Christmas Weekend! — Patti Part Two

What a great holiday weekend with Tom! Restaurants, movies and a distillery tour - all in 3 days. Here are the fun highlights!

I have heard good things about the Tom's Town Distillery and tour so I made a reservation for us for late Friday afternoon. Tom's Town is located on Main St. at 17th. It's best to make a reservation for the tour as it's not a huge place so the number of people they can accomodate is limited. It's been open just over a year and is the first legal distillery to open in Kansas CIty since prohibition. It's named after Tom Pendergast - a notorious figure here in KC who ran the city back in the 30's. According to what we learned on the tour - Kansas City pretty much ignored prohibition. Spirits, money and jazz flowed like water. It's why Kansas City is known as the "Paris of the Plains." When Tom Pendergast was asked why prohibition was ignored his response was "the people are thirsty."

I am pretty clueless about how liquor is made so I thought it was really interesting. Tom enjoyed it as well. The tour guide Matt was very knowledgeable, friendly and humorous. They make boubon, vodka and gin, and the vodka and gin have already won awards. The building is over 100 years old and has exposed brick walls and the original tin ceiling. There is a beautiful bar on the first floor that is open to the public, and they make interesting and fun cocktails which Tom and I tried while we were waiting for the tour to begin.

Dante's Inferno with bourbon for Tom and Stark's Cider Slice with award winning vodka for me!

The tour finishes in the tasting room where they show a movie that talks about the history of Kansas City including prohibition and you get a generous tasting of the products. I'm much more of a wine fan but I did think they tasted better then usual. Tom really liked the bourbon so bought a bottle to take back to NYC!

The still on the top left has 3 different towers because bourbon, vodka and gin are all distilled using a different method.

The bar has a nice warm friendly vibe so a great place to stop at if you're in the area and sample some local spirits.

We saw two movies over the long weekend - "Jackie" and "Lion." We really liked both of them but very intense emotional stories. And both true stories. The acting was exceptional - Natalie Portman IS Jackie Kennedy. I had to keep reminding myself it wasn't a documentary. And Lion is a great story and Dev Patel is wonderful in it. You might remember him from "Slumdog Millionaire." There are still quite a few more movies on my list. Side note - I saw "Manchester By the Sea" a week ago and thought it was also exceptional - but again - sad.

Now on to places and things we ate - always one of my favorite things to do. First up - Char Bar for lunch. I have heard good things about it - it's been open a few years in Westport in the old Beaumont Club location. Mainly an upscale barbecue place with a pretty cool bar and outside patio and yard for lawn games in the nice weather.

Tom had the Holy Trinity - ribs, brisket and burnt ends with a fabulous corn casserole. Also spicy corn muffins. And a Christmas tree hanging upside down from the ceiling - festive!

I stopped at Sasha's Bakery downtown at 9th just a little west of Main to pick up a few delicious pastries - it never disappoints! Such a cute place to stop for breakfast or lunch. Everything is made from scratch and the smell alone makes me swoon!

Mini monkey bread, ham and cheese croissant, blueberry scone and cranberry orange scone.

We had dinner one night at The Bristol downtown - not a new place but one of my favorites for always delicious seafood.

Ahi Tuna with lobster mac and cheese and asparagus for Tom, Arctic Char with brussel sprouts and roasted potatoes for me! And don't get me started on the biscuits!

We also ate dinner at The Oliver on the plaza but I've already written about it so don't want to be redundant. But a great atmosphere and really good and eclectic food. I've always had a great experience with the staff - very friendly and competent.

Always great to spend time with my favorite guy!

Looks what's on my wall now!! A good friend had this made for me and I love it!

Next up - my New Year's post where I reveal my travel plans for 2017 - and my theme for the year! I hope your Christmas was full of peace and joy!