The Boathouse Family; Erin, Doug, Emma and Mallory Kosch at the Bowers Harbor Vineyard partnering with Goodwill's Food Rescue at The Kentucky Derby Party
The Boathouse was known as an Old Mission casual classic for much of its history. Today it is an elegant and graceful fine dining experience thanks to the genius of Doug Kosch, who has owned the restaurant since 2003. The refined coastal cottage ambiance and divine mouthwatering exotic culinary creations are unmatched, and so too is the exceptional service always found with a warm welcome from Doug himself. The sophisticated favorite of locals and visitors alike has stood the test of time, and it remains a true original. Doug and his stellar team have achieved great success in a competitive business, but he doesn’t rest on those traditional accolades alone (though we wouldn’t blame him if he did). It’s not enough to just serve the best and
freshest seafood and Kobe beef from near and far. Nationally, chefs have been going back to basics and staying local. The goal is to limit the human impact on the environment—less flying, driving, and fuel consumption (all of which leaves a smaller "eco-footprint"). Farmfresh fare is also packed with nutrients, doesn't have to be sprayed with chemicals to protect it for the long haul to the restaurant, and just plain tastes good. Everybody wins, from farmer to chef to diner. (Its trendy name is Locavore.) So The Boathouse has returned to the roots of The Farmhouse, embracing the exploding trend of Farm to Table, grasping the concept like no other local restaurant can boast. Enjoying the fruits of one’s labor has risen to an entirely incomparable level. The Boathouse proudly features vibrant veggies, flavorful fruits and harmonious herbs, all homegrown in Doug’s backyard. Now that’s the epitome of Farm to Table! It’s a whole new evolution of organically fresh, grown in abundance and lovingly cultivated by the Kosch family who live daily with a true
passion for environmentally friendly farm life. In 2008, just a short distance away from the restaurant, Doug and wife Erin planted roots on their family’s 10-acre farm, naming it Malem Farms after their beautiful daughters Emma (17) and Malory (15). And the farm is not just their namesake. On any given day, the girls help out with the animals—pigs, chickens, ducks and even turkeys close to Thanksgiving. With this raw and natural progression in freshness also comes new expanding edible experiences for us to relish. With Summer’s plentiful fruits of harvest, The Boathouse hosts engaging and entertaining Farm to Table dinners that offer a scrumptious tour of premium food and wine of the region. These outdoor dinners quite literally are a breath of fresh air. Gone are the restricted walls, the dining tables are earthy, and you sit in the middle of rolling hills. Beginning right on the farm, you can enjoy tomatoes off the vines and sparkling wines. Then it’s off to a vineyard to enjoy wine tasting. The grand finale ends at the restaurant where you savor a three-course, custom-crafted creation prepared by Chef Jim, who of course is in chef utopia with his very own fruits and veggies ripe for the picking to formulate thrilling dishes to maximize the endless blossoming flavors. Chef Jim and Doug delve even deeper to capture one-of-a-kind unique moments by partnering with Bowers Harbor Vineyards just up the road. Their Dining in the Vines offers MAY/JUNE 2016 | BAY LIFE NORTH
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