Corey Miller
Spring 2021 Good Eats 4
Relish Restaurant and Wine Bar - Strawberry Fields Forever
Carol Mead Smith, owner of Relish Restaurant and Wine Bar, tried delivery, takeout and outside dining when the governor closed restaurants down last year. None were ideal for her Warsaw restaurant. Once restaurants could reopen, she wasted no time, after eliminating half her tables and chairs. The bar remains closed.
Smith sees Relish’s role in the community evolving during these times.
“Whatever our community needs from us, we are there,” she says. “Because our community has been there overwhelmingly for us.”
With warmer weather, Smith looks forward to tweaking the menu to reflect spring with classic Relish dishes like Crab on Crab on Crab, a luscious layered dish with a softshell crab and a, lump crabcake topped with jumbo lump crabmeat.”
Relish’s menu takes its inspiration from what local farmers are growing and what waterman are catching. Every day Smith visits her suppliers—Faunce Seafood, Garner’s Produce, Lois’ Produce, Hinson’s Seafood, Fat and Happy Oyster Company and Morris Seafood—to see what they have available. “After I do that, I create a special or two for the day,” she says. “I can’t wait for asparagus, English peas, strawberries, radishes and really, everything, as it pops up!”
Smith is researching opening a fast casual restaurant adjacent to Relish. “The kindness and support of our customers has been more than lovely,” she says, adding, “The incredible loyalty of my talented staff is something I appreciate every day.”
Original Recipe
Strawberry Fields Forever
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. Virago Gin (made in Richmond), infused with sliced, local strawberries for 24 hours
- 1 oz. Domaine de Canton French
- Ginger Liqueur
- ½ small lemon
Directions:
Step 1: Muddle 3 sprigs of mint and 2 local strawberries in a shaker.
Step 2: Add ice to top of shaker.
Step 3: Add strawberry-infused Virago, Domaine de Canton liqueur, lemon juice and a splash of soda.
Step 4: Pour into glass and garnish with strawberry and mint sprig.
115 Main Street, Warsaw
