Tag Archives: prohibition

Visiting the Historical Knoxville’s Market Square Farmer’s Market

2016 marked the 225th year of Knoxville’s Market Square Farmer’s Market and my family happened to be passing through on our way to Gatlinburg.  Farmers and vendors from all over East Tennessee have been coming to downtown Knoxville to set up shop at the Market Square, surrounded by fabulous restaurants and interesting boutiques.

From Babalu Restaurant, we walked towards Market Square to visit the Knoxville Farmer’s Market.  Located along a long pedestrian mall, it was here, in this very location, where the first market opened for the sale of farm produce.  We were curious to see what vendors would be there and what items we could buy.

The square, just over an acre in size, has been a popular meeting place for street musicians and artists since the 1880s.  I imagine listening to the music of Duke Ellington or watching the fiddle contests of Frank Murphy back in the 1920s.   We watched a guitar and cello duo playing at one of the street corners in front of a furniture shop,  Enjoying the talent of these musicians, we stayed for a few songs and dropped off a tip in their instrument cases.

In addition to the vendor’s booths, there were children dancing through the fountains and busy outdoor cafes along the market square.  It is a different scene than that of the late 1800s farmers who would pull their wagons up to the Market House.  Back then, there was a monthly cost of three dollars for merchants who rented a stall.

After the marketplace opened in January 1854, several shops and venues were built along its outskirts.  Among the sites were a grocery, saloon and lumberyard. Over twenty years later, additional services were set up to include a mill, a boarding house, physician and pharmacists offices, more saloons and Peter Kerns’ confections store.  Today there are several upscale and casual sidewalk cafes where one can find a seat to enjoy the exciting hustle of the market scene.

On the north end of the square is Knoxville’s City Hall, built in 1868.   Just five years earlier, in 1865, this area had been occupied by the Union Army and converted into barracks and storage for ammunition during the Civil War.

By the early 1900s, prohibition closed the saloons, residents began to move out to the suburbs and small businesses began to close, replaced by chain commercial commerce and movie theaters.   Eventually, the Market Hall would be replaced by the open-air market in 1960 in hopes of revitalizing the city.

In addition to the traditional stalls of produce, crafts and more, food trucks line the alleys for an expanded option of lunch items, baked goods and delicious local foods.  Today, Knoxville’s Farmer’s Market continues the tradition it began 225 years ago, with a modern twist and we loved the time that we spent here.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Knoxville’s Farmer’s Market in Tennessee?  What did you buy?  Did you eat at one of the restaurants or food trucks?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for exploring the Farmer’s Market with me by reading my blog post.  Wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Market Square Farmer’s Market
Downtown Knoxville, Tennessee

Open every Wednesday (11 AM to 2 PM) and Saturday (9 AM to 2 PM) starting in May through November, the Market is open in the heart of Knoxville.

Where to Stay:

Four Points Sheraton Knoxville Cumberland House
1109 White Avenue
Knoxville, TN  37916
Telephone:   865 971 4663

Where to Eat:

Babalu’s
412 S. Gay Street
Knoxville, TN  37902
Telephone:  865 329 1002

We ordered Babalu’s signature guacamole, made table side, which was absolutely amazing (secret ingredient? sundried tomatoes!).  We decided to share three tapas which included the beef empanadas, three tacos and grilled tenderloin with a teriyaki glaze and we enjoyed our meals.

What to Eat in Knoxville:

  • Brunch at Bistro on the Bayou
  • Chicken pot pie
  • Fried Green Tomatoes
  • Mac and Cheese
  • Meatloaf
  • Tennessee Whiskey

What to Read:

  • Historic Knoxville: The Curious Visitor’s Guide to Its Stories and Places, by Jack Neely

Photo Guide to Knoxville: 

  • Bike Sculpture
  • Bridge Sunrise
  • CityView Sunset from SoKno
  • Fort Dickerson Quarry
  • Gay Street
  • Greetings from Knoxville Postcard Mural
  • House Mountain
  • Sunsphere
  • Tennessee Theater on the corner of Gay Street and Clinch Avenue
  • A View from the Bluffs

Historical Christian Moerlein Brewery Reopens at The Banks in Cincinnati

After spending a beautiful day along the Banks of Cincinnati, I was ready for an outside table at  Moerlein Lager House.  With views along the Ohio River and northern Kentucky, I had the perfect Cincinnati Reds pre-game seat to enjoy a hearty lunch and a couple of beers.  The place was flooded in red with Reds game attendees.

Prior to Prohibition, Cincinnati was one of the leading beer producers throughout the United States with nearly one-hundred breweries opening before the 1920s.  One of these brewers was German immigrant, Christian Moerlein.

Moerlein arrived in the United States in 1841 and settled in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati popular with German and German-American immigrants.  He began brewing beer in his blacksmith shop before opening the Christian Moerlein Brewing Company on Elm Street in 1853.  He produced over 1000 barrels of beer in his first year of production.

Moerlein created brews that were not only popular in Cincinnati, but throughout the country.  The brewery became the largest in Ohio, the fifth largest in the country and began shipping internationally to Europe and South America.  By 1890, Cincinnati was called the “Beer Capital of the World.”

Unfortunately, with the passing of Moerlein in 1897 and Prohibition shortly thereafter, the brewery closed in 1920.

The Christian Moerlein brand was reintroduced to the public when Christian Moerlein Select Lager was produced by Hudepohl Brewing Company in 1981 and was considered on the “leading edge of the craft beer revolution.”  It was the first beer to pass the strict Reinheigsgebot Bavarian Purity Law of 1516 which requires a beer to contain only four ingredients:  malted barley, hops, water and yeast.

By 2004, local Cincinnatian, Greg Hardman purchased the Christian Moerlein and Hudepohl brands to re-introduce some of the best known brews of Cincinnati.  Six years later, Hardman bought the Husman Potato Chip factory in Over-the-Rhine just a few blocks from Moerlein’s original site.  The first beer produced was the 1861 porter which was introduced on New Year’s Eve 2010 in celebration of Arnold’s Bar and Grill’s 150th anniversary.

I was excited to see an amazing list of Cincinnati retro beers to include Hudy 14-K, Hudy Delight, Hudepohl, Little Kings and Burger on the Lager House menu.  I ordered the Purity Pilsner from their amazing selection , a wonderful light beer.

Moerlein Lager House opened in February 2012 along Cincinnati’s newest neighborhood, The Banks, located along the banks of the Ohio River.  This prime location is also adjacent to Great American Ball Park, home of Cincinnati Reds baseball along the riverfront.

Measuring 150,000 square feet and standing two stories, Moerlein offers plenty of seating with 500 seats inside and 600 outside throughout its multiple beer gardens.  A large beer garden connects to Schmidlapp lawn, an outdoor event space along the riverfront park.

With an extensive menu, Hardman wanted to include foods based on the 19th century German cuisine of Over the Rhine such as soft pretzels, German sausage platter and Reuben sandwich.

I couldn’t resist ordering the Cuban sandwich, chips and Hudy Delight.  With over 80 selections, I have time to try another beer before the Cincinnati Reds game.

Have you visited Moerlein Lager House in Cincinnati?  What beers did you order?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Thank you for reading about my visit to Moerlein and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Moerlein Lager House
115 Joe Nuxhall Way
Cincinnati, OH  45202
Telephone:  513 421 2337
Website:

Where to Eat:

Moerlein Lager House
115 Joe Nuxhall Way
Cincinnati, OH  45202
Telephone:  513 521 2337
Website:  https://www.moerleinlagerhouse.com/

Where to Stay:

AC Hotel by Marriott Cincinnati at The Banks
135 Joe Nuxhall Way
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Telephone:  513 521 2337

What to Eat: 

  • Skyline Chili:  My go-to meal at Skyline is the 4-way chili with onion served with oyster crackers and hot sauce.  I always pick up two York peppermint patties after cashing out.  Cincinnati chili is a beef based sauce served over spaghetti noodles and cheese.  Additional toppings include onions and beans.
  • LaRosa’s Pizza:  A local chain pizzeria, this Sicilian style pie is made with a sweet crust and sauce.  My favorite menu item is the Caprese pesto Flatbread Pizza.
  • Graeter’s Ice Cream:  It’s the French Pot process that makes Graeter’s Ice Cream so decadent and rich.  Towards the end of the process, they pour chocolate into the mix creating large chunks of yummy goodness.
  • Montgomery Inn BBQ:  Visiting the original Montgomery Inn BBQ at the boathouse is a culinary and scenic experience.  Their ribs are served with a sweet and tangy sauce that has since made them the “Ribs King” and a favorite among locals.  Load up on their amazing BBQ flavored Saratoga chips,
  • Glier’s Goetta:  While it looks like a slab of corn beef hash, this breakfast staple is made of sausage and oats, cooked until crispy.  Most breakfast restaurants carry it as a side, especially the local cafes and diners.
  • BonBonerie:  One of the most decadent pastry shops in Cincinnati, their rich confections are absolutely amazing.

Where to Drink:

AC Hotel Rooftop Bar
135 Joe Nuxhall Way
Cincinnati, OH  45202
Telephone:  513 744 9900

What to Read:

  • Eligible:  A Modern Retelling of Pride & Prejudice, by Curtis Sittenfeld
  • Running, by J.T. Cooper
  • Dead Witch Walking, by Kim Harrison
  • Beloved, by Toni Morrison
  • Double Dutch, by Sharon M. Draper
  • Romiette and Julio, by Sharon M. Draper

Photo Guide to Cincinnati:

  • City Hall – Inside and Out
  • Smale Riverfront Park
  • Union Terminal
  • Roebling Suspension Bridge
  • Washington Park
  • Krohn Conservatory
  • American Sign Museum

Featured Ohio Winery: Mon Ami Winery, now Gideon Owen Wine Company

Update:  Mon Ami Winery is now Gideon Owen Wine Company

Sumptuous smells of garlic and cheese reached the table within seconds before my pizza arrived.  I ordered the Margherita Pizza, a glass of Concord and the menu’s recommended wine pairing, Pinot Noir. I had just spent the Labor Day weekend exploring nearby Lake Erie’s Put-in-Bay and planned to stop for lunch at one of Ohio’s oldest and largest wineries, Mon Ami Restaurant and Historic Winery.

I arrived early passing through the Mon Ami arch to avoid the Saturday night crowd. Mon Ami’s weekend entertainment and decadent seafood buffet can leave visitors waiting hours for a table.

The dramatic façade of the winery, constructed of limestone and sand, was designed and built by George Loeb.  Construction of the initial structure began in the 1850s, but was halted during the Civil War, becoming a temporary, make-shift prison for the Confederates.  The building was finally completed in 1872.

The history of Mon Ami began in 1873 when a cooperation of grape growers and vintners established Catawba Island Wine Company.  While Prohibition saw the closing of many Ohio wineries, Mon Ami survived by producing and selling altar wine.  Generating 130,000 gallons of wine, the estate was purchased by Mon Ami Champagne Company in 1937, one of the few American wineries producing the finest champagne.

The fire of 1945 destroyed much of the upper rooms of the original winery and it was at this time, Mon Ami decided to open its restaurant, collaborating with the local Zapone family.  Mon Ami continues its tradition of offering up-scale cuisine in its Main Dining room with a selection to include Alaskan crab, Prime Rib and Executive Chef specials.  Sommology recommendations are listed on Mon Ami’s menu, making it easy to decide which wine to pair with one’s food order.

The Chalet offers a more casual seating environment with live Jazz on Sundays and additional entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights.

I passed on dessert so that I could sample some of Mon Ami’s wine in the wine tasting room.  Tasting Flights range from $5 – $7 or $1 per wine and an additional charge for dessert wines, liquors and champagne.  I was so excited to sample the limoncello in additional to some of my favorite wine varietals.

Mon Ami’s spectacular collection of wines include California premium wines of Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz and Zinfandel in addition to their Ohio line of estate wines such as Proprietor’s Reserve Chardonnay and Cabernet, Riesling, Gewurtztraminer and Pinot Noir.

Mon Ami Winery hosts, on average, seven weddings over a weekend not to mention additional banquets and special celebrations throughout the year.  From photographs in the arbor and rose garden or weddings in the wine cellar, the winery offers a wide range of on-site venues to celebrate that perfect occasion.

I inquired about the Loretta Pagnini Cooking School which features demonstrations and classes taught by Pagnini, a teaching chef who offers cooking tips, teaches a wide range of kitchen techniques.   I knew that this would be a wonderful experience for a weekend with the girls.

Have you visited Mon Ami Winery?  What was your favorite part of your visit?  Dinner?  Wine Tasting?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my fun afternoon at Mon Ami Restaurant and Historical Winery and wishing you Many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Mon Ami Restaurant & Historic Winery
9845 East Wine Cellar Road
Port Clinton, OH  43452
Telephone:  419 797 4445

The winery is open seven days a week, but the hours differ from the Winter to the Summer season, so check their website for hours of operation.  Reservations are only taken on select holidays (Easter, Mother’s and Father’s Day, Thanksgiving, New Year’s Eve), so it is first-come, first-served.   For Holiday Reservations call 419 797 4445.

Many stores throughout Ohio carry the popular Mon Ami wines, but purchases can also be made through Mon Ami’s online store.

Where to Stay:

South Beach Resort
8620 E. Bayshore Rd.
Marblehead, OH 43440
Hotel Reservations;  419 798 4900
Cottage Reservations:      419 798 5503

Where to Eat:

Mon Ami Restaurant & Historic Winery
9845 East Wine Cellar Road
Port Clinton, OH  43452
Telephone:  419 797 4445

During the weekends, Mon Ami hosts a seafood buffet on Saturday and Sunday brunch which are both very popular. Arrive early!

What to Eat:

  • Assiette de Fromage (Cheese Plate) from L’Albratos for a wide ranges of cheese
  • Barberton-style Fried Chicken, made from a Serbian recipe is an amazing dish from White House Chicken in nearby Barberton, Ohio
  • Beef Cheek Pierogie’s from Michael Symon’s Lola
  • Corned Beef Sandwiches from Slyman’s
  • Polish Boy at Seti’s is a kielbasa topped with meat, coleslaw and ketchup.
  • Pierogie’s from Sokolowski’s University Inn
  • Veal Parmesan at Trattoria on the Hill in Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood