By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
Elliot MacFarlane of Bowling Green, found an unusual partner in his celebration of the birth of Scottish national poet Robert Burns, Bulgarian chef Boyko Mitov.
For the second year, they are teaming up to present Robert Burns Night dinners , Thursday, Jan. 26, and Friday, Jan. 27, at 6 p.m. both nights at Naslada Bistro, 182 S, Main St., in Bowling Green.
Dinners in honor of Burns, around the time of his Jan. 25 birthday, have been celebrated since the poet’s death in 1796, MacFarlane, a member of the St. Andrews Society said.
He has been involved in organizing such events for decades in Toledo, Detroit, Frankenmuth and elsewhere. The closest to home was years back when there was one presented at Nazareth Hall. Now, he has to drive miles, to enjoy and help others enjoy this mid-winter festivity.
Last year, after working with Mitov on a Scotch tasting dinner, they decided to present a Burns Night celebration.
Held one night in January, 2016, the restaurant was packed and had dozens on the waiting list. This year, the Burns dinner will be presented twice.
MacFarlane said he’s had people approach him to make sure there’s room. As of Thursday noon, Mitov said there were places for a few more.
Each dinner accommodates about 40 people. Only the back part of the restaurant is used. The large tables up front are needed for staging.
The event offers a full evening of entertainment, as well as a four-course meal of Scottish specialties.
The festivities begin with the arrival of the traditional meat pudding, the haggis, accompanied by a piper. Mitov uses grass-fed beef and fresh lamb to make the traditional dish.
MacFarlane said he provided Mitov with Scottish recipes, and he’s tweaked them in his own style. “It’s great working with a good chef,” MacFarlane said.
Though the cuisine was new to him, Mitov said, he had no problems adjusting the recipes and the preparation. The format, with paired drink and food, is similar to traditional dinners served in Bulgaria.
In both cases, specially selected liquors are serve with complimentary entrees.
The haggis will be accompanied by 12-year-old Cragganmore, Speyside Single Malt. The other courses are Cock-a-leekie Soup with 14-year-old Glenfiddich U.S. Exclusive Bourbon Barrel Reserve; Scotch Collops of Beef with Rumbledethumps with 18-year-old Aberlour Highland Single Malt; and for dessert, Cranachan (cream, berries and oats soaked in whisky) and 15-year-old Dalwhinnie, Highland. Vegetarian can be requested when making reservations.
MacFarlane has selected the best whiskies available to go with each of the four courses.
Mitov said the evening is about more than eating and drinking.
The entertainment includes music by the bagpiper Kim Sautter. Songs will be performed, a memorial to the poet, and, of course, plenty of verse, both by Burns and by later authors influenced by him Robert Frost, Robert Service, and Edgar Allan Poe. Diners are invited to bring favorite poems to share.
The Burns Night is an evening of culture in the bleak days of midwinter, MacFarlane said. And he’s glad now to have one in the heart of his hometown Bowling Green. He and Mitov plan to continue the tradition.
The dinner, $95, not including tax and gratuity. Reservations required. Call 419-373-6050.
