Sampler at Ferguson House Bistro E
verything about the new Ferguson House Bistro is fresh, bright, modern, and new. Despite its landmark Nashville location, laden with antique memories and a bona fide Brown County pedigree, the new bistro at 78 West Franklin Street breathes fresh air into the local dining scene. The old house has been completely renovated inside and out—actually elevated to a high fine polish it has probably never known. The floors, the fixtures, the delicious paint job; it’s all very bright, modern, and upscale. The roofed front porch provides very comfortable seating, ideal in fine weather for people watching and enjoying a meal al fresco. The menu is slim but satisfying, with an Italian bent. Mrs. Sampler and I began with the Spanakopita dip made with spinach, sweet Vidalia and green onions, Feta, Ricotta, and shredded mozzarella and provolone. This deliciously gooey hot creamy dip is served with smoked paprika pita chips. There was also an alluring “Charcuterie Board for Two” on the appetizer menu, but I left it for another day.
58 Our Brown County • Nov./Dec. 2021
The salads looked strong—spinach salad with mushrooms, egg, feta cheese, roasted pine nuts, and pickled onion and “The Fall Salad” with a cornucopia of ingredients ranging from roasted butternut squash and Granny Smith apples to grape tomatoes, red onion, and candied pecans. I passed over “Our Signature French Onion Soup” and instead had the soup of the day—a creamy mushroom, potato, and carrot concoction that satisfied the palate and soothed the soul. The remainder of the menu divided neatly between flatbreads and paninis, masterfully made and expertly arranged. Mrs. Sampler opted for the vegetable flatbread smeared with basil pesto and topped with a medley of roasted red peppers, zucchini, yellow squash, Roma tomatoes, Vidalia onion, and garlic, then slathered with shredded mozzarella and provolone, sprinkled with fresh basil, and drizzled with a balsamic glaze. The flatbread was cracker thin and the whole concoction entirely tasty.
