Many times, as evening rolls in, the skies look like God has been finger-painting and the effect is absolutely breath-taking.
They’re perfectly beautiful because of the Artist.
Kentucky Pictures, Kentucky Events, Kentucky Book Reviews
Many times, as evening rolls in, the skies look like God has been finger-painting and the effect is absolutely breath-taking.
They’re perfectly beautiful because of the Artist.
Bourbon Barrel Foods’ Bourbon Smoked Sea Salt… One of My “Can’t Live Without”s!
As a food blogger, I think about recipe development, ingredients, and food combinations almost every waking hour. As a Kentucky blogger and proud Kentuckian, I am devoted to supporting Kentucky businesses and committed to promoting them on Genuine Kentucky and any other platform I can climb upon.
Lucky for me, Kentuckians are great at what they do and if I can just get them to try their Kentucky Made product once, they’ll return again and again and again. Which is what my husband and I do when it comes to our favorite Kentucky food.
Louisville’s own Bourbon Barrel Foods makes a Bourbon Smoked Sea Salt, Pepper, and Sugar are three such addictions.
As you can see in the picture above, I have a Rachael Ray 3-Tiered Salt box (as any Rachael Ray fan would have, right?). Kosher Salt, Bourbon Smoked Sea Salt, and Himalayan Salt live in the three compartments – at all times. The Bourbon Smoked Sea Salt is out of this world on and with any meat you can think of. It gives the bacon, fish, chicken, steak, burgers.. whatever…. an unmistakable and delicious smoky, bourbon flavor that kicks it up to a whole new level.
I’ve also sprinkled it on eggs, pasta, and baked potatoes, roasted vegetables, and fries and it’s a knock out every single time. I’ve even been known to make hot cocoa, top it with whipped topping, drizzle on a little caramel, and sprinkle the top with Bourbon Smoked Sea Salt.
So good… you don’t even know.
I find my Bourbon Smoked Sea Salt, sugar, and pepper all at Kroger. They’re always in a “Kentucky Foods” kiosk that’s usually in the back of the store. The display used to be at the front of the store, near the checkouts, but they (unfortunately) moved them to the back.
You can also find Bourbon Barrel Spices and Seasonings on Amazon – which is as convenient as it gets. Amazon also carries some of their products I can’t find in Kroger.
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Visit Bourbon Barrel Foods for more information and to see the wonderful foods they keep churning out. While you’re on the website, check out the Bourbon Barrel Stave Pen – he’s a real looker!
Panther Creek Park (Owensboro) may not be as large as our wonderful Kentucky State Parks, but it is a relaxing and beautiful place to get away from it all. The walking trails are really something else and, if you take the longest trail, you’ll get all you bargained for.
Trust me!
The pictures here were taken, obviously, in autumn – which is (in my opinion) when Panther Creek Park is at its finest.
Special note before I continue with this review… I often refer to this particular Willow Pond as the Willow Pond in Aurora – I’m not trying to be wordy (I don’t have to try to be wordy, just ask my husband). There is a Willow Pond in Eddyville and it is nowhere near as good as the one in Aurora. Different people run the place, different people work the place, and different people cook in the place. I want to clearly distinguish between the two because the Willow Pond in Aurora is excellent and the one in Eddyville? Well, you’d be better off at Wendy’s.
Back to Aurora and back to the “right” Willow Pond.
{Review Continued Below….}
After sending the e-mail, I started thinking, What is it about Aurora’s Willow Pond Restaurant that makes it so special? Why do I always feel 110% comfortable and confident sending people their way? What separates them from a lot of other restaurants? Why is it the perfect place to eat if you’re visiting Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, or the Land Between the Lakes?
Fortunately, I never task myself questions I can’t handle, so I came up with the answers.
A lot of catfish restaurants (all that I’ve been to anyway) offer deals where you get your choice of meat, white beans, hush puppies, coleslaw, and your choice of fries or a baked potato. Each of the sides at Willow Pond (in Aurora) are superior to other restaurant’s sides. Period. I’m a nice Southern gal, but there’s no way to sugar coat this. Their beans? Better than other restaurants. Their coleslaw? Better than other restaurants. Their hush puppies? Okay, this is where I get sad.. I was always addicted to their wonderful hush puppies until I had to start eating gluten free. But, memory serves me well and their hush puppies are much better than other restaurants. Their baked potatoes are always perfection, as well. They have something else that sets them apart, too – red pepper relish! A bottle sits on each table (and is even available to purchase) and it is Heaven on their white beans. HEAVEN. Mind you, the beans are delicious without the relish, too.
The coleslaw is available two ways – made with vinegar or made with mayonnaise. To be honest, I’ve never had the mayo one in all the countless times I’ve been there. I don’t have anything against mayo coleslaw – but the vinegar coleslaw is so crazy delicious I just can’t wander away from it.
{Review Continued Below….}
Something else on the menu that’s out of this world is their grilled shrimp. Delicious! It doesn’t need any cocktail sauce – that’s how flavorful it is.
Even the iced tea is consistently great at Aurora’s Willow Pond!
Pet peeve – when you never know what to expect from a restaurant one visit to the next. One week the food’s a 10, the next it’s a 3. This week the people are friendly, the next they’re all but rude. What once was on the menu is now nowhere to be found. (Seriously, though, how is barbecue chicken “seasonal?”)
Aurora’s Willow Pond is as consistent as the word, itself. Consistent is always spelled the same – it never changes. You know what to expect, c-o-n-s-i-s-t-e-n-t. This Willow Pond is delicious each and every single time. As consistent as c-o-n-s-i-s-t-e-n-t. It doesn’t matter what day of the week it is, it doesn’t matter what month of the year it is. The food refuses to be anything but delicious. The prices refuse to be anything but reasonable. The restaurant, itself, refuses to be anything but the very definition of comfort.
{Review Continued Below….}
The hostesses and servers are just as consistent as the food. Some of the faces may change from time to time but the “heart” of the restaurant never changes. There is an unmistakable atmosphere of happiness and southern hospitality flows through the air. We’ve eaten at this Willow Pond far too many times to even begin to count and we have never (not once, mind you) encountered a single worker who was rude or seemed in any way less than happy to be right where they were, doing right what they were doing.
They make you feel welcome and the smiles on their faces when guests walk through the door are not fake. They are genuine. About a month ago, we were enjoying a wonderful meal as the restaurant began to fill up. There was an event at nearby Kenlake and apparently there was a great turnout.
The servers and hostesses were incredibly busy but it never registered on their faces. It was as though their smiles and hearts didn’t realize how busy their hands and feet were! A very large group came in (ten people, in all) and the servers worked, happily, pulling tables together and talking to everyone about their visit to Kentucky Lake.
Not one single face “registered” the crazy pace of the evening and not one responded with anything but a smile and kindness to each and every guest. They almost reminded me of how I am when all of my family gets together on holidays.
Mind you, I’ve never been in the restaurant business (even though my kitchen often feels like one!) – but I can’t help but think that the staff often takes on the character, mindset, and possibly even “heart” of the owner. In this case, it would make perfect sense, because the owner is what we call “good people” here in Kentucky. Very, very good people.
It appears to me that the heart of the owner resonates with each member of his staff.
People like that? You bet they set a restaurant apart from the rest.
{Review Continued Below…}
We’d been going to this Willow Pond for months before I put my finger on what I loved so much about the restaurant, itself. There are other restaurants in the area that also serve great food. There are even a few that also have ridiculously friendly “good people.” And yet…. Whenever my husband and I would discuss where we were going to eat supper while in the area, we almost always came back to Willow Pond in Aurora.
It feels good to be there.
The restaurant, itself, is spacious, cozy, very comfortable, colorful and… well… charming. Very, very charming. I love the checkered tablecloths, I love the floral tablecloths, I love the fruity tablecloths, I love the country decor, I love the front porch, I love Ole Sam the Resident Buzzard (pictured below) a lot , and I love the I love the down home vibe of the entire restaurant.
I enjoy being there. Period.
{Concluded below Ole Sam…}
Heck… I might even be there, myself.
Check out Aurora’s Willow Pond on Facebook to stay on top of their hours. Like all businesses around tourist areas, the days and hours change throughout the year.
The location on Hill St. is more convenient and… like I said… it’s right by Jimmy John’s! I also don’t hate the fact that it’s close to Starbucks. And the library.
Great spot!
As you can see from the pictures here, Nona’s still has the same “can’t find anywhere else” products she’s famous for. Kentucky gifts, food, crafts, and more. You could do A LOT of Christmas shopping in Nona’s – but, if you’re like me, you’ll find yourself buying two of everything, one for them and one for you-know-you.
If (like me) you have to eat gluten free, ask them about their gluten free foods. They’ll let you know when to expect what.
Follow Nona’s on Facebook to stay up to date on the fresh delicacies they have from day to day. Nona’s is also on Instagram – Simply search for “Nona’s Downtown Market Owensboro.”
If you eat gluten free (whether it’s a decision your brain OR your body made), you’ll find a lot of gluten free food reviews on my food blog. There are, of course, also a ton of gluten free recipes.
The pandemic has crushed many activities, events, and normalcy – not just in Kentucky, but all around the world. As we creep back toward normal, I want desperately to highlight any and all events going on around Kentucky. Please E-mail me any information you’d like shared about your Kentucky event! ~ Joi (“Joy”)