Holiday Sweater Party - This Friday!

Join Us!
Chef Heath will make some yummy appetizers! Mixologist Judy will come up with a tasty Holiday Sangria! You come join the Festivities! Food, Wine, Fun for only $25!

Holiday Sweater Party - Friday, December 17th

Join us Friday, December 17th at 6 pm!

French Wine Dinner

Join us as we indulge in French Food and Wine!










French Wine Dinner Menu


First Course: Soup

Asparagus Veloute with truffled Chantilly paired with Pierre Henri, Chardonnay, Languedoc-Roussillon 2008 (France)



Main course (choice of one)

Beef Bourguignon paired with Perrin, Cotes du Rhone Red, Rhone Valley 2009 (France)


Chicken Fricassee with mushroom and white wine sauce and small potatoes paired with Guigal, Cotes du Rhone White, Rhone Valley 2009 (France)

Fricasse is a dish of meat that has been sauteed in butter before stewed with vegetables.

Dessert Course (choice of one)
Paired with Chateau de Caladroy Muscat De Rivesaltes 2008 (France)

Crème Brulee

Camembert cheese and Brie cheese with fruit preserves –


The featured dinner will be served in addition to the regular menu on Thursday, November 18 through Saturday, November 20th.

Please call Café Bacchus for reservations (304) 296-9234.

Viva Mexico!

September 16th marks 200 years of Independence for Mexico! Come celebrate with us at Cafe Bacchus with traditional Mexican cuisine and drinks. The celebration starts on Thursday and continues through the weekend.

Mexican Independence Day
16 de Septiembre: El Grito de Independencia

Mexican Independence Day Menu

Salsa and Chips - complimentary

First Course:
Pozole Soup (Pork and Hominy)

Second Course:
Tamales (Broccoli and Cheese)

Entrée Course:
Red (Shredded Beef) Enchiladas with Rice and Beans

Dessert Course:
Tres Leche Cake


$40 per person for Four-course Dinner or you may order individual courses. (Includes a Margarita or Mexican Beer; does not include tax or gratuity)


Viva México -200 years of Independence from Spain!

Walkable Weekdays

Walk to Cafe Bacchus Monday through Thursday and enjoy a glass of wine of dessert for your efforts. Just tell your server that you walked - it's that simple. Oh yeah, you must purchase an appetizer or entree for the freebie... See you soon!

Dog Bone Days of Summer

Bring your Pooch to the Porch at Cafe Bacchus every Thursday for an evening out with your favorite furry friend. Bacchus will provide a yummy bone for Fido while you enjoy some tasty Bacchus fare. Limited seating on the porch so reservations are recommended. Call (304) 296-9234.

Titanic Dinner Party

Join us on Friday, August 13th or Saturday, August 14th as we Honor Lucian Smith.

Lucian Smith, former resident at 76 High Street (current address ofCafe Bacchus) was an unfortunate casualty of the Titanic Disaster. Smith was born on August 14, 1887 and perished on April 14, 1912 after the Titanic hit an iceberg and sank.



Titanic Dinner Menu
selections from "the Last Dinner on the Titanic"


First Course:
Consommé Olga


Second Course:
Poached Salmon with Mousseline Sauce & Cucumbers


Third Course:
Choice of:
Saute of Chicken, Lyonnaise
Baked Haddock with Sharp Sauce
Roast Pork with sage and pearl onions


Dessert Course:
Lucian Smith Birthday Cake
Served with House-made French Vanilla Ice Cream


$55 includes four-course dinner and wine
Couple Rate is $100 including wine
(tax and gratuity not included)

Guest Chef Dinner - This Weekend!

Guest Chef Dinner with Andrew Trumbull

Friday, July 23rd and Saturday, July 24th
Four-course dinner is $50 per person
(Does not include tax, gratuity or alcoholic beverages)

Dinner Feature will be served in addition to our regular menu.
Individual courses from the Guest Chef Dinner may be ordered.

Make your Reservations by calling (304) 296-9234 or
Via Email at cafebacchus@comcast.net

First Course - Soup:
Fresh Corn Volute, Shrimp sautéed in white wine topped with a Cilantro-Chantilly

Second Course - Salad:
Round Right Farms Mixed Greens with Roasted Golden Beets, Goat Cheese, and Fried Shallots dressed with a Citrus Vinaigrette

Third Course - Entrée: (choice of)
Roasted Pork Loin stuffed with Fresh Figs and Goat Cheese, Caramelized Fennel served with Tarragon Spaetzle

Pan-Roasted California Sea Bass in a Cauliflower-Puree served with Summer-Squash Ragout topped with Fried Leeks

Fourth Course - Dessert:
Coeur a la Crème with fresh Summer Berries

Guest Chef Dinner

Guest Chef Dinner –

On Friday, July 23rd and Saturday, July 24th Café Bacchus is excited to have Andrew Trumbull as our Guest Chef.
Trumbull says that he became hooked on cooking at a very young age by helping his Dad prepare dinner at home. His Father Dr. William Trumbull, Interim Dean at the College of Business and Economics, is an excellent cook and taught Andrew a lot about cooking. Andrew says “it was his amazing, home-cooked meals that got me passionate about food and cooking.”

Andrew’s passion for food was further fueled by adventures while traveling. After Trumbull graduated from Morgantown High, he lived in Mt. Isa (a small mining town in the outback of Queensland, Australia.) There he ran his own kitchen and created the lunch and dinner specials. This experience played an integral role in his desire to become a chef. After a year in Australia, he attended WVU in the fall of 2003. Majoring in International Studies, he had the opportunity to do a study abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina for six months. It was in Argentina, that he first became interested in wine. While biking throughout the Mendoza region, he stopped at several wineries along the way – Trumbull became hooked on good Malbec wine. (Note: this area of Argentina is known for producing exceptional Malbecs). In 2008, he decided to pursue his passion for food, and attend The Culinary Institute of America. Trumbull just graduated and is looking forward to starting his professional career down South. In the future, Trumbull would like to be running his own successful restaurant or food business.

Café Bacchus is proud to be a part of Andrew Trumbull’s begining as we are sure that he has a bright future ahead of him. Chef Heath Finnell and Andrew Trumbull will be collaborating on a fabulous menu for the Guest Chef Dinner Event. (Stay tuned for details…)

Dinner and Movie Weekend

Dinner Rush Menu


First Course

Anti Pasta Salad – Capicola cotta, Genoa Salami, Kalamata Olives, Fresh Mozzarella, and Housemade Giardiniera.

Second Course (Choice of)
Seared Porcini-dusted Shrimp over White Beans and Arugula with Citrus Vinaigrette

Or

Fried Chickpea Fritter with Goat Cheese and Mushroom Sauce


Third Course – Entrée (Choice of)

Housemade Hot Italian Sausage with Sautéed Peppers served with Crostini

Or

Pan-fried Wild Striped Bass with Red Wine, Fennel, and Olives



Join us on Friday, June 11th and Saturday, June 12th.
Bacchus is taking dinner and a movie to a whole new level - enjoy the movie while tasting the delicious featured recipes. Café Bacchus will show the movie Dinner Rush. This movie has real life drama about a restaurateur who’s also an aging bookie. His down-to-earth, mom and pop Italian eatery has changed into a pretentious up-scale establishment because of his hot-shot chef son who wants to take over the business. The mob is also involved because of a troubled line cook and the numbers racket. The movie is rated R.

We will show the movie in our large upstairs dining area. Showtime will be 7 p.m.; however, the featured dinner is also available during our regular dinner hours downstairs and will be served in addition to the regular menu. The cost is $40 for the three-course dinner; individual courses are also available.

See you at the Show!

Two Special Guests for this Friday’s Wine Tasting – May 28th

Café Bacchus is very pleased to have Jim Savarino perform at this Friday’s Wine Tasting. Jim is a performer and songwriter of Appalachian roots contemporary folk music.

Sam D’Annunzio will be pouring wines and answering questions. Sam is part of the family of Beverage Distributors Inc. His enjoyment of food and wine has given him a great basis of wine and culinary knowledge. He will be pouring 5 wines.

Chef Heath’s forte is meat and charcuterie. Grilling meat and making bar-b-que sauce are two things that bring a smile to his face.

Wine Tasting is $25 per person (doesn’t include tax or gratuity)

Reservations strongly suggested.

Join us Friday, May 28th starting at 6 pm.

Cinco de Mayo Dinner Feature

On Wednesday, May 5th Café Bacchus will feature traditional-style enchiladas with Mexican rice and beans. In addition, we’ll put an Appalachian spin on our homemade salsa by adding wild ramps. The featured dinner is available during our dinner hours and will be served in addition to the regular menu. The cost is $25.
We’ll also be mixing up some margaritas. Yum!

Last Friday Wine Tasting

Join us on for our Wine Tasting on August 31st from 6 to 8 p.m. (or so...)
We'll be sampling a mix of red wines and white wines plus appetizers. The price is $25 per person.
Hope to see you there!

Café Bacchus presents “Like Water For Chocolate” Dinner Feature Weekend

In conjunction with Chocolate Lover’s Day, Café Bacchus will feature the movie “Like Water for Chocolate”. The movie is based on a popular novel published in 1989 by Mexican novelist Laura Esquivel. “Like Water for Chocolate” is about two young lovers who struggle with their passion and forbidden romance during the turbulent times of the Mexican Revolution. The main character, Tita, releases her passion through cooking and the food that she creates manipulates the emotions of those who eat her incredible meals. As the story unfolds, Tita struggles with Pedro, her iron-fisted mother, and the many obstacles of life. The cinematography of the movie is incredible. This movie will make you hungry so Café Bacchus will recreate some of Tita’s dishes for our dinner feature.

Join us on Friday, April 16th or Saturday, April 17th We will show the movie in our large upstairs dining area. Bacchus is taking dinner and a movie to a whole new level - enjoy the movie while tasting the delicious featured recipes. Showtime will be 7 p.m.; however, the featured dinner is available during our dinner hours and will be served in addition to the regular menu. The cost is $40for the full dinner; individual courses are also available.

First Course (Soup Course)
Tezcucana Style Bean and Ancho Chile Soup

Second Course (Entrée Course)
Turkey Mole with Almond and Sesame Seeds and Chiles in Walnut Sauce served with Mexican Rice

Dessert Course
To be determined. Bacchus chefs are debating on a couple of options.

Reservations recommended. Call (304) 296-9234.
Adios, amigos!

Julia Child honored for Women's History Month

As National Women’s History month draws to a close, we are honoring Julia Child. Here’s a quick synopsis for Julia Child from wikipedia: Julia Child (August 15, 1912 - August 13, 2004) was an American chef, author, and television personality. She introduced French cuisine and cooking techniques to the American mainstream through her cookbooks, beginning in 1961 with Mastering the Art of French Cooking, and her television programs, notably The French Chef which premiered in 1963.

With the release of the movie Julie & Julia, Julia Child has a new legion of fans and foodies. Café Bacchus is proud to honor Julia Child by creating a dinner that will highlight her recipes from the movie. In addition, we will show the movie in our large upstairs dining area. Bacchus is taking dinner and a movie to a whole new level - enjoy the movie while tasting the delicious featured recipes. Showtime will be 7 p.m.; however, the featured dinner is available during our dinner hours and will be served in addition to the regular menu on Friday, March 26th and Saturday, March 27th. (Menu will be posted on the Menu portion of the website)

If the movie and featured dinner have you thinking about “all things Julia” – check out this website: http://tastingtable.com/entry_detail/national/495/Must-have_gifts_for_Julia_junkies.htm Everyone needs a Julia Child apron or "Saint Julia" Devotional Candle.

Matriarch Dinner Feature

Café Bacchus hosts dinner to honor their most influential Culinary Women for Women’s History Month

Women's History Month
The public celebration of women's history in this country began in 1978 as "Women's History Week" in Sonoma County, California. The week which included March 8, International Women's Day, was selected. In 1981, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Rep. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) co-sponsored a joint Congressional resolution proclaiming a national Women's History Week. In 1987, Congress expanded the celebration to a month, and March was declared Women's History Month.

This week the owners and chefs at Café Bacchus would like to commemorate the women who have had the most influence on their lives and cooking experiences- their Mothers and Grandmothers. The inspiration for this article comes from Dessell Puckett who is 90 years old on March 17th and whose birth year marks the ratification of the 19th amendment which after 70 years of struggle granted women the right to vote. The deciding vote was cast by Representative Harry Burn who carried a note in his pocket from his mother encouraging him to vote for women’s suffrage.

The 1930’s marked the beginning of the dust bowl and the continuation of the Great Depression. In 1931 Grandma Dessell lost her father. She was one of the younger children of twelve and learned early to that hard work was essential. Her large Irish family farmed in the hollers of Southern WV and she contributes her cooking influences to her Mother and her five sisters.

In 1937 the same year, Amelia Earhart attempted to be the first women to fly around the world; Dessell married and began testing her wings at raising a family. Grandma was definitely more successful having one boy and two girls over the next five years. In 1938, far away in El Paso Texas, Cecilia (Aguilar) Spade, my mother, was born.
http://www.biography.com/womens-history/timeline

1941-1945
At the outbreak of World War II, American men go off to war in droves and leave a gaping hole in the workforce needed to build the tools of war. To meet the demand, government actively recruits women to fill the gap. Initially, the effort was met with resistance so the government created a promotion campaign to sell the public on the idea and recruit able-bodied women into the workforce. "Rosie the Riveter" was a compilation of different efforts by private industry and government to get more people involved in the war effort. After the war, many women returned to their domestic roles in the home, but many remained working while their husbands went back to school under the G.I. Bill. Though female numbers in the workforce dropped off after the war, they never returned to their lower pre-war levels.


From 1948 to 1951, Dessell was the President of the Farm Women’s Club. She and its members started the hot lunch program from the local grade school. Through fundraising efforts they purchased equipment, organized and received food via the government then volunteered to cook lunch for the many children.

Meanwhile, as my mother Cecilia was growing up her biggest influence in cooking was her mother. Her traditional household, private school education and influences of the world in the 1950’s would seemingly make her the perfect Stepford wife. After graduating from high school, she attended college. Cecilia’s sincere interests in helping her fellow man lead her to being a social worker. In 1962, she fell in love and married a man from West Virginia who was in the Air Force and stationed in El Paso, Texas.

According to http://www.enotes.com/1950-lifestyles-social-trends-american-decades/womens-roles
Housekeeping and raising a family were considered ideal female roles during the 1950s, although that standard was less rigid than in previous decades. With marriage and birthrates booming, women were becoming wives and mothers at unprecedented levels. But more women were entering the work-place as well. During World War II women by the millions took factory jobs to make up for the domestic manpower shortage. After the war the number of working women dropped, but by 1950 it was climbing again, at the rate of a million a year. By 1956, 35 percent of all adult women were members of the labor force, and nearly a quarter of all married women were working. As A. W. Zelomek, president of the International Statistical Bureau, reported in A Changing America (1959), two out of five women with husbands and school-age children worked outside the home. However, working women had yet to attain many positions.

In June 1949, Veronica Aiken, mother to Chef Heath, was born in New York City. After studying fashion in high school, she moved to San Francisco in 1968. During the 1960’s, San Francisco was a haven for artists of all types and her creative energy fit right in.
http://www.biography.com/womens-history/timeline

1965
President Lyndon Johnson's affirmative action policy of 1965 expands to cover discrimination based on gender. As a result, federal agencies and contractors must take active measures to ensure that women as well as minorities enjoy the same educational and employment opportunities as white males.

In 1966, Dessell became an early widow and Cecilia became a W.V. resident. They both were in transition and each prospered in their own way. Dessell moved to Bluefield, WV where she interned to be a florist. In 1968, she opened Valley Flower in Rainelle, WV and this successful flower shop was kept in the family until the 1980’s. Cecilia’s internship was “down on the farm” where she was taught the Appalachian self-sufficiency of food and culture. She learned how raise a garden, can vegetables, tend to livestock, drive a tractor, put up hay and host of other activities that make up the life of a farmer. She embraced her new life and was accepted into the community despite her cultural and religious differences.

In the 1970’s all three ladies were hard at work. Dessell as the sole owner of Valley Flowers was busy making flower arrangements for every occasion. Cecilia was raising my two brothers and me as well as tending up to 30 head of cattle and a huge garden. While Cecilia learned the farming traditions, she also taught many friends, neighbors and relatives about her culture. To this day, you can find authentic Mexican food in this small town in Southern WV. Meanwhile, Veronica was a student at Cal State San Jose as well as raising her son, Heath. She graduated in 1977 and became an event planner. Veronica has organized events that have included Maya Angelou, Ray Charles, Alex Hayley, Sarah Vaughn, B.B. King and the mayor of Los Angeles.

1980’s
In 1981, President Ronald Reagan nominates Sandra Day O'Connor to become the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. As an associate justice, O’Connor becomes the crucial swing vote for many cases where the Court is split along ideological lines.
Also, in 1981, President Reagan nominates Jeane Kirkpatrick as the first woman to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

1986
In 1986, Oprah Winfrey becomes the first African American woman to host a nationally syndicated talk show when "The Oprah Winfrey Show" debuts.
In the early 1980’s, Veronica became friends and neighbors with two of the chefs from Chez Panisse. They had a heavy culinary influence on a young, impressionable Heath Finnell. His interest in food became more practical as his teenage appetite increased and Veronica’s event planning expanded.

In 1982, Cecilia divorced and moved to California where she taught and was very involved in the Long Beach Teachers Union. In 2006, she moved back to WV and lives here in Morgantown.
1990’s

In 1995, Lt. Col. Eileen Collins becomes the first American woman to pilot a Space Shuttle.

Nominated by President Bill Clinton in 1997, Madeleine K. Albright becomes first woman U.S. Secretary of State. Before that, she served as U.N. Ambassador.

President Bill Clinton also appoints Janet Reno in 1993 to serve as the first woman U.S. Attorney General.
In the 1990’s, after helping her son, Heath, through the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco Veronica moved back to her roots in New York City. Her latest event planning has been with the Harlem YMCA and other neighborhood gigs.
To this day, Dessell continues to make flower arrangements and is also known for her fabulous pound cake.

As our most influential women begin to mellow other women in the USA have been making great strides as illustrated from http://www.biography.com/womens-history/timeline
In 2000, Hillary Rodham Clinton becomes the only First Lady ever elected to the United States Senate.

In 2005, Condoleezza Rice becomes the first African-American woman appointed Secretary of State.

In 2007, Nancy Pelosi becomes the first woman Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.

For 90 years, Dessell has experienced many changes and history. To celebrate her St. Patrick’s Day birth and her Irish heritage, Café Bacchus will have the traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage dinner on March 17th. On Friday, March 19th and Saturday, March 20th, Café Bacchus will expand the menu to incorporate more influences. The Matriarch Dinner Feature will be served in addition to our regular menu. The 3 course dinner will be $35.

Salad Course:
California Salad (to celebrate Veronica’s influence from her days in San Francisco)

Entrée Course:
Corned Beef and Cabbage (to celebrate the Irish heritage that is part of the ancestry of owner, Executive Chef and Sous Chef at Café Bacchus)

Cheese Enchiladas, Mexican Rice and Beans (to celebrate Cecilia’s heritage and her influence on the culture in Southern WV)

Dessert Course:
Pound Cake (to showcase Dessell’s most requested cake for any celebration)

Four-Course Dinner Feature

Cafe Bacchus will feature a Four-course dinner featuring creole and cajun cuisine plus we'll create some of the drinks that made this town famous (or infamous) for partying. The Big Easy is one of our favorite towns for its food, music and party atmosphere!
Join us on Friday, February 19th or Saturday, February 20th as we recreate our own N'awlins!
(See menu area of the website for details on the dinner).

Oldest Calabrian Wine Maker to Guest at Bacchus Wine Dinner

On Saturday, January 30th Cafe Bacchus will feature Calabrian and Sicilian cuisine and wine in the Southern Italian Wine Dinner. Our Special Guest is Vincenzo Ippolito whose wineery is the oldest in the Calabrian region in Italy. For over 160 years his family has devoted their lives to the making of fine wines. We are excited to have his wealth of knowledge and passion guide us through this very special evening of food and wine.

This collaboration has been facilitated by the Tre Amici. Tre Amici is a small importer of wines from Southern Italy that was started by three friends, John Angotti, David Straface, and Dino Colombo.

Chef Heath Finnell is planning an authentic Southern Italian menu paired with the Ippolito wines. (note: the menu will be posted on the "menu" portion of the website)

Join us for a 4-course dinner and wine pairing. There will be one seating at 7 pm and reservations are required. For more information sign up for our email listing at www.cafebacchus.net or call (304) 296-9234.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. and respect for the culture that created delectable dishes from humble beginnings, Cafe Bacchus will feature Southern Soul Food on Monday, January 17th and Tuesday, January 18th.

According to an article commemorating King's neighborhood as a child "...a favorite meal was the Sunday feast of fried chicken, collard greens, black-eyed peas and cornbread."

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/jan/13/atlanta-neighborhood-commemorates-childhood-civil-/

Food can transcend barriers. The smile and warmth shared after a good meal is universal. Peace through good food - that's my message. Join us! Thanks! Judy

Holiday (ugly) Sweater Party

Now is the time for one last hooray before retiring your festive holiday sweaters or to show off the latest fashion faux pas received this Christmas.


Saturday, January 9th – 6 to 9 pm

Cost: $25 for 5 drinks and appetizers.

Prizes awarded for the most decorative (read obnoxious) holiday sweater(s)