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.