I'm cheating a little bit and putting one of the beautiful sunset photos first!
After surviving the trek back down the mountain from Charleville, we definitely needed the simple relaxation of Chaumette! As we were getting ready to leave from Charleville, we noticed a car just getting ready to pull out. We all ran across the parking lot and jumped into our car. Turns out, you're much less worried about a head on collision when you follow a safe distance behind another vehicle!
Since Tony had left the little airplane as part of the tip the weekend before, everyone there recognized us when we walked in with Jean. We were quickly seated out on the porch, and were even able to get the same waitress. When it came time to leave, Tony made her a ring with the tip money. She was wearing it when we left!
Since I've already talked so much about Chaumette, I thought that I'd tell you a little about the Missouri wine industry as a whole. Over 160 years ago, Missouri became the nation's first wine country. Prohibition nearly killed the wineries here, but they have been rebuilding since the 1960's. Currently, more than 1,500 acres of grapes are planted hear in Missouri which produce nearly one million gallons of wine annually. The industry employs more than 6,000 people each year, and brings in approximately 812,000 tourists each year. Last year, it is estimated that Missouri wine country alone brought in $202.8 million dollars in tourism. People like their wine!
Since we were once again visiting on a Sunday, it was a set menu for their Sunday Family Dinners. We enjoyed the following menu:
Charred Tomato Cream (soup)
Farmer's Salad greens with simple vinaigrette, and Radish
Grapevine Smoked and Grilled Chicken Breast
Potato Suffle
Carrots and Chaumette Garden Herbs
Spring Snow Peas with Pink Peppercorn butter
I know that I raved about it in the previous post, but their chef is just incredible. The food is soooooo good!!!
We arrived about an hour later than the previous Sunday, so we were able to see a sunset out at Chaumette.
Pepper just laid by our table for a bit, but Norton was very demanding! He kept forcing my arm away until he could lay his head in my lap. It was adorable, but a little difficult to eat without him getting my food!
As you can see, the sunset was incredibly beautiful. After dessert, we headed back to real life in the city.
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