THE REVIEW: URBAN COOKHOUSE

THE RESTAURANT: I had passed by the Homewood location of this restaurant several times and I even checked out reviews of other bloggers! It has been on my list of "must try" for quite a while now and just by luck some friends and I ended up here for a pre-bowling meal! (Summit Location)

 

CHIPOTLE BRAISED PORK: HOT CHEDDAR PASTA:

MARINATED SLAW

 THE MENU: I ordered the Chipotle Braised Pork and the meat was cooked to perfection!The Pork was accompanied by Hot Cheddar Pasta and Marinated Slaw.The penne pasta styled mac and cheese (hot cheddar pasta) was tasty but I don’t have much to say about the slaw as it did taste quite fresh but was not one of my favorite recipes. I also have to give the “bbq sauce” a less than stellar review… it lacked taste and did nothing for the well seasoned pork. The food was super light and though I felt full I didn’t have that awful "heavy feeling" after a big meal! I also can’t leave out the delicious strawberry lemonade! Homemade and one word ...YUM!

WOOD FIRED SHRIMP KABOBS: ORANGE ROLL: RICE PILAF

 THE SERVICE & AMBIANCE: We had no idea what we wanted and as we stared up at the menu board, it was the friendly cashier that asked us if we needed some help and provided us with some great insight on what to try out! She told me about their use of the "big green egg" when I asked about the pork and I was sold!After placing our orders our food was promptly delivered to us! The restaurant showcased a clean and non fussy design and was quite charming, a real reflection of the food.

THE DOWN HOME: SMOKED TURKEY: PINEAPPLE HAM: BROCCOLI SALAD

THE VERDICT: Great service and an interesting concept on fresh and tasty cuisine. I will definitely be visiting again in the near future!

 

TALENTI Gelato e Sorbetto

They even sent a handwritten note!

I have to admit that I am a VERY GRATEFUL super slacker with AMAZING taste buds!

Months and many tasty moons ago (2010) my FAVORITE Gelato brand TALENTI was sweet enough to send me the mother load of customer gratitude in the form of coupons! If you have not tried this Gelato and Sorbetto you are missing out on the  most AMAZING experience for your palate.

I promise you won't look at your frozen specialty aisle the same way after you taste this creamy goodness. Not only can you pronounce all of the ingredients in the Gelato but you can taste them as well!

My favorite flavor is the Sicilian Pistachio and you have to understand,  I had always been leery about trying the green tinted cream but after trying the Talenti brand... I'm hooked! I actually just finished off my pint and I'm tempted to sneak a few spoonfuls of my Tahitian Vanilla. A surprising favorite has to be Caribbean Coconut! and I always have a Caramel Cookie Crunch in the freezer.

The containers are super cute and are great for re purposing! Check out the Talenti Facebook page for some ideas and a chance to participate in super fun contest for the most amazing prize of all TALENTI GELATO!

You can check out my other post about my favorite Gelato/Sorbetto below!

IN MY CART
STRAWBERRY SORBETTO
KEEBLER

SN: My local Publix is currently running a BOGO sale so it's the perfect time to try it out and stock up!

SOUTHERN TABLE

I've been spending a lot of time in my kitchen lately and I was so excited to receive this amazing cook book! Frank Stitt's Southern Table (Did you see my new Emeril cutting board that Santa left me! Post on it and my new knives coming soon!)

The Review: GiGi's Cupcakes

SECOND IMPRESSIONS: So I finally got a chance to actually visit the Tuscaloosa, GiGi's store... Super Cute! They didn't have the wedding cake that I wanted but they had a pretty cupcake with a crown! #PRINCESS  We went pretty late in the evening so we were limited in choices but I can't wait to visit yet again! My summer guilty pleasure was definitely CUPCAKES!

THE REVIEW: DREAMCAKES

PACKAGING

YUM: Bakeries are quickly becoming my favorite eateries to review! Between the super sweet staffs and the amazingly chic decor what better way to be served up the most delicious treats! After passing by so many times I finally got a chance to try out Dream Cakes bakery!  

 THE SELECTION: I was immediately impressed by the vast amount of goodies readily available!
My sweet tooth went into overdrive!  From my memory there were macaroons, cakes, and cupcakes in a multitude of flavors available for purchase.

 THE AMBIANCE: Located in a little strip of delightful stores in Edgewood, Dreamcakes is a super cute shop! A long display case holds the goods and an over sized chalkboard serves as a menu! The exposed brick wall adds city charm and there are tables available for devouring in! The staff was super helpful and of course they get extra cupcake points with me for all the compliments on my eye wear!

 S'MORES CUPCAKES

SWEET DREAMS

WEDDING CAKE  

THE REVIEW: The one thing that really screamed eat me ... was the simple chic Wedding Cake. Sold by the slice I knew I had to have it! I've had my fair share of bakery cakes from around the area and I have to say that Dream Cakes does have a distinctive flair. The cake was moist and the icing provided a hint of lemon sweetness. At around 3 bucks for the slice, I thought it was well worth it ...and i actually think it may be my  new favorite cake spot. I hope to try their cupcakes soon as I have experienced before that cake and cupcake consistencies are not always a given ... so for now DREAM CAKES is definitely a winner in my book!

THE REVIEW: DEPALMAS

I've been raving about this place forever... and I can't believe it took me this long to do a review!

SPINACH FETTUCCINE ALFREDO WITH CHICKEN

AMBIANCE:This is such a transitional space. I've visited the restaurant in the daytime while families with small children enjoy a family meal as well as at night when couples dine in a dimly lit dining room romanticized by candlelight.

SPINACH FETTUCCINE ALFREDO WITH CHICKEN

RED SAUCE & ONIONS & OLIVES

TABLE SERVICE: Some of the best! I can't remember one visit in which I had an unpleasant encounter. The staff is always courteous and attentive...very knowledgeable of the menu and the kitchen capabilities.

PESTO CHICKEN PIZZA

THE MENU: Full of amazing Italian dishes! My favorite began with the Shells Florentine with chicken. I've since branched out to the Spinach Fettuccine Alfredo and I'm certainly madly in love with the White Chocolate Bread Pudding! I don't think you can go wrong with any menu choice. TUSCAN CALZONE

THE VERDICT: I think you can tell I am a bit biased as this is my favorite Italian Restaurant hands down. If you're looking for an amazing meal and you live in the surrounding areas it's worth the drive! They have something for everyone... don't like red sauce substitute Alfredo... want onions... they'll add onions...I attempt to bring home a dish every visit to savor later on in the week... mysteriously it barely makes it to the fridge and as I type I'm wishing this lunch of mine tasted more like Depalma's.

Check out Depalma's Italian Cafe at http://www.depalmasdowntown.com/

DINNER STAGING

I ABSOLUTELY LIVE FOR LIVE FLOWERS

CLEAN LINES
I THINK I'M MARTHA S.: JUST CALL ME LRT. STEWART

Just a glimpse into what this past Sunday looked liked... I had tons of fun and can't wait till Thanksgiving when I go full out! It's kinda a shame that the lady at the floral shop (who constantly over charges me) knows my face ..."You look like you really love flowers"

SN: I am planning on starting a window garden... I'll keep ya posted!

THE REVIEW: Gigi's Cupcakes

PACKAGING

THE REVIEW: If you've read any of my other reviews then you know I always include DESSERT! I have a sweet tooth that's pretty hard to satisfy I usually lean towards gelato or cheesecake for my fix at restaurants but I'm friend to quite a few bakeries as well!FIRST IMPRESSIONS: A friend of mine gave me rave reviews about the new "Cupcake Place" in my second home of Tuscaloosa, AL. While I am way over the whole cupcake phenom that has yet to really take over my small city... she definitely had me interested! These cupcakes made the ride from T'town to Birmingham and although stirred a bit, fared pretty well under my friends driving which I have to credit to the cute and efficient packing!

THE VERDICT: YUM & SUPER SWEET! An amazing assortment I was definitely impressed upon first look and taste! Not to mention they have super cute names like Birthday Surprise, Wedding Cake, Champagne,Hot Fudge Sundae and Summer Fun. I found the cake to be moist and full of flavor while the icing was SUPER DUPER SWEET! Priced at around 3bucks a piece my first taste of Gigi's was a pretty sweet indulgence!

THE REVIEW: MICHAEL'S STEAK & SEAFOOD

CITY LINE MURAL

THE REVIEW: I've visited the Hoover location of Michael's three times prior to this review and my very first experience was absolutely amazing. A business meeting, in which we were showered with an assortment of tasty appetizers! That is when I fell in love with the MICHAEL'S STYLE BUFFALO WING'S...

BREAD & SWEET ROLLS

THE SERVICE: It's quite ironic that on two of my four visits I received the same attentive waiter. Service was a bit slow on this (my first dinner) visit as a large party was being serviced at the time. The waiter kept us abreast of the timeline and refilled our beverages etc. accordingly. MICHAEL'S STYLE BUFFALO WINGS : ATTEMPT #1

THE AMBIANCE: An amazing live duo took the stage and they really were "that good". Dim lights and live music made for a dinner club type of feel! The well designed restaurant also offers several seating choices. Interestingly enough between my four visits I've never experienced the restaurant filled with customers...

MICHAEL'S STYLE BUFFALO WINGS : ATTEMPT #2

THE MENU: Really does have something for everyone. My second visit yielded my trial of the lunch special Meat and two Vegetables. I chose the Greek Chicken, Mac and Cheese and Fresh Collards. I'm not sure what magical seasoning combination is used for the Chicken but it has me hooked! The Greens and Mac and Cheese were pretty standard and were lacking the "wow" factor that the chicken more than made up for!

BREAD PUDDING

THE REVIEW: While I definitely enjoyed the live band... I now have a love hate relationship with the MICHAEL'S Style Buffalo Wings. Not good ....since they were the only reason for my last couple of visits to Michael's... and unfortunately they just haven't measured up these past two visits to my first two! I ordered the wings to go and got wings similar to ATTEMPT #1 from my last visit.... dry, hard and salty! With the luxury of actually being in the restaurant this visit I sent them back and received ATTEMPT #2... the picture showcases the obvious difference! While they were still tasty they just didn't pack the punch of my first two experiences where they were super juicy and succulent and nowhere near as salty!

CREME CHEESE POUND CAKE

THE VERDICT: Though I've experienced some inconsistencies I do plan on visiting Michael's again to give those wings one last try...besides I think I have a new love affair with their delicious CREME CHEESE POUND CAKE ! Yum! I just wish they would upgrade the ice cream to a vanilla bean gelato. All in all Michael's Steak and Seafood with it's well rounded menu and good service is a nice establishment to add to your list of dinner spots!

LML: IDENTIFYING HAPPY

OHIO SNOW

Almost a year ago I posted about my road trip with my mom and dad to visit sick relatives up north. This past week my mother and I set out again to Cleveland, OH to pay our respects.

TRAVEL FOOD: LONGHORN's & DAIRY QUEEN

I spent around 22 hours in a car with my madre... and it's an experience I won't ever forget!

Though the purpose of the trip was somber I had an amazing time with my mommy!

GROVE CITY

Last trip we had a big hotel fiasco as my mother was against valet parking... this time we did pretty good! THE CAULDRON PROJEKT

One of my favorite saying is "ART IS LIFE" because I really believe it to be so. Recently I looped up with two of my high school classmates to help them out on this awesome gallery project that will run through March! I'm super excited because I really feel like it's what I need to connect to the city and my artistic peers! Stay tuned for more updates on all the fun!

THE ART CRITIC: THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS

THE REVIEW: SAWS BBQ

THE REVIEW: I came upon SAWS by a referral from my boss! I usually don't have high expectations when people refer me because I'm pretty picky! But this has to be the best restaurant quality BBQ I have had by far!

PULL PORK WITH WHITE BBQ SAUCE

THE SERVICE: I've been to this spot a couple of times over the past six months and usually it's packed! Today was a good day as I came after the lunch rush! Service was fast and the food was hot!
THE AMBIANCE: It's a pretty small place with chairs and tables and window bar seating! The usual decor of BBQ joints... random signs with slight humor and license plates litter the walls. Rolls of heavy duty paper towels adorn each table and if my memory serves me right... there are even a few seats out front.

COLLARD GREENS AND MAC AND CHEESE

THE MENU: You'll find Ribs, Chicken, Pull Pork and Stuffed Baked Potatoes on the
menu. Sides like Stuffed Eggs, Greens, Mac and Cheese, Baked beans and Banana Pudding round it all out. The prize to me has to be the WHITE BBQ SAUCE it complements the well seasoned meat perfectly!

THE VERDICT: I LOVE IT... it's truly some GOOD SOUTHERN EATIN! Everything is super flavorful so if you aren't into big taste this may not be the spot for you! The meat is ever so tender and cooked to perfection.... I haven't had a dry, burnt or bland experience yet! I'm not big on BBQ sauce so I won't comment on it but I'm pretty sure you will fall in love with the WHITE BBQ version I keep typing about!