Not only is Beef ‘O’ Brady’s a Family Sports Bar, it is owned and operated by a local family, The Kesslers. Linda and Larry Kessler often frequented a Florida Beef ‘O’ Brady’s while raising their two sons. They really enjoyed the kid friendly atmosphere, sports focus and the fact that the company was vested in supporting local youth sports and various community events. Larry and sons, Nick and Joel, always talked about opening a restaurant and with such fond memories of the times they spent at “Beef’s” they decided to invest in their very own franchise. It was almost ten years ago when the first Beef ‘O’ Brady’s opened in Spanish Fort.
Recently the Kesslers completed an expansion and remodel of the restaurant that added 1,200 square feet to the existing 3,000 square feet. The enhancements include a private meeting area/party room, a bigger game room and an enlarged bar area. Twenty taps are now host to a variety of domestic, imports, craft beers and even some local ales from area breweries. There are 34 HD TVs for the best game time TV viewing on the Eastern Shore. On May 28th the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s team will celebrate with a Re-Grand Opening Celebration. Join them for all day specials, a bounce house for the kids and live music.
Beef’s expansive menu is sure to have something for everyone. Appetizers include savory shareables, flatbreads and dips. Award winning wings come in boneless or traditional with several different flavors and degrees of heat. Beef’s burgers are made from fresh Angus beef and cooked to order. Entrees include ribs, fajitas, fish, grilled shrimp and grilled chicken. Baskets can be host to a multitude of different tacos (steak, chicken or fish), fried shrimp, chicken tenders or beer-battered fish ‘n’ chips. Featured sandwiches are a Roast Beef Garlic Melt, Prime Rib Sandwich, California Turkey Melt, a Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, Philly Cheesesteak, a Reuben, a Cuban, Southern Fried Chicken Tender Sliders and their trademarked Watterson Sandwich. There is even a pizza menu that is available after 5pm, Monday through Friday. Kids ages 12 and younger have a nice selection from which to choose and there is even a Weekday Value Menu featuring a different entree at a special price Monday through Friday. Be sure to stop in and see what’s new! Open daily from 11am until 9pm, a and 11am until 10pm on Friday and Saturday. Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, 6450 U.S. Highway 90, Spanish Fort • (251) 447-0660 • Facebook “Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Spanish Fort”
Eastern Shore
Fairhope’s Sunset Pointe receives recognition as one of Alabama’s hottest new restaurants
Most locals know and appreciate all the great dining options we have on the Eastern Shore but recognition is always appreciated. Just recently AL.com published an article citing their top new restaurant picks “Alabama’s 15 hottest new restaurants in 2015” and among those featured was Sunset Pointe.
Although they opened to the public in 2015, the process started long before they sat the first customer. A tremendous amount of thought and planning went into the rennovation of the restaurant located within the marina at Fly Creek. It was a huge undertaking by proprietor Pete Blohme. What once was a drafty bayside eatery was transformed into an classy yet unprentious atmosphere that celebrates what we here on the Eastern Shore most treasure about being here, the view.
Pete Blohme and Nick Dimario have worked together at several different intervals during their careers and maintained a friendship throughout the years. Upon the cumination of this project, Blohme and Dimario teamed up once again. The investment in training and preparation of all team members provide diners with the most enjoyable dining experience on Mobile Bay.
The menu at Sunset Pointe is focused on farm to table. Everything is made from scratch from ingredients that come from fields in Baldwin County and seafood from Gulf Coast waters. The burgers and hand formed from freshly ground meat, they cut their own chips, make their own pimento cheese and the list goes on! They feature a fresh catch, fresh starch, fresh vegetable and fresh dessert daily. “Bights” are the theme for the restaurant’s menu. Small “Bights” include BBQ shrimp, seared tuna nachos, crab-meat-balls, seafood lettuce wraps, a Mediterranean tuna crudo and grouper bights. Bowl & Garden “Bights” include their salads, a bouillabaisse and mussels in a beer broth. Their “Bights” on Bread include a seared tuna BLT, a grouper sandwich and an incredible burger. The Entrees are considered Full “Bights” and showcase Gulf Snapper Throats, Southern Fried Fish & Chips, Sesame Seared Tuna, Flat Iron Steak, Lemon Butter Chicken and Grilled Gulf Shrimp. Kid “Bights” are also available for the little ones.
In addition to the food, the libations are also top notch. They have a great selection of beer and wine and just like the food, their signature cocktails are hand crafted as well. All of their bartenders are trained mixologists that subscribe to the same standards behind the bar as the kitchen staff does with the food. Fresh herbs are used and nothing is ever premixed. It’s an old time feel with new time flavors. Their Happy Hour is from 2pm until 6:30pm with $1 off cocktails, beers, wines and their small “Bights”. In addition to that they offer 1/2 off of the featured wine and featured craft beer. They toast at sunset every evening so make plans to wine down at sundown with the amazing crew at Sunset Pointe. More recently, Sunset Pointe put the finishing touches on a private dining area. Call for availabilty and make your event one to remember. Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday 11:30am until 8:30pm, Friday and Saturday 11:30am until 9pm and Sunday, 11:30 until 8pm.
Sunset Pointe, 831 North Section Street, Fairhope (251) 990-7766 • www.SunsetPointeFairhope.com • Facebook “Sunset Pointe at Fly Creek Marina”
It’s Blues, Brews and Bird at Champy’s Famous Fried Chicken in Daphne
The Champy’s concept started simply with a childhood friendship. Todd Putnam and Seth Champion grew up together in Indianola, Mississippi. Champion’s family has owned several chicken restaurant franchises and Seth and Todd were always part of the labor force. Champion started Champy’s Famous Fried Chicken and opened his flagship restaurant in Chattanooga, Tennessee in June of 2009. When Todd and Erin Putnam visited Seth’s restaurant they were living in Memphis. Shortly after that, Todd’s was relocated to Mobile, Alabama with his job. The couple was familiar with the area after many years of beach vacationing and opted to reside on the Eastern Shore. After weighing all the options Todd and Erin decided that they wanted to open a Champy’s on the Eastern Shore. With tremendous support and guidance from Todd’s childhood pal, the Putnam’s opened the second Champy’s Famous Fried Chicken in Daphne on May 1st of 2011. Erin and Todd are fortunate to have a dedicated team that makes everything flow smoothly. Jennifer Malone is a Daphne native who has worked for the Putnams for the past three years. She was promoted to manager a year ago.
When you place your order be prepared for a little wait. The chicken is fried fresh with every order. Champy’s chicken is marinated down to the bone for 24 hours in an old family recipe of secret ingredients. All of their menu offerings are made fresh daily. Chicken plates include baked beans, slaw and white bread. A variety of combinations are available; two or three piece, white or dark meat, wings or tenders. Their chicken is also available fried, buffalo style or grilled; in a salad or as a wrap. Family packs, snacks and individual pieces of chicken are also available.
Besides chicken, one of their more popular menu items is the Mississippi Delta style homemade hot tamale. They boast of a thin layer of masa with a thick layer of beef, wrapped in corn husks and boiled in a signature sauce. The tamales are classified as “starters” along with fried pickle spears, fried jalapenos, and a smoked sausage, cheese & pickle plate. If you aren’t in the mood for chicken, local farm raised catfish is also on the menu. This blues music themed, family friendly eatery has indoor and outdoor seating. They offer a full bar and host live trivia on Thursday evenings. If you are planning an event, Champy’s also offers catering services. Champy’s opens daily at 11am. Champy’s Famous Fried Chicken, 27080 Highway 98, Daphne (251) 621-1666 • Facebook “Champy’s Famous Fried Chicken Daphne” • www. champyschicken.com
Clare Chen touts tea as a catalyst to healthier lifestyles
Clare Chen was born and raised in Taiwan. She graduated from college and was working in a lab when she decided that she wanted to explore her options. She traveled to the United States at age 25 to pursue her Masters degree in Microbiology at Clemson University. It was there where she met her husband, who is also from Taiwan. They both graduated at the same time and he was offered a job in Mobile, Alabama. The couple never thought that they would stay more than a couple of years but they were wrong. The Chens adore the Eastern Shore, their neighbors, the residents and the community. “Alabama has an abundance of resources and everyone is so kind,” says Clare. Chen worked at the University of South Alabama in their Genetics Lab for some time but she didn’t like having to enroll her children in day care while she was working. After her second child was born she decided to be a stay at home Mom. When her son refused to eat meat as a small child the family adopted a vegetarian lifestyle and Clare began incorporating a lot of herbs into their daily living. Her friends became interested in what she was doing and always enjoyed her cooking and even encouraged her to open her own restaurant. Clare knew that was more than she wanted to take on but still wanted to share her knowledge and culture with her community. Chinese medicine is herb based so she grew up knowing the benefits of certain herbs. With the help of some of her friends and family, Clare started offering herbal teas for sale at a booth in the Montrose Marketplace in October of 2013. Her belief is that tea is a good first step in the quest for a healthier lifestyle and it can give you the strength and ability to work toward your total well being. When the Montrose Marketplace did away with their market space, Clare and several other small business owners were fortunate to find a new location where they all take turns manning each others booths. The Shops at Four Corners at the intersection of State Highway 181 and County Road 64 is the new home to Clare’s business Zen Tea. More than fifty different types of tea that include an assortment of pure teas and tea blends are available. The teas she offers aid with various physical symptoms such as allergies, asthma, bronchitis, digestion, fatigue, headaches, memory, stress and the list goes on. More than half of the teas that she stocks are caffeine free. Zen Tea also stocks teapots, teacups, french presses, accessories and other small gift items. Be sure to stop in for a free sample and more information on what teas could work for you. The Shops at Four Corners are open Monday through Saturday from 10am until 6pm and on Sunday afternoons. Zen Tea @ The Shops at Four Corners, 10025 County Road 64, Daphne (251) 391-0109 • http://www.LivingZenTea.com • Facebook “Zen Tea of Fairhope”
News Anchor and Pittsburgh native go Italian
After moving to the Eastern Shore, Greg and Jill Peterson became hooked on the product that Mark Bentz was putting out at his previous restaurant. Greg has a passion for Italian food and has had the opportunity to experience some well known big city Italian restaurants. He and his family enjoyed Mark’s food for years and were loyal patrons of the Pittsburgh native who honed his skills at Tessaro’s in Bloomfield – Pittsburgh’s own Little Italy. When Peterson learned that Bentz was available, he asked Mark to partner with him and his wife Jill to open a restaurant. They looked at a several locations in Mobile and in Fairhope but when they found this particular Spanish Fort spot they knew it was meant to be. There was a definite need in the area for a non-chain, Italian restaurant and they were going to be it! Greg envisioned Mark behind the glass in the exhibition kitchen hand tossing fresh pizza dough as part of the ambiance of the establishment. From the time they purchased the property in February until opening in May it has been an all hands on deck, do-it-yourself project. When Greg wasn’t working or sleeping he was building the bar, landscaping, painting and transforming what once was an ice cream shop into TRATTORIA PIZZA AND ITALIAN.
Everything they serve is made from scratch. Breads and pizza dough are made daily. The sauces and dressings are homemade and even cheese is grated by hand. The pizza is the traditional thin and crispy variety and available in small, medium or large. You can stick with the basic pizza pie, build your own or go with one of their specialty combinations. Calzones are also available. The appetizer menu includes bruschetta, garlic balls, cheesy bread and a blackened tuna quesadilla – just to name a few. They serve a variety of salads, to which you can add your choice of chicken, steak or tuna. Their sandwiches are served hot and with your choice of side. Italian Steak, Philly Steak, Chicken Philly Steak, Chicken Cordon Blue, Tuna Steak, Muffaletta, Meatball and more are part of the sandwich menu.
Entrees include Greg’s Favorite, the Baked Ziti and Mark’s Favorite, Sesame Encrusted Tuna along with Chicken Picatta, Spaghetti and Meatballs, Chicken Alfredo Pasta, Cheese Ravioli, Seafood Ravioli and Vegetable Pasta.
There is a full bar at Trattoria Pizza and Italian. It is situated just beyond the dining area but is not sectioned off therefore adding to the family feel that the proprietors are striving for.
The response they have seen thus far is “beyond their wildest dreams”. This trio is pleased to be able to provide their community a huge serving of hospitality in an inviting atmosphere with some of the best pizza and Italian food around. They have an outdoor patio behind the building with a sand play area for the kids and look forward to providing you with live evening entertainment on weekends. They are open every day from 11am until. Trattoria Pizza and Italian, 11611 US Hwy 31, Spanish Fort (251) 375-0076 • Facebook “Trattoria Pizza & Italian” • http://www.TrattoriaPizzaSF.com Continue reading “News Anchor and Pittsburgh native go Italian”
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