Category: food
Freddy’s (More Than) Wine Bar
A girls' night gathering led me to my new favorite wine bar. But, really, Freddy's is much more than a wine bar; it’s also a laid-back, counter-service restaurant with seriously delicious food. And right now it feels like the perfect place to spend some cozy, quality time with friends and family during the busy holiday [...]
Becoming Essential
Kristen Hall and Victor King know what’s essential when it comes to a successful restaurant—it’s more than gracious, friendly service; interesting, delicious foods; a thoughtful wine list; and creative craft cocktails. With their new eatery, The Essential, the two chefs have created a place that’s quickly becoming an everyday part of the lives around them. [...]
One Mississippi … Roast
I read the New York Times Cooking story last week about America's love affair with ranch dressing and immediately started craving Mississippi Roast. This Pinterest favorite dish is traditionally made in a slow cooker with chuck roast, pepperoncini peppers and a package of ranch dressing. The Times recipe by Sam Sifton calls for making your own ranch dressing, [...]
Ricatoni’s Italian Grill is About More Than Just the Food
Every college town has a go-to pizza place. Some might have two or even three. But only one town has Ricatoni’s Italian Grill. This Italian restaurant in historic downtown Florence has been around for decades serving tasty, homemade food; supporting its community; and employing lots of local students, but the passion of owner Rick Elliott [...]
Delicious Cross-Cultural Exploration at El ZunZún
The greatest inspiration for El ZunZún came from the tiniest of things: the hummingbird. The cultures and foods along the hummingbird’s migratory route are evident everywhere you look—and in everything you taste—at El ZunZún in Cahaba Heights (which will open Monday, August 27). Restaurant owner and pastry chef Becky Satterfield and executive chef Angela Schmidt, [...]
Summer Edit Part 2: More Food and Drink and Life
St. George Island never disappoints. Even on a cloudy day, and those have been few, it's my favorite place to be. Life is here simple: hours and hours of reading books on the beach under a huge umbrella. We listen to Oyster Radio (100.5 WOYS) and don't turn on the television. I've had oyster dates with [...]
Odette is Destination Dining in Florence
For nearly five years, Odette owner Celeste Pillow and executive chef Josh Quick and their team have helped downtown Florence, Alabama flourish--one delicious dish at a time. The casual, upscale restaurant is one of a growing number of locally owned, small businesses drawing people back to this exciting town’s downtown. Read more about Odette here [...]
44 Hours (approximately) in Asheville, NC
I love sharing Birmingham with friends. I love just as much when friends share their own special places with me--opening my eyes to something I don't see every day. My husband, Rick, and I recently spent about 44 hours in Asheville, North Carolina, with our friends April and Sid and Bob and Tondee. April was [...]
Come to the Table
When women help other women succeed, good things happen. Tasty things do, too. This year, $10,000 in scholarships and awards from a group of women leaders in our food community will help four college students pursue their food-science studies, three high schools better serve their culinary-arts students, Jones Valley Teaching Farm connect with more kids, [...]
Local Flavor at brick & tin
I sat down with brick & tin chef-owner Mauricio Papapietro to talk about his food philosophy, his background in the kitchens of Chris Hastings and Frank Stitt, his relationships with local and regional farmers and the power of the heirloom tomato. You can read the entire store here on Alabama NewsCenter. One thing you should know [...]