Alabama’s oldest family-owned restaurant to host 34th Annual Night in New Orleans
Traditions run deep at The Bright Star in Bessemer, Alabama’s oldest family-run restaurant. And plans are coming together for one of its most popular rituals, the annual Night in New Orleans featuring a guest chef from the Big Easy. (The Bright Star/Facebook) The “night” is actually three [...]
The story behind one of Alabama’s favorite margaritas
Signs of summer are everywhere across the state. The days are increasingly sticky-hot. The sun lingers a little longer each day. And watermelon margaritas have returned to Taco Mama’s restaurants across Alabama. With more than a dozen varieties on the regular menu at the beachy-casual chain, margaritas are one of [...]
Your guide to this year’s Alabama peach season
Baskets of peaches now appearing at local farm markets and stands herald the arrival of Alabama’s favorite fruit. Between now and late August, state growers will harvest more than 80 varieties, cultivated to produce at different times. But this year’s crop is expected to be considerably lower than normal, and [...]
Memorial Day Grilling Guide: Where to find the best locally raised meats
Memorial Day weekend unofficially marks the start of grilling season, a summer of eating flame-kissed meat and veggies. For many, the vegetables will be grown nearby and purchased via one of Alabama’s numerous farmers markets or local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) bundles. The meat on the grill also can be [...]
Homewood Gourmet’s new location sparks excitement among locals
It’s a new day at Homewood Gourmet, which has moved to a new home in the heart of Homewood after 26 years wedged into a narrow storefront at a nearby shopping plaza. The move to 2703 Mamie L. Foster (18th Place South) gives co-owners Chris and Laura Zapalowski extra [...]
Domestique Coffee: Reinventing the coffee experience
It’s been a great year so far for Nathan and Michael Pocus, the Birmingham brothers and founders of Domestique, a decade-old coffee-roasting company with a growing roster of cafes and a clear vision for the future. (Domestique Coffee/Facebook) In February, Food & Wine Magazine listed Domestique’s coffee [...]