Restaurant Review Archives - Page 4 of 9

7 Places to Eat Just South of Atlanta

04/16/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Clayton County, Georgia calls itself “Atlanta’s True South,” and Henry County, Georgia describes itself as “Comfortably South of Atlanta.” The city promoters have done a perfect job with those terms. Clayton and Henry lie on either side of I-75 South as you head out of Atlanta. That means residents of those counties can take advantage of all that Atlanta has to offer (airport, professional sports teams, world-class entertainment possibilities, etc.) but enjoy a rural, small-town atmosphere full of history and quaintness.

During a recent visit to the area, I found 7 eateries you will want to consider when you plan a trip of your own. (Remember that I told you last week about the Road to Tara Museum in this post).

7 Locally-Owned Eateries the Whole Family Will Enjoy

15th Street Pizza & Pub — 2130 Jodeco Road, McDonough, GA. Pizzas take center stage, a fact that will please any youngsters or children you have with you, but you’ll also find salads, burgers, wings, subs, calzones and pasta. The Meatlover Egg Rolls caught our attention, so we added an order with our pizzas.

Meatlovers Egg Rolls at 15th Street Pizza and Pub.

Supreme Pizza at 15th Street Pizza and Pub.

Gritz Family Restaurant — 14 Macon Street, McDonough, GA. Good for breakfast and lunch on the square in McDonough, it is open from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sundays. We had a delicious early breakfast in this homey diner.

Pancakes at Gritz Family Restaurant.

French Market & Tavern – 3840 Highway 42 South, Locust Grove, GA. French Market, tucked into a building that dates back to the early 1900’s. is closed on Mondays but is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday and for lunch on Sundays. The menu has a French/CAJUN slant to it with items such as Nola Boudin Balls and Crawfish Etouffee, but gourmet sandwiches predominate for lunch, and the dinner menu includes many seafood dishes, as well as pork, chicken and steaks. Click here to take a look at the yummy dessert offerings. Be sure to allow time to browse the boutique market displays in the front room of this attractive restaurant.

Zucchini and cornbread nuggets at French Market.

Chicken salad on a croissant and jalapeno slaw at French Market.

Pasta Max Cafe – 50 Griffin Street, McDonough, GA. Pasta Max is closed on Sunday and Monday and only open for dinner on Saturday evening, but Tuesday through Friday, diners may enjoy lunch from 11:00 to 2:00 and dinner beginning at 4:00 p.m. There is a cozy, Italian trattoria vibe at this popular eatery. You are sure to find your favorite Italian entrees here, along with fresh salads and special desserts. On my next visit, I want to try Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie or Strawberry Sabayon.

Garlic rolls at Pasta Max.

Pasta dish at Pasta Max.

Queen Bee Coffee Company – 58 Griffin Street, McDonough — right across the street from Pasta Max Cafe. Like Pasta Max, Queen Bee is closed on Sunday and Monday, but Tuesday through Thursday you may enjoy coffee and house-baked treats from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Fridays from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. There is a pleasant outdoor seating area that is sure to be popular for the next 6 months. Queen Bee does coffee very, very well, and the pastries are decadent.

Kirby G’s Diner and Pub– 45 Macon Street, McDonough, GA. This is a fun 1950’s style diner with a burger voted Best Burger in Atlanta for several years in a row. Atlanta Eats, a website showcasing the best of the best that city has to offer, has featured Kirby G’s on numerous occasions. Everything on the menu is named after a term, movie star, song, movie, television show or popular phrase from the 1950’s. I was there for an afternoon ice cream treat, but I want to return soon for a full meal.

Ice cream treat at Kirby G’s.

Anne and Bill’s Restaurant – 1057 Main Street, Forest Park, GA. You might want to bookmark this comfort food eatery when you are on your way in or out of Henry and Clayton Counties, because it is closer into metro Atlanta, just a couple of miles off I-75. Anne and Bill’s is open for breakfast and lunch Monday through Saturday and lunch only on Sunday. Think country cooking, and you’ll have it figured about right. The menu has pretty much all of the Southern favorites you’d expect. There is a large dining area, but the locals fill it up quickly. This place “screams” Baby Boomers and Church Senior Adult groups visiting attractions in the area. Get the picture?

Fried Green Tomatoes at Anne and Bill’s.

Fried catfish at Anne and Bill’s.

Roast beef and sides at Anne and Bill’s.

Banana pudding at Anne and Bill’s.

Royal Rose Diner in Huntsville AL: Celebrating 2 Successful Years in Business

04/02/2018 By: CCPearson2 Comments

Congratulations to George and Tatiana Kontoulakos, owners of Royal Rose Diner at 1009 Memorial Parkway N.W. in Huntsville AL, for 2 highly successful years in business. Their menu is one of the most extensive I’ve ever seen, and their hard work and commitment to their customers and employees are exemplary. Imagine running a business that is open from 5:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. SEVEN DAYS A WEEK!!

Royal Rose Diner is located on the corner of University Drive and the Parkway in the same parking lot as Books-a-Million and very near Costco. I first learned about Royal Rose when I was writing an article for Edible Lower Alabama about breakfast/brunch places in Huntsville. I learned that you can order breakfast any time of the day, yet there’s so much more. Lunch runs the gamut between salads, burgers, paninis, wraps and sandwiches, while dinner options include Greek, Italian, Mexican, seafood and comfort foods. Now, I ask you — when have you ever seen a menu offering pastichio, moussaka and kabobs on one page, nachos and fajitas on another page and chicken pot pie and liver and onions on yet another? And those are just teasers for the 300+ items listed in all.

Steve and I were there for lunch recently. He had salmon patties with potatoes, and I had eggplant parmesan. We both shared a couple of desserts that George had prepared the very same morning. We liked them because they were light and not too sweet. Plus, they were pretty to look at. A display case near the front door has plenty of choices you can enjoy by the slice or purchase a whole cake/pie/pastry to take home.

George oversees the ambitious kitchen, while Tatiana “does everything else” — at least according to the jovial server who answered my many questions. George’s passion is New York style diner cuisine, but he has cooked all over the world and has 50+ years of experience.

As a celebration of their two years in business, George and Tatiana invited some friends in for a tasting of some of their most popular dishes. I was delighted to be in the group. We sampled George’s homemade pita wedges, a cheese/olive dip, meatballs, chicken skewers, fish skewers, veggie lasagna rolls, crab cakes wrapped around a plump scallop, and, of course, some of George’s wonderful and beautiful desserts.

In addition to the great food, I met some wonderful people who are friends and supporters of George and Tatiana’s. Don Howard‘s artwork is on display on all the walls of Royal Rose. He and his wife Dorothy are a delightful couple with heartwarming personalities. Don became a cartoonist for Disney right after college and spent most of his career there. Now, he draws and paints fantastic caricatures of famous musicians, comedians, sports stars, people in history and current heroes and will also take orders for custom works. Naturally, his posters of Alabama and Auburn championships are extremely popular.

I am now the proud owner of this poster commemorating Auburn’s 2010 National Championship. Thank you, Don and Dorothy!!

I also met a very attractive couple who manage a Facebook page called “Rocket City Eats.” They make photos of all kinds of food to keep the rest of us salivating and ready to visit the various eateries.

Another guest was Stephanie Weaver who has a website called www.artfurpaws.com. She paints beautiful oil portraits of pets, in addition to landscapes, still life, and children’s portraits. Check out her website. You can learn about her husband, children and the causes she supports.

At the end of our fun afternoon of great food and conversation, George and Tatiana announced that they will soon be opening another restaurant on the square in downtown Huntsville. They are taking over the location which formerly housed Papou’s Greek Cuisine. The owner recently died, so they have bought that business and are busily revamping the menu. It will be named after their son, Alexander. Be watching for its opening within the next few weeks. With their strong work ethic and ability with food and with people, I predict another successful venture for this lovely couple.

2 New Culinary Choices in Nashville

03/26/2018 By: CCPearson1 Comment

Both of these restaurants have opened within the last 6 months. Both are developing loyal dining fans. Both fit their neighborhoods. Both take their menu offerings to new and creative levels. Both focus on local ingredients. But, there the similarities end. Deacon’s New South is located in an iconic downtown Nashville landmark, the L & C Tower. Cafe Roze is almost hidden away in East Nashville. Deacon’s New South would be great for an upscale business lunch or a night-on-the-town dinner, while Cafe Roze attracts Millennials and Gen-Xers and is a hip place for coffee, tea or a simple breakfast, lunch or dinner 7 days a week.

DEACON’S NEW SOUTH

401 Church Street, Nashville

Deacon’s is owned by Andy Marshall, who also owns all of the Puckett’s restaurants. The name is derived from a nickname Marshall earned while he was in college. Chef Travis Sparks has a strong background in farming and butchering, explaining the emphasis on dry-aged meats, done in-house and robust vegetables. Read a full description here in an article I wrote for TheYums.com recently and in this one for Epicurean-Traveler.com.

Deacon’s sleek exterior.

Deacon’s dark, modern interior.

Steve and I visited for Saturday brunch and found the food to be delicious, the service extremely attentive and the decor very visually appealing.

Deacon’s dry-aged meats.

More meat at Deacon’s.

Deacon Burger with fries, sprinkled with nutritional yeast.

Where there’s meat, there has to be catsup, right? I love these one-person sized bottles.

CAFE ROZE

1115 Porter Road, Nashville

We were introduced to Cafe Roze by our granddaughter Allie who lives about a block away. She thinks it’s cool and likes the atmosphere, so we were pleased she wanted to share it with us. Again, we enjoyed brunch. The food was very good. There are lots of super-healthy choices on the menu. It’s small, and since it’s so popular with the neighbors, it tends to be rather noisy. Don’t go for intimate conversations, but DO go if you have a granddaughter who suggests it. You’ll be able to read more in an upcoming article for Edible Nashville.

Cafe Roze breakfast sandwich with fresh arugula.

Waffles, mascarpone and berries.

The Nashville area has many wonderful restaurants, cafes, diners and bistros. I just wanted to let you know about two I discovered recently. Please share some of YOUR great discoveries.

Alabama Gulf Coast Discoveries: Part 2 – Let’s Eat

02/26/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

For those of us who visit the Alabama Gulf Coast often, we tend to return again and again to our tried-and-true eateries. There’s certainly nothing wrong with that, because the Orange Beach/Gulf Shores/Fort Morgan is full of outstanding cafes and restaurants. On a recent visit, however, I was determined to try some new places that all turned out to be outstanding. You might want to consider one or more of these in a future trip. Two for breakfast, two for lunch, two for dinner and two for calorie-laden vacation splurges.

BREAKFAST

(Both of these are likely on their way to becoming chains because the formula for success appears to be working very well. However, as of right now, there are only a handful of locations and all are in the Gulf Coast area — some as far away as New Orleans).

RUBY SLIPPER

Located at 24151 Perdido Beach Boulevard in Orange Beach, Ruby Slipper opens every morning at 8:00 a.m. to serve breakfast, brunch and lunch. The concept started in New Orleans. According to a plaque on the wall: “The Ruby Slipper Cafe was inspired by a powerful sense of homecoming when we returned to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. To be back with family and friends in the city we love, well . . . Dorothy said it best: ‘There’s no place like Home.’ We feel that gratitude every day for our home, New Orleans.”

That sense of love for New Orleans is reflected in the menu: Catfish and Grits, Grilled Fish “St. Peter,” Chicken St. Charles, Bananas Foster Pain Perdu and Bacon Praline Pancakes, to name a few. I was in the mood for a fairly “normal” breakfast when I visited, so I ordered the Southern Breakfast (eggs, applewood bacon, grits, a fried green tomato and a biscuit). Just LOOK at the size of that biscuit!!

Look at the size of that biscuit!

As the crowds flock to the beach, Ruby Slipper, right across the street from several large condominium complexes, will likely attract a crowd. Arrive early or wait to have a late brunch or lunch. You WON’T be alone.

BRICK AND SPOON

Brick and Spoon is located near The Wharf at 24705 Canal Road in Orange Beach. It is open 7 days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., also for breakfast, brunch and lunch. Travel and Leisure included it on its list of “Top 10 Breakfasts in the U.S.” Wow! A pretty high endorsement, don’t you think?

By all means, get a side order of beignets. They will be smothered in powdered sugar (leave your black pants back in the condo) and accompanied by a seasonal marmalade. Steve had an omelet while I chose the Oyster Bed — Poached eggs on an English muffin with a slice of tomato with succulent fried oysters and pecan smoked bacon. Amazing! Where else can you get fried oysters, poached eggs and beignets for breakfast?

Beignets at Brick and Spoon.

Poached eggs and fried oysters — called The Oyster Bed – at Brick and Spoon.

Fluffy omelet at Brick and Spoon

LUNCH

(Both of these recommendations are very popular with the locals. They look quite unassuming from the outside but have great food served in a casual, back-home atmosphere inside).

KING NEPTUNE’S

King Neptune’s is located at 1137 Gulf Shores Parkway in Gulf Shores, very near Zoo Road and within sight of Waterville U.S.A. It is open 7 days a week from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. with lunch specials ($4.95 to $8.95) every day from 11:00 – 2:00. Seafood is featured prominently on the menu, but non-seafood lovers can find burgers, sandwiches, steaks, chicken, pasta and a very reasonably-priced kids’ menu ($5.00 and $6.00). One of their made-in-house desserts is fried cheesecake. Sounds positively decadent, but I’ll need to wait until my cholesterol numbers are much, much lower.

Shriimp with boiled potatoes and corn at King Neptune’s

4-vegetable plate at King Neptune’s.

We were extremely happy to find a half-price special on raw oysters the day we were there. The ones we were served were what I call “2-bite oysters” because they were so plump and juicy you couldn’t get them down with just one slurp. Ha! (Apologies to those who just can’t see the allure of raw oysters).

Raw oysters at King Neptune’s

DOC’S SEAFOOD SHACK AND OYSTER BAR

Locals flock to Doc’s for lunch. That’s no surprise when you see the vast menu selections and the huge portions! Shrimp, oysters, burgers, hot dogs, soft shell crabs — you name it. Doc’s will even let you create your own platter choosing 2, 3 or 4 from 8 different seafood and chicken options. A very special touch found at Doc’s is “U-Catch-Em. We Cook Em!” In other words, if you’ve been wetting your hook in the surf or the bay, or if you had good luck during one of the many fishing charters running every day, then just bring your haul to Doc’s. The cooks will fry your fish and serve them with the normal fixings for only $13.99 per person.

Shrimp salad at Doc’s

Ribs plus 3 sides, cornbread and roll at Doc’s.

Popcorn shrimp at Doc’s.

You can find Doc’s Seafood Shack at 26029 Canal Road in Orange Beach, and it opens every day at 11:00 for lunch and dinner. Don’t look for a sleek modern eatery. Doc’s has been in business since 1984. They proudly proclaim that “flip-flops are welcome.”

DINNER

BILL’S BY THE BEACH

Located at 300 West Beach Boulevard in Gulf Shores, the upstairs dining room at Bill’s By the Beach has a great view of the Gulf to enjoy while you dine, so you might want to time your visit to arrive before sundown. Monday through Thursday, Bill’s opens at 11:00 to serve its lunch guests, but on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, you can arrive at 9:00 a.m. for brunch. The owner is Bill Henry, and the culinary magician is Chef Rudy Rudolph. Chef Rudy placed in the Top Ten of the Chef competition in the World Food Championships held in Orange Beach last November. He knows how to prepare seafood very well, but according to our server and some reviews I’ve read, he also is a wizard with steaks.

View of the Gulf from the dining room at Bill’s By the Beach.

Bill’s offers an Early Bird menu Monday-Friday for under $10.00.

Steve and I shared the 4 Cheese/Spinach/Artichoke/Blue Crab appetizer and the Wild American Shrimp Platter with sides of gouda grits and a glazed sweet potato. Both were outstanding!! The tomato jam drizzled on top of the cheese dip was a special surprise. So good.

4 cheese, spinach, artichoke, blue crab appetizer at Bill’s By the Beach

Shrimp, gouda grits and glazed sweet potato at Bill’s By the Beach.

VILLAGIO GRILLE

Villagio Grille is at 4790 Main Street at The Wharf in Orange Beach. It opens every day at 11:00 for lunch and dinner but also serves Sunday brunch from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Cuisine is described as Italian fusion. Guests may order appetizers, sandwiches, steaks or seafood, but they also offer “flats,” which are pizzas baked in a wood-fired oven right in view for diners to watch.

Wood-fired oven at Villagio Grille

We were in the mood for something extra special. Steve chose the night’s special — Blackened Grouper with Bacon, Spinach Gnocchi — and I order the Brown Butter Group with Truffle Mashed Potatoes and Squash Succotash.

For dessert, we shared a slice of Florida Orange Cake, one of the newest desserts on the menu. It consists of 5 luscious layers with cream cheese frosting and a strawberry coulis. We had enough to share and STILL took half of it home with us.

5-layer Florida Orange Cake at Villagio Grille

SWEET VACATION BONUSES

When you’re at the beach, enjoying all of the luxuries of a vacation, you might just want to plan one extra-special, calorie-laden, visual-masterpiece for dessert at THE YARD MILKSHAKE BAR, 3800 Gulf Shores Parkway (#330 in Pelican Place), Gulf Shores, AL. They have a large selection of ice creams that can be made into all kinds of edible works of art. Check out The Turtle, one of their milkshake specialties. This is the pint-size and is most definitely shareable. You even get to keep the jar. 🙂

The Turtle, specialty shake at The Yard Milkshake Bar in Gulf Shores.

And if you need “just a little something sweet” to give you a burst of energy, stop into the Chocolate Corner at 200 West Fort Morgan Road in Gulf Shores.

Chocolate Corner in Gulf Shores

Chocolate makes everything better. 🙂

Alabama’s Gulf Coast is calling your name. Make your plans to visit SOON!!

Celebrate Mardi Gras – Huntsville’s Po Boy Factory and Crafts with Beads

02/12/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Tomorrow is the culmination of all the hoopla in Mobile, New Orleans and in towns along the Gulf Coast. Fat Tuesday. Craziness galore. Beads, parades, green/gold/purple everywhere. Maybe you’d love to be in on all the fun, but don’t have the money or the time off to drive south. Well, Huntsville offers a great alternative at the Po Boy Factory, 815 Andrew Jackson Way NE. From a decor, atmosphere and food perspective, you’ll think you’re there.

This place is VERY casual — a paper and plastic kind of eatery. The ceilings are adorned with logos of recognizable sports teams, and the walls are covered with Mardi Gras-themed posters and symbols. Po Boy Factory has gained quite a reputation, especially with the locals, and was hoppin’ even at 1:30 on a Friday afternoon.

A family-friendly Bourbon Street. 🙂

The prices are extremely reasonable, and the food is authentically Cajun and very delicious.

Undeniable touches from Louisiana.

The gumbo is spicy, full-flavored and chocked with goodness.

Thick, rich gumbo.

The batter on the oysters and fish was extra tasty. When I inquired, I learned that the secret is corn FLOUR, rather than cornmeal. It made a big difference. It was light, and you could really taste the fish and oysters.

Lightly-battered fish and oysters.

Of course, we couldn’t leave without sampling their bread pudding, served warm and swoon-worthy. Oh my!

Bread pudding to die for.

Po Boy Factory is closed on Sunday and Monday but opens at 11:00 Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner.

And one more thing. Maybe you’ve been to a Mardi Gras parade in the last few days and are wondering what in the world to do with all of those beads. I took a fun class last week in Gulf Shores led by a very creative lady named Dorie Parsons. Check out her website here.

Dorie Parsons with a display of her Mardi Gras bead creations.

Dorie has compiled a booklet with instructions for many creations using the beads. In describing some of her work, she said to “think of the beads as paint,” and you can see how she did that in some of these photos. Contact her through the Gulf Coast Arts Alliance to order a copy. The Alliance is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The number is 251-948-2627.

A flamingo covered in Mardi Gras beads.

Learning some basic techniques with Mardi Gras beads.

I’m sure someone there can tell you how to get one of Dorie’s books. She also teaches photography classes if you want to improve your skills while you’re at the beach.

I strongly suspect that some of her ideas will be implemented in our next Cousins Camp, but shhhhhhh. It needs to be a surprise. 🙂

A wreath FILLED with Mardi Gras beads.

Let’s Eat in LaGrange GA

01/15/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Listen up, folks in Montgomery, Auburn, or Phenix City AL or those near the middle of the state line between Alabama and Georgia — LaGrange has some wonderful restaurants that are worth the drive. I’ve sampled some of them recently and give these three two thumbs WAY up.

A TASTE OF LEMON

204 Morgan Street

This is comfort food of the most delicious kind in an old Methodist church building built in 1892, no less. Owner Betty Daniel and her daughter Donna Close welcome their hungry guests for lunch every day except Sunday from 11:00 – 2:00. No doubt the lines on Sunday would snake all the way around the building, and everyone needs a day of rest at least once a week.

Taste of Lemon, a restaurant in an 1889 Methodist church building.

Diners can actually order a vegetable plate with all 10 of the days’ veggie choices or an entree with 3 veggies, or better yet, an entree, 2 veggies plus their famous pineapple casserole — which was my choice. That pineapple casserole made a mighty tasty dessert, too.

Entree, 2 veggies and pineapple casserole.

Take a minute to check out the art on display around the walls created by Donna’s husband Steve who taught art at LaGrange High School. The floors in the restaurant are original, and many “church touches” are visible throughout. The lemon-colored walls made me smile.

Taste of Lemon with church touches everywhere.

Donna Close, daughter of owner Betty Daniel. Donna is the hostess and makes all the salads.

Art on the walls at Taste of Lemon, much of which is by Steve Close, son-in-law of the owner.

LaGrange locals flock to Taste of Lemon, and I believe you’ll enjoy it thoroughly.

MARE SOL

124 Main Street

First, a little background: I’m sure you’ve heard of Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Ga. Well, those roots go back to LaGrange. Fuller and Ida Cason Callaway lived in LaGrange (see my post about Hills and Dales here) and had two sons, Fuller Jr. and Cason. Fuller Sr. died in 1928 and Ida died in 1936. At that point, it was decided that Fuller Jr. would stay in LaGrange, and Cason moved to some other family property in nearby Blue Springs, GA and later founded Ida Cason Callaway Gardens in 1952. This entire area of Georgia has reaped tremendous benefits from the generosity of the Fuller E. Callaway Foundation.

Meanwhile, back to this post about restaurants — Mare Sol and its sister restaurant C’sons next door are both owned by Charles Hudson Jr. (who is the grandson of Fuller Callaway) and HIS son, Chase. All minds clear?

Mare Sol has an amazing menu. There were items on it that I have rarely seen elsewhere: BBQ Glazed Hog Wing and Lamb Ribs to name a couple. I chose Crispy Georgia Quail with teriyaki glaze, fried wild rice, kale cabbage and mushrooms. It was wonderful!

Tender Georgia Quail

My table of friends and I shared some appetizers before our entrees arrived and several desserts afterwards. The Strawberry Swiss Roll and Strawberry Boston Cream Pie were unique and delicious, but my favorite was the over-the-top, 4-layer German Chocolate Cake. Worth every calorie!

Whole Fried Okra, Fried Green Tomatoes and Spinach-Artichoke Dip

Strawberry Swiss Roll

Strawberry Boston Cream Pie

German Chocolate Cake

VENUCCI

129 Main Street

Venucci is a small Italian eatery that will keep you riveted in place the moment you open the door and take in the tantalizing aroma. What could be better than herbs, spices and fresh bread? Venucci is open for lunch Monday through Friday and for dinner Monday through Saturday. Be aware that the dinner portions are LARGE, certainly shareable. I saw many diners leave with carry-out boxes, getting two meals for the price of one.

Take a look at this crisp, fresh salad and some of the entrees enjoyed by those at my table. All received rave reviews.

These are just a few places I sampled, but I heard of others that will make my list during a future visit. The motto of LaGrange’s Chamber of Commerce is “Be Surprised.” I was, and you will be, too.

2 More Orange Beach Recommendations: Turquoise Place and SALT Restaurant

12/18/2017 By: CCPearson2 Comments

A woman who is building a new house and planning her kitchen probably shouldn’t stay at Turquoise Place in Orange Beach, AL. Not if she even HOPES to stay within the budget her husband and contractor have agreed upon. Gulp! That SubZero refrigerator/freezer always has me salivating, and the rest of the appliances are made by Wolf — top of the line all the way.

Turquoise Place SubZero refrigerator/freezer.

Turquoise Place upscale kitchen.

The condos at Turquoise Place are stunning. 2400 square feet of opulence. The rooms are large and spacious. The ceilings are high. The balconies overlooking the Gulf are wide and inviting. The beds are made with plush, comfortable sheets, pillows and blankets. The master bathroom is large enough to be a skating rink! The shower is set up to suit anyone’s preferences. The whirlpool tub inside and the hot tub outside beg to be enjoyed.

Turquoise Place living room.

Turquoise Place master bedroom.

Turquoise Place master bathroom shower and whirlpool tub.

Sunrise on the balcony at Turquoise Place overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.

The location is great — only a couple of minutes from San Roc Cay for shopping and dining, and about a 10-minute drive to The Wharf for movies, shopping, recreation, and eating.

The rates are much more affordable in the winter when the crowds are back home shivering. So, maybe you can plan a luxurious getaway before the Spring Breakers head south.

Chef Chris Sherrill was at the helm of the Flora-Bama Yacht Club until just a few months ago. Now he’s the owner and Executive Chef of SALT at San Roc Cay, just a stone’s throw from Turquoise Place. SALT is a place where you can get truly fresh seafood prepared in creative and delicious ways. The building was formerly an Italian eatery, so you will notice some Italian pasta terms on the upholstery while Chef Sherrill transitions the decor to a more nautical theme.

SALT at San Roc Cay front exterior.

When Steve and I ate there recently, it had only been SALT for 8 or 9 weeks. We especially enjoyed the fact that you can pretty much create your own entree plate from an interesting selection of fish and meat choices alongside some upscale side dishes. Steve decided to be adventurous and ordered seared lion fish with tomato salsa and wild mushroom risotto. I chose sesame crusted scamp grouper with a citrus Buerre Blanc sauce and smashed sweet potatoes. This is a great dining option for those who want something out of the ordinary. The menu will change often to reflect seasonal produce brought in from nearby farms to the restaurant. It should also be noted that fish served at SALT has been caught within 100 miles of the Alabama coast. Fresh, fresh, fresh. Give it a try. I’ll definitely be going back.

Sesame crusted grouped with mashed sweet potatoes.

Lion fish with wild mushroom risotto.

Chef Sherrill is a genuinely nice guy, and I know he’ll do well. As a side note — I watched him clean and filet a large red grouper in less than 5 minutes when he and two other chefs held a demonstration for the media team. It’s fascinating to watch someone who knows exactly what to do.

Chef Chris Sherrill prepares a large red grouper.

Red grouper filets and other ingredients for the demonstration.

A VIP Experience at Lulu’s in Gulf Shores, AL

12/11/2017 By: CCPearson4 Comments

Many of us who live in Alabama have spent a vacation or two on the Alabama Gulf Coast in either Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Dauphin Island or Fort Morgan. And, during those days, we make it a point to eat at Lulu’s at least once while we are in the area. After all, Lulu’s is practically a destination in itself with frequent live musicians scheduled, a large gift shop, snow cones, a beach, a Mountain of Youth ropes course, frequent dolphin sightings and a dock full of gorgeous boats to admire. Steve and I have eaten there as a couple and with friends on several occasions, but when we were in Orange Beach while I was covering the World Food Championships, we were invited to visit with other members of the media group. What a treat!!

A lovely representative of the Gulf Shores Tourism staff greeted us and showed us to a table — with NO WAITING! There was a full, lively crowd because of the presence of a popular music group playing that night as a part of the Frank Brown International Songwriters’ Festival. The atmosphere was fun and celebratory — in NOVEMBER!!! You expect it from Spring Break through Labor Day and during Shrimp Fest, but we were way past that, and Lulu’s was still attracting great crowds. Lulu and her team are obviously doing things right. So right, in fact, that 700,000 people a year eat at Lulu’s.

Normally, when Steve and I go out for dinner, we each get an entree and we occasionally share an appetizer or a dessert — but not both. This is both a budget and a weight/health habit of ours. But, when you are a part of a group of food/travel writers, the restaurant wants you to sample lots of its specialties. We were HAPPY to oblige. 🙂

First came three different appetizers: Smoked Tuna Dip, L.A. (Lower Alabama) Caviar and Lulu’s “Holy Guacamole!” My goodness. We could have stopped after this course. So much flavor! The tuna dip is NOT made from canned tuna. Oh no, this tuna comes right out of the water. The guacamole was very fresh and delicious. And we loved the caviar made of black-eyed peas in a balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Of course, there are plenty of others to choose from, such as quesadillas, fried green tomatoes, crab claws, onion rings, boiled shrimp and gumbo, but we were trying to pace ourselves.

Smoked Tuna Dip

“Holy Guacamole!”

L.A. (Lower Alabama) Caviar — a.k.a.blackeyed pea dip.

For entrees, our group chose an oyster basket, a salad topped with popcorn shrimp, a salad topped with grilled fish, and grilled red snapper. It is important to note that Lulu’s is a prime supporter of the Fish Trax Marketplace. Read about it here. But, basically it means that you can track the QR code that comes with your plate of fish on your phone to find out when it was caught, where it was caught, and who caught it.

Red Snapper via the Fish Trax Marketplace.

Oyster basket.

Even though we were all thoroughly full and satisfied, there was the tiny matter of dessert. “Just a bite,” we all said. Well, we didn’t get just one bite, but three!! One was Key Lime Pie, one was Brownie in Paradise, and the last was Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding. Can you imagine the decadence?

Everything was wonderful. Our server was so helpful and lively, and the evening was a complete delight. I hope you’ll be able to try it for yourself soon.

Lulu’s also has locations in Destin, FL and in Myrtle Beach, SC.

One more thing. If you can’t visit soon, you might just want to order Lucy Buffett’s latest cookbook, Gumbo Love. Order it here from Amazon.

BuzzCatz Coffee and Sweets in Orange Beach

12/04/2017 By: CCPearsoncomment

My best new discovery during our most recent trip to the Alabama Gulf Coast was BuzzCatz Coffee and Sweets at 25689 Canal Road, next to Cosmo’s. If you are a frequent visitor to the area, you have probably already enjoyed the other restaurants owned by Brian and Jodi Harsany — Cosmo’s Restaurant and Bar, opened in 2006, Cobalt Restaurant, 2008, and Luna’s Eat and Drink, which opened in 2016 about the same time as BuzzCatz.

Cosmo’s, Luna’s (both named for rescue pets owned by the Harsanys) and Cobalt all open at 11:00 a.m. seven days a week and stay open until 9:30 p.m, except on Friday and Saturday when they extend their hours until 10:00 p.m. So, it became obvious that a need for breakfast, coffee and sweets was waiting to be filled. Harsany wrestled with the name until he walked into the new place under construction complaining about feeling “buzzed” because of all the coffees he’d been sampling. As before, he wanted a cat theme in recognition of his love for 4-legged critters. Thus, BuzzCatz was christened.

Exterior of BuzzCatz next to Cosmo’s in Orange Beach.

I learned about BuzzCatz when I was doing research for Edible Lower Alabama before going to the World Food Championships in November. I was looking for chefs who would be competing from Edible’s coverage area of Montgomery to Mobile and the Alabama Gulf Coast. I found out Juanita Hendrix, who is the manager and assistant pastry chef at BuzzCatz, would be competing in the Bacon category. Chef Kimberly Asbury, head pastry chef at BuzzCatz, served as her Sous Chef in the competition.

Manager and pastry chef Juanita Hendrix and me.

Breakfast is served every morning at BuzzCatz from 7:00 to 11:00 a.m. Every morning has a different theme in terms of its daily special: Flap Jack Monday, Tortilla Tuesday, Waffle Wednesday, EGGstraordinary Thursday, French Toast Friday, Saturday Classic, and (woohoo, woohoo) Cinnamon Roll Sunday. And, we “just happened” to visit on a Sunday morning. For that particular special, you can have your favorite breakfast sandwich inside of a warm yeasty cinnamon roll. Oh yes! Steve had a blueberry biscuit, and we shared BuzzCatz’s version of Scotch eggs topped with Red Onion Jam.

Breakfast sandwich on a cinnamon roll.

Scotch Egg topped with Red Onion Jam

Red Onion Jam is made in-house every Saturday and Sunday. Juanita shared the recipe, and it was published last week here for Edible Lower Alabama.

The structured dish required by all contestants in the Bacon category at WFC 2017 was Quiche Lorraine. Here is the recipe concocted by Juanita and Kimberly for that competition.

Light lunches of wraps, salads and quiche are served to the lunch crowd, then the rest of the hours of operation are devoted to pastries and sweet delights of all kinds. And, don’t forget the coffee. It is roasted in nearby Fairhope where a signature blend has been created especially for BuzzCatz. Steve, the coffee drinker in our marriage, declared it to be exceptionally good.

House blend coffee

Housemade pop tarts

I highly recommend this little out-of-the-way place. It is clean, attractively decorated, and the food is exceptional.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary meal to facilitate this review. Just remember that I only recommend places I like and believe you would enjoy. Period. 🙂

P.S. Let me just give a quick shout-out to Priester’s Pecans which you will pass as you travel south to Orange Beach on I-65. Take Exit 142, and it is within sight. Here are just a few photos to remind you that you probably DO need to stop and pick up a bag from their latest crop — just in time for holiday baking.

“The Stress Free Dinner Party” By Chef James Boyce at Cotton Row

11/27/2017 By: CCPearson6 Comments

I enjoyed the last cooking class I attended so much that I persuaded a friend to go with me for another one. The place was the same (upstairs at Cotton Row Restaurant on the square in Huntsville, AL), the chef was the same (James Beard nominee James Boyce), but the menu was completely different. And, this time there were 14 eager learners sitting in a dining room type of arrangement set with white tablecloths, china, crystal and LOTS of utensils.

Pots, pans, utensils and ingredients lined up before our class.

Chef Boyce treated us as if we were guests at a dinner party with the added twist of also teaching us as the 3-hour class progressed. Now, I will just go ahead and confess that I am WAY too cookbook/recipe-driven to ever invite 14 people over to sit down and watch me prepare their meal . . . from scratch . . . even making up the dishes as I go along. Nope. Not going to happen. And, of course, I am a “home cook” and not a trained chef. BUT, I did learn so many things I didn’t know and now have quite a few new tidbits that I’d like to share with all of you.

First, a few biographical facts about Chef James Boyce: One of his first jobs was as a dishwasher in a bagel shop. He actually got a college degree in chemistry but never used it except for a brief stint in a job testing ground water. He was drawn to food and cooking and was finally able to pursue that passion. He is from Poughkeepsie, NY, only a few miles from the Culinary Institute of America. He applied for and got a job working under Daniel Boulad of Le Cirque on a very part-time basis then worked his way up through various restaurants before earning the Executive Chef position for Loews Hotel at the age of 26. Along the way, he had the opportunity to cook in the homes of famous people in the Hamptons, such as the Rolling Stones and Tony Bennett. Wow! Chef James and his wife Suzan opened Cotton Row 9 years ago, Pane e Vino 8 years ago, Commerce Kitchen 6 years ago, and most recently they opened Galley and Garden in Birmingham. James and Suzan have 2 children. Their daughter has to stay on a gluten-free diet, so Chef James is very familiar with the limitations and possibilities for her. When he learned that one of our evening’s fellow diners had to eat gluten-free, he prepared the whole meal with that condition in mind. Chef James describes his style as “Southern cooking with French and California influences” and says that “cooking is mistakes” and “the best recipes are mistakes.”
Chef James Boyce preparing to serve a salmon filet.
After a few minutes for appetizers while we were introduced to Chef’s plan for the evening, we were seated at the table and served a succulent crab cake over a smear of pureed tartar sauce and topped with fresh chives. The breading in the crab cake was a gluten-free baguette from Publix. He promised to post his instructions for the crab cake on Cotton Row’s website or Facebook page soon, so be sure to watch for it. I’m quite sure it was the best I’ve ever tasted with the quality of the crabmeat being a key component.
Crab cake with chives.
Next he brought out a beautiful, large filet of silver salmon and cut it into 2 slivers per person. Then, he made a topping of minced shallots, fennel, olive oil, the juice of a whole lime, radishes and jalapenos. He showed us how to cut an onion/shallot by starting at the blossom end, keeping the root end intact. It looked so easy. Success appeared to hinge in small part to cutting know-how with most emphasis on the quality of the knife. He recommended A & V Seafood at 2000 Cecil Ashburn Drive in Huntsville as a great place to buy fresh seafood. (I suspect Steve and I will be making a field trip there soon). The salmon dish was served raw at room temperature. Chef Boyce also gave a short explanation about the 2 kinds of herbs — hard herbs and finishing herbs. Since then, I’ve been Googling and studying more about the differences and how they should be used.
Raw salmon with a dressing of oil, lime juice, shallots, radish slices, and jalapenos.
The next course was a saffron risotto with shrimp topped with shaved parmesan and toasted pumpkin seeds. The 2-oz. bag of saffron he used came in a tin container and cost $190 for those 2 ounces — high cost for high quality, no doubt. He did a wonderful job of demonstrating the process involved with the risotto. One important tip was to start with “cold rice and hot stock.” We heard about a website called www.Gilt.com where it is possible to buy very high-end kitchen equipment at reduced prices, and we learned that parmesan cheese contains more fat than brie. A surprise to all of us! Radicchio was new to me, too. It’s known as Italian chicory and appeared to be a cross between cabbage and lettuce. He sliced a portion of the head, shredded it and added it to the risotto.
Saffron risotto with shrimp, shaved parmesan and toasted pumpkin seeds.

Herbs, stock, cheese and rice waiting to be prepared.
Our main course for the evening was a chicken breast with a butter sauce, called a Beurre Blanc (he recommends Banner Butter which is available at Whole Foods). The sauce began with minced shallots and a reduction of beer. In the meantime, he prepared a salad dressing with muscadine juice, ginger and some rice wine vinegar. That was served over a salad of Bibb lettuce with some medjool dates and bacon. The Bibb lettuce was hydroponically grown by Father Kent, a Russion Orthodox priest who owns Gratitude Farm in Hanceville, AL. A very new ingredient to me was amaranth greens. Some have called it “the next kale,” and it can be sauteed with garlic somewhat like spinach. It is said to be rich in iron, protein and calcium, and I found the taste to be very pleasant. Garlic can transform any dish, don’t you think?
Chicken breast with a Beurre Blanc sauce over sauteed amaranth greens served with a Bibb lettuce salad.

Fresh vegetables waiting for our cooking class. The amaranth greens are on the left. The radicchio is on the right.
The dinner ended with a Gluten Free Bread Pudding drizzled with Cherry Sauce. That dish was prepared earlier and brought up from the restaurant kitchen. As with the crab cakes, it was made with stale, gluten-free baguettes.
Gluten Free Bread Pudding with Cherry Sauce.

I hope this post has made you want to check out several new businesses, websites or ingredients even further. Food is such a fascinating subject with so many astute farmers and chefs constantly coming up with dishes that are creative and delectable. Let’s get educated.

A & V Seafood Market Banner Butter

radicchio Gilt.com

amaranth greens Father Kent at Gratitude Farm in Hanceville

hard herbs soft/finishing herbs

Oh, and P.S. — Monthly cooking classes are planned at Cotton Row in 2018. Check the website for announcements. And, if you need just a little more persuasion read here about the first class I attended taught by Chef Boyce.

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