Hey everyone! My goodness, my time on the road with the American Shakespeare Center is winding down and I am so excited to head back to Virginia. I have had an incredible journey and I can say, without question or argument, that my taste buds have especially enjoyed their tour across the country. I have tried so many new things as well as fostering my undying love for coffee and sweets. By new things, I mean Emu! Yes, that terrible ostrich-like creature that looks and acts more like a velociraptor than an ostrich. I truly believe that this animal is evil and, luckily for us, a delicious exotic meat that you should try the next time you see it on a menu. This, of course, is a rare occurrence. One doesn't usually see Emu as a regular ingredient. Luckily for me I was able to try this fascinating creature at The Black Sheep in Whitewater, Wisconsin. A beautiful farm-to-table gourmet restaurant located right down the street from my sweet heaven, the Sweet Spot Cafe. I walked in feeling very under-dressed, but none the less I sat at their beautifully decorated bar and perused their exotic menu. I landed on the house-made linguini (always opt for house-made pasta!) and Emu meatballs. This dish was absolutely delicious and so filling that I had to bring half of it home. The leftovers were even better. The noodles were perfectly cooked and the sauce was divine. One thing that was a total bummer was that the pasta was not hot enough. I do dislike when a dish comes out and it's only warm and not fresh out of the pan. Still, the presentation was lovely and the meatballs tasted great! Emu is very light and not chewy in the slightest.
I also absolutely loved the layout of the restaurant, exposed brick and comfortable seating. The hostess, Taryn, was incredibly helpful and not afraid to tell me what she liked and didn't like on the menu. I love that the menu is constantly changing due to the season and local farms/ingredients. It makes it feel like every dish is fresh and new. Also, the chef really has to be on his game because he must come up with new things constantly that both work and be a new favorite for the clientele. This restaurant is definitely for special occasions; it is not cheap and I do suggest making a reservation on busy weekends. If you ever find yourself in whitewater, wisconsin, do check them out! You will find something you like and you will not be disappointed.
I loved my time in Whitewater and I do hope I can go back again someday! The people were so friendly and I loved speaking to all the restaurant owners talk about their restaurants like they were family.
Make sure you check out The Black Sheep!
My next stop was for my specialty, house made brews and delicious treats. After leaving Whitewater, Wisconsin, we made our way to Kirksville, Missouri. I know... I hadn't heard of it either, but only a few hours away from Hannibal (of Mark Twain fame!) I found a wonderful place to sit and blog and sip and daydream. This, of course, was the local favorite coffee shop Sweet Espressions.
This coffee shop is constantly bustling with college students and art folk. I love the layout and it's the kind of shop where you can get lost in a book for hours and never realize how long you've been sitting on that comfortable couch. The staff is friendly, welcoming, and absolutely knows their stuff when it comes to the coffee arts. I got a Lavender latte to start, and then a cup of their maple walnut house brew. They suggested I add in a bit of cream and honey and damn was that a good decision. GOOD JOB SIR! I applaude your coffee knowledge and I will return again if I ever find myself in Missouri. The walls are covered in clocks and it feels a bit like you are stuck in a Sherlock Holmes/Alice in Wonderland universe. This is me... not complaining.
Make sure you check out The Black Sheep!
My next stop was for my specialty, house made brews and delicious treats. After leaving Whitewater, Wisconsin, we made our way to Kirksville, Missouri. I know... I hadn't heard of it either, but only a few hours away from Hannibal (of Mark Twain fame!) I found a wonderful place to sit and blog and sip and daydream. This, of course, was the local favorite coffee shop Sweet Espressions.
This coffee shop is constantly bustling with college students and art folk. I love the layout and it's the kind of shop where you can get lost in a book for hours and never realize how long you've been sitting on that comfortable couch. The staff is friendly, welcoming, and absolutely knows their stuff when it comes to the coffee arts. I got a Lavender latte to start, and then a cup of their maple walnut house brew. They suggested I add in a bit of cream and honey and damn was that a good decision. GOOD JOB SIR! I applaude your coffee knowledge and I will return again if I ever find myself in Missouri. The walls are covered in clocks and it feels a bit like you are stuck in a Sherlock Holmes/Alice in Wonderland universe. This is me... not complaining.
This place is adorable. I had a yummy little breakfast sandwich, simple english muffin with an egg and cheese but it's so great when the eggs are freshly made on the grill right behind the coffee counter. I will say that the only thing about this place that is a little distracting is that they are constantly grinding coffee beans behind the register. This is extremely loud and can make for a noisy atmosphere. But, I got my headphones and can watch Broad City all afternoon! Once again this is me... not complaining. | It's a bit weird to think that I'll be back in Virginia soon. I feel very lucky to have traveled so many miles and tasted so many sweet things. I love looking forward, and it's little homey and comfy places like this that make me excited to start a new chapter! I feel like you can make any couch comfortable with a few new pillows, a soft blanket, and a cup of coffee. Maybe add a little love and a dog on your lap? A good book too! You have to love these simple things because when you do, you realize how much more is out there and it is all about looking forward and up. Thank you for a wonderful time Sweet Espressions! |
Don't forget to check out Sweet Espressions! Give em a great review and don't forget the coffee!
Thanks for reading!
Thanks for reading!