This year we’ve delved into some special dining experiences, each of which has left a special mark on my memory. There was a chef’s dinner associated with the local restaurant Edera recently, great meals at Mainlander and Vicia, and now an excursion an hour south of St. Louis for a delightful evening at Such & Such Farm.
The farm, which I know–along with one of their partners, Farm Spirit–from a local farmer’s market, is a lovely swathe of countryside. Rolling hills, a small pond, a farm dog, free-range goats and chickens, some very large pigs, and a peacock family occupy the farm.
The meal was in a beautifully decorated, open-air, barn-like building with seating capacity for around 100 people (it was sold out). We had a tasty bite and some fancy cocktails from the cash bar upon arrival, then wandered around the farm for about an hour.
Despite the rustic environment, the meal was elevated and consistently delicious, dish after dish. Everything we ate was grown or raised on the farm itself, which meant lots of fresh vegetables accompanied by extravagant dairy-based sauces and cheese. I can’t pick a single highlight, as I would gladly eat every dish again, including the Vichyssoise pictured here.
I love the idea of knowing exactly where food comes from and seeing how they treat their land and the animals who occupy it. There’s also a special sense of community created by sharing a meal that will never happen again (they’ll host more evenings like this, but they’re each different).
I’ve heard that other farms do this too, so I’m curious if you’ve heard of these types of meals or have attended one yourself.
Earlier this year, my wife and I along with my daughter, another gaming friend, and my daughter’s friend/roommate traveled to Puerto Rico. It was a magical place that is so close to the mainland. All the beauty and charm of visiting an island, without the need for a passport. While there, we had visited the cave complex and on the way home we stopped at a beautiful restaurant that served as the gateway to the farm. Behind the restaurant, sprawling hillsides one could see chicken coops and cows. The food was delicious and it certainly didn’t hurt that most of the seating was on a windowless veranda overlooking the farm.
That sounds amazing!
Wow, what a great experience, not heard of something like this before and I love it. Brilliant idea
Sounds like a theme for a board game!
Work the farm and put on banquets!
Honestly, it would be a really neat addition to a farming game (a new source of income for farms), kind of like how Viticulture has a tasting room where you can focus on hospitality.