By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
For the past few years, Prudy Brott has been serving up her mom’s pot roast to local veterans during a Christmas dinner – in honor of her dad, an Army combat veteran.
“Typically, our Christmas for Veterans would be a day where the room is crowded, the laughter is loud, Father Mark would lead us in prayer and the smell of mom’s pot roast would make you hungry from a mile away,” Brott said.
The meal would be scheduled near Dec. 17, the day her dad, David Brott, died from Agent Orange.
But this year, Sunset Bistro is switching up the tradition in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
“We realize a lot of our customers and a lot of our friends are going to be spending Christmas alone,” or having dinner with two rather than their traditional 20, Brott said. “We want to make part of that day a little easier.”
So this year, Sunset Bistro will be serving up its roast beef dinner for veterans and for the public on Christmas Eve.
This has been a tough year for so many, Brott said.
“We want to give people a little bit of Christmas joy,” she said. “We are doing this because we realize we have all been fortunate at Sunset Bistro.”
Normally, the restaurant then closes from Dec. 24 through 26.
This year, the restaurant will be quiet, with no inside dining for customers. But the kitchen will be busy.
“I’m amazed at this team we have,” Brott said of her staff. “We’re a small team, but we’re mighty.”
Sunset Bistro serves pot roast once a year during the veterans event.
“It was my dad’s favorite meal,” Brott said. “It’s truly the most amazing pot roast – all slow roasted.”
Since the Christmas for Veterans meal will be on Christmas Eve this year, 20% of all sales will be donated to the Disabled American Veterans organization. Donations may be made to go directly to the DAV in memory of David D. Brott.
The pot roast dinners this year will not be just for veterans, but may be purchased by anyone wanting a hearty Christmas dinner for $20. The meal will include pot roast with potatoes, carrots, onions and gravy, pasta salad, a roll with butter, and a cookie. All meals will come in a microwaveable box for those saving them until Christmas.
“This is for anyone who needs a meal on Christmas. We’ll cook for them,” Brott said.
Sunset Bistro is taking orders now, with curbside pickup on Christmas Eve from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The restaurant has some experience serving up mass quantities during COVID. On Thanksgiving, the restaurant fed 250 – with the help of Stimmel’s which donated cookies for the meals.
