01.26.24 The Kitchen Table and The Bar at Willett
Yesterday was a damp and cloudy day here in the Bluegrass and more rain in the forecast coming this weekend. While it was the weather was dreary with a melancholic feel I decided to make the most of it! We hit the road to have lunch at The Kitchen Table followed by more exploring at cemeteries in Bardstown and ending the day at The Bar at Willett.
When I host my Bourbon Legends Tour our lunch is at The Kitchen Table. The food and service are always reliable and the view is the best! I had not been inside the visitor center since 2020. WOW! The transformation is incredible. The newly remodeled visitors center at Jim Beam Distillery is a must-see destination for whiskey aficionados and tourists alike. The state-of-the-art interactive technology, updated decor, and a modern bar make it the perfect place to learn about the history of Jim Beam and sample some of their finest bourbons.
Our server at The Kitchen Table was outstanding. Mio provided excellent service with a friendly and attentive attitude throughout our meal. Honestly, the attention from everyone working was great. Mio, who is from Montenegro, kindly informed us that English is his second language and asked us to bear with him while he worked to communicate with us effectively. Mio was informative and sincere in showing his appreciation for our visit. He also let us know that his background in hospitality is primarily from working on a cruise ship.
Mio’s experience of interacting with guests from all around the world, providing exceptional customer service, in a fast-paced, high-pressure setting has certainly served him well. His communication and impersonal skills were top-notch.
We had at least five different employees check on us and ask about our visit. We ordered the pork rinds, arugula beet salad, hot honey fried chicken, and burger. Our lunch was delicious! The arugula beet salad is one of the best salads I have eaten in my entire life. The presentation of the food was so gorgeous, it was Instagram-worthy. The Kitchen Table is a true highlight of my Bourbon Legends Tour and the perfect stop in between cemeteries.
After visiting St. Joseph Cemetery and Bardstown Cemetery we headed over to The Bar at Willett Distillery. It was such an easy and picturesque drive from downtown even in the pouring rain. A.L. Thompson Willett’s birthday is January 27, 1909 and I was eager to visit The Bar to honor him the week of his birth date. When we arrived at the host stand, I believe there were two or three ladies standing there which I appreciated, especially since my last visit to The Capital Grille a few weeks ago no one was at the host stand. One of the host at The Bar immediately poured us two glasses of water and escorted us to the bar. I have been out to eat a million times and never have I had a host pour water for us at the host stand. I loved it and I hope to experience that again!
Luciano, the bartender, was fabulous. It was our first visit to The Bar and Luciano was incredibly attentive and engaging. He made excellent drink and dessert recommendations. His friendly demeanor and excellent service made our experience at The Bar. He just moved to Bardstown from the west coast. We enjoyed hearing his story and the places he has been visiting since he moved here. I enjoyed the Paris-Brest dessert a classic French dessert made of choux pastry filled with hazelnut, chocolate, and cherry. It was fabulous. The hot bourbon vanilla chai tea I sipped was a deliciously warm and comforting blend of sweet vanilla, bold spices, and smooth bourbon flavors.
As soon as I walked into the restaurant, I noticed that the kitchen was completely open. I could see all the hustle and bustle of the chefs preparing the dishes and I enjoyed glancing back and seeing all the action.
The Southern hospitality that I experienced at The Kitchen Table and The Bar truly made my day. I cannot wait to return in March with my tour groups to The Kitchen and I may just have to incorporate The Bar in one of my tours!
