By R. David Shew
If you are looking for a marvelous drive through beautiful Kentucky countryside and a nice afternoon lunch, then look no further than The Glitz at Irish Acres Gallery in Nonesuch, Kentucky.
First, I must thank my good friend, Darlene Snyder, for the wonderful invitation. I guess that I was not paying attention when she asked me “what I wanted to do to celebrate my birthday”, and I responded “go to The Glitz for lunch.”
After dropping my car off for service, we got a loaner vehicle and headed down to Nonesuch from Lexington. The day was a beautiful, sunny Kentucky afternoon, and the drive through the Kentucky scenery was fabulous. After a rainy May, the country looked like a sea of green.
Our route from Lexington took us through downtown and out Versailles Road past Keeneland and the Castle, two jewels just outside New Circle. Next, we turned west on the Bluegrass Parkway and took the first exit, turned left, and headed south on State Route 33. After five-and-a-half miles, we took Fords Mill Road for almost four miles and pulled into the parking lot at the Irish Acres Gallery, or the old Nonesuch School House at 4205 Fords Mill Road.
We had an early lunch reservation at 11 a.m. Since we arrived a little early which unusual for me, we toured several rooms throughout the Irish Acres Gallery of Antiques. It reminded me a being a young boy, and my father telling me to “keep my hands in my pockets so you don’t touch anything and break it because you don’t have enough money to pay for it.” His words have resonated throughout my mind for many years, and I still cherish his advice and words of wisdom.
Then we asked for directions to The Glitz and were directed to the stairway which led to the basement and a charming dining room. The hostess was welcoming three ladies from northern Kentucky and thanking them for coming to The Glitz. Another young lady led us to our table, and the hostess stopped by to welcome and offer a sincere “thank you” for choosing The Glitz and asked if “either of us had been there before.” I mentioned it was my first time, and my friend graciously told her we were having a pre-birthday lunch. She told the waitress the same thing. I told the waitress that I was turning 29 next week, plus 40.
After bringing us a flute of chilled Apple Refresher with an orange slice and cherry, she presented a menu for the day which included three appetizers, two entrees, and three desserts including their special Nonesuch Kiss. When it was time to order, my companion chose Shrimp Aioli for her appetizer, a Jasmine Rice Bowl with a Filet of Baked Salmon for her entrée, and the Nonesuch Kiss for dessert.
I told our extremely nice waitress that I wanted the Nonesuch Kiss for my appetizer, the Strawberry Rhubarb Shortcake for my entrée, and the Raspberry Sorbet for my desert. The waitress laughed and said, “I would be the sweetest man in town.” After another laugh, I chose the A Well-Dressed Egg Salad for my appetizer knowing I would get a taste of the Shrimp Aioli, the Chicken Cordon Bleu for my entrée, and the Raspberry Sorbet with a Gaufrette Wafer for dessert.
By the time we were finished, the waitress brought me a small taste of the Strawberry Rhubarb Shortcake with a pre-birthday candle so I did get to taste all three desserts, a nice treat for my sweet tooth. I made a wish and blew out the candle.
On the way out of Irish Acres, one of the owners stopped to thank us for coming down to Nonesuch and The Glitz for lunch. Emilie Hannigan explained that the cook left after the first day of cooking, and she has been selecting the menu and preparing the food everyday after 5 a.m. Emilie also explained the menu changes every three weeks. She graciously took our picture in front of their Everyday Christmas Tree which had caught my eye.
Emilie introduced her daughter, Anna, to us and explained she had chosen to work with her mother after graduating from Centre College with a degree in Environmental Science. Emilie also introduced her sister, Jane DeLauter, to us. We thanked them for their hospitality and complimented them on the delicious food.
After returning home from a fabulous afternoon, I did a little research and learned the mother of Emilie and Jane originally opened Irish Acres in Ashland, Kentucky. In 1974, Bonnie and Arch Hannigan turned a horse stall into Irish Acres. In 1984, the couple purchased the old Nonesuch School and remodeled the school into Irish Acres which includes 50 rooms of antiques, glassware, art, jewelry, and many other items as well as The Glitz in the basement.
Now 40 years later, the daughters are maintaining this exquisite building in Nonesuch, Kentucky and entertaining their customers with smiles and kind words. Finally, thank you all for a marvelous pre-birthday celebration.
