I wanted to thank everyone for their support and encouragement this past year as I started my food blog: GatorGirl-OutoftheSwamp.com
With over 100 different places written about, I look forward to another year of exploration across the United States. Please keep all the suggestions coming!
Enjoy!
T
I was extremely fortunate to get to attend Comic Con in San Diego. One of the group dinners I went to was at Lou & Mickey’s, located in the Gas Lamp District. We had a very large party so I give props to our wonderful waiter d’Artagnan for making sure we were well fed.
They had an adventurous selection of cocktails to choose from. I had to try the “Horny Monkey” not only because it made me laugh but because it sounded delicious. It was a blend of vodka, rum, coconut, and banana liquor. One sip of this drink made me wish I was on the beach in the Caribbean.
We got several chilled seafood platters for the table. If you like raw oysters and scallops then this platter is for you. Since I prefer those items cooked, I stuck with the shrimp. The cocktail sauce had extra horseradish in it so there was an extra kick.
I wanted to stick with the seafood theme so I ordered the lump crab cakes for dinner. They were pan sautéed so there was a light crunchy coating. Two huge crab cakes came on the plate. There was an abundance of crab meat in these cakes. They only used the smallest amount of breadcrumbs to help hold it all together so I really got to enjoy the crab aroma.
The table shared several side dishes. This is certainly a common practice that these more upscale restaurants. The sautéed fresh corn was my favorite. The corn was super sweet and had a great buttery taste.
The steamed broccoli was fresh and the sautéed mushrooms added an earthy element to the meal.
My meal was fantastic and I recommend everyone to try this place. Make sure you have reservations, especially if you are there for Comic Con.
Look them up at www.louandmickeys.com
Enjoy!
T
I learned about a special brunch at the Birmingham Museum of Art that only happens the first Sunday of every month. It’s a really popular experience and it took me two months to be able to get a reservation. When I was finally able to get in I was extremely excited.
Walking into the museum I was greeted with the sound of live music. The piano echoed throughout. It really added to the ambiance and enhanced the brunch experience.
This brunch was buffet style with a carving station, a made-to-order omelet station, fresh fruits and breads, an assortment of hot dishes, and a full collection of fresh desserts. It all looked delicious that it was hard to determine exactly where to start.
After walking all the options I decided to start with waffles. On one half I poured on the warm maple syrup, keeping it very traditional. The other half I covered with the fresh chopped strawberries and Chantilly Cream.
They had shrimp and grits that I noticed was extremely popular. I saw them refill that section twice. I knew I had to try this dish. The shrimp had wonderful flavor and the grits were cheesy. The grits were really addicting. I ended up going back for seconds on the grits.
Their carving station had amazingly tender and juicy roast beef. They also had shredded lamb. I am not a fan of lamb and I usually just avoid it. However, I was told that I needed to try the way they prepare it. It was remarkably similar to a pulled pork. It did not have that normal gamey taste. It was more of a smoky flavor that I enjoyed.
They had several options of cakes, pies, and cheesecakes to choose from for dessert. It went for the caramel cheesecake. It was so creamy and not too sweet. It was a great ending to brunch.
If you are looking for a unique brunch experience in Birmingham, then make plans for Oscar’s. Look far enough in advance because they fill up quickly. Their menu will also change each month so to see what they will be serving go to www.artsbma.org
Enjoy!
T
When visiting my sister in Florida we have made it a new family tradition to stop by Donut King. There is always a line out the door and they offer fresh made donuts 24 hours a day.
As soon as you walk through the door you are greeted with the sweet smell of glaze and yeast. My mouth started watering just looking at the assortment of donuts.
We always get a dozen – but the tough part is deciding what flavors to get. They have chocolate, different flavor frostings, jelly and cream filled, bear claws, cinnamon rolls, sprinkles, and much, much more.
We make sure to get everyone’s favorite. I got the double chocolate. I could not wait to eat it so rather than waiting till I got to the house I just ate it in the car!
If you are within driving distance, make a short detour onto Highway 50 and check out the king of donuts! www.thedonutking.com
Enjoy!
T
Just a few miles south of Birmingham is a family run winery called Vizzini Farms. In addition to being able to do a wine tasting, they have an Italian bistro at the winery.
Their wine selection has everything from dry reds to fruity dessert wines. During my visit, I got a bottle of their Paulina wine that had just been bottled that week. This wine was a Merlot with black raspberries that made it semi-sweet.
This wine paired nicely with the Italian sausage flat bread pizza I ordered. The sausage was homemade and they cut it in large slices for the pizza. They used fresh cherry tomatoes, peppers and onions on top that added a sweet element to the pizza. It was the best snack to have with wine.
While I was at the winery I got to meet Tom Vizzini, the founder. He was the nicest man and told me all about the wineries history, as well as the history of his family. We talked about all the different wines that they make and the list is huge. After tasting several other varieties, I ended up buying a few extra bottles to take home.
Finally before I left, Mr. Vizzini took me outside to see his peach tree. He showed me how he makes his Peach Chardonnay with an actual peach in the bottle. It was really cool!
If you enjoy wine and are traveling through Alabama, make sure you stop by Vizzini Farms Winery. Your taste buds will thank you. Visit their website for directions at www.vizzinifarmswinery.com
Enjoy!
T
The Oceanaire is known for their fresh seafood with multiple locations across the United States. So I was excited to see that they were in San Diego. Having fresh seafood was a must for me.
I started the evening with a Moscow Mule that was served in a copper mug. Mule’s always taste better in a copper mug; the ice does not melt as fast and the drink stays colder for longer.
For an appetizer I made sure to get the crab cocktail. The presentation of the lump crab meat in a giant cocktail glass was fun. The crab meat was extremely sweet. I love crab and when it is cold I find it to be at the high of its flavor. Also having it served this way is perfect because all of the hard work of cracking and peeling of the crab has been done for me.
The shrimp scampi caught my attention for a main dish. The jumbo shrimp came on top of angel hair pasta. The butter garlic sauce was amazing on the pasta. The butter was not overwhelming and I could taste a hint of white wine. The sauce also complemented the shrimp. It always amazes me how shrimp and garlic pair perfectly.
Check out their website at www.theoceanaire.com to see if they are near you. I would recommend having dinner with them because of their large fresh fish selection that can be cooked practically any way you want.
Enjoy!
T
Being in California, I wanted to make sure I had fresh, authentic Mexican food. I found Puesto not far from the hotel I was staying at, pretty close to the bay. When I glanced over their menu I saw they use all natural meats, the make fresh tortillas, and homemade salsa so I knew this was the authentic food I was seeking.
I sat by the kitchen so I could watch them make the homemade tortillas on their grill. They make corn and flours versions. They make it look so easy.
I started off with a sangria that used all fresh juices.
I also made sure to order their salsa and guacamole since they are made fresh. The salsa was fire roasted which gave it a unique flavor compared to the typical salsa I find at Mexican restaurants. When salsa is roasted it adds an extra layer of smokiness to the tomatoes. I love fresh made guacamole too because there are always nice chunks of creamy avocado in it. They added a nice amount of cilantro to the mixture which gave it a kick of added flavor.
Puesto offers a unique selection of tacos that can be ordered individually or mix and matched. I could not decided on just one so I tried three:
The carnitas was my favorite. The pork was juicy and pulled part easily with a fork. The flavor is what made this taco stand out the most. The tuna asada had nice large pieces but was cooked well done so there was no pink left. The larger pieces of tuna made it a little more difficult to eat as a taco but as pieces fell out I just picked up a fork. I certainly did not want to waste any tuna. I went for the zucchini and cactus taco because it was an ingredient combination I have never seen before. The cactus had a similar texture as the zucchini. The flavor was not anything unusual and it paired well with the cheese they added to the taco. If you like veggies, this would be a great taco for you.
I would definitely want to go back to Puesto so that I could try their other taco options. Whether you need a quick bite or want to sit back for a while, Puesto is a good spot – especially with seating options both inside or outside. You can see their menu at www.eatpuesto.com
Enjoy!
T
One of the newest steakhouses in Las Vegas is Stripsteak located at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino. This is the first steakhouse for award winning chef Michael Mina. The restaurant is warm and inviting and it is extremely important that you have a reservation, otherwise the wait will be long.
My table started off with a few appetizers while we waited for the rest of the group to join us. The Maine lobster tacos are a must try. They were mixed with grilled pineapple chunks, avocado cream, and cilantro.
They also offered French fries with different seasonings: sea salt, garlic, and truffle. These fries were addicting.
I got the 10 ounce filet mignon. They wood fire their steaks. The meat had a great smoky taste and the little drizzle of melted butter on top added a slight salty flavor. The steak came with a small bite of a homemade cornbread like bread that was sweet and a nice surprise to the plate.
The sides were designed to be shared. It was not hard for the table to agree on what to order. The creamed spinach topped with bacon was a must because what doesn’t taste better with bacon.
The other choice was the black truffle mac and cheese. It was extremely rich because of the cheese but it was delicious. The truffles added an earthy taste to each bite.
The meal was totally filling so I skipped dessert this time. I would definitely go back to try one of their other steak varieties. Check out their menu at www.mandalaybay.com
Enjoy!
T
When looking for the hot spots in San Diego, the Gas Lamp District is where all the action takes place. There are so many bars and restaurants to choose from. If you are hungry for steak and seafood the Greystone will be a great option.
One of the great things about being in San Diego is all the fresh seafood at your fingertips. Starting off with a chilled seafood platter sounded like an excellent idea. The platter consisted of crab legs & claws, shrimp cocktail, small lobster tails, and fresh raw oysters. I love chilled crab claws. The meat is tender and sweet. It is such a treat to get to have them. Fresh shrimp with a spicy cocktail sauce is also a great way to start a meal.
Since I do not care for raw oysters, I tried the Oyster Rockefeller with sautéed spinach, bacon, and a dill sauce on top. Greystone makes an amazing Oyster Rockefeller, probably the best I have ever had. The flavor of their dill sauce paired well with the spinach and the crunchy, salty bacon added extra texture to the oyster. It was just an appetizer but it could easily be a whole meal.
It was recommended that I try the filet mignon and the lobster tail for dinner. It sounded like a lot of food but the filet was only 6 ounces so it would be just the right portion size. It also came with mashed potatoes and fresh green beans.
The filet was extremely tender and had a nice salty flavor. The temperature of the steak was cooked exactly how I like it – medium, allowing for each bite was juicy. While I enjoyed my filet the star of the dish was the lobster tail. The meat was supple and sweet. With just a drizzle of butter on top, the lobster melted in my mouth. I was so glad I decided to order lobster!
They had a lovely assortment of desserts on the menu but I had eaten way too much to try anything. I highly recommend visiting Greystone. Check out their menu at http://www.greystonesteakhouse.com/
Enjoy!
T
There is an area of Birmingham called SoHo and this is where I found Jackson’s. I got there in between the lunch and dinner crowds, so it was easy to get a seat.
I was not that hungry for a full meal but I did have munchies. They had a spinach dip on the menu that they called Verde Dip. It was loaded with garlic and the spinach was chopped up very fine, which made it much easier to eat. My server did mention that this dip was one of the more popular items on the menu.
They had a seasonal side dish on the menu that currently was brussel sprouts. These also were recommended because of how they are prepared. They are roasted in the wood fire oven in a cast iron skillet. They are chopped up in smaller pieces as compared to just cut in half. This preparation allowed for more crispy edges.
To top off these great appetizers, I ordered the Sangria, made with fresh juices. It was the perfect thirst quencher for a hot summer afternoon.
The wait staff was very welcoming at Jackson’s and they told me all about their Sunday brunch menu. I will definitely be adding them to my list to head back to. If you’re in the mood for great drinks and good food, check out Jackson’s. Make sure you ask them about their pigeon mascot Ralph!
Enjoy!
T
