She's a Huntsville (...and beyond) Foodie...and other ramblings!

Meatless March & A Contest Giveaway!!!

2011-03-23T01:02:00.000-07:00

So, yeah...I am playing around with going meatless. I guess playing around equals no meat in January and now a meatless March. I can really tell a difference in how I feel when I don't consume meat. However, I want a chicken tender in the worst way...don't judge me!

I came across a blog called Vegan Heartland and Matthew has a really good thing going on over there! There is a contest he is hosting with a wonderful meatless giveaway with all of the favorites...tofurky, gardein and other yummy offerings...I really want to win, but alas, I will share the link with you and if you win I will just crash your house for dinner. Deal? lol!

The link to the giveaway is below! Good luck...ok, I only half meant it...don't judge me! :)

http://moreleaflessbeef.blogspot.com/2011/03/meatout-2011-giveaway-extravaganza.html

Cha...cha...cha...cha...cha...changes...

2011-03-03T21:22:00.000-08:00

Wow! What difference a day (or months) make.

I am still a self-proclaimed foodie, but my life has turned me on to another journey of eating cleaner and healthier. I am exercising, eating well and the results have been amazing, but that's another blog post :) I will still frequent my wonderful local establishments, but I will make much healthier choices wherever I go!

Let's get the party started and dig a little deeper!!!

Stay tuned!

You are staying tuned, right? lol

Shea's Express!

2010-07-09T21:09:00.000-07:00

Oh Shea...
You complete me.

Shea's Express (Click Here for Map)
415 Church Street
Huntsville, Alabama 35801

I absolutely adore Shea's Express! A wonderfully peaceful place on this side of heaven! Everything I have ever tried here, I have absolutely loved. They serve breakfast and lunch only, so you have to get there early or plan a nice lunch here!

My friend and I ventured over to Shea's as her final hurrah before she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl! Yep, we overdid it...yep, it was well worth it! :-) At our "final supper" we were treated to the Maple Glazed Chicken Sandwich, sweet and smokey collard greens, a mesculn green salad with Maple Balsamic dressing and dessert...cookies and cobbler! As an added treat, they serve the most wonderful Mint Julep Sweet Tea. Ahhh...and as you know from a previous post...I am a certified sweet tea addict. I love Shea's...did I say that earlier? LOL! Pictures below! :-)

Now, I have to dedicate a moment to the most delicious salad dressing that I have ever had in my entire life. Maple Balsamic. Oh, how I adore you! It is the perfect mix of sweetness with the twang of acidity from the balsamic vinegar. I have really tried to figure out how I can re-create that at home. I asked for the recipe, but they laughed. THEY LAUGHED. *sob* Ok...seriously...I am still wondering what I need to do to get the recipe for that maple balsamic dressing. I need it in my life PRONTO. :-)

Earth Fare: the healthy supermarket - Huntsville, Alabama!

2010-05-12T15:51:00.000-07:00

Sooo...change is good.
If your life is improved by those changes,
then change is REALLY good!

Earth Fare: The Healthy Supermarket (Click Here for Map!)
5900C University Drive NW
Huntsville, AL 35806

I may just break down like Chris Brown did when he attempted to sing Michael Jackson's "Man In The Mirror" on the BET Awards in 2010. :)

I have been doing a little research about the things I eat. I really want to know what it is that I am putting into my body and why it does what it does when it gets there. I would like to pride myself by saying that I am a "veggie girl" and that I love vegetables of all kinds and I can do without meat alot of times. Does that make me a health nut? Not even close. I have never been a skinny girl (nor do I want to be)! Healthy is the destination for me! I have learned that the things we eat are laden with many preservatives, chemicals and ingredients that should never be put into our bodies in the first place, yet, in this day and age, it is almost impossible to find foods that are without these things. Enter Earth Fare!!! I learned about this place from a good friend of mine who has one near her in Raleigh, North Carolina. She put me on notice that they were building one here in Huntsville, Alabama! Oh joy! I was overly excited about them coming to town as I began to research and learn about what was good and not good for me to eat. I even entered a contest on their blog and won a gift card to begin my journey into healthy eating!!! WOOOT WOOT!!!

I had just recently watched a couple of great documentaries (Food Inc., King Corn...etc.) and I realized that some of the things I eat really upset my stomach, cause me to overindulge and was just plain awful for me. I eat salads...but the dressing was horrible! I eat vegetables, but my method of prepration was eliminating all of the vitamins and nutrients that make those veggies good for me. SO...crash course...unlearn what you know and relearn it all over again so that you get the most out of what you consume!

FOR ME, and I say this because many people may argue my point...but FOR ME...I have problems with Splenda and artificial sweeteners. High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) reak havoc on my system and cause me to overeat. Hydrogenated soybean oils make my stomach ache and I am sure that many other additives really do a number on me.

At Earth Fare, they do the research for you and items that have these ingredients are not even in their stores! They have healthy choices for whatever you crave and you can rest assured that these things are free from many harmful ingredients that are not good for you!

I am just beginning my "cleaner food" journey and it has been difficult, but my tummy is much happier for the change! Some foods have no substitute and I am trying my best to live without them, but I have fell victim to going back to the same standbys and I end up paying horribly for it. Will I ever learn? Let's hope so! However, on a good note...I had the first peanut butter and jelly sandwich that did not make me want to cry 20 minutes after consuming! YAY for small victories!!!

As a girl on a budget, I go there for many items, but I also check out what is on their shelves to see what the "good foods" are, and I may purchase them at a lower price somewhere else. Perhaps one day I will make that my one stop shop...but when you are pinching pennies...this tip may help you as it helped me! Some of their items are higher in price BUT they have great coupons and great sales! Choose wisely and plan accordingly and join me on my cleaner food journey!!!

Ode to Sweet Tea...

2010-04-13T00:25:00.001-07:00

Hi. My name is Nichole. And I am addicted to Sweet Tea...

All: Hi Nichole!

Ok, as I have mentioned before, I was raised in Ohio. Mom did not really give us lots of sugary beverages, and if we had soda, she kept it clear or fruity...like Sprite or Hawaiian Punch (unless we were with Dad and we got a "suicide" where you mix every flavor from the fountain and kill yourself drinking 12 flavors all at once!) Well, my point is, growing up, tea was hot, in a cup and served with a little bit of sugar, honey and maybe lemon. Now, when I came to Alabama for college almost 19 years ago...

I. Was. Not. Ready.

Well, in every sense of the word...the adjustment was not easy, but as for my beverage selection, I was introduced to such flavors as: Grapico, Sun Drop, Buffalo Rock Ginger Ale and alas....Sweet Tea. Be still my aching heart...

*cue whimsical romantical music*

It was love at first sip AND served with every meal in the Cafeteria. I've heard it called "The Table Wine of the South" and God bless whomever decided to lose half their sugar supply in a gallon of iced tea! AND there are many places that dare you to try their version of it...ranging from Mint Julep, Green Tea, White Tea and even Half-Lemonade/Half-Sweet Tea, better known as an Arnold Palmer or an Uptown. There is even a Sweet Tea Vodka!!! It's not half bad, actually...I have a friend who loved it and drank it up pretty swiftly! (I had to remind him that it was still Vodka! LOL! There were no incidents or injuries! HA!) As a precaution...yes, it's bad for you if you have any care for your sugar intake, no, you should not partake in such a sugary treat daily, however, having your daily dose of sweet tea is a haaaard habit to break! I cannot even go into details about the evils that McDonalds has bestowed upon us...LARGE SWEET TEA for a DOLLAR?

*moment of silence*

Well, I am trying to recover from being a Sweet Tea addict and it will be increasingly difficult as the summer heat and temperatures here in Alabama are barreling towards us. As a rule, I try not to keep excess sugar around as it always seems to mate with a pitcher of water and tea bags. I try my hardest to drive as fast as I can past McDonalds...and I hold my breath between 2-4pm when Sonic has half price drinks on sale. Yes, I have it pretty bad *sigh*

Pray for me...

Madison's newest gem!!!

2010-04-12T23:56:00.000-07:00

It's interesting how you journey here and there
and the one thing you are looking for is right
under your nose!

The Budding Chef Bistro (click here for map)
4155 Sullivan Street
Madison, AL 35758
256 - 325 - 2766

After a nice afternoon walk, a friend and I were ready to grab lunch. We both live in the Madison, Alabama area and we thought of a couple of places close to our respective homes. I remember seeing that the cooking school in Madison now served lunch during the week and that was all she wrote! New adventure! YAY!

I knew that the Budding Chef was in fact a cooking school that hosted classes for people of all ages, even for parties and team building...but what I didn't know is that this would be one of THE BEST culinary experiences I have ever had! As Chef Merle and Chef Diane said...it IS all about your dining experience as a whole! Well, they truly delivered! I only ask that you save me a seat once the word gets out...luckily for me, I literally live around the corner, so I can walk to the restaurant! :)

On this exciting adventure to The Budding Chef Bistro, we ordered The Herb Crusted Salmon Salad (which is definitely a meal in itself...it comes in a huge colander *gasp*)with a delicious Balsamic Vinaigrette and bread de jour, The Southwest Chicken Panini with tuscan chips and dip. The chipotle mayo on the panini was to die for! Strawberry lemonade and a shared slice of homemade Strawberry Cake! (Pictures Below!)

The food was delicious, the service was top notch and the atmosphere was relaxing and warm! I would highly suggest this wonderful place to everyone who will listen! I cannot wait to head back...the soup list is incredible and I hear the Cream Cheese Pound Cake is good enough to fight over...we'll just have to see about that! :)

Ode to Home ~ General Tso's Chicken

2010-03-03T19:40:00.000-08:00

General Tso, ancient Chinese General from the Qing Dynasty...your chicken is delicious, I wish you were alive to try it when they came up with the recipe only 40 years ago. Mmmmmm...

My House (no map...nope)
My Street
My City, Alabama

So the urge struck me again. I felt like cooking and actually take on a challenging dish and you can't get more local than in your own kitchen! Well, come to find out, it really was not that challenging but there were a few steps. I had the taste for Chinese, General Tso's Chicken, to be exact...so I made it at home!

General Tso's Chicken is a sweet yet spicy chicken dish which consists of fried boneless chicken in that sweet and spicy sauce. It is a Chinese Buffet favorite and it goes WELL with rice and broccoli, which I also made! I got the recipe from another blog called "Appetite for China" (Click HERE for recipe) and with a few slight modifications, I created a very similar dish to what you would get in your local chinese takeout. My changes were chicken breasts for the chicken thighs, vegetable oil instead of the flavored oils, no seseme seeds or scallions, red pepper flakes instead of whole peppers, candied ginger instead of ginger (it's what I had on hand) and apple cider vinegar instead of rice wine vinegar. I took pictures of my ingredients so that you can see that you may actually have these ingredients in your pantry already! The finished product was DEFINITELY worth the steps and you may just surprise yourself as this is kinda "date night" food. Well, if you use half the amount of garlic...perhaps! :-)

GO FOR IT! Cook something! If you can read, you can cook!

Vic Cassano...I love you!

2010-03-03T19:07:00.000-08:00

Cassano's Pizza King...you were the first pizza my Mom ate and the last I ever want to eat!

Cassano's Pizza (Click for Locations)
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
Dayton, Ohio Metro Area

I think I need to first say that yes, I am indeed a Yankee. Born and raised in Dayton, Ohio. A Buckeye girl in a Bama world. Secondly, I need to issue a warning here to simply save you from what you may encounter if you mention pizza to someone from Dayton, Ohio. Now, there are a couple of local pizzarias in the area, but when you mention Cassano's Pizza...a change occours. Some may provide hand gestures as if they are grabbing those tiny squares of goodness out of thin air. Some may take a deep breath and go on and on about their favorite pizza pie. Then there are those of us who have moved out of the Dayton area. A far away look of longing comes across our face...memories of the "Big Cheese" begin to form a slight smile on our lips and then you hear the 'sigh' because we know that a Cassano's Pizza is nowhere close to us and all we have are the memories. Just the memories...until we venture home, that is...

*sigh*

Apart from the drama (ha!) Cassano's Pizza is GREAT pizza! Classic thin crust, salty sausage and fresh toppings all topped with gooey cheese and cut into squares! Delish! There are other offerings on the menu, but I must admit...in my 36 years, I have never ventured off of the pizza menu! I have heard stories about the awesome sandwiches and the delicious pasta and appetizers, but I cannot speak on that personally. Perhaps one of my hometown friends can chime in and comment on the goodness of the non-pizza items! :-)

I am fortunate enough to go home several times a year and the one place that remains on my culinary list of "things to do while in Dayton" is to pick up a Deluxe Pizza with extra cheese for me and my family to nosh on! Now THAT makes me smile!

I will say this and leave you be...if you ever find yourself in the Dayton, Ohio area...it would GREATLY benefit your tastebuds to try this hometown classic which is Cassano's Pizza.

(pssssst...word on the street is that we can order frozen pizzas online...but i'm not one to gossip, so you didn't hear it from me!)

Lyn's Gracious Goodness

2010-03-03T18:48:00.000-08:00

Oh Lyn...we are graciously happy for your goodness!!!

Lyn's Gracious Goodness (Click for Map!)
2306 Whitesburg Drive South
Huntsville, AL 35801-3818

You know it deep down inside when you've found a good place to eat. A friend and I arrived a bit after the lunch rush and the lunch special...gone. The famous deviled eggs...Gone. The salad you were dying to try...all that remained was the sign in the cooler...GONE! *sigh* It was enough to almost run me back to the car, but since I didn't drive, I gathered my senses and made alternative choices. BOY, if what I had was considered "second choice"...I need to camp out overnight for my first choices!

I honestly think that Lyn's entire menu is exactly what the sign says "Gracious Goodness"! I am SO glad that she followed her heart's desire and opened up a cute, modern and bright eatery here in the Huntsville Medical district! Her bio reads:

After studying cooking through Maxim’s Restaurant in Paris and with French chef, Alain Senderens at the Great Chefs of France school at the Robert Mondavi Winery in Napa, Lyn Newcomb Wiginton decided it was time to fulfill her dream of opening a small restaurant.
With the opening of Lyn’s Gracious Goodness, she is where she has always wanted to be - cooking delicious, homemade, Southern food with a touch of something special.

And yes, it is very special! On this trip we ordered REAL pimiento cheese spread, the shrimp salad, The Beef Tenderloin sandwich and the Chicken Pita and I cannot forget to mention the MINT SWEET TEA *gasp AND swoon*!!! Everything was delightful even down to the homemade sweet pickles that came with the Chicken Pita. I can't wait to head back to visit Lyn. You should too...and if you do...call me and I will leave my carry out order with you! :-)

Ode To Chocolate Cake

2010-03-03T18:24:00.001-08:00

This is totally a rambling :-)

Ode to Chocolate Cake

My House! (no map...sorry!)
My Street
My Town, Alabama

You cannot get more local than your own kitchen! When the mood strikes, I find an overwhelming urge to find a recipe and make some noise in the kitchen! This round of culinary combat found me baking a cake especially for a friend of mine! Not just any cake, CHOCOLATE cake! The recipe...well, I yoinked it from my cousin up in Savannah, Tennessee (THE Catfish Capital of THEE World, or so the sign says) and modified it slightly (that way I can grind her gears when I tell her that I didn't really take her recipe! Ain't I a stinker? Ha!) I am unsure if this recipe is in print and I will not divulge the recipe here. We may need it for our family cookbook someday! :-)

I will just give a quick ode to chocolate cake in a haiku

Chocolate Cake Haiku

This great chocolate cake
Tastes so wonderful to me
I may need more milk.

Thank you ::takes a bow::

I encourage you to go boldly into your kitchen and create something GREAT! If you can read, you can cook! :-)

Papa Gyro's!

2010-03-02T20:01:00.000-08:00

There's nothing like a dollop of hummus in the afternoon...

Papa Gyro's (Click for map)
4925 University Drive NW
Huntsville, AL 35816

So once again...another fine jewel that is located in a shopping plaza! I absolutely adore this place. The people are friendly, the food is wonderful, the lunch crowd is steady and the tables stay full!

Papa Gyro's has a variety of Greek entrees that varies from falafels to a veggie plate with dolmades (vegetable mixture wrapped in grape leaves) to hummus

A friend and I ventured off for this wonderful Greek adventure one cloudy afternoon and as always, we were very pleased. If you have never had a gyro...I would strongly urge you to find your nearest full blooded Greek friend and ask them, no, BEG them to point you to the best gyro you can have in your city or town. If you have to drive a little, eh, gas up the stationwagon Martha...ROAD TRIP! :)

On this visit we ordered a chicken gyro (for me!), an original (lamb & beef) gyro, fries, potato and lentil soup, hummus with warm pita bread and baklava!!! (I guess we were kinda hungry!)

This will always be one of my most favorite restaurants in the area! Nothing like a good gyro in the afternoon to put everything into perspective! :)

Mezza Luna!!!

2009-10-07T17:55:00.000-07:00

Mezza Luna...Mediterranean Italian Cuisine

Mezza Luna (Click for map)
2724 Carl T. Jones Drive SE
Huntsville, AL 35801

So a friend of mine who knows I am on my local foodie quest, recommended Mezza Luna to me and I am SO glad she did! This trendy restaurant is so vibrant and fresh, but laid back enough to have a quiet lunch, which is what we did!

This is a Mediterranean Italian restaurant which to me meant it brought dishes and flavors from Italy that are closest to the Mediterranean Sea...makes sense to me!

Their website says...

At Mezza Luna, a true trattoria atmosphere will preside where the patio provides Huntsville’s most popular and lovely outdoor dining and room for an overflowing crowd. Casual, but with no compromise in quality or presentation, the seasonal menu offers fresh gulf seafood, naturally raised meats and locally grown organic poultry, lettuces, and vegetables. The wood-fired brick oven crisps the flatbreads and pizzas perfectly, gives the roasts and braises their signature hickory seasoning. Fresh seafood, meat and game are all cooked over a huge wood-fired grill, resplendent with the soul-satisfying essences of Tuscany, Andalusia, Sicily and North Africa.

I was kinda close! ;-)

A couple of colleagues and I started our meal with a "chip and onion dip" appetizer that was really good! The chips were freshly made in the restaurant and the dip was creamy and delicious! For our meals, we all ordered pizza. The same pizzas! All three of us! Ha! Well, you can never have too much of a good thing! Next time I will have to venture out into a more hearty entree!

I must say that I am very happy that Mezza Luna is here in Huntsville because it offers a very nice slice of variety here! You should check them out!

Ol' Heidelburg!!!

2009-10-06T23:56:00.000-07:00

German? Ja!!!

Ol' Heidelburg (Click for map!)
6125 University Drive
Huntsville, AL 35806

German...in Alabama? Why, yes indeed! For many who may not know, there are many German-Americans in Huntsville, Alabama. In the 1950's many German rocket scientists were awarded US citizenship to help with the engineering and building of missles and rockets here in Rocket City, USA better known as Huntsville, AL! I am pretty sure that a restaurant or two with wonderful offerings from the German culture would still be around today to tempt a sweet African-American lady like myself *blink, blink*

Well, a very handsome dude and I ventured off into Ol' Heidelburg, which is in a shopping plaza on one of the busiest streets in Huntsville. Needless to say, there was lots of traffic and we were ready to head in for a nice meal!

The decor was, of course, German inspired and our hostess and waitress was wearing traditional German dirndl. It was like stepping into Oktoberfest! I loved it! My companion ordered a very dark German beer and I was introduced into wonderful German cuisine!

Our meal started off with salad. House salad with homemade bleu cheese dressing for me, cucumber salad for him as well as a very tasty potato and leek soup that was absolutely heavenly! A bread basket full of warm, dark bread was brought to us as we waited for our main courses. I ordered the Hungarian Schnitzel which is sauteed chicken with mushrooms, onions, red & green peppers in a hunters sauce with a side of German style potato salad and he ordered the Schweinebraten which is roasted pork loin prepared in a natural gravy, served with potato dumplings or Spatzle and red cabbage.

I was NOT ready! *faint*

Everything was quite divine and enough to feed a small village! (yay doggie bag!)
I was told to start off easy and go with the chicken because, hey, you really can't go wrong with chicken! But I think next time I will venture off into sausage land...or perhaps pork or veal...hummm, decisions, decisions....

Anyway, the cost was a bit higher than I expected with entrees starting at $15. I have been spoiled with less costly meals around town! However, I think that for an authentic German experience, it was well worth every penny! And did I mention they had maaaaybe 20+ different desserts?

You are not ready. LOL!

Well, I give this tasty adventure two thumbs up! I hope to visit again very soon!

Thanks for reading...and of course, enjoy the pics!

LeeAnn's Fun, Food & Great Spirits!

2009-09-10T14:41:00.000-07:00

Ok, so this week's adventure took me to LeeAnn's in Huntsville!
*peek at the link for more pics of LeeAnn's...the atmosphere is SO nice!!!*

LeeAnn's (click for map)
415 Church Street NW
Huntsville, AL 35801

Ok, so I meet a bud down at LeeAnn's for a late lunch. No crowds and not busy at all. Cool! LeeAnn's is a very nice place with southern food cuisine and great appetizers and sandwiches...a "meat and three" kind of place, which usually translates into good eats! I didn't indulge in the "Great Spirits", but the selection looked amazing! I hear they have a happy hour...

So we sit and order the daily special for Tuesday...Smoked Pork Butt! Ok, ok, ok...so what is a pork butt? A pork butt is a cut of meat from the shoulder of the pig that contains a little more fat than other parts of the pig which makes it good for smoking or bar-b-que in an "low and slow" method (low heat, slow cooking)!

Ok, so we both ordered the daily special which was Pork Butt (which came with traditional bbq sauce and the infamous north Alabama white bbq sauce!) and a choice of 2 sides. For my 2 sides, I ordered fried green tomatoes and sweet potato fries! Mmmmmm!!! Doesn't that make you wanna smack your Momma? I just knew I was in for a treat, and indeed I was! The plate was HUGE! And it included a soft drink and a corn muffin...all for (wait for it...) $8.00!!! YAHOOOOO!

I would like to go back soon for appetizers or just for the atmosphere. It was a very nice place and I am so glad I ventured here! There ARE great local joints here in Huntsville!!! YAY! I am so happy and encouraged!

Here is a horrible picture of my meal...I need a better camera! :)

Support your local establishments!!!

Thanks for reading :)

In the Spirit of Labor Day!

2009-09-05T13:05:00.000-07:00

Hey There!

Being that Labor Day marks the end of the Cookout/Bar-B-Que/Grilling season...I thought I would share my latest local BBQ Restaurant adventure!

Thomas Pit Bar-B-Que(click for map)
7929 Highway 72 W
Madison, AL 35758-9562
(256) 837-4900

I really love this place! It's good and smoky bar-b-que from an actual pit that is in a separate building out back! You can dine in, but the preference is to pull up in line which can sometimes go back about 15 cars! So, you wait as the hickory smell fills your vehicle and you almost go crazy because the ribs are literally calling for you! *smile*

Thomas Pit has a basic Alabama BBQ menu. Smoked Chicken (which is especially good with the white BBQ sauce! "White BBQ Sauce" is an original North Alabama thing!), Pulled Pork, Smoked Beef, Ribs, Potato Salad, Cole Slaw, Bread, Chips, Sauce as well as icebox pies for dessert. Well, on this adventure, I opted for something easy...the Rib Sandwich and Potato Salad.

"Rib Sandwich?" you say? Well, of course we know you cannot eat a sandwich of ribs because the bones could pose a challenge, but the rib sandwich is a great way to get a nice amount of ribs on two slices of toasted texas toast! And the potato salad is absolutely the best "restaurant" potato salad that I have ever tasted. It is not pre-packaged! It is made on site and I really want to believe that it has some of their vinegar based slaw stirred into it...but either way, it is amazing! Thomas Pit is definitely one of my favorite local restaurants and I, for one, am so happy that it still stands after so many years!

So, whenever you are in Madison, Alabama...you should definitely try it!

Thanks for reading!

Here are some pixxies of this adventure!

Thai, anyone?

2009-09-01T18:31:00.001-07:00

***Edited to say that a friend of mine said her own experiences were very different from my own! That makes me feel good to know that diversity lives everywere! I only wish I could have been a part of it *sad face* You have to continue reading to understand what I am saying. Read on!!!***

I must begin this by saying that I, in my own corner of the world, was culturally deprived as a child ::sniff, sniff:: Yes, I admit it. In my personal experiences, in Dayton (Trotwood), Ohio back in the 70's and 80's...at my school, there was basically white & black and maybe one or two other ethnicities within the whole school & neighborhood. I was unaware of other cultures as we grew up in the suburbs of a typical midwestern GM factory town. I remember first tasting Chinese food around the age of 10, and we ventured as far as Sweet & Sour Chicken...oooooh! Mexican...well a deeply Americanized version of it, sure. Italian...pizza from local joints and Prego from the grocery store aisle!!! You are talking about where ketchup is it's own food group AND the spiciest condiment on our kitchen table! Did we ever leave our uncultured shell? Family trips? Sure we had them! But we stuck to well known establishments and did not venture to eateries of the unknown! My culinary vision was highly limited for 33 years of my life until one day, two years ago, during a boring day at work, some co-workers brought in sushi. I was poked and prodded until I took a bite and I found myself liberated! Now, I am eager to at least try something different, and if I don't like it...well, I can never say I didn't try! YAY ME!!!!

Now, I feel better since I got that off my chest...whew! lol!

Let's REALLY begin! :)

As I was rambling on the web the other day, I came across this foodie site, via Google, called Chowhound: For Those Who Love to Eat! Wow...ok, so I guess i'm not alone, eh? :) But I came across this specific blog called My Huntsville Alabama Chow Log by a user named Bomberman760 about the Huntsville area restaurants, opinions and reviews...pretty neat! As I was reading along, me and the Dude were taken aback by a review for a place we have kinda heard of, kinda saw, but never ventured into...PERFECT! Especially since my taste buds stay ready for good Asian cuisine!

Charm Thai Restaurant (click for map!)
7404 HWY 72 Suite D
Madison, Alabama 35758

The Dude treated me to this wonderful place and goodie, goodie...I have pictures!

I was very pleasantly surprised! Perhaps because it is located in a strip mall/plaza...but it was very nice! (Empty tables = fast service!!!)

We ordered soup, appetizer and entrees on this trip.

Traditional Tom Kha Gai (Coconut Soup with mushrooms & chicken)
This soup was absolutely the best one I have had thus far in Huntsville, hands down!

Appetizer is Chicken Satay - Grilled chicken skewers with a peanut sauce w/cucumber salad. The peanut sauce was actually a smoky-peanutty sauce that was not too sweet. Excellent!

I had Pad Thai Noodles with Shrimp. Traditional Thai dish full of great flavors, sprouts, lime wedges, green onions, egg, rice noodles and sauce (peanuts if you choose). Delish! The shrimp was $2 more, and very much worth it.

The Dude had Drunken Noodles with chicken. Not quite sure what this is, but it had a spicy kick to it!

I absolutely adored this place! And our meal was under $30 for 2 people, including appetizer! I hope to be back here very soon and I hope you try them too! And the best part was the view as we walked out.

Where else can you have an international flavor sensation in your tummy across from lush farmland? I love this place :)

Thanks for reading!

Let's Begin!

2009-09-01T18:28:00.000-07:00

I recently traveled to Savannah, Tennessee (The Catfish Capital of the World) for my cousin's high school graduation. Savannah is a small town, but each time I visit my cousins, I am met with many wonderful adventures in food & shopping in this sleepy Southern gem of a town. As I rode around town with a geeked 18 year old on her graduation day, she informed me of a little shop with THE best fish sandwiches she has ever had. So we go, and it was AWESOME! All I could do was think about where I live and why have I not took the time to venture to a new restaurant or shop to patronize my Huntsville neighbors? What a disservice!

This is long overdue. I am not a newcomer to this area, in fact, I have lived here for 18 years. What I have noticed is that we become complacent when it comes to restaurants in this area. We rely on national food chains we know and love, which is perfectly fine if that is what you go for! But what about the little guys? The Mom & Pop shops with food to die for??? Well...I have made it my quest to find those places and share the goods with you!!! Enjoy!

Savannah, Tennessee:

Savannah Sunrise Cafe (click for map)
100 Water St.
Savannah, TN 38372

I ordered a catfish sandwich to go. A huge catfish fillet, lightly dusted in cornmeal and fried served on a soft bun. Mmmmm...DELISH! This is a small cafe that has a solid menu of good Southern cooking! GREAT prices, daily specials and fried pickles (ha!) and something called a "Slug Burger". If you ever find yourself in Savannah...roll on through and give them a holler and stop by the shaved ice hut next door! :wink: