Looking for somewhere different to eat? Despite the popularity of General Tso’s chicken or spiral pasta with cheese in the Marketplace, the repetition leaves something to be desired. Luckily for us, the prime location of Elizabethtown gives us the option to experience small, local restaurants. Flowers in the Kitchen is the perfect restaurant to visit when looking for a unique dining experience.
Flowers in the Kitchen is a family-run business that is still operated by the founders. It was started 16 years ago by Pollyann and Jim Flowers and their daughter, Laura Mummau. Today, the three of them own and operate the restaurant, and it has grown to incorporate three generations since they now have Laura’s daughter, Betsy, as a waitress. Ironically, they did not always have the dream of owning and operating their own restaurant. Mummau said that they used to joke around when they went out to eat, noting positive and negative aspects of their dining experiences. They would tell each other ideas such as, “When we have ours someday we’ll do this…” but never quite believed it would come true. Luckily for the Elizabethtown community, their jokes turned into serious opinions and ideas that led to the restaurant that they own today.
When asked what type of restaurant Flowers in the Kitchen is, Mummau described it as a light gourmet restaurant where they serve items such as sandwiches, salads, quiches and soups. These are no ordinary menu options, however, as the types and flavors vary with the seasons. Throughout the fall season, their menu switched from highlighting apple dishes to pumpkin dishes; right now they are serving pumpkin bread and pumpkin butter. Junior Kimberly Welker had the pleasure of recently tasting a piece of the pumpkin cake and described it as “delicious.” Welker also described the restaurant as a “cute, small place with really unique menu options…everything is freshly prepared, and the desserts are fabulous!”
During the summer, the restaurant spotlights different types of fruits, such as peaches, strawberries and blueberries. Other outstanding features of the restaurant are the soups, which are made from scratch; the unprocessed meat; and the fruits and veggies, many of which are grown in the garden outback. All of their menu options are homemade in every sense of the word.
With the state of the economy as it is, many restaurants have increased the prices of their products, while lowering the quality in order to make the most profit. This is not true of Flowers in the Kitchen. Despite the economy, the quality of their products will not be sacrificed and the flavors are all as rich as ever. When asked about the menu at the restaurant, junior Lauren Stine replied that “the food there is healthy, and it does not compromise any of the flavor.”
The atmosphere of the restaurant is a natural, comfortable one. There are spices brewing that fill the air with a pleasant fall aroma, which complements the seasonal decor that fills the inside of the restaurant. The floor is natural wood and soft, soothing piano music can be heard playing in the background. For many customers, the patio is a favorite spot to eat. Stine noted that she really enjoys the restaurant’s patio. Although it is not open year round, the patio is the highlight of the trip for those looking to enjoy a great meal in beautiful weather.
The owners feel that students like going to Flowers in the Kitchen because of how unique it is. It gives students the chance to be off-campus, but not too far away. It is a quiet, comfortable setting where students can go to get away from the constant bustle of campus life.
When students were asked what they thought about Flowers in the Kitchen, their love of it was obvious. Senior Kelsie LeVan described the restaurant as “amazing.” True to the name, LeVan said, “They have amazing sandwiches, all named after flowers.” She noted that the owners were extremely personable and family-oriented. Her favorite part is “the [piece of] mint from their garden in glasses of water!” It is those little touches that display the thought and effort they put into the orders of each of their customers.
The restaurant is a favorite among students and faculty alike. Dr. Charles Schaeffer, a professor of chemistry, agreed that there are many aspects that make dining at Flowers in the Kitchen a unique experience. According to Schaeffer, two of the biggest aspects of the restaurant that contribute to its uniqueness are that the owners of the restaurant “often use ingredients which are perhaps less familiar to the average person,” and they have “seasonal themes [that] often showcase the menu, such as ‘apple,’ ‘peach,’ ‘blueberry’ and ‘lavender.’”
Dining at Flowers in the Kitchen is definitely a one-of-a-kind experience and a must-try. Their hours are Monday through Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Don’t forget to bring your ID for the student discount.
