Rian Peters, executive chef at Platypus & Gnome at 9 S. Front St., has launched a new fall menu incorporating some of the season’s most popular flavors.
 
Two popular starters, the house-made hummus and the vegetarian black bean chili, have taken on the flavors of fall with the addition of roasted butternut squash and pumpkin, respectively. The chili is served in a roasted pie pumpkin, allowing customers to scoop out as much or as little of the roasted pumpkin as they like. It’s served topped with smoked goat cheese and scallions.
 
With a new take on a traditional Caesar salad, the Swedish Caesar features half a head of seasoned, grilled romaine topped with shaved parmesan, crumbled smoked bacon, fennel, soft boiled quail eggs and a Caesar dressing that incorporates Greek yogurt and dill.
 
New to both the lunch and dinner menu is a hand-pattied elk burger served on a brioche bun with caramelized shallots, mushrooms, blue cheese and a red wine reduction sauce.
 
Fall entrees include a smoked turkey breast rolled with an apple-andouille stuffing, served with a turnip-potato mash and cranberry compote, and a smoke-braised venison, served with wild mushrooms and farm vegetables over the turnip-potato mash.
 
“I’m really excited about how this menu really reflects the hearty flavors of the season,” Peters said.
 
Platypus & Gnome also now serves brunch on Sundays in addition to the regular menu. Peters said his favorite brunch dish is the chicken and waffle panini topped with maple-bourbon drizzle.
 
And speaking of bourbon, the flavors of fall can also be found at the bar where seven new cocktails and a wide range of seasonal craft beer abound. The Bourbon Bear Trap is twist on a traditional Manhattan with Larceny Bourbon, Domaine de Canton, muddled ginger, brown sugar-cinnamon simple syrup and bitters. The Sasquash mixes tequila with muddled butternut squash puree, brown sugar-cinnamon simple syrup and cardamom bitters.
 
“We’ve just reached our six-month mark,” said Peters, “and although word is still getting out about us, we’re starting to see a good regular base and have been receiving a lot of positive feedback.”
 
Platypus & Gnome is 11 a.m. to 11p.m. Monday and Wednesday-Saturday (closed Tuesday). The restaurant is also open from noon to 10 p.m. Sunday.
 
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