Madison's newest gem!!!

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! :)

In the Spirit of Labor Day!

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!