The Homestead and Sam Snead’s Tavern

I had the great fortune to spend a weekend at the Homestead, Hot Springs Virginia, with my husband and some of our great friends.  If you can manage take the drive (the roads are narrow and curvy) to the Homestead it is magnificent.

We began our stay with Skeet shooting and Target practice.  The guys Jeff and Rodney tried their hands at skeet shooting and they did great.  Marcia and I were handed a 22 gauge rifle and sent down to the range.  I looked at Marcia just a bit incredulous thinking, OMG are they expecting us to do this on our own?  We made it down to the range; put the targets up….. loaded the clips and proceeded to aim at the targets. I let Marcia load first as I was scared to death that I would load them backwards, I am sure there is little chance of that actually happening but I tend to worry about everything.  Much to my amazement we actually hit the targets and were right in the bull’s-eye.  I do have the targets to prove it.  Now I am not saying I could actually hit anything that was moving because I am pretty sure that they would move before I ever got them sighted in…. They guys finished skeet shooting and joined us on the range, being the good sports we are we let them have a turn… at the stationary targets as well,  UM, they weren’t quite as accurate as we ladies were. The homestead features many other outside activities as well such as Skiing, snowmobiling, skating and carriage rides to name just a few.  They also have an amazing spa facility which they use the hot springs mineral water for the tubs and pools.

Back to the Homestead for high tea and little finger sandwiches in the Main hall which boasts at least three crackling fires in Grand fireplaces.  My first experience with High Tea, yes I was sure to hold my pinky finger up.  They also had hot chocolate for those that did not enjoy tea.  Well, me I enjoyed both.  We then took a tour of the incredible historic hotel.  They have a bar called the Presidents Lounge aptly named for the 22 of the 45 presidents that have stayed at the Homestead.  They hang the portrait of the presidents that have stayed at the Homestead.  Very impressive and great Bloody Mary’s as well.

The weekend we were there was a bitter cold one and the nights only got colder.  Of course those of you that know me well know that practicality is not always a strong suit of mine, it is all about the fashion even when it is 10 degrees out.  I did wear those opened toes shoes because DAMN they looked amazing and I was sporting a fresh pedicure.  I never complained once that my feet were freezing.  I will say that I was happy to be able to be seated next to the crackling fireplace at Sam Snead’s Tavern for dinner. 

Dinner was no disappointment either.  We all had some sort of BEEF! I had the rib eye which was cooked exactly like I like it.  Others had Filet Mignon and I think one had a Seafood dish (it has been a while since the trip to the Homestead).  We had a great bottle of wine.  I was so proud of my husband Jeff, when we met he was not as much of a wine drinker as myself, I know again shocking.  The reason I mention this is that Rodney, Marcia and I were trying to discern what we were tasting in the wine and Jeff pops out with Vanilla.  We are all scratching our heads thinking really vanilla and wow Jeff knows that.  We gave him crap of course thinking we would know if it was vanilla but none of us came up with that.  So thank goodness for smart phones we were able to Google the wine and find out what the flavors in the wine were…… OK YES it was Vanilla.  Jeff you are my new favorite sommelier. The walk back did not get any warmer but the lobby of the hotel again boasted a crackling fire where we could warm up. 

The weekend albeit brief was great.  I recommend everything about the Homestead, well with the exception of the ride out there.   Don’t forget to try the Main dining room for Brunch, again excellent.  Also check out the two story wine cellar, yes that was two stories.  I of course did try to get in to check it out but the maitre’de was not having any of that. 

Make the time to treat yourself to a fantastic spot for R&R

360 Wine Bistro, Need I say more!!

We had the opportunity to buy a Groupon for a restaurant on route 100 S Nashville Tn., called 360 Wine Bistro.  We wanted to see what this was all about as the place is actually attached to a grocery store. We checked out their website which does a fantastic job featuring both their menu and wine selections. The menu looked fantastic so we purchased the Groupon.  When we arrived we were promptly seated on the enclosed patio.  We knew one for the wait staff so we requested that he be our waiter.  Plus he has a great knowledge of wine as well, always bonus in my book.

So the beginning of our experience consisted of a wine list that touts more than 700 wines, let's just say I was in wine heaven.  The choices were too great, thankfully Justin our waiter assisted in selecting what I would say is one of the best bottles of wine I have ever had.  The bottle was a 2007 Efeste Creighleigh, all that needs to be said is WOW!  It paired excellent with our selections.

The appetizers; pork belly and the other one were hen of the woods mushrooms.... both excellent but I show favorites to the pork belly.  While I can say that is not typically in my food groupings, it was excellent, crispy yet tender where it should have been.  Next, the main course beef tenderloin for me, mine over mini carrots and garlic mashed potatoes. They asked me how I wanted my beef cooked and I said just barely medium, that is if there is such a thing.  My point is not really medium but not rare either.  Let's say it was more medium, still good.  Jeff had the New York Strip over garlic mashed potatoes.  He said it was excellent.  For dessert we had what they called a hot skillet brownie, which you must order at the beginning of the meal as all of made to order.   As most probably know brownies are my favorite thing. With that being said the Brownie and the wine were the highlights for me!!  Shocking I know!!!!!

The place is very quaint and the food was really very good, I will know next time to make my order of tenderloin rare but other than that the prices were very good for the quality and quantity of the meal. 

The wine list was expansive but after checking out prices of the wines listed at the bistro compared to those same fines sold in a wine shop, I felt we were fairly charged.  I never like felling like I have spent 4 times the cost of the retail price of wine in a restaurant, UGH right!

This is the sort of place that you could easily find yourself sitting at the bar asking for a wine recommendation and being amazed by both the wine itself and the price.  I recommend this place to everyone and anyone that wants a nice dining experience without breaking the bank.   Oh and ask for Justin, you won't go wrong.   

I am looking forward to our next experience.   And hopefully taking some of our Charlottesville friends too,,,,, uhem you know who you are.  Just in case you are wondering Marcia and Rodney we might be taking about you.  Though I do know that Tricia and Bob were just here as well, I hope they made time for the recommendation.