Thursday, November 8, 2007

Tour of Fredericksburg

Thanks to a very sweet gift we received, Truman & I were able to get away for a few days to a charming B&B in Fredericksburg, a small historic German town about an hour and a half outside Austin. We stayed at the charming Queen Anne B&B and I would highly recommend it, or any of the other Absolute Charm B&B properties in town. I took full advantage of the huge tub in our cozy room, The Aspen, and we loved the delicious full breakfasts served by the Queen Anne chef each morning!


We had fun exploring the shops along Main Street, relaxing (we both finished a book during our 3 days away!), and enjoying some of the local restaurants.


One of my favorite spots on Main Street was the Rather Sweet Bakery & Cafe, tucked into a quaint courtyard just down a flagstone path from the main street.

We stopped by for lunch (the homemade soups & sandwiches are delicious!) and though I had read a review about their amazing desserts, we had no idea what a treat we were in for! The desserts are beyond fabulous. We had the Mexican Chocolate Cake & Dollie Bar our first visit.


We loved it so much that we decided to stop by on our way out of town and pick up a couple of muffins & desserts to go. The Peanut Butter Bar & muffins didn't disappoint. It wasn't until our second stop when we noticed all of the magazine articles framed on the walls around the dessert case. We learned that the owner, Rebecca Rather a.k.a. The Pastry Queen, is quite famous and has been featured in a variety of magazines from People to O(prah) and Southern Living. She also has two cookbooks full of her favorite recipes. If you are ever in Fredericksburg, be sure not to miss this hidden gem just past the white picket fence, along the stone path, off Main Street! Quite honestly, it might be worth the drive just to enjoy some of Rebecca's delectable treats. I'm planning a return visit to try the two-layer chocolate cake topped high with fluffy frosting that I had to pass over this trip!

One of other Fredericksburg Favorites was The Nest, an equally fabulous restaurant where we indulged in one of the best dinners we've ever had. It's fine cuisine at its best, and worth the splurge, especially if you're celebrating a special occasion. It's a few minutes from the main drag, and don't let the cute but simple exterior fool you. I had the filet and it was by far the best piece of steak I've had...and I really enjoy a good steak. It was so tender that it melted in your mouth, a texture more silky than is expected from any steak. My hubby had the lamb and it was also delicious. The presentation was beautiful, but it was far outdone by the taste!


While I enjoyed all of the cute little shops full of cottage character and unique gifts, Truman's favorite was Rustlin' Robs. For those of you that know Tru's other moniker, The Sauce Man, it comes as no surprise that he was a fan of this shop that offers literally hundreds of sauces and dips. What's the best part you ask? They let you sample them all! Even my hubby, lover of all things food & sauce, was a bit overwhelmed by the choices. From salsa and hot sauce to jellies, pretzel or vegetable dips, they have it all. If you ever get the hankering to try a new sauce or have searched high and low for that one dip that you can't find anywhere, you're in luck because Rustlin' Robs even has an online store for those who just can't make it to Fredericksburg. Just don't expect samples!


Just before we hit the road to head home, we stopped by another charming local eaterie for lunch, The Peach Tree. Both a gift shop and a restaurant, what The Peach Tree lacks in value it makes up for in character. I recommend their daily variety of quiche!

All in all, it was a wonderful weekend! After two months of living in the guest room of Tru's cousin's house, it was a needed escape for some time with the just the two of us. I am quite fond of Fredericksburg and know that I'll make a return trip sooner than later! If you're ever passing through Texas or live nearby, I would highly recommend Fredericksburg as the perfect place for leisurely wandering and simple relaxing....the perfect spot for a little getaway, be it for an afternoon or a few day stop.


1 comment:

Unknown said...

I enjoyed the update! A good read outside work... :) I'm glad you had fun in you little vacation. ;)