WE. ARE. HOME!!! And I’m never leaving!! [Knock on wood]. At least for a long, long time!
Today’s road trip to Charlottesville included a pit stop in Warrenton, Virginia to visit Pablo, Linda and the latest Great Harvest!
Warrenton is SO charming
And I love how they designed their store!
[Taking notes!]
It’s been a while since I had fresh Great Harvest bread hot out of the oven
SO GOOD with honey butter!!!
You MUST travel to Warrenton to try this guy out – a fluffy roll, stuffed with apples, cinnamon sugar and white cheddar cheese!!
After a taste tour, we headed down the street to….the Black Bear Bistro!
Bears EVERYWHERE!
And REALLY good fresh food!! Again, you MUST travel to Warrenton!
Matt got a club sandwich on …Great Harvest bread!
Larbs and I went halvsies on sandwiches…splitting the blackened salmon pita and a hummus wrap
I had half the pita (which was amazing!!) and 1 of the wrap halves – plus all of my veggies!
How MUCH is that doggie in the window?
w00f.
An annoying hour of stop and go driving in Matt’s manual (I hate manuals!! Why would you drive a manual if you can think less and let an automatic drive for you!?) we were back HOMMMMEEE!!
Which meant taking Larbs straight to the best place in town: Beer Run.
We made conversation with the owners of Bluegrass Brewing Company – very fun!
I had a taste of the South Street Brewery Nut Brown Ale (which was delicious but not as good as Bluegrass Brewing’s Bourbon Barrel Stout!)
Back downtown, Karen and Andrew arrived! My week is still going and going and going – we now have company!
Andrew and Larbs make nice siblings 🙂
We walked straight to dinner, as it was 8PM and we were hangry!
Straight back to Mono Loco! We ate here just a few weeks ago and realized it’s a wonderful relatively inexpensive place to take out-of-towners for a casual dinner.
The gentlemen got fancy margaritas – Matt the Spice-a-Rita made with jalopeno again. Seriously, the BEST margarita I’ve ever had!! You MUST drive to Cville immediately to try it.
As an appetizer, we shared a platter of yuca fries smothered in some kind of mushroom sauce and cheese. OM Heavens
I had the Gibson Burrito in a bowl for dinner – Crispy Cod, Truffled Mushrooms and Oven Roasted Tomatoes with a Cilantro Crema. I made a serious dent in this pile of goodness. Going back for another tomorrow.
Matt had the Po Boy burrito with soft shell crab – holy crab cake.
Hoping the skies look like this again when I wake up tomorrow. The weekend is to include a music + beer festival, more fun eats, and some gooey brownie!
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
What a charming little town! I can’t wait to see what you and Matt do with your GH store 🙂
Nite 🙂
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
that burrito bowl sounds amazing…i’ve recently developed a new love of cod 🙂 i love the decor of that other GH!!!
Victoria says
I think your store is going to be adorable (and super organized!). Enjoy what sounds like will a relaxing weekend!
Leianna says
I haven’t had Mexican for for a while and your pictures make me want it so much more!
And I wish we had a Great Harvest even close hear, but nothing for hundreds of miles:(
Jil @ Peace, Love & Munchies says
Look at you blondies! 🙂 Looks like such a great night! And that Great Harvest is gorgeous!!
Megan (Braise The Roof) says
That po’ boy looks soo good! And the yuca fries- stop your face. Sounds like an awesome place to take visitors!
Welcome back home. 🙂
Heather says
what a cute little town! I love it! is that a real dog in the window?
Brooke - One Healthy Cookie says
Those yucca fries look to die for! And I loooove a good margarita. I was so spoiled living in Texas, but it’s hard to find a good margarita in New Orleans (shocking, I know!).
Jin says
Whoa-a lot of exclamation marks today LOL I felt overwhelmed!! Haha
The food looks so good-especially the GH breads ! I wish Canada had them…
Nicci@NiftyEats says
A roll stuffed with apples, cinnamon and cheese…my mouth is watering!
Jo says
No question, driving automatic in the city makes more sense re: the stop-and-go factor. But on the highway, standard transmission is, IMHO, just as efficient. Plus, it can be a lot of FUN to drive standard! It’s kind of a thrill, shifting/clutching and feeling the car surge forward. But not to everyone’s taste, I guess!
Stephanie says
That does look like an awesome town! I love driving manuals! I will never go back to an automatic again. You have way more control over your car in my opinion. But, yes driving in traffic in one is absolutely terrible, ha!
Kelly says
I totally agree!! Driving a manual you have a LOT more control over your car and is so much more fun on the open road
Hannah says
Apple and cheddar in a delicious roll? How come you Americans are so good at creating crazy-yet-delicious foods? All of the eats in this post are making my tummy grumble, actually. Just as well I have a carrot muffin in my bag 🙂
Nancy @ The Wife of a Dairyman says
Okay, that roll with the apple, cinnamon, sugar and white chedder looks delicious! Oh my, I know I would just LOVE it. What a great bakery…..hope you get to open yours soon:)
Dorry says
I bet it was so nice to have some Great Harvest Bread! I still wish they had one in Dallas…but next time I’m in Austin, it’s a must!
Katie @ peacebeme says
Sometimes your blog makes me so sad, I miss my fiance. 🙁
But that is a compliment to you that you and Matt are cute!
Lisa @bakebikeblog says
Wow – what a day of awesome eats!!!
Michelle @ Turning Over a New Leaf says
I need to find a Great Harvest! Fast!
Annie@stronghealthyfit says
Looks like a lot of fun- how cute is that bear-themed restaurant??!
In my opinion, manuals just feel better 🙂 Makes me feel like a race car driver!
Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun) says
That bear restaurant is too cute, and perfectly appropriate for you to dine at considering the amount of bear mentions on your blog.
I have no words for that Po Boy burrito other than…I.WANT.IT.NOW.
PS: That turquoise necklace looks lovely on you. Brings out your eyes!
laura says
are you drunk?
missy says
that’s not very nice…
laura says
haha
Katie says
Kath, your excitement level is through the roof in this post! Love it! 😉
Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter says
I must get great harvest bread tomorrow! I have been meaning to get some, but now I can’t stand it any longer. I need some of that dakota bread.
Mary Frances says
Great way for you to get ideas for when you open your Great Harvest–yum.
Cute doggies.
Just caught back up with Larb’s Blog–thought it was just still going through maintenance–Another comment on there couldn’t find it– takingbackmytwenties.wordpress.com I’ll bet your sister would appreciate your giving another shout out on your post with the correct link. She has a real nice blog.
Nicole - yuppie yogini says
Your sister is such a doll! All those GH pics are making my mouth water. I’m gonna have to make a trip tomorrow!
Hope says
I’m actually a fan of manuals as I believe THINKING while you’re driving is a good plan.
Camille says
That apple roll looks incredible!
I am so excited for you and Matt to open your store!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
that town is adorable! such wonderful eats too.
Jac says
Soft shell crab in a WRAP? Gosh, i’ve never heard of that but would sure want to try it! Normally, they’re in sushis or just deepfried on its own!
Freya @ Brit Chick Runs says
What a relief to be home!
haha you’d hate England – no-one drives automatics here!
Marina says
That soft doughy roll stuffed with apples sounds amazing!
And the salmon wrap…need to get me something like that, I’m craving wraps :))
Neen @ Broad Bean to Runner Bean says
all your eats for the day look deelish! its always good to get home! especially when you’ve had a whirlwind like you have! x
Stacey @ the Habit of Healthy says
Looks like a good day and such a charming town. You and Larbs are so pretty – must have good genes!
Wei-Wei says
That GH bread looks absolutely amaaaazing. I wish I could try it! I hope I will if I ever make it to the US 😉
KatieF says
My best friend from college lives in Warrenton!!! 🙂 I’ve been there several times. I will make her take me to Great Harvest the next time I’m down there. 😉
Lauren at KeepItSweet says
I hear you on no more travel! I love summer but find that I look forward to fall when things slow down a bit and I can get into routine.
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
Such a cute town. I would love to live somewhere like that.
Lauren says
Glad to see you guys made it home safely! Warrenton sounds like a wonderful town. I love finding these quaint little hideaways! 🙂 Have a wonderful and RELAXing weekend.
coco says
I’ve never been in a great harvest store… but this one looks amazing… love its decor!!!
the black bear bistro is really cute… I went to a similar one is shanghai and I didn’t want to leave 🙂
Stacey@http://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/ says
Welcome home, hope you stocked up at the Great Harvest. I love how the store was decorated also, lot’s of personality and character.
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) says
Oh my gosh. That is the cutest little town ever. You make me want to travel. 😀
Totally loving that little bakery too. So quaint and “homey” feeling. Love it. 😀
Chelsey says
What a fun day! I hate manual cars too – I vow never to drive one ever again as the husband (when we were dating a couple of years ago) decided to teach me how… then told me I knew enough so he wouldn’t coach me. Then I killed it like 5 times right in front of a cop. Needless to say, there was crying on my part and a little giggling on his.
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
What a great day! Glad you found a little inspiration for your store! That always gets us going and makes us more excited! Enjoy your company and your weekend!
Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine says
What a fun day! Such incredible meals, too. You’ve definitely been go, go, go lately, so enjoy your weekend and that brownie!!
Suzanne says
That doggie in the window is my dog! Well, a distant relative. My dog, Chubby, looks just like that! 🙂
What a fun, healthy food-filled day!
Ashley@thehungryscholar says
I love when I walk into GH and they put bread in my mouth. Always my favorite part. I always end up buying what I sample.
Looks like a great night!
Lindsay in Indy says
Yum! Brownies! (of course the thing that would stike me would be the least healthy thing! lol)
Donna says
I’ll look for you guys at the festival! I’m assuming it’s the BRTMF you’re going to? We’re Cvillian’s…
Kath says
Cool!!
Sarah @ SeaEatsArt says
Traveling is wonderful, but there is something to be said about coming home, it’s a great feeling! Enjoy the time with your sister, I miss mine (she lives out of town). Busy weekend ahead! Sounds great though 🙂
Are you allowed, as a GH owner to make up new recipes and submit to the franchise? The apple and cheddar roll sounds devine, but I bet you could really come up with some great ideas.
Kath says
You can do pretty much anything you want as a GH owner 🙂 I’m sure we’ll invent lots of cool recipes.
Mimi says
I just checked out your sister’s blog for the first time! So cool.
Looks like you guys have fun together… Just like my sister and me!
Holly @ couchpotatoathlete says
Glad you made it home!
What an adorable little town. I loved the stuffed animal balls — those are beyond cute.
You and Larbs are so pretty!
Stacey says
Ok, I’m so jealous of your day (minus the manuel driving part!) Yay for a beer run and great harvest bread 😀
Rachel (Two Healthy Plates) says
That’s so cool that you met the owner of Bluegrass Brewing Company, or the BBC, as we say – that’s in Louisville, where I”m from! We love it and go there for happy hour a couple of times a month! so good!
Andrea says
OH my, Matt’s crab wrap looks awesome and I’m a Marylander and very particular about my crabs. I’m drooling!
Jessica@tastyandtrim says
That apple cinnamon cheddar roll looks amazing!! I don’t think there is a Great Harvest in Chicago 🙁 If there was one near by I would go just for that roll!
faith @ gracefulfitness says
Yea for Beer Run! My husband is opening up a clinic across the street and everyone will know where it is because of it’s proximity to Beer Run :).
Have a fantastic weekend, beer and music sounds awesome (and a bit more up my alley than what I have planned, the West Virginia State Fair).
Nicole, RD says
Soft shell crab burrito…YUM!
Molly says
If you like Mono Loco, try Continental Divide on Main Street. I went to law school in Cville and found they had the BEST margs in town. A couple of other good places off the beaten path are Mas, Revolutionary Soup and the tiny dumpling stand inside York Place!
BethE says
How cool! I was born in Warrenton and haven’t ever had the chance to visit. So glad I got to see it in your pictures. :o)
lisasfoods says
That apple and cheese pastry sounds like something straight out of Vermont. A lot of people there (and in Massachusetts too, where I am) love to add a slice of cheddar cheese on their apple pie, instead of ice cream. Such a good combination.
Jessica @ JJsVinBlanc says
I love manual stick shift cars, they are so fun to drive and you feel more in control!! I miss mine bad enough that I am probably going to get one on my next car (which is a big commitment as we keep our cars at least 10 years).
Go Kentucky, my home state, and Bluegrass Brewing Company!!
Finally, I need your advice. We are traveling to Charlottesville for a vacation weekend over Labor Day and there are so many great restaurants that I am lost to where to go. We have time for two dinners and two lunches, what should we pick out of these? Feast, Mono Loco, Michael’s Bistro & Taphouse, Zocalo, and Blue Ridge Country Store.
Kath says
Feast for lunch. Mono Loco for a casual dinner. Zocalo for a fancy dinner.
If you have another lunch, country store 🙂
Jessica @ JJsVinBlanc says
I forgot one, The Local sounds so good too. Have you been there, if so how would you rank it with Zocalo?
R @ Learning As I Chop says
Those yuca fries look amazing!
JENNA says
i’ve always heard fun things about warrenton! i would love to take a day trip there.
mono loco looks yummy x 1000000!
Lauren @ 40Apples says
How I WISH there was a Great Harvest in my city 🙁 !! I grew up with it in Oregon and every time you post about it I get drooly! (haha gross)
Great eats!
andrenna says
Cute town! I die for bourbon barrel aged beers! 😀
Emily @ Run Emily Run says
Have you ever tried Great Harvest’s cinnamon chip bread? OH MAN.
Caitlin @ Right Foot Forward says
What a whirlwind week! Hope you have a great time this weekend, you deserve it!
Sophie says
The roll looks amazing!!! I am going to have to request that at my local GH!!!!!
Madison says
HOLY YUM! That roll looks amazing!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
I totally agree about manuals! I have given up on learning to drive them. 😛
Tami says
Hey Kath!
I love your blog and I have been following for a long time:D I was wondering if you could answer a quick question for me or give me any advice. I am going into my senior year of college and I’m a nutrition major. I am worried about the internship process. I just looked up information about Winthrop University, but it seems that the deadline was August 15th? That seems so early, is that how it was for you?! Anyways I would love ANY tips from you! And I did not take the GRE’s and it seems like I will have to?!
CONGRATULATIONS on becoming an RD!!! I knew you could do it!
Thanks again!!
Tami
Kath says
It was August 15th – the internship starts in January 🙁
Tami says
Oh that’s so weird, because I will still be in school for another semester. I don’t graduate until May 🙁 Thanks again!!!
Maria says
Your french toast looks amazing with all those toppings, I will have to give it a try since I usually just use fruit. Thanks for the tip!
whitney says
the beer, shop, and sandwiches look so much fun and tasty!
I love the town you live in
Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef says
looks like a cute cute cute town!
Maria B says
I have to ask, where did you get your necklace? Your fashion sense seems very polished and age appropriate. I’m 31 and have no idea where to shop except my two favorite stores The Gap and J. Crew any suggestions?
Kath says
It’s Beads For Life! And thank you!
Jessica @ JJsVinBlanc says
Also, Matt should look out for Kentucky Breweries “Bourbon Barrel Ale” – are favorite to bring back to NC with us. http://www.kentuckyale.com/beer/Pages/KentuckyBourbonBarrelAle.aspx
LC @ Let Them Eat Lentils says
I love Larb’s key necklace! Do you know where it’s from?
Kath says
I’m not quite sure, but it may be something fancy like Tiffany?
Amber K says
I hate manuals too! So annoying.
The food looks great!
Sara says
I LOVE manuals–husband does not and can’t really drive my car. He doesn’t understand why I hate automatics …
Jennifer says
Just wanted to say I love your blog, and you make me miss living in Charlottesville so much! If you haven’t been there yet, be sure to head to Carter Mountain Orchard and pick some peaches and apples – it’s super fun and the views are gorgeous!
If we can’t make it to C’ville soon and stop on the way, I’m going to have to plan a day trip from Northern Virginia to Warrenton sometime to take my husband to Black Bear Bistro…I can tell we would love it! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Tricia Taylor says
Y-U-M to the yucca fries and the GH breads, haven’t been there in forever! Am new to your blog (couple of weeks now) and I absolutely LOVE it:) You are doing great things here.
Also loving the shout out to one of our hometown spots, the BBC, their Altbier is my fave.
You have a new fan in the Derby City!
hemp jogger says
mono loco = awesome. unique, not too expensive, and great atmosphere!
Trish says
Thanks for the look at Great Bear Bistro in Warrenton. Sounds resh and yummy! Going there 1st time on Sunday since it is a central location for 3 groups to meet.