Yummy Reservations and Delightful Destinations!

I hope you read my last review on our adventure in West Virginia and my promise to share more.  As I mentioned, the Inn where we stayed, The Hillbrook Inn and Spa, was  centrally located to many more attractions to explore.  Our first night at the Inn our restaurant pick for dinner was a familiar one we had enjoyed before.  The Bavarian Inn is located in Shepherdstown, West Virginia and their amazing property rests alongside of the  Potomac River.

You’ll be quite impressed when you check out their website at www.bavarianinnwv.com and read more about them.  They have two restaurants on premise (and an awesome brunch on Sundays).  We chose The Rathskeller, which is a more informal dining option on the lower level, and features a piano and singing.  The atmosphere is intimate and cozy and will give you the feel of being in Europe!

We had a delightful meal.  My husband and I split one of their appetizers, the large German Pretzel topped with a delicious crab imperial and aged cheddar cheese – very yummy!  For our “main course” we opted for a variety of selections, also from their appetizer menu – including the “Bavarian Inn Sausage Sampler,” a variety of German Weisswurst, Bratwurst and Knockwurst on sauerkraut with fried onions.  It was a great choice of comfort food and you really do feel like you’re experiencing old time Germany.

Are you ready to hear all about the “hint” I gave you in my last review??  If you don’t remember the hint, see the title of this blog.

While leaving the restaurant, I was fortunate to eye a postcard at the bar advertising a local distillery. I thought “that really sounds interesting.”  So, we took a chance the next day, after Googling the directions to the Bloomery Plantation Distillery located in Charlestown, West Virginia.  To say this was a unique experience would be putting it lightly!  Driving up to the property, there are signs along the way welcoming you.  And upon reaching their parking lot, the distillery looked exactly like something you would imagine a Moon Shine operation would look like in the hills of West Virginia!

If it wasn’t for all the cars in the parking lot, we may have turned around and drove away.  Thank goodness, we didn’t!  It was one of the most fun times I have ever had.  It started from when we walked in their front door and were greeted by friendly staff all dressed up for Halloween.  We immediately knew this was a good pick!  The tour AND the tasting are free and we, without hesitation, signed up for the next tour.  We had about 15 minutes beforehand, and were invited to explore the property (great for pictures) or relax in their waiting room upstairs.  I believe they also use this room for live music on Friday and Saturday nights.   For more information, check out their website at http://www.bloomerysweetshine.com.

It was a beautiful Fall day, and our tasting took place outside, undercover, on the back portion of the distillery (They also have an inside tasting room).  Our Moon Shine Expert (M.S.E.) was Rob.  From the very start, Rob had the group in stitches, especially after experiencing 12 (yes 12) selections of Bloomery’s all natural SweetShine.  Their description is it’s “crafted after the old-timers’ recipes with 190-proof ‘shine, pure cane sugar and farm fresh ingredients.”   All I know is that is was smooth going down and it was exceptionally “Yummy”.  Selections like “Raspberry Lemon”, “Limoncello” and Chocolate Raspberry” were some of my favorites. By the end of the tasting, we were all talking and laughing.  Now the big decision …what selections were we taking home?  Decisions, decisions.  Well, we ended up walking out of there with more than one – I mean more than two – or maybe it was more than three bottles of the very best Moon Shine!  Thanks to Rob and everyone at the Bloomery Plantation Distillery for an experience that is on my “return to” list.  I hope you will put it on your list also.

Other adventures in West Virginia that you should explore during your stay is the town of Shepherdstown.  It’s an historic little town with lots of personality.  My husband and I enjoyed checking out all the shops and also enjoyed an excellent lunch at a French restaurant called Bistro 112.  We ordered their very yummy French Press Sandwiches and Frites, along with bottomless iced teas.   We cleaned our plates!!  Check them out when you plan your trip to that area.  Their website is www.bistro112.com to view their menu and read the story of their historic building.

Shepherdstown also had their “Boo Fest” going on the weekend in October that we visited, so they had all sorts of activities going on which added to our great weekend and delightful destination.  For upcoming events check out www.shepherdstown.info.  Although we didn’t visit this time, we’ve made many trips in the past to Harpers Ferry, which is also close by.  If you pull up their website, http://www.historicharpersferry.com, you’ll find lots of activities to immerse yourself into, including hiking, whitewater rafting and some amazing views of three states that come together – Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.

Well, I know I’ve got you chomping at the bit to start planning your weekend getaway to Wild and Wonderful West Virginia.  So, start making a New Year’s resolution to create some memories, make more yummy reservations and explore some new delightful destinations.  I am happy to be your tour guide!