click to enlarge - Courtesy of Au Jus
- Au Jus
The small community of Windsor got a new restaurant last week when Nate Rose and Josh Martin opened Au Jus at 131 Main Street.
Rose and Martin, who are both in their thirties, had been working together in the kitchen of Neal's Restaurant & Bar in Proctorsville. One busy shift, Martin recalled, they looked at each other, and "Nate said to me, 'Why not do this for ourselves?'"
Rose, a New England Culinary Institute graduate, has always lived in Vermont. Martin, a Rhode Island native, started working in the food industry when he was 14 years old.
Once they decided to follow their own path, things moved fast, Martin said: "Two weeks later we were looking at this location, and four months later we are open."
The business partners were most excited about offering barbecue, but they knew they had to offer something for everyone in a small town. "It's really kind of barbecue and comfort food, basically home-style cooking," Martin said.
Menu items range from classic barbecue to New England regulars such as baked haddock and even a lobster roll. So far, the pulled-pork sandwich and brisket have been big sellers, Martin said.
The restaurant's name refers to the French term for meat juices. They are in delicious evidence in several menu items, including the Steak Bomb sandwich of smoked and shaved prime rib smothered with mushrooms, onions, peppers and cheese and served with au jus (also known as French dip) on the side.
Au Jus is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Find it on Facebook at AuJus (one word).