Thursday, September 9, 2004
Restaurant spices up cultural dishes
New World Bistro menu features foods from around the world
Article by:
Anthony Seeman - Staff Reporter
· aseeman@northernstar.info
In the two months since introducing its new menu, The House has seen
sales jump 180 percent.
“Our quality of life is affected by the food we eat,” said
Charles Jorensen, new chef at The House, 263 E. Lincoln Highway.
Jorensen collaborated with Sven Hansen, owner of The House, to create
the new World Bistro menu, which features dishes that blend cultures
and traditional favorites from around the world.
“We want to take people to the next level, and our new menu
paves the way for great changes to take place in our bistro and in
the community,” Hansen said.
A restaurant favorite is the teriyaki ginger grilled salmon. It consists
of copper river salmon, served with shiitake mushrooms and pickled
garlic on a purple potato pancake.
Jorensen said ingredients from all over the world go into each dish
on the constantly evolving menu.
“With a change in the seasons, the availability of ingredients
changes, making the dining experience ever-changing,” he said.
Jorensen rarely uses recipes, but said he understands the balance
of herbs and spices in the food he is preparing.
“Cooking is an art form. As an artist paints on canvas, I use
the food to make something that is original,” he said.
Lauren Woods, owner of Cracker Jax, 113 N. Third St., frequently
dines at The House.
“There are a lot of items on the menu that you can’t get
anywhere else in town,” she said.
The new World Bistro menu does not neglect vegetarians and vegans.
Vegan and vegetarian options represent many non-traditional food
and beverages on the menu, Jorensen said.
Jorensen, a DeKalb resident, brings 25 years of experience from across
the world to the restaurant.
“The advantage of bringing my experience to The House is that
I am able to make food for my neighbors,” Jorensen said. “I
am able to work locally, without lowering the quality of food, making
The House as admirable as a five-diamond resort.”
The House is known as a well-rounded local entertainment venue.
“Aki Hashimoto, a local pianist, brings her gift of music to
the bistro daily,” Jorensen said. “This is truly a culturally
enriching place.”
The way that The House can transform from a coffee shop, to a restaurant
serving dinner, to holding a concert, is something rarely seen in
local communities, Jorensen said.
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