|
...
2009 ... |
|
|
JANUARY |
Stick with the Pie
at Labelle, Florida's Flora & Ella's
The sign above is one of the first things you’ll see as you step
towards Flora & Ella’s, a rather famous Cracker eatery along State
Highway 80. They have been serving up down home chow and friendly
service for many decades now. I love seeing messages like this at
businesses because you know you will be treated with true Christian
hospitality. The folks here are indeed extremely nice. |
|
|
...
2008 ... |
|
OCTOBER |
“Welcome to the
Sunshine State!” (Part 5)
Village Café on Siesta Key – We had breakfast on a Saturday morning
at one of our island favorites — The Village Cafe. Tom and Kay, the
owners, are wonderful people and they make everyone feel comfortable
and at home. Tom’s family has been in the restaurant business for a
long, long time. They started in New York and migrated south to
Siesta Key about 13 years ago. The Village Cafe is located on a busy
intersection in the heart of Siesta Key’s Siesta Village. The place
is typically mobbed during the busy tourist season, but they have a
pretty strong local following as well. Why, you ask? Well, pretty
simple really. The place is always clean, the atmosphere colorful
yet relaxed, the food is consistently good, and the help is friendly
and attentive. What more could you ask for? |
|
|
AUGUST |
“Welcome to the
Sunshine State!” (Part 3)
We’re back to continue our quest to find the best eats in all of SW
FL. Most of our time has been spent in and around Sarasota ---
plenty of choices right here in our backyard. Once we have the
immediate area wired, we will likely begin the process of venturing
out to other parts of the state. Maybe by that time gas prices will
be more reasonable. Hey, we can dream, right? |
|
|
JULY |
“Welcome to the
Sunshine State!” (Part 2)
This month, we continue with our introduction to culinary life
in SW Florida. We have now been here about 6 months, but we have by
no means explored all the diverse dining options available in the
Tampa/St. Pete/Sarasota area. It’s certainly not all traditional
Southern cuisine around here, so be prepared for a mixed bag of
tasty treats and genres. |
|
|
JUNE |
"Welcome To The
Sunshine State!" (Part 1)
As most of you know by now, we are now making our home base in the
beautiful Sunshine State of Florida. To be precise, we now reside on
fabulous Siesta Key … just steps away from one of the most beautiful
white sand beaches in the world. This month, we will begin our
multi-part introduction to Dixie Dining along the Southwest Coast of
Florida. We’ve got tons of ground to cover, so let’s rub on a little
sunscreen and get this beach party underway! |
|
|
MAY |
The Lost Art of Making Moonshine (or Why Can’t
I Distill My Own Booze at Home?
We recently received a great book written by Matthew Rowley. It is
all about the art and history of moonshine – the good, the bad, and
the ugly. Many of us know little to nothing about the culture
surrounding homemade booze. Some have sampled “white lightning” and
can surely attest to its belly warming qualities and mule-like kick.
Fewer can say that they have ever seen a real working still or
witnessed the manufacturing process. Rowley will actually show you
how to make your own hooch – but not before you obtain the proper
know-how
and governmental permits. |
|
|
...
2007 ... |
|
|
December |
A LONG
WEEKEND IN AUSTIN UNVEILS THE CAPITAL CITY'S CHARM &
UNDERBELLY (PART II) |
|
October |
A LONG
WEEKEND IN AUSTIN UNVEILS THE CAPITAL CITY'S CHARM &
UNDERBELLY (PART I) |
|
September |
EXPLORING
HOUSTON, TEXAS - "THIS IS GONNA TAKE SOME TIME" (PART I) |
|
July |
THE ROAD FROM
HOUSTON TO CORPUS CHRISTI REVEALS MANY TASTY DELIGHTS |
|
June |
NORTHERN
VIRGINIA THANKFULLY STILL RETAINS HINT OF SOUTHERN FEEL |
|
May |
JANUARY TRIP
(PART TWO): HOUSTON, AUSTIN AND ALL POINTS IN BETWEEN |
|
April |
JANUARY TRIP
(PART ONE): LOUISIANA'S CAJUN COUNTRY CONTINUES TO SPICE
THINGS UP |
|
March |
DECEMBER
ROAD TRIP (PART THREE): KENTUCKY'S CHARMS PLACE US IN THE
WINNER'S CIRCLE |
|
February |
DECEMBER
ROAD TRIP (PART TWO): NEW DINING EXPERIENCES IN THE OLD
DOMINION |
|
January |
DECEMBER ROAD TRIP (PART ONE):
OUR FIRST VISIT TO THE REAL MAYBERRY |
|
|
...
2006 ... |
|
|
December |
"CHRISTMAS
TIME IN DIXIE" --- IDEAS FOR TOSSING AN AUTHENTIC SOUTHERN
SHINDIG |
|
November |
"SOMETHING
FOR THE OLD SWEET TOOTH" --- CANDIES MADE WITH LOVE IN THE
HEART OF DIXIE |
|
October |
FALL MEANS
FESTIVAL TIME ACROSS THE LAND OF DIXIE - GET OUT AND
EXPERIENCE IT! |
|
September |
THE ROAD TO
BBQ FAME & RICHES GOES DIRECTLY THROUGH MEMPHIS, TN |
|
August |
GLORIOUS ICE
CREAM: THE PERFECT ANTIDOTE FOR THE DOG DAYS OF DIXIE |
|
July |
THREE
KINDRED DIXIE SPIRITS TAKE A BBQ TREK DEEP INTO THE ARKANSAS
DELTA |
|
June |
"SINGING THE
PRAISES OF MUSIC CITY EATS:" A DAY TRIP TO NASHVILLE,
TENNESSEE |
|
May |
SOME
DELICIOUS NEW FOOD DISCOVERIES FOR YOUR SOUTHERN CUPBOARD |
|
April |
CALVARY'S WAFFLE SHOP A LONGTIME
LENTEN TRADITION IN MEMPHIS |
|
February |
MAMA MIA ... THERE'S BBQ PORK IN
MY SPAGHETTI!!! |
|
March |
NEW ORLEANS UPDATE: "THE BIG
EASY" SLOWLY GETS ITS HEAD ABOVE WATER |
|
January |
SLUG BURGERS AND MUDCATS: A DAY
TRIP TO CORINTH, MS & SHILOH, TN |
|
|
...
2005 ... |
|
|
December |
FIVE NEW BOOKS MAKE EXCELLENT
GIFTS FOR "SOUTHERN FOODIES" THIS HOLIDAY SEASON |
|
November |
JACKSON,
MISSISSIPPI EXCURSION PRODUCES MIXED RESULTS AND A FEW SURPRISES |
|
October |
HOG HEAVEN
STILL HEAVENLY; LEE'S INLET KITCHEN SURPRISES ON SC LOW
|
|
September |
JUNIOR'S
SERVES UP HOMESPUN FOOD & ATMOSPHERE IN QUAINT HERNANDO,
MS
|
|
August |
AUTHENTIC
NEW ORLEANS DINING AWAITS IN THE SOUTH'S GAMBLING CAPITAL
|
| July |
MEMPHIS
SOUL EXTENDS FAR BEYOND BEALE STREET AND STAX RECORDS
|
| June |
"MEMPHIS
IN MAY " -- PORK BBQ RULES THE DAY ... RAIN OR SHINE!
|
| May |
CAKES,
WINGS AND BREAKFAST THINGS - NEW FINDS IN & AROUND MEMPHIS
|
|
April |
BLUFF
CITY BAYOU BRINGS A TASTE OF "THE BIG EASY" TO
BBQ COUNTRY
|
|
March |
FROM
THE GULF COAST TO THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY - ROAD TRIP PART
2
|
|
February |
PATROLLING
THE TEXAS BORDER FOR AUTHENTIC TEX-MEX CUISINE
|
|
January |
DINING
AROUND IN HOUSTON, TEXAS --- IT'S ALL GOODE, FOLKS!
|
|
|
...
2004 ... |
|
|
December |
SFA
DIRECTOR JOHN T. EDGE TRULY DOES FRIED CHICKEN RIGHT
|
|
November |
DALLAS-FORT
WORTH A WESTERN WONDERLAND OF GOOD VITTLES
|
|
October |
THE
OWNER MAKES ALCENIA'S OF MEMPHIS A TRULY SPECIAL PLACE
|
|
September |
A
DAY TRIP TO ARKANSAS' CATFISH AND PIE COUNTRY
|
|
July |
DELICIOUS
CUBAN CUISINE SOUTH FLORIDA’S SOUL FOOD |
|
June |
MOBILE’S
CHERISHED BRICK PIT BBQ SMOKES THE COMPETITION |
|
May |
THE
DELTA AND BEYOND --- A SPRING ROAD TRIP (PART TWO) |
|
April |
THE
DELTA AND BEYOND --- A SPRING ROAD TRIP (PART ONE) |
|
March |
“THE
ARKANSAS TRAVELER” --- HOT SPRINGS AND HOT SAUCES |
|
March |
BRUNSWICK
STEW – VIRGINIA & GEORGIA STILL STIRRING THE POT |
|
February |
OKRA
IS OK! --- “THE POD OF THE GODS” SLOWLY EARNING ITS DUE
|
|
January |
POKE
SALAD ANNIE … GATOR’S GOT YOUR GRANNY … CHOMP! |
|
|
...
2003 ... |
|
|
December |
BLACK-EYED
PEAS --- A GOOD INVESTMENT ANY HOLIDAY SEASON
|
|
November |
BOGGED
DOWN ALONG THE SC COAST --- AND LOVING IT!
|
|
October |
GULLAH
HERITAGE GETS ITS DUE WITH RELEASE OF NEW COOKBOOK
|
|
September |
BIRMINGHAM’S
NIKI’S WEST RESTAURANT --- THAT’S GREEK TO ME!
|
|
July |
MISSISSIPPI’S
“BROKEN PLACES ARE WORTH SAVING” (PART DEUX) |
|
June |
MISSISSIPPI’S
“BROKEN PLACES ARE WORTH SAVING” (PART ONE) |
|
May |
PAULA
DEEN, SAVANNAH’S NEW FIRST LADY OF FOOD
|
|
April |
TINY
TENNESSEE TOWN BOASTS TWO DIXIE DINING ICONS
|
|
March |
PIGS REALLY DO FLY AT MEMPHIS’ WORLD FAMOUS RENDEZVOUS
|
|
March |
FROM MYRTLE BEACH TO MEMPHIS - A SHIFT FROM FRIED SEAFOOD
TO BBQ PORK
|
|
February |
THE
ROAD TO POTATO CHIP HEAVEN IS VIRGINIA'S ROUTE 11
|
|
January |
PASCHAL'S OF ATLANTA - "SOUL FOOD FOR THE JET SET"
|
|
|
...
2002 ... |
|
|
December |
HOLIDAY
FRUITCAKE'S BAD REP IS OFTEN A BUM RAP
|
|
November |
"NANNER
PUDDIN" - NOT JUST FOR ELVIS ANYMORE! |
|
October |
EAT
SOUTHERN FOODS & LIVE TO BE 112! |
|
September |
THE
WRECK: A SALTY TREASURE WORTH THE TRIP |
|
July |
GOOD
LIBATIONS FOR THE DOG DAYS OF AUGUST |
|
June |
SUMMERTIME
EATS --- FROM SHRIMP TO NUTS! |
|
May |
THE
KRISPY KREME CRAZE GOES NATIONWIDE |
|
April |
STEEN'S
SYRUP - A LOUISIANA LEGACY LIVES ON |
|
March |
QUALITY
SOUL FOOD IS AUTOMATIC AT WEAVER D'S |
|
March |
SWEET
TEA --- "THE COMFORT BEVERAGE" |
|
February |
SWEETS
FOR YOUR SWEETHEART ON VALENTINE'S DAY |
|
January |
ALICE'S
RESTAURANT NOT A THING OF THE PAST |
|
|
...
2001 ... |
|
|
December |
THERE'S
NO TASTE LIKE HAM FOR THE HOLIDAYS |
|
November |
REAL
BBQ IS WITHIN REACH OF THE BEACH |
|
October |
TRADITION
LIVES ON AT NORTH CAROLINA'S TODD HOUSE |
|
September |
MRS.
WILKES HONORED WITH NEW COOKBOOK |
|
July |
AUGUSTA'S TRUE MASTER OF THE GREENS |
|
June |
VERMONT'S RIVER RUN FEEDS SOUTHERN SOUL |
|
May |
HOMINY GRILL BLENDS UPTOWN WITH DOWN HOME |
|
April |
CELEBRATE MARDI GRAS
... ANYTIME! |
|
March |
EDWARDS FAMILY KEEPS
VIRGINIA TRADITIONS ALIVE! |
