By Jeanni Ritchie
Food, books, and family. That’s the ultimate trifecta.
And that’s what Hemingway House served up earlier this week when my mom, dad, niece Emma and I stopped by for brunch.
Stepping through the doors for the first time since they’d completed the interior, I was amazed. They’d done exactly what they set out to do: create a beautiful, yet functional community hub where customers could gather.
The bookshelves were filled with every genre, some of the titles from my own family’s collection. We’d donated piles of books to become members of the Founders Club, a group of citizens who supported Hemingway’s vision.
With the bookshelves serving as backdrop, Emma and I enjoyed bagels from the Bagel Bar — blueberry for her, everything for me — both with cream cheese.
Dad had the day’s specialty muffin — blueberry — and a large drip coffee. Mom had planned on ordering from the Waffle Bar until discovering that’s Saturday only. She switched to the lunch menu and enjoyed a Brioche Club and a Diet Coke.
Everyone enjoyed their meal.
Owner Bonnie White came over with a sample of a Friday Lenten special they’d been working on — silky shrimp and corn bisque with a golden seafood cake— and we all dug in. It was delicious.
The atmosphere was humming. There were work meetings, families hanging out, workers grabbing lunch, shoppers selecting books. Nods to Hemingway and other literary greats were spread throughout the building and I spied a vast collection of games on the shelves. I made a mental note to come back with my son. We’ve always loved board and card games!
I’ll also come back with my mom on a Saturday. That waffle bar is stocked! It has a waffle solo option with your choice of syrup and toppings like Nutella, peanut butter, bananas, strawberries, blueberries, pecans, maple syrup, and sugar-free syrup. In other words, come hungry and come ready to make decisions.
Other menu options include a solid lineup of cold wraps and sandwiches like the Chicken Caesar, Garden Chronicle, Southern Pimento, and Garden BLAT, plus hot favorites like the Cordon Bleu and BBQ Pulled Pork. There’s also a nice selection of appetizers and shareables — think hummus dips, caprese skewers, and sliders — making it easy to turn a quick visit into a linger-awhile lunch.
Coffee lovers will find plenty to choose from as well, with everything from classic drip coffee and cold brew to lattes, cappuccinos, chai, and hot chocolate. Whether you’re meeting friends, working remotely, or just popping in for a muffin and a minute of peace, the menu gives you options.
In addition to the everyday offerings, Hemingway House of Stories and Spirits has special events like last month’s Poets and Musicians Party. Live music was played, poetry was read, and a great time was had by all.
Makes sense as Hemingway’s special Irish coffee in the mornings makes way for more Irish, less coffee in the evenings! The fully stocked bar is a great place to unwind after a long day.
Here’s hoping they’ll also host trivia and karaoke nights. I can slay with sitcom-themed questions and I don’t sound half-bad singing 90’s country.
In the meantime, I’ll stick to dominating board games and eating bagels!
Address: 704 Main Street, Pineville, LA 71360
Phone: (318) 704-0783
Hours
Monday: 7 AM – 11 PM
Tuesday: 7 AM – 11 PM
Wednesday: 7 AM – 11 PM
Thursday: 7 AM – 11 PM
Friday: 7 AM – 2 AM
Saturday: 7 AM – 2 AM
Sunday: Closed
