The Bottle Tree's new fall menu features produce entirely from local regenerative farm, Piedmont Farmstead. Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios
You’ve probably heard the term ‘farm-to-table’ tossed around a lot. But if you’ve ever wondered how it really happens, keep reading.
I spent a day learning the process with two Gaston County businesses: The Bottle Tree, a farm-to-table restaurant in downtown Belmont, and Piedmont Farmstead, a regenerative farm in Dallas.
Why it matters: The Bottle Tree recently launched its fall menu featuring ingredients sourced from the farmstead.
We started the day at the farmstead — where The Bottle Tree gets all its produce.
- They’re currently growing seasonal veggies like kale, squash, collards and sweet potatoes.
Who knew kale looked so Dr. Seuss-y?! (Not me). Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios
It’s officially squash season! Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios
Then, we headed to The Bottle Tree, where chef Kyle Gaddas and his crew whipped up the new fall spread crafted around seasonal picks from the farmstead.
The Bottle Tree is known for its globally-inspired dishes, and this rang true with the fall-lineup, with dishes like scallops and pakora, as well as salmon ramen.
- Gaddas fried up kale from the farmstead for the pakora.
- The salmon ramen and duck both use greens from the farm, and the chef’s board featured squash from the farm.
The Bottle Tree’s scallops and pakora dish uses kale from the farm in the pakora. Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios
All of the greens in the salmon and ramen dish come from the farm, too.
If the squash in the Chef’s Board looks familiar, that’s because it’s from — you guessed it — the farm. Photos: McKenzie Rankin/Axios
We ended the feast with sticky toffee pudding and duck fat apple pie (not farm-grown, but worth mentioning). Photos: McKenzie Rankin/Axios
My thought bubble: Seeing the dedication and creativity behind the farm-to-table process was impressive — and that was for produce alone. If I had to pick a standout dish, it’d be the scallops and pakora for the creativity (and crunch factor).
- We’re also in peak outdoor dining weather. Amp up the fall vibes and snag a table on The Bottle Tree’s back patio when you go.
Go deeper: 18 things to eat, see and do in Belmont including a rum distillery and farm-to-table brunch
