Posted in News and Features

Grab a Cocktail and a Bite at Sip on Main in Union

A place that’s as ideal for date night as it is for an evening spent chatting with friends over drinks and appetizers, Sip on Main in Union offers the intimate setting of a cocktail bar you’d typically find in a city, right here in Franklin County.

Sip on Main bar. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz

The space features warm, inviting lighting as well as a blend of textures like leather sofas, velvet seat coverings, and a beautiful wood bar that also serves as a centerpiece to the space. Although the overall aesthetic leans a bit on the upscale side, the fare is casual, delicious, and shareable.

Sip on Main is a cocktail bar, but there’s also a decent mocktail menu available. On a recent visit with a group of ladies, I had the establishment’s non-alcoholic Mule. The drink combines lime juice, honey, and ginger beer. The mocktail was balanced, not too sweet or tart, and refreshing, plus I loved that it was delivered to me in a copper mug, just like a traditional Mule that’s made with liquor.

Non-alcoholic Mule. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz

For food, I sampled a number of delectable snacks, such as the Fry Board, an option dedicated to fry lovers and the indecisive alike. A tray of crispy, starchy goodness, the Fry Board features four types of fries: shoestring, curly, sidewinder, and sweet potato waffle, plus three dipping sauces. Although all were tasty in their own right, I liked the sweet potato fries best, since those aren’t often found on restaurant menus.

Another menu item I tried and really liked (much to my surprise!) were the fried pickles. While I like the taste of fried pickles, typically I’m the kind of girl that will tap out after one or two, since I usually find them too salty or just too…pickle-y to keep eating beyond those first few bites. One of the women in the group I was with ordered the fried pickles and I tried one, expecting to only eat that solitary fried pickle. However, I found them just right, not too salty nor was there an overwhelming pickle flavor, and they remained crispy long after they were served to us (we ordered a LOT of food on this visit so we could chat and nibble on the snacks throughout the evening).

My favorite item I had that evening was the BBQ Pork Belly Flatbread, a balance of salty, sweet, with a slight hit of spice. The flatbread is topped with chunks of pork belly tossed in barbecue sauce, sliced jalapeno and pineapple, melted pepperjack cheese, and topped with a drizzle of ranch. The flatbread crust was a pleasing texture, neither too crisp, nor too soft, and all the toppings just worked together to create a sort of umami magic that made me want to eat the entire flatbread, however, I summoned my willpower and ate half.

BBQ Pork Belly Flatbread. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz

The Socialite recommends Sip on Main!

The details:
201 E. Main St., Union
siponmain.com
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Posted in News and Features

Get Your Caffeine Fix at Little Ireland Coffee in Pacific

If you’re looking for a place to get your caffeine fix in Pacific, stop by Little Ireland Coffee. This adorable coffee shop features lots of windows to let in natural light, ample seating, a cozy nook at the back of the shop that has soft seating options as well as high-top tables perfect for group or solo work, book clubs, and study groups.

Although the shop offers a fair selection of teas and other drinks, I’m all about coffee. Here, and at all coffee shops, I typically get an iced latte, unless it’s really cold out. And the shop serves Park Avenue Coffee Roasters beans, which is one of my favorite regional coffee roasters as I find the flavor of their coffee to be smooth and never bitter.

Iced and hot lattes and a cinnamon roll. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz

In addition to the drinks and the welcoming atmosphere at the coffee shop, I often like to treat myself to a little something to go along with my latte. One of my favorites are the cinnamon rolls, which are everything you want in such a treat: sweet, soft, and gooey, especially when you ask the barista to warm it slightly before serving.

Video credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz
The cozy nook near the back of the coffee shop features a soft seating area.

There’s also a selection of pastries, muffins, scones, and cookies. If you’re looking for something a bit more filling, the shop offers a number of breakfast burritos, bagels, egg bites, and biscuits and gravy. And if you want to indulge a little, but still stay on track with your protein and healthy eating goals, pronuts, or protein donuts, which are made by The Kind Kitchen, are often available at Little Ireland Coffee.

The Socialite recommends Little Ireland Coffee!

The details:
125 N. 1st St., Pacific, MO.
littleirelandcoffeeshop.com
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Posted in News and Features, Updates

Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner: Find it All at Dahlia Cafe in Union

If you’re looking for a place that has it all: breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, without having to make a drive to Washington, you should stop by Dahlia Cafe in Union. I like to think of this establishment as a hidden gem that’s a bit under the radar, but I’m probably wrong about that. One trip to the cafe and you’ll find that it’s almost always bustling, and for good reason: because the food and the service are simply that good.

For starters, Dahlia Cafe has a diner-style feeling when you walk in, but with a diverse menu offering. There’s regular drip coffee as well as the iced variety, and you can even opt for Irish Coffee. In addition to those drinks, there’s juice, soft drinks, and a large selection of brunch-style cocktails to choose from.

Iced coffee. Photo via Dahlia Cafe’s Facebook

Breakfast and brunch selections range from skillets and omelets, to French toast and fluffy pancakes to eggs benedict (my favorite!) and crepes, (which I still haven’t tried because I love their eggs benny that much). I always order the eggs benedict with crispy hash browns, and the menu has two variations on the benedict, and both feature a generous amount of velvety Hollandaise. The classic version features Canadian bacon, while the vegetarian offering is loaded with spinach, tomato and mushrooms, but for me, it doesn’t get much better than the traditional benny.

Veggie benedict. Photo via Dahlia Cafe’s Facebook

Lunch includes tried and true favorites like burgers, try the patty melt! There’s also a large selection of wraps and sandwiches, like the chipotle chicken wrap, another favorite around here. The lunch menu also features hearty sandwiches like a pork tenderloin, ribeye, French dip, and Cordon Bleu, with sides that range from side salad or steamed broccoli to fries, or opt for fresh fruit or onion rings for a small upcharge.

Berry Bacon Spinach Salad. Photo via Dahlia Cafe’s Facebook

Dinner selections include tacos, build-your-own bowls, steaks and chops, chicken and seafood. There’s also a number of starters like shrimp scampi or spinach artichoke dip. Dinner side selections range from comforting options like mashed potatoes, to squash, steamed veggies or rice.

The Socialite recommends Dahlia Cafe!

The details:
1595 Denmark Road, Union, MO.
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Posted in News and Features

Stop in For the Food, Stay for the Cozy Vibes at Swallows Nest

Although we’re in the middle of “Galentine’s” season, do you really need a reason to gather with your friends, sisters, mom, or other important women in your life? What matters is getting together for coffee, cocktails, brunch or lunch, and maybe even working in a little retail therapy.

Swallows Nest in Washington is the perfect place to do all or any of the aforementioned activities any time of the year or day of the week. Part cafe, part boutique, this adorable spot is in a dreamy two-story historic brick building that features lots of architectural details like exposed brick, hardwood floors, and gorgeous wood trim, plus cute, vintage furnishings in the cafe’s dining area. The result is a cozy, welcoming cafe area that invites guests to linger. 

On the menu is a number of breakfast choices like avocado toast, waffles, and a biscuit and gravy offering, as well as lunch choices like salads and sandwiches. There’s also a rotating selection of freshly made pastries and other delicious desserts. In terms of drinks, the coffee menu ranges from lattes, served hot or iced, drip coffee, and cold brew, as well as a number of teas, soft drinks, wine, and cocktails. 

Iced latte and cranberry bar. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz

After eating, you’ll want to linger awhile to browse the boutique which features lots of cute, often boho-inspired clothes, jewelry, and other accessories, as well as home decor, and a section called The Refillery where you’ll find products such as laundry soap, bath and body care products that can be purchased using reusable containers that customers can bring in and refill when they need to be replenished rather than continuing to purchase those items in single-use plastic containers.

The Socialite recommends Swallows Nest!

The details:
310 Elm Street, Washington
swallowsnestwashmo.com
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