Last Friday, we picked up our friends, Tony and Sylvia Atchison, and headed to Pensacola for an afternoon of wandering around Palafox Street and an early dinner at Dharma Blue. After poking around Don Alans men’s clothing store, Bubba’s Sweet Shop, and the Bodacious Olive, we proceeded to Dharma Blue, about four blocks away.

I’m pretty partial to Moe’s Original BBQ. I eat there often and have resisted writing about them because I’m biased. But with good reason! It’s a good story and great food every time. Not just one location, but everyone I’ve been to, including Vail, Colorado where it all began.

Russell Harbison is a local certified fishmonger. He gladly sells his fresh catches, but his stories are free. Every Wednesday between 12:00 noon and 2:00 PM, he's set up behind Popeye’s in Daphne; the gregarious salesman wears a silver sailor’s whistle around his neck that almost fills his large hand. The significance of the whistle is yet to be determined. Maybe he’s calling for customers, or just letting folks know where he is. Thanks to my knowledgeable friend Paula, I found the salesman “Just call me Russell” Harbison without any trouble.

With roots in New Orleans on Tulane Avenue, Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Mobile is famous for fine food and exceptional service. With Mardi Gras just around the corner, you can count on a good time, excellent food, and wonderful service that makes every visit to Ruth’s Chris an experience to remember. What a special place to celebrate any occasion!

Alan Alford, his wife Kathy, and their son Taylor co-own (with Coby Lake) and operate Ferus by the Bay, a new brew pub and restaurant on the corner of Church Street and De La Mare in the heart of downtown Fairhope. If you’re not familiar with the place, that’s understandable. Church Street has been closed and under construction since Ferus by the Bay opened six months ago. With construction now complete, it’s as if they just re-opened. And it’s good!

Noell Broughton and Mark Strickland are at it again. They opened Grace Restaurant and Rooftop Bar at 555 Dauphin Street at the end of October, and I’ve been eager to check it out. So, I did, on a Friday when the weather was nice and pleasant, and people were in a holiday mood.

After a long day touring the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta with friends from Tuscaloosa last week, we were tired and hungry. Luckily, we had planned and made reservations at Char 32 Restaurant and Bar located at the Point Clear Swim and Tennis Club. It is such a popular dining spot that reservations are required.

Tim Thompson and Ellis O’Neal, Pensacola natives, met playing disc golf. They both worked in the food industry; Tim was a line cook for Global Grill and Peg Leg Pete’s while Ellis worked in kitchen and equipment sales for restaurants. They tossed around the idea of opening a food truck business while playing disc golf together.