Willow Pond Southern Catfish, As Good as It Gets

I had the sublime pleasure of eating at Willow Pond in Aurora, Kentucky last night. It was the first time for me, but you can be certain that it won’t be my last. When we were leaving, our very friendly waitress told us to “Come back soon,” I nearly fell over myself assuring her that we would do just that.

Before moving on to the food, I want to give a little more credit to the waitress.  Although she was very young, she was actually one of the best servers I’ve had in a while.  She couldn’t have been older than 18 but she did her profession proud.  She was personable, sweet, checked on us often, and had an amazing knowledge of the menu and food.  A great restaurant wants their staff to represent them well.  After all, the service is as associated with a restaurant nearly as much as the food is.

If this young lady was an indication of the other servers, the owners of Willow Pond “get” that.

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Bobby Flay Is the Official Host of the Kentucky Derby Party

Uber Popular Food Network chef and Restraunt owner Bobby Flay has been named the official host of “Kentucky Derby Party.”

 He gives some great  suggestions for entertaining on Derby Day on the Derby Party Web Site.  Click on the Entertain navigational tab, then you’ll find a choice of a Party Checklist, Derby Traditions, Decor and Themes. 

As for recipes (the good stuff), they’re divided into the following categories:   Main Courses, Southern Sides, Desserts, and Lucky Libations.

Rachael Ray Meets Bluegrass Cooking

One of my favorite Food Network personalities, Rachael Ray, will feature Kentucky cuisine on one of her 30 Minute Meals’ episodes.   The episode’s titled, “Bluegrass Burgers” and airs at 6:00 pm.  Check your local listings, however.

The picture to the left is what the bubbly cook will be making - Kentucky Burgoo Burgers and Southern Succotash.  Click the link for the recipe if you’re feeling ambitious and want to whip it up for yourself. 

Speaking of Kentucky Bugoo, check out the Featured Video to the right.  It’s from the series, “In Search of Real Food” with David Lieberman and features our own Owensboro, Kentucky. 

The ‘boro is a superstar…but we already knew that.

Aurora Bar-B-Que in Aurora, Kentucky (Updated!)

On a recent trip to Land Between the Lakes, we ate at Aurora Bar-B-Que in Aurora, Kentucky - Home of the Winking Pig!  Sure enough, the pig on the sign? He’s a total flirt.

Three members of our family (my husband, myself, and our youngest daughter - Stephany) are all about Barbecue.  Whatever town we find ourselves in, we love to check out their barbecue.  That, and Onion Rings.  Aurora offered both, so we anxiously waited to dive in.  I say “waited,” but actually there wasn’t any wait at all.  We got our drinks, sat down…admired the comfortable, overall feel of the restaurant, then here they came with our food.

I’ll get the tiny little “Not so perfect” out of the way first.  The drinks from the fountain were watery - downright tasteless.  Next time, I’ll take advantage of the cold bottled sodas they sell. (Should have been a sign, right?!)  Actually, the last 3 restaurants I’ve eaten at have had bad drinks from the soda fountain, and the tea wasn’t much better.  I’m sure it’s something that’s easy to overlook in a restaurant, but from the customer’s standpoint, it’s very, very important.

Now, onto the perfects, a.k.a. everything else!

My daughter Stephany could have eaten all of the fried mushrooms all by herself and then asked for more.  They were smaller in size than most fried mushrooms and less game-y tasting than others, if you know what I mean.  They’re really unique and very good.

The star of the show, the Bar-B-Q, was amazing!  (I wish I had some more right now - I’d actually make a round trip venture just for their BBQ alone.)  It had a smoke-y flavor that’s worth driving 5,000 miles for…at least.  You can order it on buns (like I did) or on Texas Toast (like my husband and daughter did).  The sauce comes hot or mild - and is absolutely perfect…sweet enough without being too sweet.

Like I said before, we always check out a restaurant’s onion rings - again, Aurora Bar-B-Que didn’t let us down. Sometimes I’ve been known to put an onion ring, if it’s really good on the sandwich I’m having, but in this case I wasn’t about to intrude upon the greatness the BBQ had going on.  Plus, it left more onion rings for ketchup to mouth trip I love so much!  If you’re brave, you could dip one in the hot sauce, but my rings prefer ketchup - they’re pretty picky…delicious, but picky.

Speaking of hot, the hot wings are just that - hot!  Michael’s as big a fan of hot wings as he is Bar-B-Que, and he gave them a big thumbs up….a big hot-wing-covered thumbs up.

The onion rings were really good, but the Baked Beans were really, really, really, really good.  A lot of people only care about the meat in a meal - what they consider the Main Event.  I’m very much into the sides….just as much as the “Main Event.”  Too many restaurants neglect the sides - sometimes you get the impression they’ll serve absolutely anything along with the meat, thinking “No one’s going to really care, anyway…”  These beans didn’t have that attitude at all.

Sides are just as important as the main attraction (One of the reasons I love Applebee’s - they totally get that!) - and I can’t wait to try Aurora’s other sides to see if they live up to the standard set by the baked beans.

If you find yourself anywhere within striking distance of Aurora, Kentucky, look for the winking pig - you won’t be sorry.  Just remember to grab a bottle for your drink…and if you have the hot wings, you might want two bottles!

***Click the picture above for a larger view.

***How cool is this? - They’ve taken care of the drink’s dilemna and now even serve AMAZING iced tea.  So now their drinks are nearly as good as the food.  I say nearly because no drink can keep up with this barbecue.  As I’m typing this, I’m miles away from the winking pig, snow is on the ground with more coming down…and I’m positively dying for some of their barbecue, hot wings, and onion rings!

Dining at Land Between the Lakes - Ponderosa in Draffenville, Kentucky

 

When you visit Kentucky’s pride,  Land Between the Lakes, you’re faced with an unbelievable selection of restaurants.  We’ve eaten at just about all of them, and I can’t remember ever leaving one unfull or unsatisfied.

One of the best places you can eat, however, is the Ponderosa in Draffenville, Kentucky.  It is just an amazingly managed, clean as a whistle, and over-achieving restaurant.  I consider myself almost a Ponderosa expert - I’ve eaten at Ponderosa’s all over this part of the country (Ponerosa’s, Starbuck’s, and Cracker Barrel’s - I seek them out like a bear seeks salmon.).  The Ponderosa in Draffenville is my absolute favorite, though.  Every single thing I’ve ever eaten there has been perfectly done - from the steak to the Macaroni and Cheese and from the baked potatoes to the tea…flawlessly delicious.

The servers are meticulous, friendly, and…well, happy!  I noticed, on our last visit, how sweet, patient, and helpful they were being with their elderly diners.  That’s something I always notice and am always touched by.

Our own server, Amber, was a lovely young girl who did an amazing job.  She’s the sort of server you’d honestly ask for on your next visit.  I’ve never done that sort of thing, anywhere, I always take whatever server comes my way - but Amber, I’d ask for.

To tell you how good the food, service, atmosphere, etc was - I actually looked for a negative!  I write for a lot…a lot, a lot, a lot…..of blogs.  A great deal of this writing involves reviews.  Something I like to do is to give an honest overall review, including the good and the bad.  My thinking is, if you admit the flaws - however small they are - two things will happen:   1.  Your readers will realize you’re giving them the whole, honest truth - from all angles.  2.  Whomever is in charge of the place or thing you’re reviewing will see what needs to be done and can, then, make their service or product EVEN better.  For that reason, most people truly appreciate an honest review - it helps them get better.

That’s where I ran into a problem with this particular Ponderosa.  Whomever the manager is (I honestly don’t have a clue.) is one of the best at what he or she does because this place was exactly what you’d want a restaurant to be.  I mean, even the salad bar was better than most restaurants!  Usually, a salad bar leaves something to be desired - the tomatoes are too cold, there aren’t enough choices, the lettuce is wilty, the dressings aren’t good, etc.  Not in this case - it was just what I’d want a salad bar to be.

Something else that I always pay close attention to is tea and coffee.  Each were delicious, of course, and Amber never let either get less than half-full - in spite of the fact that she was very, very busy.

The bread was, in itself, worth the trip - even if everything else hadn’t been incredible.  It was the sort of yeast-y bread that your eyes and nose swoon over before it even touches your lips.  HEAVENLY!

My mouth is pretty much watering right now just thinking about it.  And the steak…I’d better not even think about that right now.  Unbelievable!

Again, total props to everyone involved in the Draffenville, Kentucky Ponderosa - it’s everything a Steak House should be. 

The Best Fudge in Kentucky and Possibly the World!

 

It may come as a surprise to you, but the best fudge in the world can be found in a beautiful little town in Kentucky known as Grand Rivers.  The workers are as warm as the July sun…no, warmer.  There are cookbooks, candies, jams, spices, mugs, and more things that will catch your heart and capture your imagination - but, make no mistake about it, the Fudge is the star of the show at the Grand Rivers Fudge Factory.

My favorites, so far, are:  Peanut Butter Fudge, Dulce de Leche, Chocolate Pecan, Chewy Praline, and Snickers.  The taste tests will continue, however!

If you find yourself anywhere near the vicinity of Grand Rivers, Kentucky, make a special effort to find your way to the Fudge Factory and begin your own taste tests. 

Not in reach of Grand Rivers?  Don’t fret, you can still hook your taste buds up with this impossible-to-describe candy.  You can visit the Fudge Factory Web Site or call the Grand Rivers location at 1-270-362-2020.

You’ll be deliciously happy that you did!

Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn in Owensboro Kentucky

 

One of Owensboro’s greatest prides, Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn is a Kentucky tradition.  Established in 1963, the Proud owners still cook the way we’d all want them to:  The old fashioned way!

As someone who lives in Owensboro, I can tell you - you can smell what makes Moonlite Inn so famous and special…..blocks away!  When you’re walking into the restaurant from the parking lot, your body and soul enjoy the experience before the fork ever touches your mouth.

When you’re travelling this summer (or fall, or winter, or spring!), make it a point to visit Owensboro, Kentucky and its beloved Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn.

Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn

2840 West Parrish

Owensboro, Kentucky 42301

1-800-322-8989

1-270-684-8143

http://www.moonlite.com/

Benham School House Bed and Breakfast

 In 1926, the Wisconsin Steel Corporation built a school house for coal camp children.  The last high school class graduated in 1961, but the building was used, until 1992, as an elementary school.

Today, the building is retired from the field of education and can be found living the good life as a charming Bed & Breakfast!  Although it’s now elegant and peacefully comfortable, the Benham School House Bed & Breakfast has never forgotten it’s proud historical and educational roots.  Some of the rooms have the same wood floors on which children once learned their ABC’s and 123’s.

Across the street from the Benham School House Bed & Breakfast stands the Kentucky Coal Mining Museum.  The museum is housed in a Commissary (company store) built in the 1920’s.

Spanning 4 floors, the Kentucky Coal Mining Museum has a diverse collection of artifacts from the early years of industrial coal mining in Kentucky, the history of the towns of Benham and Lynch, and hte families who came to support the mining options.  Featured exhibits include the Loretta Lynn Exhibit and the Mock Mine Exhibit.

Benham Shool House Bed and Breakfast

• 30 Guest Rooms
• Banquet hall that seats up to 350 guests.  (The hall once served as the school gymnasium!)
• Conference rooms available
• Tour buses welcome!  Call ahead for times of operation.

Camping

• 10 sites with electric and sewer hook ups
• Suitable for self contained RVs
• No Bath Houses available

Dining

• The Apple Room Restaurant features fine mountain dining in a warm and intimate setting.

For More Information:

Contact

Benham School House Bed & Breakfast

100 Central Avenue

Benham, KY 40807

Phone: (606) 848-30000

Map It Out!