Restaurant Review Archives - Page 8 of 9

Grand Central Bistro — Hartselle’s New Little Sandwich Shop

07/11/2016 By: CCPearsoncomment

Hungry for a light lunch, made-to-order in a clean, friendly atmosphere? Drive down Nanceford Road past the Hartselle Aquatic Center and turn into Village West. Right at the front you’ll see Grand Central Bistro.

Side of building facing Nanceford Road.

Entrance to Village West.

The natural first question is “How in the world did a little sandwich shop in Hartselle get the name Grand Central Bistro?” The owner cites 2 reasons. First, he proudly proclaims, “I’m from New York!” And secondly, he says that his business partner made the following sign 11 years ago for no apparent reason. Well, the reason is now abundantly clear.

Sign randomly made by the business partner years ago.

This bistro seats only about 20-24 people at a time, but they do a brisk business of to-go orders. So, feel free to call your order in, and they’ll have it ready. Their menu even mentions delivery and catering. Might be worth checking out.

There are at least 3 soups offered daily and 4 salads. There are lots of choices for sandwiches or pressed, hot paninis. And then you can turn the menu over and find turkey, buffalo chicken and veggie wraps, kids favorites, desserts and the salads we all hope to find in a lunch place — chicken salad, macaroni salad, potato salad, broccoli salad and (drum roll, please) STRAWBERRY PRETZEL SALAD!!! I also spotted banana bread and “The Grand Sandwich” with ham, turkey, capicola and two cheeses.

And, yes, I wondered the same thing — “What in the world is capicola?” Well, according to Wiktionary.org, it is –“A traditional Neapolitan-Italian cold cut made from pork shoulder or neck and dry-cured whole.” Probably something brought in from New York, wouldn’t you say?

I opted for the chicken salad on a croissant with a side of peach pretzel salad, and it was go-ood!

My lunch!

Oh yes, and the prices are extremely reasonable. Many items are only $5.99!

So, now you know. Go give them a try and support this new business. Show the guy from New York just how nice we Southerners can be.

The view of Grand Central Bistro from the main parking lot.

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.

John’s City Diner, an Old Tradition Made New and Upscale

06/27/2016 By: CCPearsoncomment

I remember going to John’s Restaurant back in the 70’s. The must-order item was slaw made with angel-hair cabbage and a special orange dressing. After all these years, some family members of the original owner John Proferis have bought the rights to that famous dressing, and it can be purchased through this website. John’s was wildly popular, but things changed downtown, the owners stopped doing business there, and the building became neglected.

However, Shannon Gober and his lovely wife Shana saw a tremendous potential in the building and the location. They bought it and fashioned it into a gleaming, up-to-date, new and improved version of its former self and named it John’s City Diner. The results are remarkable.

Looking from the reception area into the dining room.

A wall in the dining room.

Front door of John’s City Diner.

Reception area.

The exterior and interior decor as well as the serving dishes play on the Steel City theme and give the whole atmosphere an edgy vibe. Shannon, who is John’s Executive Chef, is diligent about using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and has developed his own signature dishes that are sure to become even more famous than the slaw on the original menu. For example, there are 3 versions of “Not Your Momma’s Macaroni and Cheese” — the original with imported cheeses and prosciutto, the “3 Little Pigs” with prosciutto, bacon and pulled pork, and a vegetarian version with spinach, roasted red peppers and feta cheese. You’ll never want a prepackaged brand again!

John’s City Diner burger and bucket of hot, homemade French fries.

Shana Gober designed the mural on the exterior of the building. She is on the staff for Good Grit magazine and is highly creative.

Outside mural designed by Shana Gober.

I must give a shout out for the mouthwatering bread pudding Steve and I shared for dessert. Those toasted pecans put it over the top.

Amazing bread pudding.

Parking for John’s City Diner is available on the street, but more than likely you will want to head to a public parking lot about a half block away.

John’s is open for lunch Monday – Friday and for dinner Monday – Saturday. Give it a try and tell Shannon and Shana I said hello.

For more photos and information click on this article I recently wrote for MilesGeek.com. John’s City Diner also gets a shout-out in this article published in Trip101.com.

Disclosure – Many thanks to John’s City Diner for hosting me. Regardless of John’s generosity, readers receive my honest feedback as my opinions are 100% my own.”

OVENBIRD — What a Strange Name for a Restaurant!

06/13/2016 By: CCPearson2 Comments

Steve and I spent a couple of fun days in Birmingham celebrating my birthday a few weeks ago. As all self-respecting travel writers tend to do, I wanted to eat in non-chain places, see things I would enjoy photographing and writing about, and stay in a place that was not your average Motel 6. Get the picture? I was in touch with the travel media specialist in Birmingham, and she made some great suggestions. I’ve already written about Eagle’s Restaurant (soul food) in last Monday’s post. Today, I want to introduce you to Ovenbird.

Ovenbird sign.

Ovenbird view from the parking lot.

Chris Hastings and his wife Idie already had a very popular restaurant in Birmingham — Hot and Hot Fish Club — but they decided to branch out a couple of years ago and do something VERY different. It should be mentioned that Chris won the very prestigious James Beard Best Chef in the South Award in 2012. “South” in that context includes Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi, so it’s safe to say that this man knows his way around a kitchen. Chris fell in love with cooking over an open fire during family camping trips in his boyhood. Then, during a vacation in South America, he learned about the national bird — the Ovenbird — that builds a nest in the shape of an oven, and he observed the cooking style of using a beehive oven. He wanted to create a restaurant and a menu using only an open fire hearth and a beehive oven to prepare the dishes.

He asked for the input of two fellow chefs — Barclay Stratton, Chef de Cuisine for Ovenbird and Sedesh Wilkerson, Chef de Cuisine at Hot and Hot Fish Club — and those three creative minds put together the menu for Ovenbird. At the present time, it consists of 31 small plates listed under the categories of Shared Snacks, Toss & Composed, Farms + Fields, Land + Air, Oceans + Estuaries, Orchards and Dairies, and Chef’s Favorites. The idea is that each diner will order 2 or 3 of these small plates and then share with those at his/her table.

Charred asparagus.

Deviled eggs with anchovy, curtido, and romesco.

Tuna and Avocado Toast

Steve and I chose to sample Tuna and Avocado Toast, Deviled Eggs (with anchovies), Charred Asparagus, Vegetable Paella, Braised Goat, Snapper Tartare, and Blueberry Beignets with Blueberry Lime Ice Cream. It was DELICIOUS and possibly the most unusual meal I’ve ever had — and remember I’ve been on mission trips to quite a few places. We decided to wait and try such things as Shishito Peppers, Tomato Gazpacho, Henry Fudge’s Pig Belly (Henry Fudge is actually from Athens, AL. His farm is in Madison.), Grilled Octopus, Beef Fat Candle, and Burnt Espresso Cream for another visit.

No, this is not a place for Picky Eaters. And, I didn’t see anything that the 12 Pearson grandchildren would “embrace.” Actually, though, they do serve a Saturday brunch with hotcakes, omelettes, biscuits and beignets that would certainly get them fired up.

Two other unique things about Ovenbird I should mention. 1) The location is right outside Charlie Thigpen’s Garden Gallery in Pepper Place, so the setting is lush with beautiful plants. 2) Chris’ wife Idie is also a chef in her own right. Plus, she’s a dog-lover. In fact, she has developed her own line called One Lucky Dog Treats. Dogs are even welcome in the outdoor patio area at Ovenbird.

Fountain in the courtyard.

Ready for a party in the outdoor courtyard. A view of Charlie Thigpen’s Garden Gallery.

Are you feeling adventurous? Try it. You just might like it.

For more information and food photos, read my article about Ovenbird published in MilesGeek.com.

Disclosure – Many thanks to OvenBird for hosting me. Regardless of OvenBird’s generosity, readers receive my honest feedback as my opinions are 100% my own.”

Eagle’s Restaurant — North Birmingham’s Soul-Food Mecca

06/06/2016 By: CCPearsoncomment

Andrew Zimmern, host of Bizarre Foods America on The Travel Channel, feasted there on oxtails, neck bones, collard greens and candied yams. American Idol’s Reuben Stoddard and former NBA great Charles Barkley have also made their way to Eagle’s along with a host of daily hungry diners. On a recent visit, Steve tried the meat loaf with collards and pinto beans, while I had beef tips on rice with blackeyed peas and candied yams. Steve declared the collards to be flavorful and tender, and I would rate the candied yams as The Best I’ve Ever Eaten. We both thought the cornbread was EXTRA-special, and the sweet tea was perfect! No wonder Eagle’s has so many loyal customers!

Meat loaf, collards, pinto beans and cornbread. Mighty good!

Close up of some of the vegetables.

Eagle’s Restaurant, located a block off of Finley Avenue in north Birmingham and within sight of ACIPCO (American Cast Iron Pipe Company), has been in business since 1951. In a popular dictionary definition of soul food, the term refers to “food typically eaten by African-Americans in the southern United States,” but I can assure you that all Americans or even people from other parts of the world will find Eagle’s version of soul food to be satisfying, filling, and delicious.

Eagle’s Restaurant, 2610 16th St. North, Birmingham, AL

ACIPCO, American Cast Iron Pipe Company

Open for lunch everyday except Saturdays.

Jamal Rucker’s dad bought the business in 1974 with the stipulation that the name remain the same. The Rucker family has kept the recipes, the location, and the building and has added an ever-growing number of happy eaters. Jamal said that his Momma learned the recipes and cooking methods from the cook who was there before her, and that cook learned from her Momma. In my opinion, when Mommas are involved in passing down recipes, mighty good things happen in a kitchen. When I asked a fellow diner why she thought Eagle’s was so popular, she answered quickly: “The food’s good, consistent.” And, then looking very pointedly at Jamal, she added, “And they’d better not change!” When a business has such a winning formula, why would they want to do that.

Jamal Rucker, son of the owners.

Eagle’s is open from 10:30 – 3:30 Sunday through Friday and is closed on Saturday. Jamal estimates that they serve 200 people on weekdays and 400 on Sundays. With a tiny building and only 6 booths, that seems like an impossible feat. But, most come in for carry-outs, and the line snakes through the narrow aisle, outside the door and down the sidewalk. Portions are definitely large enough to save the leftovers for dinner. This is NOT a buffet, but the servers generously give diners their money’s worth and more.

A mouth-watering array of soul food.

Small diner with a large clientele.

Eagle’s gets lots of fresh produce from the Jefferson County Farmers Market only a mile away, and everyday the menu features 7 or 8 different vegetables. But, the uniqueness comes in with the meat choices. For example, you can find oxtails on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Pig feet and ears are featured on Monday. And neckbones and potatoes can be ordered on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Chitterlings are reserved for Sundays.

Pig feet and ears and peach cobbler — Monday specials.

Chitterlings, also known as “chittlins,” are made from the small intestines of a pig.

Steve and I enjoyed the atmosphere so much. The phone was ringing constantly with call-in orders, and there was a steady stream of interesting diners — preachers, nurses, office workers, lots of folks on lunch break, etc. The walls are painted paneling, with a couple of window air conditioning units humming. CNN was on a TV at one end while a couple of pinball machines waited by the door. Parking is along the street or in the 3 or 4 spots beside the building. This is a very casual, down-home place with a busy, happy, contented vibe. Jamal says, “All customers are special to us,” and it shows.

Steve also wrote about Eagle’s Restaurant because he was so impressed with their business practices. Read his blog post here — “Sometimes Change is the Last Thing Your Business Needs.”

Eating Creole in NOLA

04/06/2016 By: CCPearsoncomment

There are so many world-class and world-famous restaurants in New Orleans, Louisiana. Some are priced WAY out of my price range. Probably MOST of the famous ones fall into that category. Emeril Lagasse has made a fortune in that city. There are certainly times when you are in the Big Easy to celebrate a significant birthday or anniversary. By all means, GO to one of those ritzy places and enjoy every bite.

However, if you want to have some great food at reasonable prices along with the other normal people in town, then may I suggest Gumbo Shop on Saint Peter Street in the French Quarter?

Front exterior of Gumbo Shop

The building has been around for awhile. A restaurant has been in that spot since the 1940’s. It has something of a warehouse feel and look to it. The furnishings aren’t plush. They are serviceable. In other words, they “get the job done.” There were only a couple of unisex bathrooms with a long line of ladies waiting, but that’s not all that unusual, now is it?

Looking up from our table in the courtyard.

You can’t make a reservation, so expect to stand in line for awhile if you don’t go early for lunch or dinner. Gumbo Shop is open daily starting at 11:00 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays it closes at 10:00 p.m., but on Fridays and Saturdays it stays open until 11:00 p.m.

I did some research on creole vs. cajun cuisine before our recent trip to Louisiana. I found that cajun is considered “country food” while creole is “city food.” Cajun cooks generally don’t use fancy ingredients, tomatoes or dairy products. Their ingredients come from the land. The “Holy Trinity” of cajun cuisine consists of onion, celery and bell pepper, and a cajun roux is made with oil and flour. On the other hand, creole cooks use many spices, prepare creamy soups and sauces, and their roux is made with butter and flour. Mark Falgoust, Executive Chef at Grand Isle Restaurant, said, “Cajun folks used 1 chicken to feed 3 families. Creoles used 3 chickens to feed 1 family.” Chef Isaac Toops at Mid-City Restaurant summed it all up by saying, “We have incredible ingredients here in Louisiana. Farm to table, gulf to table, swamp to table. We have it all.” Suffice it to say, that visitors to south Louisiana are in for some mighty good food.

But, back to Gumbo Shop. Under their name, they proudly say “Creole Cuisine.” Items you will find on their menu that you’ll rarely find in North Alabama: boudin (a type of sausage made with pork and rice), andouille (a sausage), crawfish (it might be in remoulade, in etouffee or over pasta), po-boys (big sandwiches made on French bread), and bread pudding. Oh my, the bread pudding.

Chicken espagnole with rice.

Warm bread pudding with whiskey sauce — naturally the whiskey had been cooked down. We did NOT have to stagger back to our hotel. 🙂

Steve and I both ordered Complete Creole Dinners and got 3 courses for just $26.99 each. Actually a bargain in the French quarter, we thought. Perfect loaves of French bread are brought to the table to start the meal, and the rest was equally delicious. Besides the chicken and bread pudding pictured above, we had red beans and rice, 2 kinds of gumbo, macque choux corn, smothered turnip greens, shrimp creole and jambalaya. If you are a frequent visitor to New Orleans or if you are about to make your first trip, I believe you’ll be glad if you fit Gumbo Shop into your itinerary.

Collier’s on Main in the Small Town of Brundidge, AL

03/23/2016 By: CCPearson6 Comments

Well, of COURSE. Two people named Collier are going to be curious about a relatively new restaurant called Collier’s on Main. My dad (Tom COLLIER) lives in Troy, AL, and I (Connie COLLIER Pearson) have been able to spend a good bit of time with him there lately. And eating has been a regular activity. Brundidge is about 8 miles down Hwy. 231 from his house. We found Collier’s on Main in downtown Brundidge recently and enjoyed our meal, the atmosphere, and the people who work there a lot. We tried in vain to establish a branch of our family tree in common with the owners, however.

Outside sign in downtown Brundidge.

Logo engraved into the counter near the front door.

We were looking for our “main meal of the day,” so we opted for the meat and vegetables plates. It was very tasty. However, after talking later with Mo Caraway, the owner, next time I will try the fresh homemade salads that are her favorite items served at lunch. Specifically the greens, the homemade chicken salad and pimento cheese, and the tropical fruit medley. The dinner menu is extensive — from chicken and waffles to shrimp alfredo with many other possibilities in between. But, Mo recommends their steaks specifically which are served with a salad and a choice of side ranging from normal choices to sauteed spinach to garlic roasted red potatoes and beyond.

Recent lunch menu.

Hamburger steak with sauteed onions, creamed corn and butter beans.

Mo proudly showed me the outdoor patio in the back. Now that the weather is warming up, many diners will want to eat there. She also pointed to a brand new event center within a stone’s throw of the restaurant. There are already a number of reunions and weddings on the schedule. She mentioned 14 crystal chandeliers. I bet it’s beautiful!

If you want to hear a fun story, ask Mo about how the restaurant got its name. In her opinion — which is probably justified — Brundidge should have been named Collier or at least something similar. In fact, Mr. George C. Collier owned a general store just a few doors down from where the restaurant now sits. And, for awhile, the community around that store was simply known as “Collier’s Store.” Mo wants to acknowledge and recognize that heritage. I think it is also telling that the restaurant’s logo says “Est. 2015.” Collier’s on Main opened in September of 2015, and I believe that means they hope to thrive for many years to come.

Owner Mo Caraway on the right with server Lauren Pierce, Troy University student, on the left.

The decor and vibe is vintage in every sense of the word. Exhibit A is this short description on their menu and website: The wood in our table tops, on the main dining wall and the front of the bar have been re-purposed from the building and are decades old. Our floors evidence some character from the original construction and may cause your table or chair to rock a little. We are able to level the tables to work with the extra character of the floor. As for your chair, there is no extra charge for the rocking chair if you should wind up on one.” Ha! I love it. To me, that says, “We like our place and hope you’ll accept it just as it is.”

Part of the interior showing the re-purposed wood walls and concrete floors.

Collier’s on Main is open Tuesday and Wednesday until 2:00 and all day on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Check out the website for more information.

3 Restaurants in/near the Alabama Gulf Coast that I Recommend “Hungrily” :)

03/21/2016 By: CCPearson2 Comments

My Silver Fox and I found three WONDERFUL restaurants on a recent trip to the Alabama Gulf Coast. Two are relatively new, and one goes all the way back to 1958. They are not really in competition with each other. One is in Spanish Fort, one in Gulf Shores, and one in Orange Beach. Two are completely casual. One has a casual downstairs and a “dressy” upstairs. All three serve great seafood, but they each put their own spins on it and serve original recipes.

BLUEGILL is located on the Mobile Causeway within just a few miles of USS Alabama and the Battleship Memorial Park. The same owners also have nearby Felix’s Fish Camp. Both serve seafood, but they also have unique menus. BLUEGILL is famous for its Flaming Oysters. It has a capacity for 500 diners and offers nightly musical entertainment. By all means, go when you can take advantage of the gorgeous sunsets. Great food. Wonderful setting. Efficient staff. BLUEGILL was opened in 1958. Check out the website and read my fuller article here. Even Elvis liked it.

Grilled mahi mahi topped with crabmeat and cheese.

Sunset over the Mobile Delta at the back of BLUEGILL on the Mobile Causeway.

BLUEGILL Home of Famous Flaming Oysters, Spanish Fort, AL

2. BEACH HOUSE KITCHEN AND COCKTAILS is 1/2 block off of West Beach Boulevard in Gulf Shores, AL. You will love the fresh ingredients and housemade juices, dressings, and sauces. Owner Brent Sexton opened in November of 2014, and he is growing a very enthusiastic following. Indoor and outdoor seating with plenty of flatscreen TVs are available. Mike will hook you up with one of his special dessert creations. Key lime pie or red velvet cheesecake, anyone? Beach House was so clean. Everything gleamed. We were there for an early lunch. I’m sure it “hops” at night. Check out the website and read my article here.

Mahi mahi grilled tacos on pineapple slaw with fresh green beans and sauteed onions and black beans with spices and lime juice.

Beach House front sign — 1154 West Beach Boulevard in Gulf Shores, AL.

Interior of Beach House Kitchen.

3. FISHER’S AT ORANGE BEACH MARINA has a great location in a quiet cove. Chef Bill Briand is a recent nominee for the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef in the South award. He oversees both the downstairs DOCKSIDE location and the more formal UPSTAIRS dining room. The food has a cajun influence because of Chef Bill’s background, and it is delicious. Owner Johnny Fisher opened in 2013 and by 2014 and 2015, Fisher’s was already recognized by Southern Living as being one of the Best Restaurants in the South. If you are very lucky, you might be seated at a table served by Elena. She is a delightful girl from Moldova. I had never met anyone from Moldova before. Fascinating. Check out the website and read my article here.

The serene marina beside Fisher’s in Orange Beach.

Hummus with garlic and onions served with freshly baked pita wedges. Yum!!

Fisher’s server Elena from Moldova

Two Hidden Treasures in Fairhope, AL

03/16/2016 By: CCPearson1 Comment

On a recent visit to Fairhope, AL, I had the privilege of spending time with a “local,” who also happens to be my long-time friend Vivian Oden Weaver, known in Fairhope as the town’s Official Mrs. Claus. We covered a lot of territory, conversation-wise, in the couple of hours we had together, but she also showed me a couple of places that are well-known to the locals but likely hidden from tourists. One is a great place to eat, the other a beautiful store for home decor and furnishings. Click on the photos for a closer look.

Vivian Weaver – Fairhope’s Official Mrs. Claus with a costume she designed and fashioned herself.

One was Sunset Pointe at Fly Creek Marina. It is right across the bay inlet from the yacht club and offers both indoor and outdoor waterfront dining. The hostess and servers were friendly, and the food was delicious and attractive. Check out these food photos and make your plans to include it in your next trip to the Gulf Coast.

Fresh, colorful house salad.

Crab Mac n Cheese

Fried Gulf Fish with sweet potato chips and grilled slaw.

The other place was a stunning shop located at 801 N. Section Street, Green Gates, owned by Vivian’s good friend, Rene Mashburn. This statement from the store’s website says it all — “Her . . . success is due to the inviting atmosphere, the selection of unique inventory and presentation. Everything is presented in beautiful vignettes.” Here are some pictures I took recently. Bear in mind that the vignettes are ever-changing. Also, a second location will open soon closer to the main downtown area.

Just Desserts

03/14/2016 By: CCPearson4 Comments

I confess to having a very well-developed sweet tooth. My mother must have had one, too. When she was preparing for dinner guests, she often started by planning the dessert first. She wanted them to always leave with the taste of something wonderful lingering. With that in mind, here is a tempting, mouth-watering sampling of desserts I’ve “had a few bites of” since Valentine’s Day.

A “Brookie” — combination chocolate chip cookie and brownie with vanilla ice cream, chocolate chips, and chocolate syrup at Bluegill Restaurant on the Mobile Causeway in Spanish Fort, AL.