ToyBox Bistro: A Quirky Huntsville Eatery Worth Finding

09/17/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Actually, it was my granddaughter Maggie who first told me about this place. She went to work with her daddy in Huntsville several weeks ago, and he took her to lunch. At her next piano lesson, she said,”Grandmomma, daddy and I found a place to eat that you would LOVE! It’s very different and fun, and the food is great.” Recently, a friend and I had an opportunity to check it out, and I have to say that she was exactly right.

You’ll find ToyBox Bistro at 511 Jordan Lane NW. When you take the Jordan Lane exit off of I-565, head toward University Drive. ToyBox Bistro is at the end of a strip of shops on the lefthand side, right at the Holmes Avenue intersection. Don’t look for sleek and modern. Think eclectic, homey, and unexpected.

The ToyBox slogan is “Eat, Drink and Be Nerdy,” certainly a reference to the hundreds of engineers and engineer types who live in Huntsville. As a matter of fact, the present owner’s husband was a Boeing Engineer, who died 8 years ago. While he was living, he had a toy-collecting obsession that resulted in the accumulation of 10,000 little people/toys/figurines, many of which have a Star Wars connection. His wife Michelle, who is now the owner, sold off half of the collection to fund the restaurant, 500 pieces are on display around the walls and suspended from the ceiling, and the rest are still in storage. I can see why engineering brains are drawn in, but go ahead and take your kids. Where else can you see a Monopoly game on the ceiling or be handed a bucket of Legos for your table while you wait??

ToyBox Bistro opened in March of 2016 and actually has no specific demographic. Frequent diners include nerds to be sure, but also families with kids, visitors from all over the country who have come into the Rocket City for work, ATF and FBI folks, whose offices are nearby, and random grandmothers like me.

ToyBox is closed on Sundays, but is open from 10:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. the other 6 days of the week. Saturday nights are said to be the busiest, and, according to our server, Saturday brunch (10:30-2:00) is “off the chain” both in its popularity and in the delectable items that can be ordered. Make a note, too, that Taco Tuesdays also bring out the creative juices of the kitchen crew.

In addition to the menu choices, 2 different daily specials are offered that depend almost entirely on the whims of the cooks. All the meat is said to be fresh-never-frozen, and the roast beef is roasted for 12 hours.

My friend and I chose to share a Roast Beef Panini and a side of Grilled Potato Salad. Both were extremely delicious! Comfort food at its best. The potato salad consists of potatoes, sour cream, chives, and bacon baked in a cast iron skillet, resulting in a few crunchy edges.

Roast Beef Panini with a side of Grilled Potato Salad

I NEED to go back to sample their Chicken and Waffle Sliders, PB & Yay Burger, Roast Beef Sundae, C3PO and Mish’s Pot Pie, to name a few.

The whole staff is friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable about the menu and the history of the restaurant. Give it a try. It’s fun!

Edgefield, South Carolina: Pottery, Great Food and TURKEYS!

09/10/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Allow me to steer you off of Interstates 20, 26 or 85 the next time you cross from Georgia or North Carolina into South Carolina. Edgefield is a jewel of a town with plenty to occupy you for several hours or a couple of days.

The National Wild Turkey Federation has its headquarters in Edgefield, and you will definitely want to designate an hour or two to visit their beautiful facility at 770 Augusta Road. The displays and exhibits are first-class. Even for those of us who have never been turkey hunters, it is fascinating to learn the habits and facts surrounding these interesting, albeit funny-looking, birds.

On display at the National Wild Turkey Federation

When you make the connection to the Turkey Federation, it is easy to understand and enjoy the painted turkeys scattered around the downtown area.

Standing around town.

Make a point of visiting downtown, specifically to see the studio and workshop of Old Edgefield Pottery at 230 Simpkins Street. There are actually three art forms that originated in South Carolina — Sweetgrass Baskets (popular in Charleston), Catawba Indian Pottery (which is on prominent display at the Catawba Cultural Center in Rock Hill, SC) and Edgefield Pottery which dates back to the 1800’s. At the studio, you can see examples of the original clay works and watch potter Justin Guy continue the process to make pieces today. You will be very tempted to purchase one of his beautiful pots for your own home.

Mural depicting Potter Dave from 200 years ago.

Justin Guy talking about Old Edgefield Pottery and its characteristics

Old Edgefield Grill is a restaurant I am happy to recommend right off of the main square at 202 Penn Street. Housed in a vintage Victorian home with a wide wraparound veranda and a yard full of magnolia trees, it exudes an air of Southern hospitality with the menu to back it up. They say that Shrimp and Grits is their signature item, but I’d put their Fried Green Tomatoes at the top of their offerings, as well. Two of the main dining rooms have important local connections. One has turkeys everywhere — in photos and decor, of course, not in live, gobbling form — and the other is a tribute to Senator Strom Thurmond, a highly-recognized and beloved U.S. Senator who was born in Edgefield in 1902, and died there a little over a hundred years later. Delicious upscale comfort food, elegant surroundings and significant art and decor items — what could be better?

Interior of Old Edgefield Grill in the turkey-themed room.

Statue of Senator Strom Thurmond

Edgefield is just one of the towns in the 5 counties which make up South Carolina’s Old 96 District. Check out the website. I’m positive you will find something that everyone in your family can see, experience and enjoy.

Gervasi Vineyard: 55 Stunning Acres in Canton, Ohio

09/03/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

I expected to enjoy the NFL Hall of Fame and the Canton Food Tour on a recent visit, but I was amazed and enchanted by the beauty and excellence I observed at the Gervasi Vineyard (1700 55th Street N.E. in Canton, Ohio). The work of a winery, especially one that offers exceptional food, luxury accommodations, much-sought-after event spaces and immaculate landscaping, is worth appreciating. When you are curious about pretty much EVERYTHING — as I tend to be — the process involved in turning grapes into wine is a fascinating one.

Driving through the archway entrance into Gervasi, you immediately sense that you are in for a special treat.

My fellow travel writers and I began our visit in the Tower Room of The Crush House, one of Gervasi’s fabulous restaurants. Andrew Codispoti, the Director of Winemaking, gave us an enlightening presentation about the various wines produced on the property as well as others that are brought in from around the world. I learned a lot about “the persona of wine” as Andrew explained that every wine has a longitude, a latitude, an altitude, and he smiled and added “an attitude.” A wine’s persona is the sum total of all the affecting factors: soil, slope, exposure, rain, fog, breeze, wind and, of course, temperature. Andrew also talked to us about “ice wine” (as opposed to “iceD wine”). In the case of ice wine, grapes must freeze on the vine when the temperatures have been in the teens for a number of days in a row. Then the grapes are pressed while they are still frozen, so the juice is highly concentrated. See? I told you it was fascinating.

Ted Swaldo is the owner of Gervasi, and the name of the vineyard was chosen because it is his mother’s maiden name. His son Scott is the General Manager. Scott is pictured here in the blue checked shirt beside Andrew.

Andrew Codispoti and Scott Swaldo

Lunch at The Crush House was fabulous. Here are some photos of appetizers, salads and main dishes. Oh my!

Crispy Fig Crostatas

Italian Loaded Potato Chips

Chickpea-crusted Chicken Breast

Greek Chicken Orzo

Rosemary Roasted Beef Sandwich with Crush House slaw

We walked the lush grounds and saw the variety of event spaces available for special occasions of all kinds — the Pavilion, the Villa Grande, the Gazebo, etc.

We toured a couple of the villas, which are Italian-inspired guest suites, each with a fireplace, heated tile floors and walk-in showers. Gorgeous! I MUST find an opportunity to return.

lLiving room in a villa.

Bedroom in a villa with a fireplace and heated floor.

Tile and marble bathroom with walk-in shower.

In The Bistro, Gervasi’s most upscale dining option, we met Jerry Risner, the Executive Chef, who is putting Gervasi on the map with his creativity and skill. He has a highly-trained staff, meeting the desires of all the guests who dine on the property.

One of the dining areas in The Bistro.

Jerry Risner, Executive Chef

Culinary classes are held on the grounds. The main instructor and the coordinator is Julianna Wilmoth. Her mantra is to use whole, fresh, local food when you’re cooking and to have fun doing it. Check out the schedule of classes here. Who wants to go with me?

Julianna Wilmoth, director of Culinary Classes

Of course, you wouldn’t want to leave Gervasi without a stop at the Marketplace to have a look at the vineyard-themed merchandise available for purchase.

Marketplace — gift shop on the grounds.

Some of the merchandise for sale in the Marketplace.

I understand there is even an event during harvest time every year where visitors can actually “stomp the grapes,” Lucy Ricardo-style. Wouldn’t that be a blast?

Have I sparked your interest in visiting Canton and Gervasi Vineyard? I believe you’ll love it.

A Canton Food Tour for an Alabama Food Lover

08/27/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Last week I was in Cleveland, Ohio with a group of fellow travel writers, all members of SATW (Society of American Travel Writers), and decided to go up a day early to take in some of the attractions and restaurants in nearby Canton. The first thing that likely comes to mind when you say “Canton, Ohio,” at least to the male members of the human race, would be the NFL Hall of Fame, and admittedly, that is a HUGE deal in Canton. Who knew, then, that there was such a great foodie culture in this town of 71,000, give or take a few hundred or so?

The Evening Hall of Fame City Food Tour costs $63 per person and includes a walking tour of downtown blocks showcasing important buildings, lively public art, lots of Canton fun facts and trivia and the culinary offerings of at least 4 participating restaurants. With a minimum of two courses at each eatery, the amount adds up to an abundance of food. For that reason, the walking involved is actually a very good thing. Plus, it’s the best way to get the vibe of the neighborhood. And, don’t worry if you’re not in top physical condition. The area is only about 4 blocks running north and south and 2 blocks running east and west. Very doable. I promise.

Cathy Wyatt was our tour guide. I found her to be extremely knowledgeable, attractive and enthusiastic. She also generously allowed us to visit her apartment at Onesto Lofts for a birds’eye view of downtown. Cathy is heavily involved in the civic happenings of Canton and owns Carpe Diem Coffee Shop right in the heart of the action.

Cathy Wyatt, Canton Food Tour guide and owner of Carpe Diem Coffee Shop.

Cathy Wyatt and her coffee shop.

Entrance to Onesto Lofts, repurposed downtown building.

Ornate lobby of Onesto Lofts.

View of the angels atop the Stark County Courthouse from near the top of Onesto Lofts.

Cathy educated us about the connections between President William McKinley and Canton, primarily through his wife Ida Saxton McKinley who was born and died in Canton. She pointed out the murals in progress depicting the 11 most important events in the history of the National Football League. We saw the Stark County Courthouse with its 11-foot high angels adorning the top and several examples of sculptures. Even the trash receptacles are painted with an array of themes.

NFL Monday Night Football mural

But, most of the time, we ate . . . and ate . . . and ate.

Our first stop was to Benders Tavern (circa 1902). There we had a sampling of Turtle Soup, which was a flavorful mix of snapping turtle morsels, celery, carrots, red pepper, sherry and herbs in a tomato base. Great start! That was followed by Sauteed Perch, straight from nearby Lake Erie, with homemade hummus and green beans with charmoula sauce.

Bender’s Tavern

Lake Erie perch at Bender’s.

Street Side Mexican Cantina is a new place which just opened in January of 2018. In addition to a collection of vintage signs on the walls, there was a deer head over the bar decorated for football. Street Side features fresh Mexican cuisine. We were served homemade tortilla chips with four sauces: queso, guacamole, salsa and fresco. All were good, but the queso was the crowd favorite. Next came small servings of BBQ beef tacos and Pork Belly Tacos with housemade quick pickles. New twists on old favorites.

Wall in Street Side Mexican Cantina.

Pork Belly Taco and BBQ Beef Taco.

George’s Lounge (1959) came next. Very much sporting the atmosphere of the iconic Cheers television show, George’s is known for its crazy-good burgers and live music. They feature a Burger of the Month and a Shake of the Month. We had samples of each. First, the burger topped with a fried green tomato, pimento cheese and jalapeno/pear jam, then a small portion of a brown butter peach cobbler shake. It’s a good thing the portions were small. Wow. Yummy!

George’s Lounge in the Music Block of downtown Canton.

Burger of the Month at George’s.

Our last stop was at Basil Asian Bistro. We were served a Sushi Platter and a cooked sushi creation designed to look like its name “Shaggy Dog.” Fun AND delicious. The two entrees were served family style, so we all got to taste Pad Thai and Green Mango Grouper. Basil is a family business. The parents are Chinese who grew up in Vietnam. The present owner is a first generation American. The menu is a mix of Korean, Thai, Japanese, Vietnamese and Burmese. Very interesting.

Basil Asian Bistro.

Beautifully-presented sushi platter at Basil.

Sushi aptly called “Shaggy Dog” at Basil.

All four restaurants are popular, and our service was outstanding. I’m glad Food Tours are popping up in more cities. They are great ways to sample regional specialties while learning fun facts about the area. The Canton Food Tour is very well-done, and I highly recommend it. If you’re lucky enough to have Cathy for your guide, you’ll be in for an extra-special treat.

2 Huntsville Restaurants for Your Consideration

08/20/2018 By: CCPearson2 Comments

During Huntsville’s recent Restaurant Week, I wanted to check out at least two eateries that were new to Steve and me. Different parts of the city, different cuisines, and different atmospheres. Both had good food and are worth a visit.

LUCIANO

At 964 Airport Road, Suite 4, Luciano is NOT what you’d expect from a restaurant in a strip mall — far from it. When you turn off of Memorial Parkway onto Airport Road, you’ll find it on the left before you reach Crestwood Hospital and pretty much across the street from Steinmart, Rolo’s, Chicken Salad Chick, etc. When I called to reserve a table, I was given a choice of patio seating, the garden room, the bar or the terrace room. We wanted to enjoy both the live jazz music AND conversation with friends, so we chose the terrace room and were able to do both.

As expected, Luciano calls itself “a fine Italian restaurant,” and I found that to be accurate. Both the menu and the decor back up that description. It’s very pretty. Cozy. I’d even call it romantic — especially with the smooth music of the piano and singer.

Both of the men in our foursome ordered the Restaurant Week Special — Shrimp Juno Appetizer (probably their most popular one), Soup or Salad (they chose Greek salads), Chicken Piccata and Tiramisu for dessert. My friend chose a lasagna entree, and I got the Eggplant Parmesan. Our entrees came with a salad, and we enjoyed sweet bites from our husbands’ desserts.

Juno Shrimp Appetizer at Luciano.

Greek salad at Luciano.

Chicken Piccata.

Eggplant parmesan.

Tiramisu — sweet treat at Luciano.

We had a great time, talking, eating and listening to music for a couple of hours. Yes, I would recommend it.

PHUKET, THAI RESTAURANT AND SUSHI

(Pronounced “Pooh-get”)

Phuket is at 425 Providence Main Street, Suite 102. It is directly across the street from Edgar’s Bakery. Just park in the large lot across from Grille 29 and walk. It’s only a short block away.

Phuket in Providence – exterior.

For this dinner, we chose to dine alfresco since the temperature was mild, and the early evening setting was relaxed and pleasant. (The only thing that marred the vibe was the presence of 2 maintenance workers at Edgar’s who chose that time to pressure-wash the outside sidewalk. Bummer. It certainly wasn’t the fault of Phuket, and we could have gone back inside. Just thought I’d mention it. You might want to check those things out before you choose outside seating).

Dining alfresco at Phuket.

This time we both chose the Restaurant Week Menu being offered. For only $20 per person, we each enjoyed an appetizer of Fried Green Beans. Steve chose Phuket Pad Thai for his entree, and I had the Cashew-Almond Chicken. For dessert, he had the key lime tart, and I had the chocolate peanut butter tart. Quite a lot of food for $20, wouldn’t you say?? I even brought my leftovers home and had them for lunch the next day. Win-win!

Fried green beans.

Phuket Pad Thai.

Cashew-almond chicken at Phuket.

Key Lime Tart.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Tart.

The $30 option had several choices that were more distinctly “Thai,” but we had a nice dinner and great service without spending a bundle. Yes, if you enjoy Asian cuisine, Phuket is another place that I would recommend.

Highlands Bar and Grill: Excellence in Birmingham, Alabama (Revisited)

07/16/2018 By: CCPearson2 Comments

(I am declaring a one-month sabbatical from blogging for July. The two reasons? 1) We’re FINALLY moving into our new house, and I desperately need to “make it into a home,” with all of the organizing, picture-hanging, accessorizing that entails. 2) The 11th Annual Pearson Cousins Camp will be held July 22-28. That week requires complete focus, attention and meticulous planning. So, for this month, we will revisit some of my favorite posts from the past three years that I have been blogging here at ThereGoesConnie.com).

Highlands Bar and Grill and their wonderful Pastry Chef Dolester Miles won the James Beard awards 2018 for Outstanding Restaurant and Outstanding Pastry Chef!!!!! Amazing accomplishment for Frank Stitt and his team, and it’s right here in Alabama. Reason to be proud.

Highlands Bar and Grill: A Sublime Birthday Dinner in Birmingham

07/04/2016 BY: CCPEARSONCOMMENT

Do not, I repeat, do NOT wait as long as I did to have dinner at Highlands Bar and Grill in Birmingham. It. Is. Wonderful.

Frank Stitt opened his restaurant in what was then a very unlikely location in 1982 using funds from his mother who mortgaged her house because she believed that her son had the skills and the opportunity to be successful. Banks weren’t as confident, but Stitt proved them wrong. Boy, did he prove them wrong!

Stitt is an award-winning chef who has generously mentored other chefs who are making their culinary marks on the world. But, in addition to outstanding food, his restaurants have an unparalleled level of attention to detail and impeccable service.

Steve and I were in Birmingham for a few days recently to celebrate my birthday and made reservations for dinner at Highlands. Conveniently, it was located directly behind the Hassinger Daniels Mansion B & B where we were staying, so we could walk. But, there is an adjacent parking lot if you are staying somewhere else or just driving in for dinner.

We had an amazing time from the moment we walked in the door. Goren Avery, a 33-year wait staff veteran at Highlands, is a total delight. He knows the menu thoroughly, and furthermore, he understands PEOPLE.

Highlands is bustling and full of energy, but we never felt rushed in any way. We savored each course slowly and deliberately. Such delicious food!!!

Highlands even has an award-winning pastry chef, Dolester Miles. I can understand completely why some diners make reservations to come just for her over-the-top desserts.

Plan a true treat for yourself soon. The decor, the atmosphere, the staff, the drink menu (we chose a couple off of their list of Temperance Drinks, of course), the appetizers, the entrees, and the desserts ALL rate an A+ in my gradebook. Peruse the website and read all of the stories that have been published about it. Include my recent review for MilesGeek.com when you make your reservation. Enjoy!

So, this original review was posted in 2016, but we returned for an anniversary dinner in March of 2018. Here are some photos from our outstanding dinner that night — quail, venison and Aurora Tart. Oh my!

Manchester Farms Quail for an appetizer.

Grilled venison with sweet potato hash and collards for an entree.

Beautiful caramel custard tart, with chantilly cream and candied hazelnuts created by award-winning pastry chef, Dolester Miles.

Interior of Highlands with gleaming white tablecloths and uniformed servers.

P.S. If you are visiting Birmingham for a few days, Frank Stitt has added 3 more restaurants in the same area of Historic Five Points — Bottega, Bottega Cafe, and Chez Fon Fon. Each has its own distinctive menu and emphasis.

RHUBARB: Highly-Acclaimed Chef Brings Marvelous Meals to Asheville, N.C.

06/22/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Whether you visit Asheville, North Carolina to see the Biltmore Home and Gardens, to explore the art scene or simply to take in the beautiful scenery, I urge you to make reservations for dinner at RHUBARB located at 7 SW Pack Square. And, go one step further and request to be seated at the chef’s area where you can watch the culinary wizardry take place. You will be so impressed, AND you’ll enjoy a memorable meal.

Chef John Fleer was born and grew up in Winston-Salem, N.C. He majored in theology at Duke University and started working toward a master’s degree. But, a part-time job led him to his true passion of food and cooking. He left graduate school and enrolled in the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. Along the way of honing his skills in the kitchen, he had an amazing weekend job as a private chef for Mary Tyler Moore! Wow.

He made his way back to the South when he was hired as a chef for Blackberry Farm in Walland, TN. During the almost 15 years that Chef Fleer was at Blackberry, he is credited for developing a signature style known as “Foothills Cuisine.” It combines the hearty foods originating from the Smoky Mountains with the products of the Farm’s heirloom garden and the freshest regional produce. Dishes contain both gourmet and Southern comfort elements. Now that Chef Fleer has his own restaurant in Asheville, he still is dedicated to seeking out the finest possible ingredients to use in creating dishes for his guests.

Chef Fleer has been a finalist FIVE TIMES for the James Beard award as Best Chef Southeast. With all of his impressive credentials, I was a little intimidated to be seated so near as he conducted what appeared to be a finely-tuned symphony of kitchen staff members, pots, pans, foods, an open grill, sizzling skillets, fresh herbs and wood-fired ovens. Yet, when I had a short time to chat, I found him extremely personable with a ready smile and a quick wit. It didn’t surprise me to learn that he is married to his high school sweetheart. They have three sons, and the family shares a passion for playing and watching soccer. That tells me that he purposely seeks to have a life outside the kitchen, and I think that ability to find balance in his life is at least one of the keys to his success.

Rhubarb opened in October of 2013 in a couple of storefronts in Pack Square in a room that was formerly an adult bookstore. Pack Square is located at the intersection of Patton, Biltmore and Broadway Avenues in Downtown Asheville’s Historic District.

The menu is constantly changing to reflect the best of each season. The night Steve and I were there, we shared the Goat Cheese Burrata with Rhubarb Jam, Pickled Strawberries and Crispy Shallots.

Then, we had the nightly fresh fish for our entree.

To end our meal, we had probably the most unusual dessert we’ve ever been served. The Executive Pastry Chef is 31-year-old Kaley Laird. She prides herself on imaginative flavor combinations. We had a fabulous creation called “Dream of Summer” that had just the right amount of sweetness and was extremely intriguing and satisfying. According to Chef Kaley, this dessert is reminiscent of the S’Mores she remembers from her youth with even the smokiness of the campfire infused in the flavors. This was the description on the menu: “Burnt Sage Ganache, Marshmallow Panna Cotta, Smoked Caramel, Sage Ice Cream, Almond Butter and Benne Seed Crumble.” Read more about her and about Chef Fleer on the Rhubarb website.

Here are some photos of the crew at work: One makes salads while shrimp is sauteeing. Another is handling the grill and the oven, while another checks internal meat temperatures. Chef Fleer makes sure that every plate leaving the kitchen area is presented perfectly. We saw one plate — that I would have thought was just fine — handed back to a staff member to redo according to more exact standards. It was impressive.

Rhubarb is closed on Tuesdays, so check the website and make your reservations before you head to Asheville. I believe you’ll be in for a delicious experience.

Two New Eateries in The Shoals

05/07/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Florence, Muscle Shoals, Tuscumbia and Sheffield — the quartet of towns referred to as “The Shoals” — give us all kinds of reasons to visit for a day or a weekend. Tours of recording studios are must-dos because of all the remarkable music that has been created in those places. Lots of neat stores for shopping lure us and our credit cards. Followers of athletic and other endeavors at the University of North Alabama don their purple and gold and hope for a glimpse of Leo III and Una in their world-class lion habitat on campus. And Florence also hosts First Fridays every month from March to December with family-friendly art, music, shopping and entertainment with free admission.

It’s a given that you will want to plan good places to eat when you visit The Shoals, and two new ones really caught my attention recently. I highly recommend both of them to you.

BIG BAD BREAKFAST

Perhaps you’ve heard of John Currence, James Beard Award recipient of Best Chef: South in 2009? He has put Oxford, Mississippi on the map as a foodie destination with his FOUR restaurants in the town. Now he’s in the process of expanding the locations of one of them — Big Bad Breakfast — and a Florence location opened just a few weeks ago. At 315 North Court Street, this BBB is on the ground floor of the Stricklin Building which will soon house the Stricklin Boutique Hotel and the Boiler Room. It is open 7 days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Imagine a breakfast featuring a signature blend of coffee from Royal Cup, bacon or sausage from a farm in Eva and a side order of grits grown in Wilsonville, AL. Yes, there’s more — so much more.

Big Bad Breakfast in Florence, AL, bottom floor of The Stricklin Hotel.

Cathead biscuits are legendary as well as the variety of skillets. BBB serves up an array of omelets, pancakes, waffles and even health-conscious options. I chose chicken and waffles when I visited. The chicken was SO tender, and the waffle was light and fluffy. Perfection! Oh, and all the jams are housemade. No Smuckers allowed.

If you’re not a “morning person,” a full lunch menu is also available with burgers, sandwiches, salads, quesadillas and even shrimp and grits.

I really admired the furniture made from an Amish community in Summertown, Tennessee. Go and check it out.

Interior of Big Bad Breakfast in Florence with Amish furniture.

RAY’S AT THE BANK

Ray’s at the Bank, 1411 Huntsville Road in Florence, is, as the name implies, housed in a former bank building. The inside is very “vintage” with exposed brick walls, but the atmosphere is elegant. Well, actually it’s fairly casual at lunch but turns more upscale for dinner. My sources tell me that in the evenings they serve a “filet you can cut with a spoon” and that the prime rib is fabulous. I always like restaurants with white tablecloths.

Ray’s at the Bank exterior

Ray’s at the Bank interior with exposed bricks and white tablecloths

Ray’s is only about two years old. The owners formerly operated Dish in downtown Florence but chose to close Dish and open in this location.

During a recent lunch, I chose the chicken salad and fruit plate while my friend had the day’s soup special — chili. We could have ordered burgers, sandwiches, other salads or even barbecue cooked on their hand-crafted smoker. Everything was delicious, and I hope to return soon for a dinner date.

Chicken Salad and Fruit Plate at Ray’s.

Tasty chili and grilled cheese at Ray’s.

Take note that the dinner menu changes nightly, but it can be found on the Ray’s Facebook page.

3 More Great Eateries in Oxford, Mississippi

04/30/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Last Monday I shared some info and photos of Oxford Canteen, Saint Leo and Proud Larry’s. Today you can take a look at some of the great food served in 3 out of 4 restaurants owned by Chef John Currence.

SNACK BAR

Snack Bar completely defies its name, especially in terms of ambiance and menu. It is open for dinner Monday through Saturday. I sampled the boudin balls, French onion soup, a funeral sandwich (ham and Swiss on a Hawaiian roll), some truffle parmesan fries, and “just a bite” of several amazing desserts. My favorite was the lemon tart.

Snack Bar is one of 5 businesses in Oxford owned by award-winning chef, John Currence. In addition to Snack Bar, he owns City Grocery, Big Bad Breakfast, Boure and a catering company called The Main Event. Snack Bar and Big Bad Breakfast are next-door neighbors (and share a kitchen) on North Lamar Boulevard, while City Grocery and Boure are on the Courthouse Square.

CITY GROCERY

City Grocery is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday and for brunch on Sunday. With candles and white tablecloths, this is definitely considered “fine dining.” After a dinner of a beautiful salad followed by catfish with shrimp etouffee and a Kitchen Sink Sundae, full of every decadent ingredient you can think of, I was completely satisfied.

City Grocery occupies a two-story building right in the thick of everything in Oxford, and John Currence is in the thick of many food/wine/travel publications with his recipes, his flair with food and his personality. Currence was born in New Orleans and gained vast experience there and in Chapel Hill, North Carolina before deciding to strike out on his own in Oxford in 1992. It was a good move for him and a huge win for the city of Oxford.

BIG BAD BREAKFAST

John Currence’s foray into the breakfast dining scene has been so successful that a cookbook resulted — BIG BAD BREAKFAST: The Most Important Book of the Day. In addition to Oxford, Big Bad Breakfast locations are showing up in Birmingham, Homewood, and Florence in Alabama, in Inlet Beach, Florida, and the newest is coming soon to Charleston, South Carolina.

Giant cathead biscuits and various skillets are signature items, and, if you’re lucky, you might arrive on a day when the housemade doughnuts are hot and fresh. The food is very good. I predict we’ll soon see more and more of these restaurants. Don’t worry if you’re “not a morning person.” Big Bad Breakfast also serves lunch.

I can’t wait to try Boure during a future visit. Check out their website. Sounds mouthwatering, doesn’t it?

As I’ve mentioned before, I was thoroughly impressed with Oxford, Mississippi. Between all the restaurants, the places of historical significance and the great shops, it doesn’t even matter if you’d never say “Hotty Toddy.” Go and check it out anyway. It’s a hidden gem.

3 (of Many) Great Eateries in Oxford, Mississippi

04/23/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Actually, there are 23 places just in the downtown square area of Oxford where students, their parents, faithful Ole Miss alums and visitors can get a bite to eat. I saw several very tempting-looking restaurants I want to try in a future visit, but for the purposes of today’s blog, here are 3 that I sampled and truly enjoyed recently. Stay tuned for 3 more coming next Monday.

OXFORD CANTEEN

“Eat like you mean it” is the catchy slogan for Oxford Canteen, the culinary concept of Chef/Owner Corbin Evans. Now in a refurbished and repurposed former gas station on North Lamar Boulevard, just a few months ago Oxford Canteen was in a narrow alleyway beside The Lyric Oxford. Evans was using a food truck concept, without the tires or a steering wheel, and just served food through a small window to the line of eager customers.

Oxford Canteen, in a former gas station on North Lamar Boulevard.

Corbin Evans, creative owner and chef at Oxford Canteen.

Evans is a board member of Oxford’s Community Market and is excited by serving locally-grown fresh ingredients and in changing his menu frequently to reflect availability and seasons. The Canteen is open Tuesday-Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. I was there for breakfast and enjoyed some delicious breakfast tacos in the sleek new location.

Breakfast tacos at Oxford Canteen.

SAINT LEO

Saint Leo was named a semi-finalist for Best New Restaurant in the 2017 James Beard award categories. Serving lunch and dinner every day except Tuesday, Saint Leo is best known for its wood-fired pizza oven, and one of those pizza creations was recently pictured in Southern Living. The bruschetta was possibly the best I have ever eaten, the pizza was as good as advertised, and the desserts were over-the-top. Saint Leo’s is definitely not your average pizza place. Just a note: Saint Leo doesn’t serve sweet tea, but they do bring a simple syrup to use with your unsweet tea. 🙂 This is a very popular place, so plan accordingly.

Divine bruschetta at Saint Leo’s.

Pizzas fresh out of the wood-fired oven at Saint Leo’s.

A slice of ooey, cheesy goodness at Saint Leo.

Beautiful desserts offered at Saint Leo.

PROUD LARRY’S

Proud Larry’s, similar to Saint Leo, also serves pizza, and the other menu offerings are definitely crowd-friendly. But the clear emphasis here is on music. The walls are lined with posters featuring the groups and soloists that the owners have partnered in bringing to Oxford. They maintain a full schedule of performers, and you would do well to consult the website to see if one of your favorites will be appearing soon. Tickets for the concerts are sold separately. And, you WILL need a ticket.

Evidence of great music performers who have shared their talents at Proud Larry’s.

I had the Larry Burger for lunch and give it a hearty 2 thumbs up. Owner Scott Caradine and his wife are very invested in Oxford and appreciate the success they have built in town. They have just celebrated their 25th anniversary in business. The combination of great food and music has proven to be a winning duo.

Proud Larry’s owner Scott Caradine. No, his name is NOT Larry.

The Larry Burger — Yummo!

A slice of great pizza at Proud Larry’s.

I really loved my time in Oxford, Mississippi. When you visit, consider booking a room at Graduate Oxford or Chancellor’s House. And, by all means, take a tour of Rowan Oak (home of William Faulkner) and L.Q.C. Lamar House. Plan time to browse Square Books, Off Square Books, Square Book Jr. and the many other great stores around the square. I’ll be sharing much more in future articles and posts.

This coming weekend, April 27th-28th, would be a particularly fun time to visit. The annual Double Decker Arts Festival will be in town. Check out the website for all the information.

Double Decker bus about to give a tour.

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