Having only 16 days between our birthdays, a friend and I decided to celebrate together, and we went on a trip to Hermann, MO.
It was Wurstfest weekend and there were wieners to eat (bratwurst), wieners to ride (Wiener Mobile), and wieners to pet (dachshunds).
We stayed at Hill Farm Airbnb. Our hostess had the best recommendations (some of which are below) and we had the coziest stay (wine, games, reading, and movies).
Adam Puchta Winery
This was our first (and favorite) wine stop. Adam Puchta Winery is the oldest continuously owned family farm winery in America. Here, we enjoyed a wine tasting, live music, and yummy food.
Bavarian pretzels: served with house made Chardonel wine cheese sauce.
Stone Hill Winery
This was the second (and final) wine stop for this trip. Stone Hill Winery is the second-largest winery in America. Here, we enjoyed another wine tasting and more yummy food.
Vintage 1847 Restaurant at Stone Hill
Schweineschnitzel: made-from-scratch, thinly sliced pounded hand-breaded pork loin cutlet pan fried with dill sauce and Jager (Hermannsberger wine and mushrooms) sauce. Served with German potato salad and braised red cabbage.
Doxie Slush
We randomly chose this as our first stop when we got to town, and both ordered the Strawberry Amaretto Shortcake (Pinnacle Cake Vodka, Amaretto, strawberry jam, Tahitian vanilla, lemon) slush. Only after we started sipping our slushes and fighting off the worst brain freezes ever; did we realize we could have ordered a flight. So, we went back a second time another day and ordered a flight. The Strawberry Amaretto Shortcake from the first day was far superior to the flavors we sampled in the flight.
Macadamia Nut Chi-Chi: Vodka, Trader Vics, Macadamia Nut, Pineapple, Brown Sugar, Coconut Cream
Banana Carajillo: Kraken Black Rum, Lizor 43, Espresso, Banana Coconut Cream
Raspberry Rhubarb Collins: Vodka, Fieri, Raspberry puree, cranberry-rhubarb bitters
Shrimp frites: colossal panko-crusted shrimp, Cajun frites, and fry sauce
Evergreen
This "cozy little parlor" came recommended as having "the best cocktails hands down". The cocktails (Dream Girl & Uncle Buck) were indeed damn delicious, and the vibes were (insert whatever current slang you prefer for awesome).
Tin Mill
We barely made it in time for dinner here as the hostess wrote down the wrong phone number when we made our reservation, so we didn't get the notification when our table was ready. Luckily, we made it back and were able to feast on some authentic German cuisine.
Seafood Spätzle & Cheese: cheesy German noodle casserole with crunchy breadcrumbs and seasonal vegetables
Tin Mill Salad: spinach, dried cranberries, blue cheese crumbles, pumpkin seeds, red onion, raspberry vinaigrette
Soup of the day: broccoli cheddar
Reibekuchen: fried potato pancakes with bacon, applesauce, and plum compote
Ainsley's Place
We were told that if we like Caesar salads then eating at Ainsley's Place was a must. So, eat at Ainsley's Place we did. And the Caesar salad was so creamy and tasty that I ordered some dressing to bring home so I could enjoy it a second time. All the foods here were easy on the taste buds and worth the long wait.
Day's Special: Lemon French Toast with blueberry and Lavendar compote
Farmers Hash: roasted red onion and sweet potatoes, Brussel sprouts, bell peppers and spinach topped with house made hot honey drizzle
Caesar Salad: fresh chopped romaine with croutons, Parmesan cheese and house Caeser dressing
This was the first time either of us had visited Hermann and it's safe to say it won't be the last. I love birthdays, I love celebrating, I love traveling, I love a good meal, and I love my friends, so this was an extra special way to spend my birthday this year.
Cheers (with Adam Puchta wine in my glass) and may the celebrations continue until the next trip to Hermann.
