A few years ago, in early June, my husband, Rick, and I hit the road and headed out West to visit the five big national parks in Utah—Canyonlands, Arches, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion. We also found some state park gems like Dead Horse Point near Moab and Snow Canyon near St. George. And … Continue reading An Epic Road Trip in the American West
If you build it, turns out, people will come. It happened in Opp when local resident Merrill Culverhouse decided his hometown needed a nice place to eat. So, he teamed up with chef Jon Gibson (a friend since childhood) and together, they built Wheelhouse. Today, the restaurant is thriving and, just as importantly, providing jobs … Continue reading Great Food & Warm Hospitality are in Their Wheelhouse
I love a place that makes me feel like I'm somewhere else entirely. Current Charcoal Grill in downtown Birmingham is only minutes from my home, yet it seems a world away. The beautiful restaurant is celebrating its one-year anniversary this month, and Executive Chef-Partner Luke Joseph has brought back some delicious favorite dishes--perhaps most excitingly … Continue reading Staying Current
The former Crystal Ice manufacturing building in Mobile is cool in a whole new way these days, as the husband-and-wife team of Max Donaldson and Mackenzie Klyce are honoring the past and creating a fun, delicious future. Their Velvet Pig eatery in the Ice Box bar (21 and over) offers Chef Mackenzie’s delicious, inventive dishes … Continue reading Globally, Regionally, Locally Cool
Yo’ Mama’s restaurant is forging its own history in the Fourth Avenue Historic District of downtown Birmingham. This restaurant is the only Black-owned, sit-down eatery in one of the few surviving Black Business Districts in the Southeast still operating with a majority Black-owned business ecosystem. Yo’ Mama’s started with a dream of business ownership, which … Continue reading Yo’ Mama’s Making New History
The wide, open Wiregrass region of Southeastern Alabama has known grazing cattle since colonial times. Fine wines, not so much. But Corks & Cattle Market & Café celebrates both in delicious, inventive, locally sourced ways. This restaurant in Enterprise, owned by Dena Smith, with Chef Zaine Young leading the kitchen, offers exciting foods (including great … Continue reading Deliciously Enterprising
I was in Phoenix a few months ago for the Les Dames d'Escoffier International annual conference. It's always a busy event, so we went a day early to explore the host city and experience some truly great places to eat before we got down to business. The Phoenix LDEI chapter organized some exciting excursions, and … Continue reading DIY Phoenix
Opening a bar in a small town in the Bible Belt takes some faith. And vision. And a certain amount of determination. Kyle and Kim Baumgartner, owners of The B Pub in Andalusia, have all that and more. The B Pub a small-town bar with a big-city approach to craft cocktails and a lovely, carefully … Continue reading Cheers to The B
You can taste the world at Rayza’s Sushi, Steak and Seafood in Daphne. That’s because chef-owner Mochamad Rayza’s experience spans the globe. Rayza's is the place for award-winning fresh sushi on the Alabama Gulf Coast. The South Alabama restaurant, owned by Rayza and his wife, Laura, offers beautiful, inventive sushi; delicious steaks; and lots of … Continue reading Great Food for a Greater Purpose
Troup’s Pizza in the Cahaba Heights neighborhood is a family business serving families while creating family, too. The husband-and-wife team of Terrill and Ashley Brazelton are known for their great food and genuine, warm hospitality, but they serve their community way more than that. I sat down with Terrill and Ashley recently for a story … Continue reading Troup’s is Serving the Community One Slice at a Time
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