Dinner at the Lemp Mansion

The Lemp Mansion is a landmark in St. Louis. It was built in the early 1860's by the Lemp family, who founded the Lemp brewery in 1840. Several members of the family died in the house (some by their own hands), and the mansion is reputed to be haunted. For the past 35 years it has been a restaurant and a bed and breakfast. Although I was born and raised here in the city, I'd never been to the Lemp Mansion, and I live less than 10 minutes away from it!

(c)2013 angiloo.blogspot.com

Recently some friends and I dined there, and it was quite an experience! The house is absolutely beautiful! When the owners renovated, they strove to keep as much of the original architecture and fixtures as possible. Walking inside was like being transported back in time.

We were greeted by tuxedo clad valets and a a host who showed us to a table in what was probably the greenhouse at one point. The room is round and there is a large planter in the center. The walls have lovely murals of green leaves, and the overall effect is like dining outside.



 

(c)2013 Jennifer Adele

 The mansion has several rooms on the main floor for dining, and the upper floors are set up for Bed & Breakfast guests. Although we couldn't tour the upper floors, we were able to walk through the dining areas and outside.

The ladie's room was really interesting. There was a large tub and shower right in the middle of the room! There was also a large marble fireplace and beautiful stained glass windows. It was obvious that this had been the original powder room when the house was still a residence. I couldn't resist getting a quick pic inside the tub!

(c)2013 Jennifer Adele

 All of the dining rooms were exquisite, with rich, ornately carved woods, patterned wallpaper, and many antiques. There were several displays of items from around the turn of the century that had belonged to the Lemp family, as well as a large gift shop and museum area with artifacts from the family and the Lemp Brewery.

One item that was particularly interesting was the marble sink that sat between the two restrooms in the hallway. It was obviously original, but I'm not quite sure what it's purpose was in the original layout of the home.

(c)2013 angiloo.blogspot.com

There were five of us for dinner: the lovely authoress Jennifer Adele and her husband Jeff, my pal B-Rad, and a new friend, Larry. We were seated quickly and then it was time to peruse the menu.

There were so many amazing entrees that it was hard to choose one! After much thought, I went with the Carpetbagger's Steak, which is a beef filet stuffed with a shrimp mixture, served with golden mashed potatoes and steamed veggies.

Even though the restaurant was packed, it didn't take long for our food to come, perhaps 20 minutes or so.

(c)2013 angiloo.blogspot.com

 This food was AMAZING! It was honestly some of the best food I've ever had in my life. The steak (which I ordered well done) was cooked perfectly. I can't even think of the last time I didn't have to send a steak back in a restaurant, but in this case, it was fantastic the first time out! The shrimp filling was light but full of rich flavors, it was a perfect accompaniment to the beef. The mashed potatoes were delicious; creamy and rich, and the steamed veggies were fresh and tasty.

Every bite was magnificent and I was sad when my plate was empty!

(c)2013 Jennifer Adele

Although I wasn't hungry, I really wanted to try the Chocolate Pecan Chesse Pie. It was delicious, but I couldn't fully enjoy it since I was stuffed with steak and shrimp! I wound up leaving half of it on the plate.

Jenn and Jeff ordered a coffee drink that was prepared tableside, and it was really interesting and fun to watch the waiter mix the cocktail and set it aflame!

Everyone devoured their meal, and I didn't hear a negative word from any of my dinner companions, nor did I see a lot of leftovers!

The meal was sublime and I plan on taking my husband there very soon.

(c)2013 angiloo.blogspot.com

We weren't able to take the haunted tour (that's a future trip, however!), but we walked through the dining rooms and the museum, then went outside to explore the grounds.

The area is lovely, and there are several outer houses that held stables and such, and there is a huge covered pavilion where weddings and other events take place.

I especially loved the small pond and fountain, complete with a mini waterfall into a smaller pond. It was lovely.

Although we didn't see any ghosts, my pal Jenn did pick up some orbs in her photos.

(c)2013 angiloo.blogspot.com

 It was a wonderful evening with amazing food, good company, and interesting sights.

I can't wait to get back to try more of their delicious food, and also take the haunted tour. My husband and I might even chance a night in one of the ghostly rooms!

Do you have interesting landmarks in your town? Any haunted areas open to the public?

WIAW #25: Staycation Edition

random internet pic!

The Hubby and I are catsitting this week, so we're splitting our time between home and my best friend's house. We made sure to have plenty of groceries at both our house and my best friend's house this week, since we're spending time at both. Lots of fresh veggies and fruits have been going into the blender for easy smoothies in the mornings, and plenty of fresh salads at night.

Most meals have been quick and easy. We did hit Taco Bell one night for some Doritos tacos with beans instead of meat (so good!)

I made up a tray of baked potatoes and once cooled, tossed them into the fridge to make easy meals. Dicing one up and popping it into the microwave along with a salad is a fast and filling meal.

Quick microwave rice noodle bowls have been a lifesaver this week while I've been running back and forth!

I added some fresh mushrooms and spinach to some of the noodle bowls for an even more filling lunch.

Gluten free brown rice pasta, a simple marinara sauce, and some vegan parmesan made a delicious and filling dinner.  




What did you have for dinner this week?

Catsitting Staycation!

I'm still here! I had a recurrence of the COLD from HELL last week, and I'm also catsitting for my bestie who is off in England eating scousers and riding the tube and hanging out with lovely British men. ::sigh::

Anyway, hubby and I have been spending a lot of time over at her house, taking care of her 16 year old deaf kitty. He doesn't do well when he's totally left alone, he needs lots of attention. So, Ang to the rescue!
 

We stocked up on plenty of groceries for the week. Gluten Free Rice Krispies have become a favorite of mine, especially when paired with vanilla almond milk!

We found "Cowboy Chili" mix, with quinoa and cinnamon. It was a quick and easy meal, I added a can of diced tomatoes and garbanzo beans. The mix is gluten free, and a little spicy, but adding an extra can of water helped tone it down.

We made sure to have plenty of fresh fruit and veggies in the fridge to nosh, as well as some juice (the Guinness is my bestie's). It's so easy to make a quick salad or veggie sammie when everything is right at your fingertips!

Although we're not really on a true vacation (hubby still has to work and go to school), it's been vacation-like, getting away from home and having some quiet time away from the girls and the baby. We've been catching up on movies, playing rock band on the Wii, and just generally relaxing and enjoying some "grown-up" time together.

It's amazing how a simple change of location can make such a huge difference. Even though we're still going home almost every day for something, just having some time alone and away from home has been rejuvenating!



Of course, we've also been hanging out with a very spoiled rotten kitty!

Methos is 16 years old, deaf, and has a thyroid issue. Last week me, my pal's mom, and her aunt were taking turns feeding him (he eats canned food twice a day), but he was very lonely and lost some weight. So, it was decided that I'd spend several nights over at the house to baby him.

He's a sweetheart and easy to take care of, he just needs some extra lovin' while his mom is away.

Have you ever had a "staycation"?

WIAW #24: Sick in Bed Edition

WIAW is hosted, as always, by Jenn over at Peas and Crayons.


I've been sick with a fairly nasty cold for almost a week now. For three days, I barely ate anything, but I was drinking plenty of water and juice.

(c)2013 angiloo.blogspot.com

(c)2013 angiloo.blogspot.com

Over the past couple of days I've felt better, and have been eating more fresh and unprocessed foods. My husband and I have been doing a lot of research on processed foods, meats, chemicals and preservatives in foods, and other things that are just not good to put in your body. We're working hard to get ourselves to at least 75% raw, unprocessed, fresh fruits and veggies, and only 25% (or less) of other foods. Basically, the less processed, the better!

Some of the various juices I've been keeping on hand include apple, orange, pineapple, papaya, green goodness, and V8 smoothie blends. I've been either diluting them with water, blending them with frozen fruit, or just drinking them straight when I hadn't eaten much.
Some of the things I have been eating, when I've had an appetite, have been gluten free couscous with veggies, plenty of fresh veggies with hummus and a bit of cheese, and raw veggie sammies on gluten free bread.

This past Sunday was our sixth wedding anniversary. I was too sick to get out and do anything, so my husband brought a surprise lunch home. He decided to check out PuraVegan, a vegan and mostly raw cafe. He brought home sweet potato "pasta" and kale wraps. Both were delicious and SO fresh and nutritious. We hadn't had PuraVegan before, but we will be going back soon! They also have yoga, nutrition classes, a juice/smoothie bar, and prepackaged meal plans. 

I'm still not feeling great, but I do feel better, and I'm going to continue drinking plenty of fluids and eating lots of fresh foods. Hopefully in a few more days, I'll be able to get back out and start walking again.

What do you like to eat or drink when you're not feeling well?

Boston.

Friend Makin Mondays... the Return!

After being sick with a nasty cold the past few days, I'm finally feeling more like something resembling human. I still have a cough and a runny nose, and am still fairly exhausted, but at least I don't feel like the Reaper is hovering at my doorstep.

A while back, I had started participating in Kenlie's Friend Makin Mondays. I'm not sure why I fell out of the habit, but I felt it was a good time to restart, since I enjoy the questions so much.

1. Share something that you enjoy doing when you’re alone.  cleaning house. I actually get way more done when I'm alone in the house.

2. What do you plan to eat next? brown rice with steamed veggies.

3. When did you first travel on a plane? Not until I was 27. Where did you go? Los Angeles

4. Do you currently have a crush on someone?  Always. Mostly fictional characters. If so, share a few of the reasons why.  Hello. Benedict Cumberbatch, Misha Collins, and David Tennant!

5. List one thing that disgusts you that probably wouldn’t bother someone else. Factory farming/slaughterhouses.

6. If you could buy a new car tomorrow (and money was no object) what would you buy? A Kia Soul.

7. Who was the first person who broke your heart? My dad. 

8. If you could spend the night with a celebrity tonight, who would it be? Benedict Cumberbatch.

9. Are you a morning person or a night person? Night person, all the way! I hate mornings.

10. What’s your favorite board game? Hmmm... I don't really have the patience for games. Probably checkers.

11. Can you play an instrument? Not really. If so, what do you play? I can do some basic drumming and percussion. Played tuba in high school, but was only mediocre. 

12. What is the last thing you ate?  Scrambled eggs.

13. Do you wear a watch? Only when I'm walking (my Garmin 50). 

14. Do you go to church? No. 

15. Do you ever wish on stars? Yes, but it's been a long time.

16.  Have you ever been on a motorcycle? Yes, but not since I was a kid.

17. What is the last thing you purchased? groceries, just about 30 minutes ago.

18. How big is your bed? King size platform bed, baby!

19. What size shoe do you wear? 11 wide, or 12 in some minimalist shoes.

20. What are you looking forward to most in the coming week? Meeting up with my pals at the haunted Lemp mansion for a dinner date on Friday night! 

Feel free to stop by Kenlie's page and participate in FMM!  

I Haz A Sick...

I managed to come down with a really nasty cold, and have been in bed the past couple of days with a fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, and all over body ache. I'm still not feeling great, so I'm headed back to bed with plenty of orange juice and a Doctor Who marathon on Netflix.

Once I'm feeling better I'll have plenty of posts coming next week!!