Lunch at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill's Winter Kitchen

My wife and I made our way over to Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, near Harrodsburg, KY, for lunch at their Winter Kitchen that's open only in January and early February.  We're always looking for a break from the cold weather drudgery that afflicts our Commonwealth this time of year and it's hard to beat the rustic almost cloistered atmosphere of a quiet Shaker Village in the winter.

I have to admit, I was looking forward to that unique atmosphere more than the food as the quality the last couple of years hasn't been anything to write home about or, in my case, to blog about.  I'm not saying the food's been awful in the past but it just didn't have many outstanding features.  I also have to admit, I was surprised in a positive way yesterday.

We were grateful to be seated close to the roaring fireplace.

We both ordered the chili pot pie, a new menu item, because it sounded like just the thing on a sunny but cool winter's day.  We were impressed by the house salad that came with the meal.  It was a simple combination of very fresh lettuce, cucumber, finely chopped tomato and black olives.  All the ingredients were fresh and very flavorful.

Then came the main event, a nice crock of baked chili topped off with a green chili and cheddar cornbread crust.  The spicy chili and cornbread combo should be pictured next to comfort food in the dictionary; just a perfect cold weather meal.  We did make the mistake of ordering hot tea and no water because a cold beverage would have been a nice complement to the hot an spicy chili.  It was hot and spicy in a good way not over the top at all but, hot tea just didn't really enhance the chili experience though it was very good with the salad.

Service and atmosphere were outstanding and lunch for two, with tax and tip, came to $26.50.  We didn't have dessert because, we stopped at Stanford on our way home and had a piece of coconut cream pie at Coleman's Pharmacy on Main Street.  Here again the food and atmosphere were both exceptional.  Coleman's is one of the vanishing breed of old fashioned pharmacies with a soda fountain bar in its restaurant area and it has an elegant tin ceiling that's obviously been well taken care of for many years.  We were fortunate to meet a nice lady that was part of the family who owns and operates the pharmacy and she gave us a condensed history of the town and her family's involvement in the community.  It's nice to see some special places have survived the big box invasion.