One stop summer shop
Once each summer, Phil and I take a quick road trip up to Mansfield, Ohio to visit a magical place that doesn't accept preconceived notions on what it should be.
A working farm where you can pick your own fruit? Yes!
A winery where you can sip a flight fermented on site? Check!
A wood-fired pizza with that wine on a lovely patio? Sure!
A cafe, bakery, coffee bar, gift shop and greenhouse? Got you covered!
All in one place.
The Blueberry Patch is kind of delightful in its quirkiness and a splendid spot to spend a summer afternoon.
Typically we have met friends there during the race weekend in nearby Lexington, Ohio. However this gorgeous summer day Phil and I were flying solo. We arrived a wee bit early for 1285 Winery where we typically hang. It opens at 2 p.m. on Saturdays but apparently hours posted on websites are so hard to read. We arrived at 1 p.m. and we were hungry.
No matter, we had lunch at Blossoms Cafe and it was delicious. I still got the pizza I craved with the whole grain crust I love, and Phil got a chicken salad sandwich with a pea salad side that I have to duplicate at home.
(The dressing is key - a buttermilk ranch mixed with paprika for a little smokiness.)
While we were there, we got a half dozen blueberry doughnuts because we were hosting guests and because these little cake wonders are fantastic.
Then we moved our little party of two to the pergola covered patio which is charming and cool on any summer day, but a 75-degree day with no humidity made it almost heaven. If there had been a hammock I would have taken a nap.
After enjoying a glass of the house Cabernet and a cheese tray, I picked out a couple of plants from the greenhouse to take back with us. We would have picked some berries, but we are traveling like people who travel a bunch over the next few weeks and I don't like to waste anything.
Note to self: Make a reservation at 1285 Winery for an upcoming Friday night for live music and arrive early enough to pick some berries. And get the doughnuts.
