A Hallmark Christmas Lunch

When the Christmas seasons draws near, so do the Hallmark Christmas movies. I have always teased my sister or my friends if they talk about cuddling up with a blanket and some hot cocoa in the winter months to watch the romantic fairy tales of the modern era. I have every reason to be skeptical as most of the Christmas movie plots involve stories entirely unrealistic, a show depicting a small town coming together to save a local bookstore around the Christmas holiday where in celebration they crowd around the bookstore fireplace and sing Christmas carols or an episode involving a newspaper reporter sent to "Christmasville" to learn the true meaning of Christmas.

Though I may be a tough skeptic of these idealized dramas, I would be lying if I said I did not have my own Hallmark Christmas movie experience in a small town on my way to my parent's for the holidays.

Classic on Noble - Anniston, AL

Little did I know walking into this restaurant that David Mashburn was the owner, a chef named one of the Good Heat Chefs by Alagasco, a title shared by Chef Frank Stitt in Birmingham who owns a number of  upscale local restaurants.

At first, I actually could not find the place because the windows were decked out with Christmas town houses; I thought it was a gift shop. When I finally did recognize the name on the window, I walked through the large heavy doors to discover a winter wonderland! People were gathered around a beautiful Christmas tree ornamented with colorful glass balls and lights and were snapping pictures for Christmas cards and memories.

The aura was so captivating, and I felt pleased that I was dressed for the Christmas part with my black and white plaid skirt and Russian black and gold scarf with fuzzy fur pom-poms dangling from the ends. Though I knew I would receive looks walking through a small strange town and eating at a fine restaurant all alone, that was not going to stop me. It is for these little experiences in life that I search.

Although I was not aware of the need to make a reservation, the hostess gracefully handled my unpreparedness and seated me at a small table near the window overlooking the Christmas town. It was magical! Not only was the scenery breathtaking, but I was seated in a black leather high-backed armchair at a table covered with a white linen cloth, red crimson napkins, and crystal glassware.

While I waited for my appetizer, I munched on some fresh, warm olive and cranberry almond bread slices. For the appetizer, I ordered the fried green tomato salad which was sprinkled with cold black-eyed peas and goat cheese and drizzled with a buttermilk vinaigrette. The southern heritage represented in this fancy dish was accurately and beautifully arranged. It was delicious.

My Christmas experience was however far from over. As a man awaited his party near the door, he began conversation with me about the restaurant and its owner and acquired how I found the eatery. I asked him to take a seat at my table while he waited, and he happily complied. As I continued to take bites of my appetizer, Mr. John (from Pennsylvania) and I discussed our backgrounds and eventually settled on the love we had for food. Mr. John was full of advice for places I should visit in my city of Birmingham as well as other cities I should visit soon (like Charleston, SC) for their culinary offers. It was such a pleasant tete-a-tete while we sat amid the ceramic Christmas village.

After Mr. John's party arrived and he left with them, I ordered the dill chicken salad which was rolled into a ball, set upon a bed of leaves, and surrounded with different blends of fruit and walnuts. A very simple dish, but full of flavor and freshness. During the rest of my meal with the occasional acknowledgement from a stranger, I kept glancing across the Christmas setting. I kept listening to the joyful chatter and laughter of other visitors as they soaked in the glory of the holiday spirit.

The little excursion to this quaint restaurant in Anniston felt almost unreal as the Hallmark Christmas movies I always tease my sister about, so I suppose I cannot be so judgmental in the future for her wishing to escape the every day world for a Christmas fairy-tale adventure. I do not know what this restaurant looks or feels like during the rest of the year, but I at least can thank them for providing a magical Christmas lunch on my four and half hour drive home to see my family.

The Other Side of the Ocean

One would not necessarily guess that physics can create an overall well-rounded individual. In fact, the average person probably equates the subject with characters from Big Bang Theory. Though I do have my Sheldon moments of 'nerd'dom, I do like to believe that through my different adventures and interests, I have acquired more than just the typical dweeb mentality. Physics has opened up numerous doors of possibilities, specifically research opportunities in numerous locations around the globe. Through these research trips, I have been blessed to have a diverse range of food experiences.

The trip I am currently on is a month long excursion at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory in Florida. As run-down as the surrounding town of Tallahassee might look or as partied up as the Florida State University campus might be, the city surprisingly holds some of my favorite restaurants that I have been to in the United States.

Isabella's Pizzaria Napoletana - Tallahassee, FL

Logo from restaurant website

I had been here before on one of my previous trips. I had to come back. This little restaurant on the corner took me down memory lane, a road that traveled all the way across the ocean back to a port city in Italy where I tried my very first authentic Italian pizza. 

The restaurant was founded in 2015 by Mikel Jaramillo, and I was so pleased to be able to meet him the day I returned to this cozy venue. Chef Mikel is one of the most personable people I have ever met, for as soon as I walked up to the register he was already conversing with me and my coworker Shukai about our backgrounds, to find out where we were coming from, what we were doing during our time in Tallahassee. 

After I shared how I kept a food blog and would love more information about the restaurant's history so that I might relate the details to my readers, we proceeded to order before Chef Mikel stopped by our table to tell us more. Shukai ordered the marinara pizza without any cheese, and I ordered the capricciosa pizza that was topped with olives, ham, basil, mushrooms and mozzarella. The large stone pizza oven was out in plain view so we could see our pizzas being popped into the fire. The crust on these pies were thin and crispy, with a few charred smudges that left remnants of its former housing. 

"Why Isabella's?" I asked Chef Mikel. At that point, he gave me his story. He named the restaurant after his cousin who had passed away eight years prior. Her passing had reminded him of the value of life, how short life was, and the importance of pursuing those things he was passionate about. It was at this point that he quit business school to attend culinary school, a step which was just the beginning of his career embracing the culinary arts. Using his background that he did have in the business sector, he applied what he knew to begin his entrepreneurship in opening up his own restaurant in Tallahassee. With his mother's side of his family from Spain and Italy, he desired to offer the southern city a taste of Europe in his pizza. 

I was delighted to hear his story, and it warmed my heart to hear how he was passionately pursuing his dreams. He related his future plans for his restaurant and shared how he had already begun to serve homemade gelato and how that had become a staple favorite for the college students in town. With as delicious as the pizza tasted, as relaxing as the atmosphere felt, and as heartwarming as the company was, I could not wait to get this post out. If my readers do ever drop by this amazing little restaurant or see some of Chef Mikel's future venues pop up in different locations, do be sure to extend my hello. Until then, I eagerly await my next opportunity to visit, for I will most definitely return. 

A Contemporary Classic

I admit. I am probably one of the most unique teaching assistants in the physics department. How many TA's interrupt class to ask their students what they recommend as the best eatery in Birmingham or the surrounding area? Now, some might think this completely out of place for a physics classroom, but I like to use the excuse that I am building camaraderie with my students. After circling the room and creating a list of their favorites, I ended with over thirty new locations to visit.

While I was not that hungry but still desired a unique food experience that day, I perused down my students' list and found the perfect choice. There is practically nothing more traditional to have for lunch than soup and a sandwich, and that is exactly what I was in the mood for. Grabbing my friend Amanda in the graduate department, we headed out for a quick bite.

Melt - Birmingham, AL

The location is different to say the least. Packed among a number of older homes and buildings in Avondale, stands this little garage. I am not exaggerating by calling it a garage, because the structure actually began as such. It seems completely appropriate, considering that even before that, the restaurant started out as a food truck (a truck named Matilda in fact).


The environment was pleasant. As soon as Amanda and I walked in the door, I was surprised by the number of well-dressed visitors that were there, for I thought that due to the casual environment, it would attract a different crowd. The majority, however, were taking their lunch break from work or were groups of girlfriends gathering for a casual midday hangout.

The rustic tin signs on the wall or the antique metal lunch boxes on the table that held the napkins and utensils only further added to the "garage" feel. All the food items were served on aluminum baking pans, a detail I thought fitting. On top of all of that, with the kitchen area completely open to the public view, one hears the pans clanking and food sizzling against the back wall while boisterous voices of customers echo across the tight space. Crammed for sure, but intimate nonetheless.

Amanda ordered the Rajin' Cajun sandwich slathered in creamy coleslaw with a side of beer battered fries, and I ordered the Classic Melt grilled cheese with a side of tomato basil soup. Both of the sandwiches were made with thick, buttery Texas toast, something unique to all the Melt sandwiches. It was fun, it was different. The food was a twist for comfort. It was definitely a neat little location and a place worth visiting.

I think my favorite part of this little adventure was the people. The atmosphere was conducive for conversation, and the others that were present seemed genuinely like they were there for a good time. Right before I left, I wanted to be sure to snap a picture of the sign out front. There was already a beautiful lady sitting out on the bench in front of the large wooden letters, so explaining my purpose for taking the photo, I asked if I might include her in the shot. She seemed slightly taken aback and asked what she should be doing for the picture. "Just smile real big," I said. After capturing the moment, she laughed and thanked me. My only regret from this visit was that I never got her name.

Delectable Delights

Have you ever been proud of yourself for stumbling upon a hidden treasure with no outside help from anyone or anything (even the mighty internet)? That is what I felt when I found this hidden gem on one of my lonely excursions around Birmingham, and when I found it, I had to tell my friends about it. Since that time, it has become a little hotspot for some of us physicists who need a breakaway from the everyday commonalities of work. It is found in a unique area of Birmingham, tucked away among buildings that have either been closed down or await renovation. It sits on the outskirts of the University of Alabama at Birmingham campus, and forever will remain one of my little favorite off-campus getaways.

Birmingham Breadworks – Birmingham, AL

Logo from bakery website 

On the side of this antique building is painted a bright view of Birmingham at sunset, a picture depicting such pride and loyalty for the great city. As you walk inside, you see a conglomeration of random couches, chairs, and tables assembled throughout the wide, open room. Empty cement factory-like walls with dents punctured in the surface give no memorable impression. But the smell, my friends! And the delectable sights! Fresh loaves of French, sourdough, farm, rye, pumpernickel, multigrain, garlic, and olive varieties line the side wall. An assortment of pastries whisper temptingly from the front display. Fortunately, the bakery also serves a temporary lunch between the hours of 11 am – 2 pm every weekday with specials for each day including soups, salads, slices of pizza, and sandwiches featuring their freshly baked bread.

When my friend Tracy and I pulled up to the bakery, he looked over at me to ask how long we were staying to determine how many coins to put in the sidewalk meter. Giving a quick side glance, I told him not only was I there to buy a loaf of bread, but we had to stay that day for pastries and coffee. No debating about this. If I have learned anything from Tracy in my time knowing him at UAB, it is that time to relax must be had if one is to succeed in this field with a sane state of mind.

Tracy ordered the cream cheese and pear preserves danish while I ordered the Nutella danish along with a single shot of espresso. Convinced by sampling both of the sweets, I predicted that every single pastry sold would be equally as delightful. It cannot be overemphasized how special this place is. During our visit, Tracy got a call from his girlfriend Sam, who proceeded to express her disappointment that she could not be there (for the location too has become one of her favorites), and Tracy, with a twist of his lips and a gleam in his eye, refused to reveal his little surprise for her that awaited in a brown paper bag.

Amidst talking about physics excitements and frustrations, we also discussed the future potential of this little bakery – how nice it would be for them to create an outdoor patio, how the empty back room could be used for counter space. This location is fairly new in that it got started in 2014, and a lot of their publicity I am sure comes from their appearance at local farmer’s markets. However, I have hopes for so much more, and I eagerly await the growth of what I believe to be Birmingham’s best source of baked goods. Any visitor passing through the area has not experienced the fullness of this city’s gift without dropping by Birmingham Breadworks. 

To Repel Attraction is to Attract Repulsion

In the book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible, chapter 3, verse 1, it says that "there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." Though there may indeed be a time for all possible things, there may not need to be. Some ideas are simply meant to remain in the mind.

My friend Micah called me up one day and said she wanted to try an experimental restaurant but that she did not want to experience the occasion alone, so of course, I agreed to accompany her. After all, with it involving food, how could I resist?

Cowfish in Birmingham, Al

Logo from restaurant website 

Tucked away in the Summit shopping center of Birmingham stands a restaurant that has taken a leap of faith. If I were a sorority girl and could use one phrase to describe my memory of this place, it would be "I can't even." This phrase has never fit more appropriately.

Outside the restaurant is a sculpture of a cow-fish (the head of a cow, the body of a fish), as if one actually existed. Apparently, the place is a hot spot, for Micah and I were added to the wait list with the log backed up for an hour.

Once we were finally seated within the restaurant, I took a look around. Cow and fish. Burgers and sushi. American and Japanese. Red and yellow. Forks and chopsticks. But wait, there is more. Legos. Pac-man. Ukiyo-e paintings of fat Japanese men eating burgers. Art of colonials eating sushi. Aquariums. Talking bathrooms. And it goes on and on and on. Before even taking a seat, I was stressed, but I was not about to give up.

For the appetizer, we ordered blackened tuna nachos, which as bizarre as they were, were absolutely delicious. Somehow, the blend of crab rangoon with the blackened tuna on top of the crispy wonton chips with its dab of salsa and guacamole was insanely mouthwatering. But even in this moment, I could not categorize my feelings. Was I pleased? Was I appalled? Well, I continued.

For the main course, Micah ordered the cowfish bento box which was supposedly the perfect choice in matching the theme of the place. It came with three different sushi rolls (California, spicy tuna, and Philly roll), edamame, sweet potato fries, Thai cucumbers, and an American mini-burger. Led by the hypnotic vibe of the restaurant, I ordered the 4-S (Sear-iously Sensational Sushi Sandwich) which served Koji tuna and yellowtail in sandwich form, with the "bun" made of kani and sushi rice, along with a side of Thai cucumbers. The sambal sesame soy dressing that was then drizzled over the sandwich was spicy at one end of the spectrum while the side of cucumbers was at the opposite end by being overbearingly sweet. Individually, each item was tasty, but even as I ripped apart my sandwich breading to see how all the ingredients were crafted into a bun... Was I pleased? Was I appalled? No. Yes. I was confused. So very confused. And I never ever get confused about food or the atmosphere surrounding the food. Never. 

At that point, I turned to Micah and with a lowered voice expressed my bewilderment. "Micah, my dear," I said, "Thank you so much for bringing me here. I am really glad you love the place, and I am glad I have had the experience. But never bring me back here again." Micah, for some odd reason, seemed thrilled that she had succeeded in confusing me with food, as if that was some kind of goal on her bucket list.

And it is done. I am never going back. I can appreciate the creativity. I can even admit the fine quality of food. I have never been more intrigued, and I have never been more horrified. Kudos, Cowfish. I can't even.

Exchanged Greeting with T-Town

Sometimes things can get violent over this. Sometimes friendships will be broken over this. Sometimes there will be mixed feelings of superiority over this. Football. And currently, I have friends who are trying to pull me from both sides. There is Auburn. And then there is Alabama. Thankfully, at this point, I can lay down the Georgia Bulldog card, and all I receive is a sigh and a pitying smile.

But on this particular day, I was taking a visit to see my date in T-Town, otherwise known as Tuscaloosa, home of the University of Alabama.

Glory Bound Gyro Co. - Tuscaloosa, Al

Logo from restaurant website

The center of town actually does not look that different from Birmingham, except perhaps a bit cleaner than some of the Birmingham downtown area. It was just starting to drizzle, and I was waiting for Connor under the awning of the front door. As I turned, I saw a flash of crimson as he came running up out of the rain shirted in the well-known school color with the flashy, cursive 'A' stitched into the fabric of his polo. So much pride. 

So, Connor knows I am obsessed with food. This was actually the first time he picked out the place for the both of us to eat, and I was kind of nervous. If it was terrible, I would never have made a mention of it on my blog, because... well, I am not that cynical. Thankfully, it turned out to be an absolutely wonderful experience, and I feel overjoyed that his first choice was something that I can write about. Now that I have made this first leap of faith, I can trust all his future choices will be equally as memorable. No pressure. 

The inside of the restaurant was very open and spacious, definitely inviting from the rain that was then pouring outside. My first shocker of the evening was that Connor confessed he had never before tried hummus. After letting me pick the three different flavors, he ordered for us the hummus trio appetizer in spinach pesto, Mediterranean olive, and original flavors. As we dipped into the different chickpea blends with our side of pita, I watched Connor's expression as he sampled each flavor. The spinach pesto was his favorite, a natural choice considering it removed the majority of the bitterness of the olive or chickpea. I begged him of course to try the kalamata olive sitting in the middle of the dip, but I had no success. He adamantly shook his head 'no,' and proceeded to tell me about 'The Olive Theory' presented on the show How I Met Your Mother, which at the time, I was convinced he was making up. Well, there is still time. 

When our waiter came back for our entree requests, I ordered the falafel gyro with the side of cottage fries, and Connor ordered the hot ham and cheese gyro with his side of cottage fries. I am pleased to say that the falafel gyro was the best one I have ever had at a Greek restaurant, and the stocky potato wedges were perfectly seasoned. I had to keep myself from doing a little dance in my seat, when I tasted how perfectly savory the fries were and how excellent the homemade tzatzaki sauce was on the gyro.

Overall, this place was great! I could not eat everything that night so I packed up the leftovers and enjoyed it for lunch the next day. It was surprisingly tasty even the second go round. After dinner, we decided to take a stroll around town, on which journey we were greeted by an older gentleman decked out in Alabama apparel who proceeded to share questionable jokes about the Alabama team and their opponents. Thankfully, Connor handled the situation gracefully before any more "humor" could exit his mouth. 

I feel I had an appropriate introduction to Tuscaloosa in all her pride and glory, no pun intended. My readers should definitely drop by this enjoyable restaurant on the corner. Of course, on a more personal note, because of the individual that lives in T-Town, I have every intention of returning. 

Delighting the Mind with Eclecticism

The physics studying still continues, and at this point, I am looking for distractions. I keep convincing myself of the lie that the last week before the test is easily not the most vital week of preparation. At least I started off the morning with good intentions, studying at a local coffee shop, but towards the middle of the day, I instead found myself on the top of a parking deck joining the crowd to watch the solar eclipse. I do have a major test coming up, but this event could not be missed! Of course there is also the next solar eclipse in April of 2024, but still I recognize priorities when I see them.

After watching the eclipse, I turned to my friends Tracy and Sam for the next diversion. Studying was tiresome, painful, and was slowly growing to be overwhelmingly depressing. We all three knew, whatever distraction that was to come, that somehow it must involve food. After all, as Hippocrates was so wise to state in 400 BC,

Let thy food be thy medicine.

Much to the relief of the trio, we found ourselves headed to a nearby food court.

Pizitz Food Hall - Birmingham, Al

Logo from The Pizitz website

There was nothing to prepare me for the experience behind those large glass doors. Upon first glance, it looked like any other food hall with rows of different restaurant stalls and customer tables and chairs set up neatly through the long hallway. It was, however, the diversity of food selection and uniqueness of fresh dishes that made this place so appealing. Tracy, Sam and I started our full tour by taking in each vendor in all of their splendor, considering our different meal options, and smelling the distinct aromas that met us around each corner. 

At first, I felt frustration. How in the world could I choose when everything looked so delicious and smelled so taunting? I eventually settled on MoMo, an authentic Nepalese restaurant that was opened by Abhi Sainju, a man originally from Nepal who spent his young years at a boarding school in India. Chef Sainju is the owner of the local downtown Bamboo on 2nd, another place on my list to eventually visit. I ordered the vegetable momo ('momo' being the Nepalese word for 'dumpling') which was served with a tomato based broth. I am unsure of other specific ingredients, since at this time, I am not as familiar with Nepalese cuisine. Regardless, I thought the dish was delicious; it had a calm and sweet flavor from the tomato but a bit of a hot bite from some spices in the sauce. I let my friend Sam try a bite of these little dumplings, and though I do not feel she was smitten as much as I was, she did still express an interest in the flavors and labeled it 'good.'

Sam ordered the pork belly ramen from Ichicoro Imoto, a Japanese ramen restaurant, and was greatly pleased. She was sweet enough to let me sip a spoonful of the broth in her dish and try a bamboo shoot from the soup. The bamboo shoot was prime, still firm enough that it had a bit of a crunch. As expected, the broth categorizes the dish under salty and fishy labels, both of which are flavors the partaker must be craving.

Tracy ordered a Parisian sandwich from Busy Corner Cheese and Provisions, which consisted of madrange ham and Brie cheese on a French baguette. As usual, Tracy's choice of food made me jealous. He was equally as pleased with his decision and proceeded to hand out samples of his sandwich for both me and Sam to try. Superb! But how could I stop here? How could I, a cheese lover, pass up an opportunity to savor more?

As usual, I gave in to my inner crazy voice of addiction and once more returned for additional food. I am happy to say that what next entered our mouths was the highlight of this entire day. I ordered a cheese board from Busy Corner Cheese and Provisions. On top of that, I instantly felt a connection with Brian McMillan, the owner of this business. He worked so hard to make our experience enjoyable and even proceeded to write down all the names of the cheeses that we were sampling. Without a shadow of a doubt, I trusted this man and his knowledge of cheeses. If anyone takes the opportunity to visit this small deli cafe to speak with Brian, they will not leave disappointed. In fact, I extend my hello to Brian through any reader that drops by this wonderful cafe stop.

The cheeses we were privileged to sample included: Bearded Lady goat cheese from Prodigal Farm in North Carolina, Wilde Weide cheese from L'Amuse in Holland, Tunworth cheese from Neal's Yard Dairy in England, Thomasville Tomme cheese from Sweetgrass in Georgia, and Nickajack cheese from Sequatchie Cove Farm in Tennessee. We could pair the cheeses with quince preserves, fig jam, or a drizzle of rosemary honey from the Savannah Bee Company. 

Tracy, Sam and I spent the next half an hour at least savoring each cheese in its smell, texture, and relish. Some were more pungent than others (ahem, goat cheese), but each one I appreciated to its fullest capacity. Needless to say, studying for the rest of the day was downhill. It is only natural after such a mountaintop experience. What a memorable moment! Though this week's test stands looming over each of my brain's neurons, this delightful food experience broke down the walls of terror in my mind. If nothing else in my life ever succeeds, I will forever know that God blessed me with one last celebrated occasion at the Pizitz food hall.

Twist on Fast Food

Many people can relate to those family arguments in the car when each member tries to find common ground about where to eat. For my father, the first choice is always Burger King with their cheap and filling cheeseburgers, but what follows is usually a train of moans and groans and utterances of disgust. I am not at all a fan of fast food. One will occasionally find me at Panera Bread or Chick-fil-A (because, well, it is Chick-fil-A), but that is about all.

When my friend Anthony called and said he wanted to grab a quick bite before we ran over to 2nd & Charles to pick up some comics, he knew that I would not settle for anything but at least a step-up from general fast food.

Baha Burger in Hoover, Al

Logo from Baha Burger's Twitter account

With the desire to be a fair food critic, I tried to keep an open mind. This restaurant is unique to Hoover and is known for their slightly gourmet twists on burgers. Anthony assured me before we walked in the door that they had tasty salmon burgers, so I was willing to cautiously wade in the shallow end. I ordered the baby salmon burger with a regular side of sweet potato fries while he went with the salmon burger in its regular size with a side of onion rings.  

The walls were lined with decorations supporting their surfer theme: swimming trunks, bikini tops, pictures of beach scenes. I still remain confused about the couple of skateboards that hung from the ceiling. Surf board... skate board... same difference, right?

The food was mediocre. Although the salmon patty was a bit too breaded for my taste, I must commend them for their choice in aioli sauce - great flavor! The owners I suppose also tried to make the sides a bit more distinct by the handful of fried okra they tossed in with the fries and onion rings. To be honest, this left me more puzzled than anything but if food is indeed an art, I must allow for some freedom of expression.

Overall, the entire experience was okay - just a casual day at a casual restaurant. Although I would never turn up my nose at this place, it still indeed does fall under that category of fast food. For those fast food lovers out there, this location might switch up the menu a bit. When schedules get heavy, an occasional rushed lunch is understandable. But to enjoy food takes time; it takes focus. So, the fast food industry unfortunately will most likely never be for me.

Efficiency of a Caffeine Distraction

To say it has been raining in Birmingham the past few days would be an understatement - flooding is more like it. Unfortunately, I and a number of my fellow graduate students have a very important test coming up; although studying is our top priority at the moment, all I truly want to do is to crawl back under those bed covers and pretend the world does not need another brain. But as the Proverbs (10:4) say, "Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich." Though I may never reach that status of actually being monetarily rich, I still let motivation be my guide and caffeine be my distraction in pulling me out of a state of laziness.

Neighborhood Brew in Hoover, Al

Logo from Neighborhood Brew's website

It smells right as soon as you walk in the door. That is always the best sign for coffee. Having grown up in Europe, I am extra particular about my coffee being made just right. I ordered a regular cup of their featured coffee, which on this particular day was Caffe Umbria. More information about this specific brand and their different blends can be found on the company's website: https://caffeumbria.com/.

Before my study partners Tracy and Amanda showed up, I wanted to just take it all in. I sat down at a long, wide table which was perfect for scattering papers and books - an opportunity we did in fact take advantage of. Looking around the open room, I saw neat little corners the owners had designed for cozy conversation. The wall art was definitely unique, almost child-like in nature and color which only added to the casual ambiance of the cafe. 

Upon arrival, Tracy ordered a traditional mocha which had me a bit jealous, as I eyed that swirl of foamy whipped cream and chocolate syrup floating on top. Amanda desired a bit of a 'pick-me-up' but was not ready for the caffeine frenzy and instead settled on the decaf coffee. Remembering that she generally enjoyed coffee with more cream or milk, I was ecstatic to hear that she added this dark roast cup of joe to her list of favorites. She is also recognized for having a sweet tooth, so it came as no surprise that she dived right in to those homemade cinnamon muffins that greeted her at the counter. 

Our study session was a success, lasting in fact for about four hours. We covered some basic physics concepts introduced in our undergraduate courses (which in fact always turn out to be the most challenging to remember) as well as those complex electrodynamics problems we have studied more recently in our graduate career.

This small midwestern family-owned place definitely gets a thumbs up from me. It is not my favorite spot to seek out coffee, but it is definitely a place worth checking out. It does well for study sessions and even is convenient for meeting up and enjoying a casual hang out with some friends. I am absolutely certain this location is on my list of places to return.

Post Picture Pizza 'n Pasta

When I go to the movies, I am not generally in my healthy mood. My goal and purpose is to relax and feel laid-back and comfortable, perhaps even a bit lazy. I think most people would agree that movies and pizza go hand in hand. Though I would generally head for the more upscale pizza restaurants that the Birmingham area has to offer, I had thick dough and stringy cheese on my mind.

After my friend Connor and I left the movies, having just watched Wonder Woman in all her glory and strength, we proceeded to a pizza place for food and a good time.

Salvatore's Pizza and Pasta - Birmingham, AL

Banner from Salvatore's restaurant website

The restaurant setting was quaint, and a nice smell greeted us at the door. It was not polished in any respect, but it did provide a comfortable seating and atmosphere. I had semi-good expectations after reading reviews of the standard for pizza being that of New York quality, and that the owner himself grew up in New York (his father apparently was from Italy). Recognizing this and the fact that we were though still indeed in Alabama, I kept an open mind. We ordered our food at the counter and made our way to a wide booth, placing our table number at the edge for the waiter to see. 

I ordered the garden veggie calzone but received the general veggie calzone instead. Obviously, I was not too disappointed - I got my vegetables in, and I got the cheese and sauciness that I was looking for. Though I was hoping for more of the pesto and tomato flavors that night, it was not worth sending it back. Connor, however, went the pasta route, ordered the fettuccine chicken alfredo, and was not pleased at all. Honestly to me, his dish did not even look appealing so I was not surprised to hear that the taste did not meet his expectations. I did not get too many details, but I am sure it was pretty bland. Unlike what they say, when it comes to food, looks are usually not deceiving. 

Obviously, not every food experience is spectacular; that of course is part of the culinary journey. For someone looking for some casual cheesy goodness and thick tasty dough after a movie, this might be the place to visit. Otherwise, I advise steering away from the dishes with an "Italian twist" for it may not end up as flavorful or authentic as one would hope. This is Alabama after all. 

Girls Just Need a Night Out

The evening was coming on fast, and I was desperate for some tasty goodness. Specifically, sushi. And when one craves sushi, there is no arguing. It starts as a cry in the stomach and becomes an obsession of the mind. Following the will of the inner sushi caller, I dialed one of my girl friends Micah and told her to get cute and to get ready fast because we were going out that night for some fancy sushi. Needless to say on the other end of the line, I heard a squeal before a note of assent; within half an hour, we were off.

Jinsei Sushi in Homewood, AL

Banner from restaurant website

Looped arm in arm, we made our way into this modern hot spot of Homewood, AL, and were seated in the dim restaurant lounge, an eating area alive with urban music. We were comfortably seated side by side on a cushioned bench before breaking out in nervous giggles at the trendy vibes. The miniature table in front of us would adorably be the platter supporting our upcoming meal.

Having had steamed edamame in the past, I wanted a bit of adventure. Micah had never had edamame at all and generally had an aversion to the texture of any bean. But with a mission for her and myself to try something foreignly familiar, I ordered a starter of grilled edamame. I love edamame, but the introduction to a char-grilled, sea-salted version of this firm soybean left me licking my fingers. Not one was left in the bowl.

For the star of the show of course, we settled on two rolls of sushi: the ginger albacore roll made with maguro and hamachi (both Japanese names for bluefin tuna and amberjack) and the suteki roll made with smoked salmon. The waiter expected the prize winner to be the ginger albacore roll, and although it was absolutely delicious, the cream cheese in the suteki roll had us ladies hooked. Serious life discussions mixed with light-hearted comments found its way through our girlish evening banter; although the noise level was higher in this chic atmosphere, the intimacy of seating still allowed for close conversation.

We finished off our dining experience with baby bites, small bite-size cake pops with caramel and red velvet cake dough. The portion size was perfect - we were not looking for too much sweetness to overpower those salty and fishy flavors we had just savored.

The night was fabulous. Great company, a unique restaurant experience for the Birmingham area. It is definitely a place to which we will be returning. In fact, Micah has already made her birthday plans!

If an opportunity arises for a visit in the future, I hope the reader finds this place to be equally as memorable. Feel encouraged to comment and share those experiences with me.

Joy in Shared Experiences

Most of my friends already know of my passion for exploring food, of my enthusiastic palate, and of my spiritual connection to the culinary arts. Strangers might find me sitting alone at a fancy restaurant, simply content to enjoy the ambiance of a fine dining experience. I am spotted often in the kitchen, scrambling through cabinets for bare and basic ingredients to produce a magical gourmet dish that will bring me to tears. While many people ride roller coasters or jump out of airplanes to send their heart through a moment of thrill, I cook and prepare my food in suspense and savor each flavor with equal surprise. I think about food, dream about food, take pictures of food, decorate my food, smile and laugh about food, form lasting relationships over food. And now, with encouragement from a friend, I seek to share my memories of edible glory with you. Food is an art, a lasting experience. As a person of faith, it causes me to turn to my God in praise, thanking Him for this connection. I want to move beyond simply cooking for people or going out with friends or chatting with restaurant waiters about how I feel. I want to share my joy of these adventures with my readers, take them through the crazy side of my brain, and inspire them to open their eyes to a world of newfound memories in the art of food.