The total package

Imagine having a limo pick you up at home, deliver you to a beautiful Victorian house and gardens where you are served a gourmet meal and then whisk you away to the theater. After the theatrical production, you are again taken back to the Victorian home for cordials and homemade dessert.

That's the experience offered by the Rose Bed Inn.

The Rose Bed Inn, 611 S. Sprigg St., serves cutting-edge cuisine and modern-day luxuries, but has a rich history that adds to its charm. The Rose Bed Inn was built between 1908 and 1910 by William Schrader for his wife, Ella, and their family. He was a prominent bricklayer, so the structure doubled as a residence and a show place for his work.

After many years and owners, it fell into near disrepair until current Rose Bed Inn co-owners Eldon Nattier and James Coley (also known as Chef James) purchased the residence in 1995 to convert it into an upscale bed and breakfast with reservation dining and banquet facilities with catering services.

The restoration was a lot of work but it was a labor of love that enabled them to bring excellent food and hospitality to the region, say Coley and Nattier.

A slice of key lime pie is one of the desserts available at Rose Bed Inn. (Fred Lynch)

"Eldon and I feel so blessed. We feel like we have the best jobs in the world. We facilitate happy events. We have a place where we welcome people in and we serve them excellent food in a beautiful atmosphere and provide them with excellent table service," Coley said.

Coley and Nattier said offering variety and excellent products and service is the best way to make guests feel not only like guests, but like family. "We'll do just about anything to please our guests. We can serve up to 40 people inside and up to 100 outside in the garden area. We do chocolate tastings, hors d'oeuvres and wedding dinners. Just about anything our guests need," Nattier said.

Coley and Nattier also believe in what they refer to as the "wow factor."

"If people come to the Rose Bed Inn, I don't want them to leave the table without saying 'wow.' My job is to put good-tasting, good-looking and healthy dishes in front of them and for them to say 'Wow'," Coley said.

Coley and Nattier said it also is important for everyone to be able to enjoy the meal, even if they have dietary restrictions.

Eldon Nattier, left, and James Coley operate Rose Bed Inn in Cape Girardeau. The bed and breakfast is now open for lunch and dinner. (Fred Lynch)

"James will take any dietary need and meet it by altering the recipe so that the dish not only tastes just as wonderful as everyone else's, but he tries to make it look the same as everyone else's at the table. We want to make sure that everyone is comfortable," Nattier said.

The Rose Bed Inn is currently accepting dining and lodging reservations, including for the holidays. The Rose Bed Inn will be open Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve for dinner; with seatings at 5 and 7 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling 332-7673 or toll free at 866-767-3233, going online to www.rosebedinn.com, or e-mailing innkeeper@rosebedinn.com.

Whoever makes reservations first gets to select the menu for everyone. Exceptions will be made for anyone that lets the staff know about dietary needs or restrictions.

All lunch and dinner reservations require 24-hour notice.