Heaven’s Menu…..

This week, I dusted off my food critic hat so that I might share another gastronomic find in Missouri’s Ozarks. We love to venture off the beaten path in search of mom and pop places where the recipes are stored in the heads of folks who eschew boxed stuff. You know, food that is processed to the point of adding water and pre-measured spices in the name of consistency and, honestly, mediocrity. Such is not the case at an eatery in St. Robert, Missouri, just outside the main gate to Ft. Leonard Wood. Here is my take on this wonderful eatery where the main ingredient in every recipe is love. The restaurant is named “Honey Chile’ Please”.

Kimsha Rosensteel, also called Ms Honey, flat out knows her way around a kitchen. The food at her restaurant is “southern cuisine”, translated, the food is what graced my grandmother’s table in rural South Carolina when I was growing up. There is no trickery or adulteration of heavily processed stuff out of a box, instead it is comprised of honest meats, breads and side orders that are spiced to perfection and delivered hot and savory. Her cakes and desserts are mouth watering creations, reflecting her top ten finish in a World Cooking Competition where she put her culinary skill on the line. I chose her catfish, collard greens, red beans and rice topped off with her sweet potato cornbread. Ms Honey has a gorgeous smile, evident as she troops the table making sure each patron is satisfied with her offering. Others at our family table enjoyed the unbelievable chicken fried steak and thick pork chops with a variety of sides. You will not leave this table hungry and will be back. This is a no frills eatery, with OSB table tops and sweet tea, just as it was and hopefully still is in the Deep South.

To illustrate the grace of this lady, you may remember a terrible traffic crash back in December that killed her mother in St. Robert. Her family, responding to this tragedy from Texas, was then met by a suspected drunk, wrong way driver in Springfield, on the James River Freeway, that killed 3 more of her folks and injured the other 5 occupants of their SUV. This unspeakable tragedy was assuaged by her trust in the Lord and resulted in a predictable setback in the workings of her restaurant. Beginning in January, call before you come, and be prepared for a varying menu as Ms Honey loves to shake things up in the kitchen. Her Facebook page will keep you clued in as to what’s cookin’ at Honey Chile’ Please. We have added this place to our destination eateries. I think you will, too.

I’ll close with this thought. Fast food today is predictable and with your eyes closed, all taste the same, processed and chemical laden. Not here my good friends, this is the real thing. My grandmother Cooke is smiling from her chair in Heaven……with her wooden spoon in hand and a pot of greens simmering close by. She would have loved Ms Honey as they share a great love for the kitchen and happy diners.

Have a great week!

SR