Sunny day, sweeping the clouds away....: The Tasting Room and Barrelhouse Flat

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

The Tasting Room and Barrelhouse Flat

We had our book club at The Tasting Room last week, and of course this is the only picture I remembered to take of our lovely cheese and meat board. But it was all really yummy, especially paired with the wine! I can't remember exactly what the cheeses were because we just had our server pick her favorites, but I know the meats were sopressata and pate. We also ordered the Shepherds Pie with short ribs and blue cheese, and a margherita pizza. Both were equally tasty.

We got to sit on big comfy couches back in a quiet area, which I really liked. That way we didn't have to yell over music or other people talking.

For dessert, Emily brought us all candies that she had slaved away in French Pastry School making all day. They were all so good! I've never had freshly homemade candy before, it was so soft and flavorful. My favorites were the chocolate carmels, which is crazy because I hate tootsie rolls!

A month or so ago, the girls and I went out for Thai food at Penny's Noodle Shop, and then went to Barrelhouse Flat and had drinks. We were NOT impressed by Penny's. My chicken pad thai was just weird. The sauce wasn't very good, and the chicken was really dark. But hey, at least we know not to order from there again!

We walked to Barrelhouse Flat, which is a neat little bar that serves some food as well. It was we had been transported to the South in the 30s, with tons of whiskey, brandy, gin, and rum cocktails that I'd never heard of, and cute decorations with dim lighting (almost too dim, we couldn't read the menus!)

We all ordered a cocktail that sounded good, and of course all passed them around so we could all try them. WOWZA were they strong. I'm just not used to drinking the dark liquors, so it took me a while to finish, even though mind was probably the lightest in flavor.

We also got a few things to nibble on, the 3 cheese spreads and the crazy spicy popcorn.