alabama - IFWTWA

AS SEEN IN THE
APRIL 2011
THE INTERNATIONAL FOOD WINE AND TRAVEL
WRITER’S ASSOCATION LOVES THE GULF SHORES
WWW.WINEDINEANDLEISURETIME.COM
RECOMMENDS
GULF SHORES,
ALABAMA
AS A
DESTINATION
WRITTEN BY
GAIL GERSON-WITTE &
CAROLYN DELAFRANGE
FORT MORGAN STATE HISTORICAL SITE
THE BEACH CLUB AT SPECTRUM RESORTS
FLORA BAMA - THE LAST ROADHOUSE
The Gulf Shores of Alabama with miles
of sparkling beaches, extraordinary
hotels, exciting entertainment, has
great shopping and the best seafood on
the planet. It is our choice for a fabulous
spring trip. Look up the many events
and contact Carolyn or Gail to assist in
planning a trip, so that endless fun and
fabulous food will be your reward,
WINEANDDINE10@AOL.COM OR OUR
OFFICE (732) 758-0888.
COSMOS RESTAURANT, SUPERB SEAFOOD-MAGNIFICENT MARTINIS-HOMEMADE DESSERTS
THE HANGOUT. GREAT SEAFOOD, FAMILY FUN, DIVERSE EMTERTAINMENT, GIFT SHOP, BEACH
COBALT SEAFOOD SETS A NEW STANDARD
MAGNOLIA SPRINGS BED & BREAKFAST
JESSE’S RESTAURANT
IFWTWA PRES. MARALYN HILL AWARDS SHIPP’S HARBOUR GRILL FOR AMAZING SEAFOOD
AWARD-WINNING CHEF BRODY OLIVE DELIVERS WARM FEELINGS & FLAVOR AT VILLAGIO GRILL ON THE WHARF
GULF SHORES & ORANGE BEACH
ALABAMA PRESS TRIP
Thank you to Marjorie Benders Benders-Walker Group 573-3531115. Jo Duncan Benders-Walker Group 314-422-1193, Kim
Chapman Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism 251-752-8448, for
introducing us to an area that my readers on the East Coast will be
delighted to discover The Beaches are white and inviting, the restaurants deliciously different and the people warm and inviting.
TURQUOISE PLACE - ON THE GULF OF MEXICO
This splendid new luxury condominium located in Orange Beach
with a sparkling emerald glass tower, is 24 stories high and has 173
exquisite apartments that vary from 2,400 to 5,900 square feet. The
amenities, like superb gas fireplaces, Wolf and Sub-Zero stainless
steel kitchen appliances and balconies with outdoor kitchens and
Jacuzzi hot tubs, not to mention the glorious beach on the ocean
location was nothing short of spectacular. In addition the dazzling
fitness center has everything including the salt water lazy river,
heated salt water pool, hot tubs, exquisite large balcony overlooking the beach with a large hot tub overlooking the oceam, dry sauna
& steam room The beautifully decorated owner’s meeting space,
was a collection of atmospheric wonderful areas. This retreat was
difficult to say good-bye to0 & very hard to leave. Larry Wireman,
who also developed Caribe Resort in Orange Beach. Is the creator.
For more information, visit www.turquoiseplace.com.
LODGING PROVIDED THE BEACH CLUB AT SPECTRUM RESORTS,
26302 Perdido Beach Blvd. Orange Beach, AL 36561, Toll Free:
(877) 553-7415, Email: reservations@spectrumvacations.com,
www.spectrumresorts.com. Alabama’s most affordable luxury vacation accommodations. Spectrum offers the lowest rates and best
service at Turquoise Place and Caribe Resort in Orange Beach!
CHOOSE YOUR ITINERARY FROM THESE
EXCEPTIONAL DESTINATIONS
LULU’S AT HOMEPORT MARINA, 200 East 25th Avenue - Gulf Shores,
AL 36542, (251) 967-LULU (5858), Email: info@lulubuffett.com
www.lulubuffett.com. We experienced fabulous tastes, a wondrous
sunset & great entertainment. The LA caviar, Fish tacos , & fantastic Southern style vegetables at this waterside wonderland, charmed
all the attending reporters. Live music excellent service, a marvelous outdoor deck and a very superb souvenir shop where you can
arrive by land or sea makes this a sweet destination.
ORANGE BEACH ART & WELCOME CENTER, 26389 Canal Road Orange Beach, AL 36561, (251) 981-ARTS (2787)
www.orangebeachartcenter.com. Southern hospitality is truly alive
at the Orange Beach Welcome Center. A very lovely breakfast was
provided by Villaggio Grille at The Wharf Linda Whitlock , President
of the Alabama Gulf Coast Area Chamber of Commerce, (they present
the National Shrimp Festival) was present and the talented Brody
Olive, the illustrious Villaggio Grille Chef and the 2009 winner of the
National Shrimp Festival Chefs Challenge, served delicious specialties. Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism. Do not miss the state’s
first and only public glass blowing studio. The demonstration was
remarkable at the Orange Beach Art Center
HOPE’S CHEESECAKE IS DIVINE
GLORIOUS CONDOS AT TURQUOISE PLACE
SANROC CAY SHOPPING ‘MALL’
FROM BREAKFAST, TO LUNCH & DINNER, TACKY JACK’S IS A MUSICAL WINNER
LUCY BUFFET PRESENTS LULU’S AT HOMEPORT
MARINA, LIVE ENTERTAINMENT-SPECIAL EVENTS
owners have done their homework. From a spectacular breakfast,
and magnificently decorated rooms private baths, cable TV, phones,
turndown service, fresh flowers and a well stocked guest refrigerator, this spot is truly a fabulous find located in the historic Magnolia
Springs area.
JESSE’S RESTAURANT & MOORE’S BROTHER MARKET
14770 Oak Street - Magnolia Springs, AL 36555, (251) 965-3827
www.jessesrestaurant.com. I know why they were voted the area’s
best steakhouse for 4 years! From splendiferous desserts to daily
specialties, tender juicy steaks, fresh Southern style seafood and a
touch of New Orleans cuisine amid a dazzling atmosphere, everything is special about this place. A new casual room is splendid for
‘hooking up’ your friends and family. Monday-Saturday. Lunch &
dinner. Sunday Brunch 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Extensive wine list. 15
minutes from beach.
CETACEAN CRUISES, 25991 West Perdido Avenue - Orange Beach,
AL 36561, (251) 550-8000, www.cetaceancruises.com
A relaxing cruise on the back bays includes nature discussions and
dolphins who are all regular players and familiar to the captain and
his crew. Nature/dolphin cruise. Cetacean Cruises, formerly L.A. Water
sports, has two unique tour boats in coastal Alabama. The 52’ Hawaiian Catamaran sailboat offers scenic sailing cruises and special
events, while the 40’ pontoon boat focuses on viewing, education
and eco tours. They are the only federally recognized Dolphin Smart
Boat in the area. The dolphin experience will be a hit with your family.
COSMOS RESTAURANT & BAR, 25753 Canal Road - Orange Beach,
AL 36561, (251) 948-9663, Email: cosmosrest@gulftel.com
www.cosmosrestaurantandbar.com. Open seven days. 11:00 a.m.9:30 p.m. weekdays and 11:00a.m.-10:00 p.m. weekends. Bar open
until midnight! Serving a wide variety to satisfy every taste. Sushi
bar open 5:00 p.m.-till and all day Sunday. Moderately priced, casual dining. The décor is lively, colorful and welcoming. Owner, Brian
contributes to many area animal fundraisers, and chairs many event
events. He has developed a menu that features a different country
each month. The dishes are well developed and presented with style.
The Spanish specialties were first-rate & the seafood definitely outstanding.
TACKY JACK’S - ORANGE BEACH, 27206 Safe Harbor Drive - Orange
Beach, AL 36561, (251) 981-4144, Email: tackyjackstavern@gmail.com,
www.tackyjacks.com. I can understand why this waterside spot has been
a local institution for over 30 years. This is surely a ‘feel good’ spot and
the food was really good and sooo reasonable. You really never know
who you will meet here. Whhether an innovative breakfast, creative lunch
or Southern style dinner, portionsortions are huge, prices very east and
quality is first-class.
SANROC CAY SHOPPING ‘MALL’, 27267 Perdido Beach Blvd - Orange Beach, AL 36561, (251) 981-5423 Toll Free: (888) 386-4853,
www.sanroccay.com. From a dock store, to shops with each one
offering something different with popular prices, we had a great
shoppiong experience here. I did not want to leave. With permanent
or transient slips, showers, phones, underground parking, a day spa,
a charter fleet: private walk-ons & restaurants like Louisiana Lagniappe, Café Grazie, North Shore Deli, Grille and Gulf Shores Steamer,
this should be on your ‘must see’ list.
THE HOT SHOP STUDIO: www.cityoforangebeach.com. The breathtaking paintings, unique jewelry, creative crafts & amazing artwork
are available for purchase at very reasonable rates. Carolyn and I
purchased art and unique jewelry The Hot Shop Studio is dedicated
to educating the community about glassblowing, sculpture, and art.
Admission is free. Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
COBALT RESTAURANT & ON PREMISES BAKERY, 28099 Perdido Beach
Blvd - Orange Beach, AL 36561, (251) 923-5300,
www.cobaltrestaurant.net. Nestled just under the Perdido Pass Bridge,
and the newest sister restaurant to Cosmos, Cobalt offers a very well
presented waterfront dining experience. The three distinctive kitchens
and superior service presents something for everyone. I tasted over 10
dishes-all wonderful and the bakery here is sumptuous.
MAGNOLIA SPRINGS BED & BREAKFAST, 14469 Oak Street - Magnolia Springs, AL 36555, (251) 965-7321 Toll Free: (800) 965-7321,
Email: info@magnoliasprings.com, www.magnoliasprings.com. The
VILLAGGIO GRILLE AT THE WHARF, 4790 Wharf Parkway - Orange
Beach,
AL
36561,
(251)
224-6510,
Email:
HOT SHOP STUDIO,
ORANGE BEACH ARTS CENTER
CustomerService@villaggiogrille.com, www.villaggiogrille.com. The
Mediterranean cuisine, glorious atmosphere. extensive wine list and
bar, wood-burning pizza oven, bakery is a ‘Must try.’ The Champagne Sunday Brunch is a winner. Reservations are accepted & a
must as this chef is popular, talented and pleases all tastes & all
pocketbooks. Our family type dinner was just exquisite with each
dish having its’ own signature and style.
FLORA-BAMA LOUNGE PACKAGE & OYSTER BAR, 17401 Perdido
Key Drive - Pensacola, FL 32507, (850) 492-0611, Email:
info@florabama.com, www.florabama.com. One of the last great
American roadhouses & did we have a great time here. Home of
the Interstate Mullet Toss, the Gulf Coast’s greatest beach party &
bravura Bushwhacker drink I will return to party hearty. With four
bandstands & live music daily, the crowd is diverse. I saw all ages
present with everyone having one thing in common— a good time!
SOUTH BEACH BAR AND GRILL, 925 Beach Club Trail - Gulf Shores,
AL 36542, (251) 224-3600 Toll Free: (888) 260-7263, Email:
catering@beachclubal.com, www.beachclubal.com/dining.htm. Featuring fresh regional cooking as well as many tastes from the tropics
and a beautiful waterfront view. Voted “Best Sunday Brunch” by
Island locals. 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Explore this Civil War stop
that features guided candlelight tours in the summer.
FORT MORGAN STATE HISTORIC SITE, 51 State Highway 180 West
- Gulf Shores, AL 36542, (251) 540-7127, Email:
fortmorgan@centurytel.net, www.ft-morgan.com. Today Fort Morgan is a testament to the growth of the American coast defense
fortifications from 1834 to World War II. This is a history seminar
that I enjoyed from the interesting fort to the many original artifacts and souvenirs, that I brought home to my family and friends.
KIVA DUNES GOLF CLUB, 815 Plantation Drive - Gulf Shores, AL
36542, (251) 540-7000 Toll Free: (888) TEE-KIVA, Email:
rea@kivadunes.com, www.kivadunes.com. Duncan Millar of the Gulf
Shores Golf Association was present to explain & greet our group.
There are many golf options and even a restaurant & interesting
shop, if you care to indulge.
THE HANGOUT, 101 East Beach Blvd - Gulf Shores, AL 36542, (251)
948-3030, Email: city@thehangoutal.com, www.thehangoutal.com. I
loved this very fun and food place. The chef is talented, the owner
exciting and the food delicious and quite reasonable. Seafood here is
spectacular and the sides tasty and well developed. The Hangout is
the place for great food and family fun. Hang out & listen to the diverse live entertainment, visit the reasonably priced shop, explore the
fire pit, & you will be planning your return to this beachside place, you
can call your new home. We loved it here.
HOPE’S CHEESECAKE, 210 East 20th Ave - Gulf Shores, AL 36542,
(251) 968-5858 Toll Free: (888) 968-4673, Email:
info@hopescheesecake.com, www.hopescheesecake.com. This family run divine tasting dessert place, where they make everything from
scratch & according to your order, is located 1.5 blocks east of Hwy
59. More than 30 well developed flavors of scrumptious homemade
cheesecakes are presented. Just dream it & they produce the flavor.
Only Kraft Philadelphia cream cheese is used and flavors are like a
sparkling bracelet on a slender wrist. The Key Lime Pie is exquisite &
you can order from anywhere in the USA.
SHIPP’S HARBOUR GRILL, 27842 Canal Road - Orange Beach,
AL 36561, (251) 981-9891, Email: harbourgrill@bellsouth.net,
www.shippsharbourgrill.com. We were impressed by the fresh
delectable seafood and enchanting prime beef. Everything is
made daily & tastings were really superb. The waterfront and
outdoor dining, live entertainment and family friendly servers
just heighten the enjoyable experience. Open daily, & located at
the Sportsman Marina, we guarantee your will be complete with
a stop here.