Tag Archives: bread

Ohio Winery: Powell Village Craft Winery

Taking a seat at the beautiful rustic bar at Powell Village Craft Winery, I couldn’t help but notice the young lady sitting next to me talking into her phone.   Overhearing her conversation, she was trying to set a date to move to Colorado.  Working out the logistics, she sat in front of her computer enjoying a glass of wine.

I ordered a wine flight and soon thereafter, Katie had wrapped up her plans and made a phone call to her boyfriend to pick her up.  She explained that lately she has been down on her luck and it seemed that her car wouldn’t start.  Waiting at the winery, she had managed to schedule her move out of state all while enjoying a glass of Merlot.  I guess her luck was starting to change.

Conveniently located in a charming suburb of Columbus, the winery, owned by Jeff and Gina Kirby, has been open for six years.  Currently, they are in the process of opening another winery in Tucson, which is similar in design and construction to Powell Village and are looking to franchise the winery.

I hardly waited  five minutes when the server offered to pour me a paddle wine flight or four half glasses for $15.  Since there were quite a few selections that I wanted to try, I opted for the $1 per tasting.   Their reserve wines and ice wines are $2 each were worth the additional cost.

Their menu included a variety of flatbreads, butcher’s block, bread and dipping oil, cheese plate, garlic bites and hummus with veggies.  Perfect combinations to pair with a large assortment of wines.

Each sample was a generous one ounce pour and I began my tasting with the Pinot Noir. Medium bodied, this beautiful brownish red wine has a tangy first sip with a perfect finish.

In addition to Pinots, I love Merlots and this one caught me off guard with a sweet start but it finished with a smooth texture and taste.

Switching over to some of the sweet wines offered by Powell Village, the blackberry has a super sweet smell and a gorgeous ruby color, with a light, airy fruity taste.

I wrapped up my last three samples trying some of the lighter, fruity wines which are  popular with Ohio wineries.  The peach smelled like fuzzy peaches picked right off of the tree, having a thick texture with a simple fruit flavor.

The white cranberry is just as tart as one would expect but it was a perfect blend with grapes.  My final sample was kiwi-pineapple, heavy on the pineapple taste yet an extremely refreshing wine.

The winery also offers seasonal sangrias like the pomegranate and cherry during the spring and summer months while the cranberry is popular for the fall.  There are also wine slushies, a popular option where wine is combined with a mix and frozen as a fun, fruity drink.

In addition to Happy Hour on Fridays and Saturdays, Powell Village Craft Winery is available on Sunday and Monday for private events, while Thursdays are Ladies’ Night.

I finished my last glass of wine and Katie had finally confirmed a date for moving her belongings out west.  She decided to call her boyfriend for his ETA while I purchased a bottle of Soulmate, Powell Village’s yummy Merlot.  Here’s hoping that if I am ever stranded, a winery will be close by.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Powell Village Craft Winery?  What was your favorite wine?  I would love to hear about your visit if you will kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my visit to Powell Village Winery and wishing you many Happy Travels!  Cheers!

What to See and What to Do:

Powell Village Craft Winery
50 Liberty Street
Powell, Ohio  43065
Phone:  614 505 7465

Where to Stay: 

Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center
100 Green Meadows Drive South
Lewis Center, OH  43035
Telephone: 855 892 4543

Where to Eat: 

Powell Village Craft Winery
50 Liberty Street
Powell, Ohio  43065
Phone:  614 505 7465

Why leave when you can try one of Powell Village Craft Winery’s amazing flatbreads?  We ordered the Buffalo flatbread with spicy chicken, buffalo sauce and Mozzarella cheese.  They will give you ranch dressing for dipping should you need to cool the heat.  Yum!

Making Wine at Grape & Granary for Ohio Wine Month

Located in a small shopping plaza in one of Akron’s industrial districts is the hidden gem, Grape & Granary.  Drawn to the opportunity of making my own wine, I had no idea what to expect.  The thought seemed interesting and I was looked forward to learning more about the process.  With a long list of wines available for purchase and production, I was a little overwhelmed, but decided to sample a few wines while reading over the instructions and information for making my own.

Selecting a table, I quickly learned that  I was seated near a wedding party, They were deciding which wine to make for their reception and choosing their labels for the wine.

In front of me was a selection of several wine glasses as well as spices for dipping oils and a basket of bread.  With a small fee of 50 cents per wine sample, I wanted to try a few flavors before making my purchase.  I was offered a long list of wines as well as specialty blends that I had never tried before.  Here is the list of wines that I sampled:

  • Strawberry White Merlot – delicious, great strawberry taste
  • Kiwi Pear – LOVE this one…it was like eating fresh pears
  • Sangria Zinfindel Blush – has a wonderful, fruity aftertaste
  • Raspberry Dragon Fruit – sweet and tastes like kool aid
  • Cranberry Chianti  – not too tart
  • Strawberry Riesling – a sweet, full strawberry taste
  • Summer Surprise is a watermelon Jalapeno wine; the watermelon flavor breaks the heat, but I thought it was too sweet
  • Jalapeno Ice Wine – AMAZING! WOW! I had to buy a couple of  bottles of this one! So unique!

I learned that the Peach Apricot Wine is their best seller, but they were sold out during the time of my visit.

Grape & Granary is also a distillery, so I had a list of options such as Grappa, Whisky, Brandy, Gin, Caffe Liquor or Limoncello.  Since the limoncello was a dollar per sample, I simply couldn’t resist.

One of the advantages of visiting Grape & Granary is that they also provide bread and dipping oils to sample.  The Herbes de Garlic Sea Salt was one of my favorite blends so I purchased a small jar for home.

During my visit, I was able to witness an engaged couple bottling wine for their upcoming wedding.  They had already selected their wine from a list of prepared wine juices.  Choosing the Luna Rossa, they met with the winemaker to incorporate the yeast into the juice and waited 7 weeks until it was ready to bottle.   The cork is then added and later a label would be placed on the bottle after printing.

The couple selected their label which would be ready in a couple of weeks and then the  process would be completed.  For the particular wine they chose, the cost would be $165 which would include 28 – 30 750 ml bottles.  The cost for labels was 30 cents and the bottles an additional charge.

I was so thankful for the opportunity to watch the wine making process and found it to be a fun, educational experience.   The Grape & Granary sells a wide variety of wine making kits and offers orders from their online store and catalog.  I decided to purchase a wine kit in hopes that I would have some success and then start a winery in Napa.

Have you had the opportunity to make your own wine at Grape & Granary or at another wine making venue?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below!  Many thanks for reading my post and I wish you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

The Grape & Granary
915 Home Avenue
Akron, OH  44310
Telephone:  330 633 7223

Where to Stay:

Country Inn & Suites
1420 Main Street
Cuyahoga Falls, OH  44221
Telephone:  330 926 1233

Where to Eat:

Beau’s on the River
1989 Front Street
Cuyahoga Falls, OH  44221
Telephone:  330 920 7530

I was so excited to find this amazing restaurant with a fabulous view along the Cuyahoga River.  I ordered a Wedge Salad and the Caprese Flatbread for my main entrée.

An Afternoon Wine Tasting in Tuscany

During a fall trip to the Mediterranean, I was looking forward to visiting the Tuscany region of Italy.  I had booked a seven-day cruise on the Pullmantur Sovereign and decided to experience the rolling hills of vineyards on an excursion sponsored by the ship.  The opportunity to sample the Italian wines outside of Florence was an unforgettable experience and from that point forward, I became fascinated by the wines of Italy from Chianti to Sangiovese.

The day was absolutely beautiful for a morning in Pisa then a short bus ride to the Tuscan region of Lucca.  Famous for its wine and spectacular countryside, vineyards of Semillon and Pinot Bianco grapes surrounded us as the bus arrived at Fattoria il Poggio.

Fattoria means “farm” in Italian and the il Poggio is what the Italians refer to as an agritourismo, otherwise known as a farm stay.  Farm stays are  perfect for guests who are interested in immersing themselves in the local culture based in an agricultural setting. In most cases, the restaurants at a fattoria will incorporate the “farm to table” concept using its own fresh produce and meats.

With voracious appetites, we were eager to sample the local wines as well as the olive oil produced by the farm.  This beautiful eco-tourismo exports seven red and white wines as well as a variety of olive oils and balsamic vinegar.

We arrived to elegantly prepared tables draped in white linen tablecloths where empty wine glasses patiently waited to be filled.  Our host welcomed us to Fattoria il Poggio as servers filled our tables with copious bottles of wine and antipasti.  I could not wait to indulge in the estate wines, snack on locally prepared meats and cheeses and enjoy some of the finest ingredients organically grown at the farm.

The hospitality at Fattoria il Poggio was exceptional, the scenery mesmerizing and the food was more than outstanding.  Enjoying the generous portions set before us, we learned so much about the daily farm activities as well as how their products are made.

The wine pours were flowing and there were plenty of meats, cheeses, bread and olives.  Served family style, I can assure you that no one left hungry and not a drop of wine was left in the bottles.  What an amazing way to spend the afternoon.

We were offered six wines to sample as well as the wide range of items produced at the farm.  Fattoria Il Poggio has been making high quality wines since 1845 as well as growing fruits and medicinal herbs.  These items were available for purchase at the gift shop where other wine related souvenir items were sold as well.

A day in Tuscany is certainly not enough time to visit the region of remarkable wines which has made such an impact on the country’s culture.  With seven World Heritage Sites and endless charming villages, this area is one of the most visited in Italy.

Should guests decide to book a stay at Fattoria il Poggio, luxury  accommodations include such amenities as WiFi, satellite TV, floor heating, a private spa and a rooftop pool.  Additional services include local tours,  onsite events and cooking classes.  The il Poggio is the ideal location for wedding ceremonies, anniversaries and other monumental celebrations.

I absolutely love the idea of supporting local families and booking a stay at an agritourismo.  With first class service, outstanding amenities and fabulous produce, Fattoria il Poggio is the perfect farm stay for a future visit to Tuscany.

Are you a wine lover?  Have you visited a winery that you absolutely loved?  Or do you have the experience of staying at an agritourismo?   I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. And if you have visited Lucca and can recommend other wineries, I would love to hear about your favorites as well.  Many thanks for reading about my wine tasting in Lucca and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Fattoria il Poggio
Via S. Piero, 39
55015, Montecarlo LU, Italy
Phone:  +39 0583 22088

Where to Stay:

Fattoria il Poggio
Via S. Piero, 39
55015, Montecarlo LU, Italy
Phone:  +39 0583 22088

Where to Eat:

Fattoria il Poggio
Via S. Piero, 39
55015, Montecarlo LU, Italy
Phone:  39 0583 22088

Fattoria il Poggio’s Menu

During our wine tasting, we sampled various delicious Antipasti dishes.

What to Eat: 

  • Bistecca alla Fiorentina is a T-bone steak with the filet on one side and sirloin on the other.
  • Cacciucco is a fish soup dish from the port towns of Livorno and Viareggio.
  • Castagnaccio is a cake made from chestnut flour.
  • Crostini Toscani is bread topped with chopped liver sauce.
  • Lampredotto sandwich is made from the fourth stomach of a cow served in broth and served with a spicy sauce.
  • Lardo di Colonnata is cured pork meat.
  • Panzanella is a bread soup served cold made from bread, tomatoes, onion, basil, olive oil and vinegar.
  • Pappa al pomodoro is a simple soup made of tomatoes, garlic, and basil leaves served with stale bread.
  • Ribollita is a soup made with cabbage, beef, carrots and onion.

What to Read:

  • A Culinary Traveller in Tuscany,  by Beth Elon
  • A Thousand Days in Tuscany, by Marlena de Blasi
  • A Vineyard in Tuscany: A Wine Lover’s Dream, by Ferenc Mate
  • Every Day in Tuscany, Seasons of an Italian Life, by Frances Mayes
  • Not in a Tuscan Villa, by John and Nancy Petralla
  • The Agony and the Ecstacy, by Irving Stone
  • Under the Tuscan Sun, by Frances Mayes
  • War in Val D’Orica: An Italian War Diary, 1943 – 1944, by Iris Origo

Photo Guide for Tuscany:

Here are some amazing locations to photograph Tuscany, Italy:

  • Florence:
    • Canonici Palace
    • Florence Baptistry
    • Florence Cathedral
    • Florence Skyline:  view from Palazzo Vecchio
    • Il Duomo
    • Marcampo
    • Michelangelo’s David statue
    • Montalcino Street
    • Palazzo Strozzi
    • Perano Castle
    • Piazalle Michelangelo
    • Piaza del Duomo
    • Pienza
    • Ponte Vecchio
    • The Streets of Florence
    • Uffizi Gallery
    • Volpaia
  • Pisa
    • The Leaning Tower
    • Marina
  • Tuscany
    • Abbazia San Galgano
    • Abbey of Sant’Antimo
    • Agritourismos
    • Basilica di Santa Magherita
    • Cappella della Madonna di Vitaleta
    • Carrara Marble Quarry
    • Castel Boccale
    • Chianti
    • Cortona
    • Crete Senesi
    • Firenze – the Arno River from the Ponte Santa Trinita
    • Monte Divalli
    • Montepulciano
    • Monticchiello – Strada dei Cipressi
    • Palazzo Pitti
    • Pitigliano
    • Podere Belvedere countryside in the Val D’Orcia
    • Poggio Covilli d’Asso
    • San Gimignano
    • San Giovanni
    • Seminario Maggiore
    • Siena – view from the Torre del Mangio
    • Terranuova Bracciolini
    • Tuscan Tunnel
    • Volterra
  • Wineries
    • Avignonisi
    • Barone Ricasoli
    • Capezanna
    • Castello Banfi
    • Castello di Ama
    • Castiglion del Bosco
    • Poggio al Casone
    • Poggio Antico

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The Tavernette Inn Delivers with Grouper and Risotto- NOW CLOSED

Update:  October 12, 2021 – 316 Tap & Barrel Grill has closed permanently due to COVID; June 19, 2020 – The Tavernette is now 316 Tap & Barrel Grill

I had just returned from having my haircut in Tipp City, Ohio and I was so excited to try the Tavernette Inn.  I had driven by this restaurant in Medway for over a couple of years and a small kiosk on the side of Spangler Road beckoned me to stop by and experience this hidden gem.

Stepping inside I was greeted by Pat who has been bartending here for over 30 years.  I could hear 70’s music on the radio intercom when I was seated by the hostess and recognized a few of these tunes.

She introduced herself as Olivia and mentioned that she would be serving me that night as she took my drink order and dropped off a menu.  I couldn’t resist a Yuengling and took a few moments to look over the night’s specials.  Fish and Chips are the special for Monday nights and they have been one of their best sellers since the 1960s.  Their carbonara is another one of their specialty dishes but I was drawn in by their specials.

Who can resist Grouper risotto with a salad for $17.95?

The black and white retro tables and chairs reminded me of eating family dinner at my Grandparents’ house.

I had a few moments to check out the glass enclosures of local memorabilia.  Lining the walls, I felt as though I was eating in the midst of a museum.

Enjoying a basket of bread with brown and garlic brothers, I learned that the restaurant first opened in 1939. New owners had recently bought the restaurant a year ago and were bringing some amazing dishes to their menu.

My next course was a salad with ranch dressing, which was the perfect size to hold me over before my main dish.

I must admit I couldn’t wait to bite into the succulent grouper which was perfectly seasoned, buttered and baked. The risotto was amazing with red pepper and mushrooms which was so creamy and deliciously rich served al dente.  It was no surprise when I learned that chef John’s specialties are seafood, namely shark and that he makes everything fresh from local produce.

After finishing dinner, I decided to browse around the restaurant and took a little walk outside along the creek in the back where they had set up a fire pit.   I noticed a newly built deck that overlooked Mud Creek as well as additional parking spaces across the street for dinner hours.

The back bar was closed for the weeknight but listed the night’s drink special as the Long Island Iced Tea. This is the place to be on a summer night during the weekends where they have bands or DJs playing classic rock and country music and in the wintertime, they will light a fire.

I had a few minutes to talk with John the owner who is from nearby Park Layne.  They had just celebrated their one year anniversary of the restaurant on May 5th, 2016.  John had an engineering degree but had been wanting to have his own business.  John had first learned that the owners of the restaurant were interested in selling as he had been retired for 30+ years and wanted a change.

I learned from John the history of the Tavernette Inn started with a butcher block from 1939.  From here they would cut meat for their local patrons until the 1960s.  In addition, the original restaurant was across the street and relocated to its current space in the late 1930s.

I decided to have one last drink at the bar and ordered a glass of Tulip Red Wine which reminded me of Rodeo Red from the Winery at Versailles.   I sat next to a couple who mentioned that the Tavernette Inn was where they had their first prom date in the 1960s.

It was fun talking with Pat about the restaurant, having bartended here for thirty-five years.  Originally from Troy, he recently moved to New Carlisle.  He began his career here as a dishwasher after spending 12 years in the Air Force and bartending at the NCIO club.

Pat swears that the restaurant is haunted by Wiladena when at times diners have noticed beer bottles move.  According to Pat, she swore she would haunt the place when she passed. Luckily, she  did not try to take my glass of wine.

Have you visited The Tavernette Inn in Medway, Ohio?  What did you order?  I would love to hear about your experience at this longstanding restaurant if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Thank you for reading about my visit to The Tavernette and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and Do:

Tavernette Inn
111 W. Main Street
Medway, OH  45341
Telephone:  937 849 0423

Check out all of the specials and ask your server what they suggest.  I thoroughly enjoyed the grouper and risotto.

Where to Stay:

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Springfield
1751 W 1st Street
Springfield, OH 45504
Telephone:  937 322 2200

Where to Eat:

Tavernette Inn
111 W. Main Street
Medway, OH  45341
Telephone:  937 849 0423