Downtown Mobile has lots of great options for good food, drink, and atmosphere. One of my favorite places is The Noble South. As the tagline says, it’s A Taste of the South in a beautiful old building at 203 Dauphin Street in the heart of Mobile’s Entertainment District.

With a “Dallas comes to Fairhope” wedding this past weekend, Linda and I woke up late Saturday morning with food on our minds. We ran a few errands while trying to decide on a late breakfast or early lunch. The truth is the Bay Breeze Cafe made the decision easy.

It’s funny how life’s experiences can lead to doing what you love and doing it well. Niches are discovered somewhat by happenstance, not necessarily by design. Experience is a great teacher, and often, it’s the failures that are the best learning experiences when you look in the rearview mirror. I enjoy hearing the backstory that leads to something really great. That’s what Red or White Wine is all about.

The Half Shell Oyster House is a Gulfport, Mississippi-based restaurant that several years ago opened a location in Mobile and then another in Spanish Fort. I’ve been to both restaurants many times and have never been disappointed. Recently, I found myself between meetings in Mobile with some time on my hands and a hungry belly, so I stopped by Half Shell for lunch.

A few months back, I was driving from the Weeks Bay area into Fairhope for an afternoon coffee break and noticed a new spot, Jubilee Java, had opened up along Greeno Road. Looking to shave a few minutes off my drive, I decided to give it a shot and went inside. This turned out to be a great decision as the staff was extremely nice and served me a delicious cappuccino.

Leadership is important to any organization’s success. I felt like I hit the motherload when I sat down with Collier Merrill, Maria Goldberg, and David Bear at The Fish House Restaurant in Pensacola a few weeks ago. There is so much to learn about the Scenic 98 Coastal area from these movers and shakers. They are part of the equation that is changing and fortifying the Scenic 98 Coastal area, especially downtown Pensacola. 

Carmen’s Lunch Bar is always on the top of my list when visiting Pensacola. It’s a favorite little neighborhood place that is always inviting, warm, and friendly. In addition to featuring a different take on lunch, and a superb meal, I seem to enjoy ordering the same outstanding things each time. I know I should branch out more because my lunch companions are always oohing and aahing about their selections too.

For those of us who grew up in this area, Magnolia Springs was the place we would stop on the way home from Gulf Shores to jump in the natural springs that were so cold we would turn blue and shiver the rest of the way home. In the present day, boaters can idle into the Magnolia River and find a different version of the Springs in a small cove called “The Cold Hole.“ The water is deep and very cold and will lower your body temperature on a hot summer day.