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Looking for a change? You'll find it every day at Global Gourmet

By Valerie Hake, For the Southern

Wednesday, November 14, 2007 11:34 AM CST

Most restaurants have one menu. Some even have separate menus for lunch and dinner. But the Global Gourmet restaurant chooses neither. Instead, Chef Andrea Barclay opts to change the menu daily.

"There are just too many recipes to do the same thing every day," says Barclay, as she and business partner Tip O. Cook sit proudly in the restaurant they have worked hard at establishing.

Barclay definitely knows her recipes, as she graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 1994. Though she could have gone anywhere to cook, the Johnston City native decided to come back to Southern Illinois. She started a catering business seven years ago, and then with the help of Cook, was able to open Global Gourmet. Cook, a Carbondale mainstay who worked at Tres Hombres for years and currently works at Shryock Auditorium, had plenty of experience working with the public, and as a self proclaimed "community servant," has put his heart into the business as well.

When Global Gourmet first opened, it was solely a carry-out business. Due to the fact that the restaurant only had one restroom, no more than twelve patrons could be in it at any time. Cook and Barclay began dishing up food out of two deli cases, along with an array of pastries. When they finally were able to add a second restroom, the restaurant was officially open to the public for dining. The duo traveled to SoHo in New York in order to see how other restaurants were operated in small spaces like the building that houses Global Gourmet. When they returned, they re-designed the layout of the narrow restaurant space, opening it up and increasing the capacity to 65 patrons. About that time, Barclay and Cook were granted a liquor license, which launched many new opportunities for the entrepreneurs.

Most recently the owners of the restaurant have created a space on the patio behind the building that is used as a year-round outdoor dining room. They have installed giant heaters that keep the area toasty even on the coolest of nights. Also, the back wall of the patio area can be opened up when bands play so that more people can fit into the courtyard.

Both indoor and out, Global Gourmet is decorated in an international theme. Pictures of world-wide landmarks punctuate the wall space, while objects from far away places are displayed. Both ardent travelers, Barclay and Cook take frequent vacations to other countries in order to get new ideas for the restaurant and the food served. Barclay embraces the multi-cultural menu options she offers, and has gotten positive feedback from the community. Not only does she offer different options culturally, but Barclay also serves up seasonal favorites such as Matzo Balls during Passover and homemade ice cream in the summer. Barclay has made it her business to offer diverse selections in dining to the Carbondale community.

Since the menu changes daily, there are no 'favorites', though the patrons enjoy the options that they can get at Global Gourmet. Some dishes that are available for lunch include Italian beef, Moussaka, Lemon Grilled Salmon, and Curried Rice. John Arthur, a patron of Global Gourmet, was trying the restaurant for the first time. "The curry chicken was very flavorful," says Arthur. "I liked the walnuts on it." The weekday menu, ranging about $10-$12 a plate, has a lighter feel to it, while the Saturday night dinner, ranging from $17-$27 a plate, is a more elaborate dining experience.

Perhaps even more important than the food, though, is the experience that Global Gourmet offers. It strives to be an upbeat, happy place where people can socialize with each other. There are no televisions, and conversation takes precedence in the establishment. So, if you find yourself in the everyday grind and feel the need to escape Carbondale, make a trip to Global Gourmet. Good food and good drinks are waiting.

M-m-m-m-m mojitos

Shortly after getting their liquor license, Andrea Barclay and Tip O. Cook began selling premium liquor and imported beer. One of the favorite drinks on their menu is the Mojito. A mojito is made with fresh mint and rum, and was actually a favorite of Ernest Hemingway when he lived in Cuba. Here is a recipe that is easy to follow, and will allow you to drink like Hemingway.

Mojito

1 teaspoon powdered sugar

Juice from 1 lime (2 ounces)

4 mint leaves

1 sprig of mint

Havana Club white Rum (2 ounces)

2 ounces club soda

Place the mint leaves into a long mojito glass (often called a "collins" glass) and squeeze the juice from a cut lime over it. You'll want about two ounces of lime juice, so it may not require all of the juice from a single lime. Add the powdered sugar, then gently smash the mint into the lime juice and sugar with a muddler (a long wooden device, though you can also use the back of a fork or spoon if one isn't available). Add ice (preferably crushed) then add the rum and stir, and top off with the club soda (you can also stir the club soda in as per your taste). Garnish with a mint sprig.

SOURCE: www.tasteofcuba.com

GLOBAL GOURMET

What: Global foods, cocktails, year-round outdoor dining

Hours: 11 a.m.-late night Monday-Friday; 5:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday

Where: 102 East Jackson Street, Carbondale IL

How to get there: Global Gourmet is located on the Historic Town Square in downtown Carbondale. It is located between Longbranch Café and The Town Square Market