Weather permitting, here’s what’s happening around Franklin County, Missouri this week.
Wednesday, Feb. 19 Explore your creative side and choose from making a St. Patrick’s themed Highlander cow or a Mardi Gras painting at a paint night held at Sip on Main in Union. Included in the ticket price is a pre-traced canvas, plus $5 off food/drink at Sip on Main for that evening. *UPDATE* Due to snow, this event has been rescheduled to March, 5. Find out more and register.
Thursday, Feb. 20 through Sunday, Feb. 23 Escape the ordinary at the area’s newest brewery and winery, Fugitive Bluff Brewery and Winery, located in Berger. The opening weekend festivities will include food, beer, and wine. *UPDATE* Due to snow, Fugitive Bluff has postponed its opening and may open Saturday and Sunday. It is expected to announce its opening plans on Facebook on Friday, Feb. 21. Find out more.
Photo via Fugitive Bluff Brewery and Winery’s Facebook
Friday, Feb. 21 Do you write poetry, can you deliver a joke with impeccable comedic timing? Are you a singer or musician? All are welcome to share their talent at The Washington Coffee Shop’s Open Mic Night. Or, maybe sitting back with a coffee or tea in hand taking in the music or spoken word of the guests is more your thing. Either way, stop by the coffee shop for an entertaining evening. Learn more.
Saturday, Feb. 22 The same great food and music you’ve come to love at the summertime CajunFest is being held this year indoors in February. The Cajun Night event will feature live music from from Dennis Stroughmatt with Creole Stomp. Find out more.
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 Kind Kitchen & Express Kiosk is a Pacific-based business owned by Sam Mueller, a self-taught personal chef. While a big part of her business is offering healthy prepared meals to people, Sam is also passionate about partnering with other local small business owners and bringing the community together at events, like classes she leads where attendees can learn a new food-related skill.
I attended the most recent event, a charcuterie and wine pairing class held at Winehouse 66, a wine bar and event space in Pacific. The evening was fun, educational, and of course, delicious. During the course of the evening, myself and the other guests of the class sampled four wines that were paired with a charcuterie item that accompanied the wine.
Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz
After each pour, Natalie with Winehouse 66 shared details about the specific wine, while Sam delivered a charcuterie selection and explained the components in each selection. And since nothing can enhance a great wine like cheese, naturally, there were a lot of different cheeses. Everything from an amazing truffle cheddar to a soft, silky goat cheese, brie, and Manchego were present. Paired with the cheeses were savory bites like Genoa salami and capicola, to sweeter pairings such as dried apricot and blackberry jam.
Once the tasting portion was complete, we got started on making our own charcuterie boxes. Sam provided the delectable ingredients like olives, fruit, crackers, meat and cheeses, and demonstrated techniques, like how to make a salami rose, that helped us make Pinterest-worthy charcuterie boards in the class, and that’s a skill I know I intend to use in the future. Everyone who attended the class was able to take their charcuterie box home with them, except for people like me, who couldn’t resist snacking on it as soon as I’d assembled it to my liking and snapped a quick picture!
Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz
More about The Kind Kitchen
While the events are a fun way to bring people together, most days you can find Sam preparing meals in a private commercial kitchen in Union. The selections vary from week to week, but they’re shared on the business’s website, where customers can pre-order their meals and pick up their orders at the kiosk, located inside the Beauty & Barber Bar salon at 203 N. First St., Unit 1B in Pacific. Customers that choose not to pre-order meals can also drop by the kiosk and pick up grab and go meals or snacks.
Options typically include a breakfast offering, such as breakfast bowls, entrees that can be eaten for lunch or dinner, like soups, bowls, and sometimes simple, yet healthy, selections like a protein and one or two kinds of vegetables.
No matter the offerings, at the heart of The Kind Kitchen is the mission to provide meals that nourish the body through using fresh ingredients and a focus on healthy, protein-forward items that are as flavorful and delicious as they are nutritious. Protein is such an integral part of the menu, that Sam created a protein dessert option called pronuts.
The delightful treats are something you can feel good about eating, while also helping you hit your daily protein goals. As the name implies, pronuts are a protein donut that come in rotating flavors and are available at the kiosk, as well as at the nearby Little Ireland coffee shop.
To find out more details about the menu offerings and ordering options, as well as any upcoming events or classes, visit The Kind Kitchen’s website or follow it on Facebook.
Normally I only share a week’s worth of events each week, but with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, this post featuring Franklin County events will run for about two weeks, through the holiday weekend.
And, as a reminder, if you want to know what events are coming up in advance, be sure to check out the calendar here on the website. It’s located on the right side of the home page when viewing on desktop, or scroll to the bottom of the home page to find the calendar when viewing the website on your mobile device.
Tuesday, Feb. 4 Drop in to The Washington Coffee Shop from 8 to 9 a.m. for Coffee With a Cop. The event offers a chance to get to the know officers in your neighborhood, ask questions, or voice concerns. More details.
Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz
Thursday, Feb. 6 Regan Caruthers, author of Tragic Magic, will speak about the transformative power of cultivating an inner life at Liberty Hall in Washington. Drawing from her personal journey and themes in her memoir, Regan will share insights on connecting with higher wisdom, embracing divine love, and fostering profound healing. Learn more and grab your ticket.
Thursday, Feb. 6 Dine to Donate, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Johnny’s Restaurant in Union. The eatery will donate a percentage of sales towards assisting Union Police Officer Kevin Williams, who was involved in an on-duty accident, and the Williams Family, at no extra cost to guests. Find out more.
Thursday, Feb. 6 The Tipsy Keg will rearrange the tables in its dining area to make room for a dance floor. From 6 to 9 p.m. stop in to line dance, or just sit back with your drink of choice and watch others boogie. Find out more.
Photo credit: via The Tipsy Keg’s Facebook
Friday, Feb. 7 Scenic Regional Library’s Pacific Branch is hosting a local art show. This hour long evening event is free to attend and is co-hosted with amazing local artist Rex Batson. Find out more.
Saturday, Feb. 8 Held at The Historic John B Busch Brewery Event Center in Washington, the Chicken & Beer Dance promises an evening of good music, dancing, and tasty food! Shotgun Creek will perform live, while the venue will provide some fried chicken. Guests should bring sides for their table to enjoy. No outside drinks are allowed, but the bar will be open. Get all the details and tickets.
Saturday, Feb. 8 Support a local American Legion while having fun playing bingo! Win prizes during the game and join in a glow dance party after bingo. All proceeds from this ticketed event benefit the Union American Legion Post 297 and local community causes. Find out more and get tickets.
Saturday, Feb. 8 Create an adorable planter that will include a vining succulent plant growing into a heart shape. A staff member will lead this class and help you with planting and care tips. Find out more and reserve your place.
Photo credit: via Hoffmann Hillermann Nursery & Florist’s Facebook
Sunday, Feb. 9 Cheer on your favorite team at a Super Bowl BBQ event! Enjoy pork steaks, half-chickens, and wings prepared by area grill masters and side makers at Washington Lions Club. Find more information and ticket pricing.
Wednesday, Feb. 12 Blondie’s Breezeway in St. Clair is offering a mid-week Valentine’s Dinner. The four-course menu features an appetizer, soup, entree, and dessert selection, along with a cocktail made by your sweetie! Two seatings are offered, at 5 and 7 p.m. Reservations are required. Find out more.
Photo credit: via Blondie’s Breezeway Kitchen & Cocktail’s Facebook
Thursday, Feb. 13 The St. Clair Elks Lodge is hosting an Artmazing Valentine’s Paint Nite event. Receive step-by-step guidance during the entire painting process and go home with a finished painting. Get tickets and find out more.
Thursday, Feb. 13 – Saturday, Feb. 15 Oak & Front Kitchen + Bar is hosting a multi-course prix fixe menu just in time for Valentine’s Day. The special menus are perfect for couples or friends celebrating Galentine’s, and are taking place Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, with two seatings each day. Space is limited, reserve your spot.
Friday, Feb. 14 The Tipsy Keg is hosting a special Valentine’s Dinner from 5:30 to 9 p.m., as well as an Anti-Valentine’s Party Night beginning at 9 p.m. Find out more details about each event.
Saturday, Feb. 15 Liberty Hall’s Cultural Center will be the site for a fun, Valentine’s weekend themed movie event. Guests can take in a private showing of the movie “50 First Dates” on the big screen while enjoying drinks and a four-course meal inspired by cuisine in the film. Food provided by The Nest Cafe. Learn more and grab tickets.
Sunday, Feb. 16 Don your most festive, Wonderland-inspired attire and attend the Mad Hatter’s High Tea at Stacked Coffeehouse in Villa Ridge. The ticketed event includes a four-course tea service, a grazing table, activities, and a prize for best dressed. Get tickets.
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