Rural Missouri - August 2011 - (Page 19)

O U T O F T H E W A Y E A T S ly three options per day — creamy, delicious potato and cheese soup, chili or a soup of the day, which might include something unique and delicious, such he restaurant door opens, and as sauerkraut or stir-fry soup. Salad fans the guests and wait staff immemight add a marinated grilled chicken diately begin hugging. salad or chef’s salad with a unique, “Look at you!” exclaims the homemade poppy seed dressing to compatron as Donald, one of the waiters at plete a lighter meal. the Village of the Blue Rose restaurant, There also are several tasty sandwich proudly displays the Special Olympics choices you might want to add. A BLT, Missouri medal hanging from his neck. ham and turkey club or meatloaf sand“We won first place in golf today,” wich pairs well with soup, chips or fries. says Donald. Then, with an endearing If you prefer heartier options, grin, he says, “Sit anywhere try the grilled turkey and bacon you want, and I’ll be right croissant, breaded pork tenderthere to take your order.” loin or buffalo chicken wrap. On Highway 79, about 5 Not in a sandwich mood? miles north of Clarksville, is a There’s always spaghetti with little turnoff among the trees meat sauce on the menu or a that you might miss if you’re good ol’ grilled burger and fries. not paying attention. A small, For dinner, served Friday blinking sign lets you know and Saturday nights from 5 to 8 you’ve arrived at the Village p.m., the menu steps up a bit. A of the Blue Rose. The 60-acre Friday-night-only option allows community, which sits high you to choose your own pasta/ atop the bluffs overlooking the sauce and topping, while SatMississippi River, is home to an urday night brings prime rib to antique barn, flea market, bedthe table in small or large cuts. and-breakfast and a welcoming Or, if you feel like just snacklittle restaurant with a wondering, try one of the appetizers ful view. for dinner. The creamy spinach The 40-seat eatery has and artichoke dip comes with locals, as well as those traveling tortilla chips and is enough to across the United States, stopshare with four people. Potato ping in for a respite or a tasty skins or chips and salsa are meal. Since opening in 2000, other options to enjoy as you the not-for-profit Village of the sip a glass of wine and enjoy Blue Rose currently is home the view. to seven developmentally Dinner entrées always disabled young adults who include an early-bird special live and work in a Christian that is offered from 5 to 6:30 environment. The restaurant p.m. and might include grilled allows those residents to work salmon or chicken parmesan. in a caring, protected setting, Sous chef Mari Kate Benhardt, left, and chef Doug Nickell, say their prime rib selection is popular Bowling Green residents according to executive-director with dinner patrons, while the potato and cheese soup and chicken salad croissant is a hit any time. Don and Kim Hays have been Donna Ringling. coming to the village for the past five “Our waiters are the most caring, lovyears and say they’ve enjoyed every ing people you’ll ever want to meet. It Village of the Blue Rose meal. “The food’s good, but you come isn’t like a restaurant — it’s like a famhere for the great service more than ily,” she says. “Once people come here, • Specialties: Prime rib, herbfor the food,” says Kim, a member of they seem to keep coming back.” Clarksville roasted pork loin, stuffed meatloaf, Cuivre River Electric Cooperative. “The Donna wait staff is tops, and we love visiting says chef chicken salad croissant, chicken marwith them.” Doug sala and a selection of desserts made The dream child of Rose GronemeyNickell fresh daily. er, a retired special education teacher makes a Hear about the from Sacred Heart Learning Center in delicious Village of the Blue Rose Price: Appetizers starting at $3.50; St. Louis, the village runs without govshrimp in the online edition at soups, salads and sandwiches from $2.50 to $6.50; dinner ernment funding. A thrift store run by marsala www.ruralmissouri.coop. entrées from $6.95 to $14.95. Small selection of beer and 30 volunteers in Florissant supplements she enjoys. wine available. Kids menu available. Cash, checks and credit income generated by the B&B, antique Other patron favorites are the stuffed cards accepted. barn and flea market in Clarksville. meatloaf and herb-roasted pork “I think customers come to see our loin.“Sometimes, he comes up with Details: Open Wednesday through Sunday for lunch, people more than anything,” says Rose. some unique things, like sauerkraut “And they fall in love with them just soup,” says Donna. “It sounds odd, I 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday for dinner, like we did. know, but people say it’s wonderful.” 5 to 8 p.m. No smoking. Seats 40 with some seasonal “We call this the Village of the Blue Chef Nickell, who’s been with the outdoor seating available. Reservations recommended for Rose because our special adults, like village for 6 years, says one of the groups of 15 or more. blue roses, are rare and you have to favorites on the lunch menu is the carefully tend them. So these (residents) chicken salad croissant. The recipe has Directions: Located 5 miles north of Clarksville or 5 miles are our blue roses who need a little been a favorite since the restaurant south of Louisiana at 12533 Highway 79. extra encouragement to grow.” opened, and although the recipe isn’t She smiles proudly. a secret, he isn’t ready to give up the Contact: 573-242-3464 or www.villagebluerose.org “Of course the food and the view ingredients. here is a plus.” If you’re a soup fan, there are usual- T by Heather Berry hberry@ruralmissouri.coop Village of the Blue Rose Peaceful dining high above the Mississippi AUGUST 2011 19 http://www.ruralmissouri.coop http://www.villagebluerose.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Rural Missouri - August 2011

Rural Missouri - August 2011
Comments
Columns
Stop and smell the barbecue
2011 Missouri Youth Tour
The fight on Bloody Hill
Missouri snapshots
Out of the Way Eats
Eight seconds to win
Hearth and Home
News Briefs
Touring history
Marketplace
Around Missouri
Neighbors
Just4Kids

Rural Missouri - August 2011