November | 2015 | 10 Legs in the Kitchen

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George and Peggy Brown, The Lucky Wishbone

The year was 1951. A couple, a young child and their dog drove up the Al-Can highway after the war and soon opened, what was at the time, a small shack of a diner. They soon hired a waitress named Agnes (Aggie). They woke up early, went to bed late and peeled potatoes, fried chicken, griddled burgers, and spun a yarn in-between. 50 years later (10 years ago), Aggie was still there, cooking, smiling and helping to shape the sense of Place. The child was now grown with three siblings, three children of her own and a much different job, running the offices of a US Senator.

The man and the woman were still married and still the Host and Hostess of an ever-present gathering spot in Alaska, serving the best fried chicken, burgers and shakes around. They had created an institution. The photos on the walls told the story of those 50 years and the years preceding them. A WWII pilot, George met Peggy waiting tables at a diner in Utah when he began courting her. It was a fast romance that resulted in that previously mentioned child. On this day, some 60 years later, The Lucky Wishbone still has a line out the door during the lunch rush, has some of it’s original employees or their offspring, their original patrons and/or their offspring and is still owned/operated by 94-year-old George Brown, my Grandfather. And you guessed it, that child is my Mother.

This November 30, 2015, The Lucky Wishbone turns 60. I am so proud. If walls could speak, the stories would be many. Each of us kids have put in our time there learning what it is like to put in a good day’s work for a good day’s pay. Learning what quality product and service should be. Learning so much….about life. I personally, feel the Lucky Wishbone shaped who I am today, for many reasons. I know it has shaped the lives of many others, both patrons and staff.

To George and Peg (Grandma is smiling from above) – Congratulations! To Grandpa and Grandma – I love you and thank you! To all the employees that I worked with and ate with and grew to know as family – Salute!.

Happy Birthday to “the Bone”! (and Happy Birthday to my Tom whose birthday it is today; you still light up my life).

I think I’ll go cook up some fried chicken now myself. But Julia, might you bring some home for me?

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Willows Inn

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When you have eaten the best meal of your life, it is hard to know where the one to top it will come from and you are likely to think it will be somewhere new. Standing on the ferry dock, I looked around noticing how different it felt then it had a year and a half before. The sky was beginning to fade, slowly; the hot sun had been replaced with a misty rain and a hint that winter was closer than anticipated. Buddy stumbled out of the car and left his mark before curling back up in his bed, but Ginger decided she was in a hurry to get to our destination. She squatted on the sand to lighten her load and then made a bee-line for the dock. She ran past the cars and her tail wagged eagerly as her tall legs took her closer and closer to the waters edge.

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Panic swept over me as I realized she was still faster than I was, and as you may know, definitely has a mind of her own. I ran awkwardly behind (and I’m sure we were quite a sight to the others waiting for the ferry), but I luckily caught her before she was able to plunge happily off the end of the dock. Ginger knew where we were headed, back to the Willows Inn. Best meal of my life, and a favorite puppy adventure spot.

Whew!

Tom and I refreshed after hauling our things from car up the hill and then up the steps to the cottage. I’m sure to the kitchen staff in the windows nearby that it looked like we were moving in. Nothing like a little workout before a grand indulgence! We tucked the kids into their beds before heading down to the lounge for a cocktail. Stepping in from the cold, damp air, we were immediately warmed by the heat of a blazing fire and the room was filled with a wonderfully smokey aroma and the sounds of laughter and chatter.

There were only two seats open, next to a shelf filled with jars of island preserves of dried herbs and even creatures from the sea. Above the shelf was a windowless opening that looked over the bar which was tucked back in it’s own cozy room. We ordered our cocktails (two Dogwoods made with apple cider and rye) and sat back to take in the scene. Even though our dinner reservations weren’t until the next evening, we felt as if we were guests at a grand dinner party.

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As the dinner hour began, we sat cozily sipping our cocktail in the parlor while everyone else was escorted to their seats. Soon plates of food came from the kitchen being delivered to the guests. What a wonderful scene, we had the best seat in the house to watch the magic unfold. Suddenly to our surprise, a warm brick with the most amazing roasted sunflower root sitting on top arrived. We smiled, what a treat to wrap up the beverages with before our lazy departure. We savored their sweetness and the accompanying sweet onion puree, was literally finger-licking good. Then, out of the blue, a plate of perfectly prepared, delicate chanterelles were set before us, and followed by two of the freshest oysters topped with rose hip granita. As yet another plate arrived, I very guiltily reminded our server that we weren’t joining for dinner until the following night. His reply “Oh I know, but we’re feeling nice.”, with a wink. “Plus, it doesn’t mean your not important.”…

Feeling as though that was enough to be the perfect dinner, we snuck out the back and headed around the island to the Beach House Cafe across from the ferry dock. Again, warm and inviting, but casually, country pleasant.

Our sweet server, serving the table behind us.

We had a sweet server and enjoyed a wonderful meal of fried cornish hen, spaghetti bolanaise and a delightful salad of apples, goat cheese and beets. We went to bed that night in anticipation of the Inn’s breakfast the next morning. On our previous visit, when we had stayed for the first time, we woke up on a Monday; no breakfast service on that day and had wondered, what if?

We, of course, were late to the dining room, sneaking in just prior to the 11:00am close. Luckily, a foursome was still there and another followed shortly after us so we were not left to dine alone. The menu was somewhat odd, I remember thinking.

Soon I would realize, each bite was in harmony with the others and I was about to eat what would be the best breakfast of my life.

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As we sat in the parlor after finishing our meal, sipping the remains of our champagne, the once quiet kitchen began to awaken. It seemed like an easy melody at first, starting out quietly, slowly building up to, what would eventually end in a crescendo. The air began filling with smells that were reminiscent of the holidays. I half expected a little grandmother to come ask me if I wanted tea. We were completely alone in the room, other than the fire, yet directly behind us, merely 15 steps away, was a most elaborate production unfolding. Dinner preparation was underway and many hours of work ahead by the dedicated staff. Among them was Blaine himself, just recently returning from his book release in New York the night before.

There was a promise of rain, but for now, we had dry skies and took advantage of it by heading down to the beach where, once again, we were completely alone. The sandy shores were speckled with remnants tossed up from the ocean. Ginger and Buddy frolicked, wearing themselves out once again.