In Alabama, honey isn’t just a pantry staple—it’s a product deeply tied to the state’s farms, wildflowers, and of course, its people.

Cullman is ready to celebrate its agricultural heritage as the 87th annual Alabama Strawberry Festival returns to Depot Park and the Festhalle Farmers Market on April 24–25. Officially recognized by Gov. Kay Ivey in 2023 as the Alabama Strawberry Festival, the event is considered the state’s longest running strawberry celebration and honors a tradition that […]

What started in the 1950s as a small country grocery store in Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee, has grown into a beloved Southern institution—and now, Cullman has its very own Puckett’s. When Andy and Jan Marshall opened the Cullman location in the fall of 2022, it was the brand’s first venture outside Tennessee, a bold move that’s […]

At Tucana Tiki Bar, owner and bar director Nicky Vann Tisdale has created a space designed for pure escapism. As soon as you walk past the tiki torches, you quickly find yourself on a lush, tropical island: palm leaves abound, floral patterns on every wall, and all of a sudden you’re holding a beverage in […]

Late winter yields some of nature’s way to add some sunshine and uplifting flavors into a typically dreary and overcast part of the year, citrus! When citrus season hits its peak, there is nothing more uplifting and nourishing than a bowl of jewel toned slices of orange, grapefruit and tangerine. This Citrus Celebration Salad is […]

Winter in Alabama has a way of keeping us guessing. Just when the afternoons start to feel like spring, another cold snap rolls through and reminds us March hasn’t quite made up its mind. On those brisk mornings and unexpectedly chilly evenings, there’s still nothing better than wrapping your hands around a warm cup of […]

You might already know Vecchia Pizzeria & Mercato, a staple in Hoover since opening in 2014 — the kind of place that smells like warm dough and simmering sauce as you open the door. Inside, the energy is lived-in and unpolished in the best way: flour-dusted counters, and the steady hum of conversation between friends […]

When David Silverstein talks about The Pizitz, the pride in his voice is unmistakable. It’s there in the way he recalls the building’s long and winding narrative arc–from retail anchor, to vacant shell, to a living, breathing center of downtown Birmingham once again. That pride, evident in every detail of Bayer Properties’ restoration, echoes something […]

If you’re reading this and haven’t made a Valentine’s Day reservation, there’s a good chance the window has closed. The dining room tables are likely spoken for, and the prix-fixe menus are set. However, there’s good news: romance doesn’t require a weeks-in-advance booking. Some of the best Valentine’s moments happen when you skip the scramble […]

This February, The Pizitz Food Hall is giving Birmingham plenty of reasons to step away from the desk and rediscover lunch downtown. With crave-worthy featured menu items from its diverse lineup of vendors, free community programming at Forge, film screenings, and seasonal experiences, The Pizitz is positioning lunch as more than a meal; it’s a […]

When Forbes recently named TJ Gamble one of the most influential figures in American whiskey, it caught the attention of an industry dominated by legacy brands and traditional power players. Gamble, the creator of the popular Youtube channel Brewzle, isn’t based in Kentucky or New York–he’s working out of Alabama, where his approachable long-form storytelling […]

Cold weather pairs with warm food—it’s a natural law, right up there with gravity and inertia. Short days and chilly nights call for places that offer more than a meal: they offer refuge. In no particular order, here are seven cozy, unfussy, local restaurants from around the state that ready to welcome you inside and […]

Walking into Ben’s Bread feels like settling into a grandmother’s kitchen: it radiates cozy. Some customers chat with each other as they eat sourdough croissants on lush couches by a fireplace, and others sip home-brewed coffee on a long wooden dining table, a half-forgotten bagel beside them as they escape into a book. Last time […]

There’s something deeply comforting about a bowl of creamy soup, especially when it’s made from simple, roasted vegetables and doesn’t rely on dairy to feel indulgent. This Dairy-Free Creamy Roasted Potato & Cauliflower Soup gets its rich, velvety texture from caramelized cauliflower, Yukon gold potatoes, and garlic roasted to perfection, then blended into a silky […]

Crimson Dynasty, the Napa Valley-crafted wine label rooted in Alabama pride and tradition, has officially begun shipping its much-anticipated 2024 Chardonnay. The new release expands the brand’s growing portfolio and represents an important next step in the evolution of its proprietary wine collection. The Chardonnay joins Crimson Dynasty’s debut releases, the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon and […]

If you’re looking for Las Floriditas in downtown Mobile, you might not find it right away. The first thing you’ll notice is the giant Moon Pie on top of the RSA Trustmark building, where you’ll find Las Floriditas in the basement. The second thing you’re bound to notice? Roosevelt “Rosie” Patterson. At 6-foot-5, he sits […]

While I have plenty of family from The Gulf Coast who I’ve enjoyed a basket of crab claws with, I’m hesitant to admit that I never tried West Indies Salad until quite recently. My first taste was at Dyron’s Lowcountry in Mountain Brook. Led by Chef Chris Melville, the Dyron’s team makes a version that […]

When The Noble South opened its doors in downtown Mobile in May of 2014, chef Chris Rainosek wasn’t chasing awards or accolades. He was chasing relationships with trusted farmers, quality ingredients, and an honest expression of Gulf Coast flavors. Nearly a decade later, that commitment would earn the restaurant a Michelin Bib Gourmand, making it […]

For many Alabamians, New Year’s Eve is less about countdowns and more about a memorable meal. Across the state, chefs are marking the end of 2025 with thoughtfully crafted prix fixe dinners: multi-course menus designed to celebrate the season, the moment, and the people gathered around the table. Each of these four restaurants is offering […]

Whether you call them Deviled Eggs, Jesus Eggs, Angel Eggs, or Doubled Eggs (what my son calls them), these creamy, tangy, and irresistibly nostalgic eggs are the kind of dish that disappears from the table faster than you can say “just one more.” Whether they’re gracing a holiday spread, brightening up a backyard gathering, or […]

At the Grand Hotel in Point Clear, Alabama, tradition shows up most clearly at the table. Long before trends and reinventions, the kitchen focused on well-made Southern classics meant to be shared, remembered, and returned to. This bread pudding—finished with a straightforward whiskey sauce—is one of those recipes, which continues to be a favorite among […]