Lunch at Hurd Orchards

Since I first moved to Rochester, I’ve been hearing what a wonderful place family-owned Hurd Orchards is - whether for lunch or to pick your own blueberries.  I finally had the opportunity to eat there not once, but twice, in the last two weeks - first with my friend Linda, who invited me to join her for the Garden of Flower Fairies Luncheon, and then with my friend (and Concentus director) Gwen, who joined me for Violets and Violas. What a treat both outings were!

Amy & Sue introducing the Fairies lunch

 Even though the listed time is 12:30  (everyone eats together in the big barn),  lunch at Hurd Orchards is an unhurried  affair, and the family’s focus on  preparation and presentation trumps  promptness.  This gives you time to  browse the wonderful shop and enjoy the  gardens while anticipation and appetite  build. For both lunches I attended in May,  fresh, fragrant lilacs were in abundance in  the masses of floral arrangements. Co- owners Sue and her daughter Amy make you feel as if you’ve been invited to their estate for a garden party, as they greet familiar guests by name, and direct you to find your name card at one of the rustic tables arranged comfortably around the barn. 

honey cake

petit fours

For the Fairies lunch, Sue and Amy not only explained each dish that had been prepared, naming the ingredients that had been specially selected from their gardens that morning, but read some fairy poetry to help set the mood. The meal was delicious, from the violet petals stuffed with boursin cheese to the exquisite honey cake and petit fours.  Each course was too delicious not to finish (my favorite was the asparagus and leek soup, with a dollop of cream), and by the end, Linda and I were completely sated.

So it wasn’t a chore to return the following week, especially to hear Alexander Peña on the viola (I had heard him speak at an event earlier this year and we’ve been corresponding by e-mail, but I had yet to meet him). This time, we learned from Sue’s introduction that the orchards have 70 varieties of apples, from some of the oldest heirlooms to two of the newest varieties – RubyFrost and SnapDragon, both developed in partnership by the New York Apple Growers and Cornell University.

Alexander and Jenny at Violets and Violas

Alexander, who has a Masters from Eastman and is the director of RocMusic, a music education outreach program based on El Sistema, was joined by Jenny Välitalo, who recently received her Doctorate from Eastman. They entertained us non-stop with harmonious viola duets as we enjoyed culinary treats from the gardens (including those scrumptious violet leaf boursin cheese appetizers, and an asparagus and pea soup).  Alexander shared that this was his third year playing for Violets and Violas, and the thing he loves most about the viola is its “tonal palette,” that it is “an imperfectly beautiful instrument.”  Jenny, who hails from Sweden near the Arctic Circle (so she probably finds Rochester weather rather tame), added that it’s also because of the 3 Bs:  “it’s bigger, better, and more beautiful” than a violin!

Gwen and me (in my violets vest my sister
made for me 30 years ago...)

The music was a the perfect accompaniment to a delicious meal in this gorgeous setting, and all of the guests were respectful as they conversed quietly and applauded each piece.  Gwen and I barely saved room for the lemon curd tart dessert, but we somehow managed…  On our way out, we chatted with Alexander and Jenny, who finally got to sit and eat. Gwen mentioned the possibility of hiring one or both of them to accompany Concentus sometime, and Alexander responded favorably, adding that he knows some lovely pieces for chorus and viola.  Jenny also confirmed that she might be able to suggest a Swedish folk song or two to add to our repertoire. They were not only excellent musicians, but gracious and friendly as well.

lemon curd tart

Gwen and I couldn’t resist purchasing a few of the meal’s ingredients in the shop before heading back to Rochester, content from an afternoon of two of our favorite things:  food and music!

For a schedule of the Hurd Orchard Luncheons:  http://www.hurdorchards.com/events2.htm