 options and a Credit card # reply on our website. Continuing membership requires the monthly selection of a minimum of two bottles of wine - but rest assured, you will be able to order any number . NEW- We've been asked to raise the bar and include Executive level wine selections; a red and a white. Information will be provided on these wines; much the same as we've always done - particular emphasis will be given to awards won in international competitions. The original premise remains - two bottles a month; a red & white - our idea of a good pair from a pre-selected wine region at or below $30. Dialog will be on the website describing the winery and the varietals being offered. (Read about our past wine pairs on our website - they've come from Italy, California, Australia, France, South Africa and California among others).

Our wine club is a joint venture of Mistretta's and Glazers Distributors, ably represented by Anne Marie Christy, who's done a great job for us and won a trip to Paris for outstanding sales. Congratulations, Anne Marie. Champagne? Oui. Anne Marie sponsors a monthly tasting at the OU Inn. Call the Inn for details.

Wine-of-the-Month Club | Past Wine Pairs | Wine and Food Matches

CATERING

We did dozens of private parties over the last year, for organizations such as Political Science, Abbey Carpet, ILGARD, Residence Life, Southeast Psychiatric Hospital, Sunpower and Wayne State Forest (official opening) - even though we hadn't advertised catering capabilities. This year we've prepared a catering menu - available at the store or on our website - we'd love to deliver food for your private party!

Visit Our Catering Page...