Restaurant Review Archives - Page 2 of 9

2 Great Breakfast Sites in Athens, Georgia

03/04/2019 By: CCPearsoncomment

I know. I know. It must be strange for this proud Auburn Tiger to be recommending restaurants in Athens, Georgia, but those Bulldogs are serving up some mighty fine food. Today and next Monday I’ll give you some ideas when you visit for an away game at Sanford Stadium or just happen to find yourself on the campus or in the city in the future.

home.made

Yes. That’s the name of it — home.made. Instinctively, I wanted to try it. It just sounds good, don’t you agree? home.made is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday, but we chose to visit for Saturday brunch, which is served from 10:00-2:00, and it was exceptional.

The outside of 1072 Baxter Street is rather unremarkable, but the food produced inside shows commitment to high quality, seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients prepared with skill and imagination.

Steve and I shared both the salmon and the chicken thighs, and we found the grits, the sweet potato gratin and the pickled deviled egg to be outstanding. We splurged on the green tomato crisp for dessert, and I promise it tasted very much like apple pie.

home.made is several notches above Cracker Barrel. Yes, Cracker Barrel is a great place for breakfast, but every once in awhile you just want something extraordinary. And, by the way, the tea and coffee were special, too.

MAMA’S BOY RESTAURANT

Isn’t that a great name for a restaurant in a college town? My son unashamedly calls himself a Mama’s Boy, and I bet he’d head straight there based on the name alone.

Located at 197 Oak Street, Mama’s Boy is open 7 days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. We arrived for an early Sunday morning breakfast before driving back to Alabama, and the place was packed. Fortunately, there’s a large parking lot in the back, because the front lot is WAY too small. I have to admit that it felt good to be “where the young folks were,” rather than at some old codgers kind of place. Ha! The building and decor are rustic, but the vibe is fun and energetic.

Here we shared the veggie scramble with grits and a biscuit and the Georgia Peach French toast. Both were yummy. The lunch menu lists several sandwiches and salads. They sound good, too, but I can see why breakfast is such a big deal for Mama’s Boys everywhere.

Check back next Monday for some dinner recommendations and where to find the pie that has been served on the University of Georgia campus since 1956.

For other breakfast suggestions in Athens, Georgia, click here.

My 4 Must-Eats in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

02/25/2019 By: CCPearson2 Comments

Pancakes, trout, fritters and apple butter are the first food items to pop into my mind when I think about spending a few days in Gatlinburg, but the specifics of WHERE to consume those items is a key consideration, as well.

CROCKETT’S BREAKFAST CAMP

Crockett’s Breakfast Camp right on the main drag (a.k.a. Parkway through town) in Gatlinburg was a must-try on my list during a recent visit. Judging from the line wound around the building, it was on many other people’s list, too. Crockett’s only opened 5 years ago, and this was my first visit. Obviously, they wowed people quickly.

The good news was that a parking lot for a mere $2.00 for 2 hours sits across the street from Crockett’s. And another piece of good news is that you can call ahead or even sign up via email to get put on the waiting list. The bad news is that we didn’t know about that until we were enduring an hour and 15-minute wait.

The very good news is that the food is WONDERFUL. This is where Steve and I got our “trout fix” while we were in the area. Breakfast of pecan-crusted trout, scrambled eggs, grits, sausage gravy, hashbrowns and a thick, fluffy biscuit arrived in a black skillet with a side dish loaded with corn pone — possibly the best I’ve ever eaten.

I highly recommend Crockett’s. Just take my advice and put your name on the list before you arrive. And, by the way, it closes at 1:00 p.m. — strictly a breakfast-brunch place

APPLEWOOD FARMHOUSE RESTAURANT

Apple fritters generously dusted with confectioner’s sugar and a side of apple butter start every meal, along with a small glass of Applewood Julep (a refreshing juice concoction). A cup of hot soup and mashed potatoes come with every entree, and the choices are typical Southern specialties, such as meat loaf, turkey and dressing, chicken and dumplings, chicken pot pie and the like. Portions are very generous, too.

In the past, we’ve always arrived along with hundreds of other hungry diners, and once we got our name on the list, we could wander around the big Apple Barn and other shops on the premises. This time — in mid-February — we walked right in and were seated immediately. The food was good, but somehow, I missed the crowds and the Apple Barn was closed when we visited. Bummer. I would have been sorely tempted to bring a few jars of their apple butter home with me.

Both Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant and Applewood Farmhouse Grill are on the property. I suggest you go to the one with the shortest wait time. The menus for each appear to be interchangeable.

THE OLD MILL in Pigeon Forge

In terms of just pure deliciousness, this is probably my very favorite. We arrived about 12:30 p.m. and had a 40-minute wait, but the nearby shops were open, and the weather was nice. All the better to get our appetites fully stirred.

Corn fritters with maple butter and a cup of hot chowder start the meal at The Old Mill. The service was great, and the food was everything we expected. Oh yes, the pecan pie is to-die-for. I confess that I brought home a package of fixings for more of the corn chowder and some jalapeno cornbread mix and chow-chow for a cozy supper in the near future. The Old Mill will remain on my MUST LIST.

PANCAKE PANTRY

The line is ALWAYS down the sidewalk at the Pancake Pantry. They don’t take reservations, so you just know that unless you “hit it just right,” you’re going to have to wait. The variety of pancakes, hoecakes and crepes is dizzying, but there is bound to be something for everyone.

I ordered Austrian Apple Walnut Crepes, Allie had Swiss chocolate chip pancakes and Steve (Mr. Healthy) had the Whole Wheat pancakes. Service was quick and friendly, and the food was good.

I just have a couple of gripes to share. We had to pay $10.00 to park nearby, and Pancake Pantry only accepts cash. Yes, CASH! Who carries cash these days? Yes, they have a handy-dandy ATM machine inside, but that tacks on a $3.00 fee. Moral of the story? Be prepared.

The Pancake Pantry opened in 1960 and was the very FIRST pancake house in Gatlinburg. It has worked hard to become such a popular destination. But, I will probably try one of the other MANY pancake cafes that are scattered around now when I return. All of the ones I saw had large FREE parking lots, and I’m fairly certain they take credit cards.

So those were on my list last weekend. Our granddaughter Allie was with us, and all of the places were new to her. Without any prompting from me, she proclaimed The Old Mill as her favorite on our way home.

What about you? Which restaurants are always on your radar and considered worth the wait for you when you visit Gatlinburg?

Seafood, Glorious Seafood on the Mississippi Gulf Coast

02/11/2019 By: CCPearsoncomment

Steve and I have a rule. Whenever we are on the Gulf Coast — or ANY coast, for that matter — we order seafood. For us, this is not the time for pork chops, steaks, hamburgers or spaghetti. No. The coast is where you are most likely to get the very freshest seafood, and we both love it. Oysters, shrimp, scallops, crab, calimari, redfish, speckled trout, tuna, mahi mahi, flounder, red snapper, grouper — you name it, we’ll eat it.

We’ve known all of our lives about the seafood on Alabama’s Gulf Coast, but recently we had a chance to spend a few days further west, pretty much halfway between Pascagoula and New Orleans. We sampled the area restaurants of Hancock County, specifically in Bay St. Louis and Kiln (Brett Favre’s hometown), and can testify that they are outstanding. Here are 4 that I’d like to recommend. Warning: These photos will make you LONG to be at the beach.

200 NORTH BEACH

200 North Beach was the first restaurant to open after Katrina all but wiped out Bay St. Louis. It is located across from the harbor in Old Town Bay Saint Louis and is housed in the restored Echo Building, which once produced the Echo Sea Coast Newspaper. You will see beaded boards and exposed beams that were carefully reclaimed from the storm’s destruction, but most of all, you will taste the delectable creations of Chef Keith Becton and his staff.

Chef Becton was born on the island of Martinique and received his classical training as a chef in France. He previously worked in New Orleans, so the French Creole influence is prominent in his preparations and seasonings. By all means, save room for dessert. His White Chocolate Bread Pudding is fabulous!

200 North Beach is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.

Broiled seafood platter full of oysters, scallops, shrimp and fish.

Amazing White Chcolate Bread Pudding — Oh My!

CUZ’S OLD TOWN OYSTER BAR AND GRILL

Cuz, whose real name is Melvin Barnes, used to own a seafood market and restaurant where he actually caught the fish himself, but not anymore. Cuz does, however, still know the best sources for his seafood. He’s a colorful character whose life is surrounded by women — a wife, 5 daughters and “even a female dog.” 🙂

We tried the fried seafood at Cuz’s Old Town Oyster Bar and Grill and enjoyed the fact that the crust was very light. We’ve heard that his boiled seafood is great, so during a return visit, we’ll give it a try. His bread pudding recipe follows a very specific rule — “I won’t let them put raisins in it.” We agree with you, Cuz.

Cuz’s is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.

Look at the size of that fried seafood platter!

JOURDAN RIVER STEAMER

Jourdan River Steamer in Kiln, MS, is owned by Hank and Lori Plauche. Their current location is very new, because storms wiped away previous restaurants they’ve owned. This one is right along the river and is very high off the ground — according to flood plain and insurance requirements resulting from Katrina.

The menu is extremely unique in that it prominently features King, Dungeness and Snow Crab, Royal Red Shrimp and Live Maine Lobsters. According to Lori Plauche, the kitchen doesn’t even HAVE a fryer, and the kitchen staff is referred to as the Steam Team.

Jourdan River Steamer is open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday.

BOGART’S STEAKHOUSE

Bogart’s is the fine dining restaurant inside Hollywood Casino in Bay St. Louis. Gambling and casinos are a reality on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. I don’t gamble, but I do appreciate great food. And, yes, this post is about seafood, but Bogart’s Steakhouse deserves to be included because in addition to its great steaks (which we had a chance to sample thanks to a fellow diner and LOVED), the seafood is outstanding as well.

I sampled ahi tuna, crabcakes, broiled scallops and loved the blackened redfish with crawfish risotto. All wonderful. Then the desserts — I had a taste of the cheesecake, the blonde brownie, bread pudding and creme brulee. It would be impossible to choose the best. I believe I need to go back and try them all again. 🙂

Bogart’s is closed on Monday and Tuesday and open only for dinner Wednesday through Sunday.

Dessert tray – cheesecake, bread pudding and blonde brownie

Two other eateries certainly deserve a mention here. Mockingbird Cafe is a great place for breakfast and lunch and is located near fun shops in Old Town Bay St. Louis. It is often referred to as “the Living Room of the Bay” and is a natural gathering spot for the locals. Mockingbird Cafe is open seven days a week but closes early on Sunday. Be sure to check the website.

And, possibly the biggest surprise of our trip was the Jet Away Cafe inside Stennis International Airport. The gumbo I had for lunch was chocked full of goodness, and Steve had one of the biggest chef salads I’ve even seen. I’m only sorry that I was too busy watching all of the action at this unique airport and hearing about its history and functions to make photos. Trust me. It’s a neat place to eat. Jet Away Cafe is closed on weekends but open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Vicari and Pizza Grocery in Corinth, Mississippi

01/28/2019 By: CCPearsoncomment

I mentioned these two restaurants in an earlier post here, but I thought I’d take a few minutes to share more photos and describe them in greater depth. After all, Corinth, MS is a short drive from North Alabama, so many of you could easily reach these places and enjoy a great meal.

VICARI

Vicari, at 514 Cruise Street in Corinth, is one of the flagship restaurants anchoring the downtown area of the city. It is in a beautifully-preserved vintage building that dates back to the late 1800’s. The impressive entry will immediately set the stage for your meal with its soaring 30-foot ceiling and center staircase.

If you are looking for nightly entertainment, Vicari has a full schedule of performers and a full-service bar upstairs. The food, however, was PLENTY of entertainment for me. 🙂

Chef John Mabry serves steaks, chicken and seafood, but the primary focus of his menu is on Italian dishes. From the sauce recipes originating directly from Italy to the Italian marble floors and even to the name of the restaurant, the influence of the country permeates the atmosphere.

Vicari – a piano always captures my attention

Vicari – a cozy table waiting for diners

Corinth itself was originally named Cross City because it was situated where northbound and eastbound railroads intersected. Later, it was named Corinth after the European city that also had a famous crossroad. In turn, Vicari derives its name from a small town in Sicily that is similar to Corinth in size.

The kitchen’s grill is used extensively, especially in preparing one of the restaurant’s signature dishes, Crab and Shrimp Manicotti.

I wish I had taken more photos of the dishes enjoyed by my tablemates the evening I was there. They looked amazing, and as you might expect, the aromas swirling around cause immediate salivating to begin.

I chose one of my favorite Italian dishes, Eggplant Parmesan, and loved every bite.

PIZZA GROCERY

Pizza Grocery, at 800-A Cruise Street in Corinth, is also located in the downtown area, also serves Italian dishes, and is housed in a building with loads of history. Kudos to the business people of Corinth who are repurposing buildings rather than demolishing them.

Coca-Cola mural on Pizza Grocery exterior

In the case of Pizza Grocery, the building was a grocery wholesale warehouse from the 1920’s until the 1980’s. A lot of remodeling was necessary, but the building’s character and charm were retained. The building is large with several levels. In fact, the private banquet room can seat up to 85 people. On the side of the building is a whimsical Coca-Cola mural in recognition of the town’s bottling plant that has been in operation for many decades. A fun photo op, for sure.

As the name implies, pizza is prominent on the menu, but all dishes are made from scratch and are delicious. In addition to pizza, you’ll find calzones, burgers, pasta, sandwiches, salads, desserts and more. They are open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner.

Foodie Finds in NYC

01/21/2019 By: CCPearsoncomment

Sometimes you visit a city specifically for the restaurants. Other times you go for the experiences and let the dining options unfold in a “whatever you can find when you get hungry” kind of way. That’s pretty much what Steve and I did when we were in New York recently. If you’re planning a trip in the coming months, here are a few choices to consider.

Europa Cafe

We were cold and hungry, walking between Rockefeller Center and Times Square, when we happened into this deli/cafe/coffee shop kind of place. It was warm. The smells were enticing, and we were glad to be there. We had hot chocolate, shared a large sandwich and a pastry and were ready to face the world again. Lots of fresh soup choices, too.

Crossroads American Kitchen

This is a breakfast and dinner restaurant inside the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. It’s an enormous space and can serve a large number of people rather quickly. The breakfast buffet is packed with items, including an omelet station, but the price is a little high. We ordered from the menu and enjoyed our dishes very much.

New Apollo Diner in Brooklyn

The best things to say about New Apollo Diner? It’s a half block away from the Brooklyn Tabernacle. It has a large menu. And, you will get a taste of the local culture and atmosphere. Portions are huge. If we lived in the area, that would have been an advantage, and we’d have requested carry-out boxes. We wished we had shared an entree. Service is good. No doubt, you will spot people you just worshipped beside at the church service.

The Oyster Bar in Grand Central Station

Grand Central Station itself is historic, and the architecture is amazing — definitely worth a visit. There is an entire Dining Concourse in the bowels of the station. (I use that word because it is underground and a little dark with a lot of concrete and passageways). You’ll find everything from the Chirping Chicken and Eata Pita to the newly-opened Shake Shack. We chose the Grand Central Oyster Bar and Restaurant because we just wanted to sit and relax awhile. The Manhattan Clam Chowder and fried oysters we shared were very good.

Food Hall at The Plaza

There is a more upscale food hall on the premises – the Todd English Food Hall — but we opted to just browse the kiosks, nooks and crannies of the larger food hall. There are at least 20 possibilities to consider, and they are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you’re at Central Park, this might be a good option, especially if you’re looking for something economical.

Palm Court for breakfast

It is most famous as the site of Afternoon Tea, but breakfast there is outstanding, too. It’s definitely an extravagance, but very nice.

Thoughts

One day we grabbed a few pizza slices from the prepared items at Whole Foods in Columbus Circle, and we found several McDonald’s and Applebee’s locations. We didn’t go in. That’s just an F.Y.I. You can spend a lot or you can spend less-than-a-lot on meals in the Big Apple. Notice I didn’t use the word cheap. Nothing is really cheap, but you won’t go hungry.

In May of 2000, we had dinner at Windows on the World at the top of the World Trade Center. It was one of the most amazing meals of our lives. We also had lunch one day at Loeb Boathouse in Central Park across from the Museum of Modern Art and later ate hot dogs at Yankee Stadium before their game with the Red Sox. And, in 2008, we enjoyed Thanksgiving Dinner at Tavern on the Green in Central Park after watching Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

I suggest that when you plan your trip to NYC just decide what your must-do’s are and fit them into your budget and your itinerary. My goodness, what a great city!!

Now, enough about New York. Stay tuned for my next adventure.

Afternoon Tea at The Plaza

12/17/2018 By: CCPearson4 Comments

Before our recent trip to New York City, Steve asked me for suggestions as to what I’d like for my Christmas gift this year. I jokingly said, “Well, what about something from Tiffany’s?” But, in seriousness, I replied that I’d really like to have Afternoon Tea at The Plaza. In spite of the fact that such a frou-frou occasion sounded WAY out of his comfort zone, he agreed and let me make our reservations. The event matched my expectations and anticipation beautifully.

First of all, the setting at the Palm Court is exquisite. The ceiling, the architectural details, the ornately woven rugs, the plants, the music (light jazz a la Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole), the table linens, all of it has been welcoming dignitaries, movie stars, and common folks like us since 1907.

A closer look at the ceiling in the Palm Court.

Our server knew how to put out-of-town, fairly unschooled, formal afternoon tea people at ease. She helped Steve choose a wonderful green tea, and my black tea had a light, but complex flavor. I noticed hints of cinnamon, vanilla, ginger and apples. I liked it with a cube or two of sugar, and lo and behold, I discovered that I really like a touch of milk in my tea. Who knew?

I chose a black tea with hints of apple, cinnamon, vanilla and ginger. Oh my.

Although guests are booked solid every afternoon from noon until 5:00 p.m., especially during the holidays, we felt completely unhurried. Eventually, our tiered tray of sweets, savories and scones arrived and looked amazing. After a morning of browsing holiday markets and walking through Central Park, we were ready to enjoy these special treats.

After the first cup of tea, it was time to get started on all of the treats.

The middle tray of sandwiches and savories included a smoked salmon and pumpernickel napoleon, deviled egg salad on white bread, roasted turkey on wheat bread, English cucumber on rye bread, Parisian ham and gruyere cheese on a pretzel ficelle and roasted prime rib on a brioche roll. So much variety, definitely something there for even the finickiest eaters.

Salmon, cucumber, turkey, ham, egg salad and prime rib sandwiches.

I’ve never thought of scones as being extra special, but that’s probably because I haven’t had them with double devonshire cream, lemon curd or fresh preserves. Lemon curd was my favorite. That touch made the scones positively decadent.

Preserves, devonshire cream, and lemon curds for the scones.

The pastries and sweets were tiny (but not too tiny) bites of artfully-presented and intricately-delicious perfection. Listen to these descriptions: chocolate hazelnut nutella turron, chocolate and cherry buche de noel, eggnog tart with cranberry preserve and candied orange, raspberry tart, maple cheesecake with candied pecans, mandarin orange chocolate eclair and green apple and cinnamon macaron. And, yes, I had to look up several of those words. Turron is not in my everyday vocabulary. 🙂

Intricately-prepared pastries and sweets, all with a holiday touch.

I was completely surprised when the server appeared with a chocolate replica of The Plaza for each of us as parting gifts. (And, they both made it home unscathed in my carry-on bag). I can’t imagine actually breaking these apart and eating them, but I’ll enjoy showing them to the grandkids. 🙂

A chocolate replica of The Plaza with my last cup of tea. I can’t believe I didn’t stick out my pinky finger for the sake of this photo.

Apparently, very few people are able to eat everything on those trays in one sitting. Happily, the servers are gracious to offer to box up the leftovers, so Steve and I enjoyed them later than night after more sightseeing.

So, thank you, Silver Fox, for giving me this unforgettable afternoon. I loved making this memory with you.

Tupelo Honey Cafe: Great Food in Franklin, Tennessee

12/03/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Perhaps you’re planning a Christmas shopping spree at Cool Springs Galleria in Franklin, Tennessee, in the coming weeks. Or, maybe you’ll want to go there for after-Christmas sales. Whatever the case, my guess is that at some point, you’ll get hungry. I checked out a place recently that I think is worth the short drive across I-65 from the Galleria. I promise, it’s not far. Put it in your GPS — 2000 Meridian Boulevard Suite 110 in Franklin.

Tupelo Honey is not just a song written by Van Morrison. It is also the name for a delicious number of restaurants now appearing across the Southeast, originating from a tiny location in Asheville, North Carolina. Now, there are 4 in North Carolina, 2 in South Carolina, 1 in Georgia, 2 in Virginia, 4 in Tennessee, and the most recent ones have opened in Denver and in Frisco, Texas. I want to be one of the first in line when a Tupelo Honey Cafe comes to Alabama. Tupelo Honey is not exactly a chain or a franchise, since they are all owned by the same man, Stephen Frabitore, who bought the original Tupelo Honey Cafe in Asheville in 2008.

Tupelo Honey Cafe does a fabulous job of serving brunch. They open Monday through Friday at 11:00 a.m. and on Saturday and Sunday at 9:00 a.m. But, you can also visit for lunch or dinner, and they are happy to take reservations. When you visit the website here, take note of the recipes included. I’m planning to try the walnut-stuffed apples for supper tonight, and the garlic-mashed cauliflower will be on a future menu.

Steve and I were seated promptly and had a fabulous server. The hot biscuits, blueberry jam and honey appearing at our table right away got things off to a great start.

I can rarely resist Fried Green Tomatoes, so we shared their version for an appetizer. These came with goat cheese grits, a roasted red pepper coulis and sprigs of fresh basil. Two thumbs up.

Steve ordered one of the breakfast combos where you can choose three items for only $10. He selected scrambled eggs, sweet potato pancakes and goat cheese grits. Pieces of baked sweet potato were visible in the pancakes (in other words, they were not “artifically flavored”), and we both agree that the grits were exceptional.

I chose the Pecan Pie French Toast with whipped cream and fresh blueberries. Totally decadent and delicious.

We particularly enjoyed the local art on the walls, which is a characteristic of all the Tupelo Honey Cafe locations. A favorite was this one of the Tennessee flag designed from remnants of the old Grand Ole Opry Building that was flooded along with almost everything in downtown Nashville in May of 2010.

I hope I’ve helped to put Tupelo Honey Cafe on your radar. I certainly plan to go back again ASAP.

When Travel Writers Have Dinner Together: Lockkeepers in Cleveland, OH

11/19/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

One of the bonuses of my job as a travel writer is going on press trips with fellow travel writers. We “get” each other. We’re a curious group, with a shared desire to have our heads filled with intriguing new information, to taste something delicious prepared in ways we’ve never had before, to ask a boatload of questions and to take photos galore. We often have the opportunity to eat in the finest restaurants in town, and we’re very generous about sharing bites and giving opinions about who ordered best. We usually get to sample several of the house specialties in terms of appetizers and desserts, and we each order our own entrees — almost always offering our tablemates a sample. After all, the restaurants want us to try their signature items and then spread the word to our readers about ones we particularly enjoyed. It’s most definitely a win-win proposition. The owners get feedback and publicity, and we get a fabulous meal. What’s not to love?

A recent dinner near Cleveland stands out in my mind. My fellow diners and I had spent a couple of days together and developed a great camaraderie, even though we were all from vastly different parts of the country. The last thing on our trip agenda was to be an outdoor performance of the Cleveland Symphony, but on the way we headed to Lockkeepers for dinner.

First of all, the location was unique — along the banks of the Cuyahoga River in a stunning architectural building surrounded by trees. Lush. Elegant.

And it was visually pleasing inside as well. To add to the extraordinary nature of the occasion, we had the whole upstairs Sommelier Room to ourselves which overlooked the main dining room through glass partitions.

Our uniformed servers were eager to answer our questions about the items on the menu and were happy to point out their favorite choices in every category.

We sampled fresh salads and appetizers, served artistically.

Calamari rings.

The entrees came in abundant portions. If only I’d had a way to take my leftovers home! Lasagna with layers of pasta made inhouse. The biggest scallops I’ve ever seen. A salmon filet surrounded by veggies. A pork chop that made all of us gasp at its size and thickness. Each dish was exceptional.

Lasagna.

Pasta dish for our vegetarian colleague.

Tomahawk pork chop.

Salmon.

Just when we thought we had used all possible superlatives, out came the desserts! A cannoli, tiramisu, housemade gelatos, and the pastry chef’s specialty — A Campfire Brownie. Listen to this description: “Salted Valrona Fudge Brownie, Pecan Blondie, Caramel, Graham Cracker Crust, Housemade Marshmallow.” Yes, we EACH had a bit of all of these. My goodness, what a smashing finale!

Cannoli.

3 flavors of gelato.

Campfire brownie.

Maintaining a healthy weight is quite a challenge for a travel writer, but it can be done. As I mentioned earlier, with many of these dishes, we each just took a small sample. Also, between meals, we are in constant motion. The calories in vs. calories out ratio manages to balance itself fairly well.

You can read my review of Lockkeepers in TheYums.com here. Have I convinced you to make Lockkeepers part of your itinerary when you visit Cleveland? Be aware that the menu changes seasonally. If you go in the fall or spring, you are likely to find many other great dishes.

And, even more so, have I made you start thinking about becoming a travel writer? Feel free to ask me questions. I love talking about it.

Mason-Dixon Bakery and Bistro in Huntsville, AL: 100% Gluten Free

10/29/2018 By: CCPearson1 Comment

Not only is Mason-Dixon Bakery and Bistro the first 100% gluten free bakery in Alabama, it also ranks among the top 15 in the entire United States. Is your first thought: “How can anything that is completely gluten free actually taste good?” Let me assure you that at Mason-Dixon, they have learned the secrets to tasty success.

We have a precocious granddaughter Penelope who once proclaimed when asked to name her favorite food: “GLUTEN!” At the time, she was having stomach issues, and her parents were trying to steer her away from products containing gluten in an attempt to identify the cause of her problems. She associated gluten with all of her former delicious favorites and was sorely missing them. Well, lucky for Penelope and the thousands of others who either MUST avoid gluten or who choose to do so, Huntsville has a wonderful place to enjoy a guilt-free lunch or a baked treat.

Located at 2358 Whitesburg Drive, Mason-Dixon is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. It is a smallish place, but the flavors produced by Chef Matthew Streeter are richly-layered, healthy and allergen-free in addition to being gluten free. My friend and I went in recently for dessert, but take note that Chef Streeter’s Chicken Apple Brie Sandwich with housemade fig jam was named one of the Top 10 Sandwiches in the state a few years ago. I MUST get back over there to try one.

Very enticing menu offerings are available for both breakfast and lunch. Take note that Mason-Dixon is only a few minutes away from Huntsville Hospital, in case you are visiting a friend who is a patient and maybe want to carry them something that will help them forget hospital food.

The Death by Chocolate cupcake is described as “rich, moist cake topped with creamy Paleo frosting and a drizzle of housemade Paleo ganache.

The Carrot Cake Cupcake is made of carrots, cinnamon and walnuts topped with cream cheese frosting. Do I have your mouth watering?

Kids menus include a sandwich, drink and side and range from $5-7.

The drink menu provides a variety of coffees and teas along with lemonade and organic sodas. The Snickerdoodle Latte sounds particularly appealing.

Mason-Dixon offers a selection of carry-out meals that can be ordered in advance and picked up on Monday-Wednesday-Friday. Check the website for details. They also do extensive catering for weddings and events of all kinds.

Mason-Dixon Bakery and Bistro is clean, attractive and cozy. It has a feel-good atmosphere and the staff is helpful and friendly.

Galley and Garden: Elegant Dining in Birmingham, AL

10/22/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Huntsville residents and visitors are already familiar with the excellence and culinary expertise of Chef James Boyce in his three notable restaurants in the city: Cotton Row, Commerce Kitchen and Pane e Vino (in the Huntsville Museum of Art). Four years ago, in the fall of 2014, Chef Boyce took his talents to Birmingham and established his 4th winning restaurant in the Highlands section near UAB and downtown.

Front exterior of Galley and Garden

Galley and Garden at 2220 Highland Avenue South, is the stunning result and is a place I would highly recommend for dinner Monday through Saturday, for lunch Monday through Friday or for brunch on Sunday. Galley in the title refers to the gleaming, open kitchen visible from the dining room, and the carefully-tended garden is evident as you reach the front of the property. Depending on the season, you are likely to see blackberries, lettuces and an extensive selection of herbs which you are sure to find gracing the dishes inside.

The Galley — open concept kitchen.

The garden in the front of the property.

Galley and Garden is housed in what was originally the Merritt House which was built in 1908 and later was a restaurant called Veranda on Highland. Chef Boyce, his wife and partner Suzan and a couple of other investors in Birmingham remodeled the building and completely revamped the menu and restaurant’s concept. Guests now walk into tasteful shades of taupe and gray with lots of black and white. Pristine white tablecloths, gleaming china, silver, stemware and candlelight set the inviting tables.

Steve and I shared an anniversary there several months ago — cornmeal crusted oysters for an appetizer, the evening’s special of fresh snapper for our entree and vanilla bean creme brulee for dessert. Steve enjoyed their signature blend of coffee and pronounced it “awesome.”

Cornmeal crusted oysters

Snapper entree

Creme brulee

Our service was friendly and attentive, and we enjoyed the lively vibe and setting very much. Keep Galley and Garden in mind the next time you are in Birmingham or when you want to drive into the city for a special occasion.

By the way, drive to the back of the large building to find parking if you can’t find a space on the side streets.

Click here to read a review I wrote for TheYums.com.

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