The bitter cold has arrived and the first freeze has already hit Las Cruces. There is no better time for hot cider and warm home-made soup, and we've got both. The Pecan Grill's new Executive Chef's Bob Brainard and Mike Bogie have been hard at work for the release of our fall menu. A hit so far, items like crab claws served with warm lemon butter, smoked rack of lamb and stuffed dover sole, have become instant favorites. As for me, I've been fighting off the first cold of the season with sous Chef JJ's house-made soup of the day. So far, I can't decide which is my favorite between the vegetable, tomato-basil and Mexican black bean; I'm torn between all three however credit them for my feeling better on this fine Sunday.

Bar manager Nick has revamped our entire signature cocktails menu and will work to release it this week. Master mixologist Mike Trujillo came down to help us create the most scrumptous cocktails imaginable using our house infusions. In the meantime, they also created a hot cider that is simply divine and kept my friends and I warm all night on the patio this weekend. Talk about heaven. Now if only NMSU could have followed that up with a win...fabulous effort though.

We have finally put the pieces together for our Signature Rewards program and will roll it out this month. For every $200 diners spend, they get $10 free. And speaking of giving away free money, purchasing $100 in Pecan Grill gift cards gets you $25 for free throughout the Holiday season. It goes along the lines of ....'when holiday shopping for others, get a little something for yourself as well'. I mean, who can resist the good deals? And this my friends, is a great one.

The Brewmaster's Club has continued to be a fabulous hit and we have sold over 100 mugs since we started. If you don't have one yet, trust me, there is nothing more fun than drinking Pecan Beer out of a giant mug with your name on it. Not to mention it saves you money everytime so what's not to love? (I'm having one right now...)

Moving into the holiday season, keep an eye out for events at the Pecan Grill such as wine and spirit tastings, a Thanksgiving buffet, Christmas Eve dinner and a spectacular New Year's Eve celebration to ring in 2011. Again, everyone on management wants to thank the city of Las Cruces and surrounding areas for all the support you've given us in our first year of business.....we celebrate that as a family next month.

Cheers! Ashley Springer