AS SEEN IN THE APRIL 2011

THE INTERNATIONAL FOOD WINE AND TRAVEL WRITERS ASSOCATION LOVES THE GULF SHORES

GULF SHORES,

WWW.WINEDINEANDLEISURETIME.COM RECOMMENDS

ALABAMA
AS A DESTINATION
The Gulf Shores of Alabama with miles of sparkling beaches, extraordinary hotels, exciting entertainment, has great shopping and the best seafood on the planet. It is our choice for a fabulous spring trip. Look up the many events and contact Carolyn or Gail to assist in planning a trip, so that endless fun and fabulous food will be your reward, WINEANDDINE10@AOL.COM OR OUR OFFICE (732) 758-0888.

FORT MORGAN STATE HISTORICAL SITE

WRITTEN BY GAIL GERSON-WITTE & CAROLYN DELAFRANGE

THE BEACH CLUB AT SPECTRUM RESORTS

FLORA BAMA - THE LAST ROADHOUSE

COBALT SEAFOOD SETS A NEW STANDARD

COSMOS RESTAURANT, SUPERB SEAFOOD-MAGNIFICENT MARTINIS-HOMEMADE DESSERTS

MAGNOLIA SPRINGS BED & BREAKFAST

GLORIOUS CONDOS AT TURQUOISE PLACE

THE HANGOUT. GREAT SEAFOOD, FAMILY FUN, DIVERSE EMTERTAINMENT, GIFT SHOP BEACH ,

JESSES RESTAURANT

HOPES CHEESECAKE IS DIVINE

SANROC CAY SHOPPING MALL

IFWTWA PRES. MARALYN HILL AWARDS SHIPPS HARBOUR GRILL FOR AMAZING SEAFOOD

FROM BREAKFAST, TO LUNCH & DINNER, TACKY JACKS IS A MUSICAL WINNER

AWARD-WINNING CHEF BRODY OLIVE DELIVERS WARM FEELINGS & FLAVOR AT VILLAGIO GRILL ON THE WHARF

LUCY BUFFET PRESENTS LULUS AT HOMEPORT MARINA, LIVE ENTERTAINMENT-SPECIAL EVENTS

HOT SHOP STUDIO, ORANGE BEACH ARTS CENTER

GULF SHORES & ORANGE BEACH ALABAMA PRESS TRIP

Thank you to Marjorie Benders Benders-Walker Group 573-3531115. Jo Duncan Benders-Walker Group 314-422-1193, Kim Chapman Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism 251-752-8448, for introducing us to an area that my readers on the East Coast will be delighted to discover The Beaches are white and inviting, the restaurants deliciously different and the people warm and inviting. TURQUOISE PLACE - ON THE GULF OF MEXICO This splendid new luxury condominium located in Orange Beach with a sparkling emerald glass tower, is 24 stories high and has 173 exquisite apartments that vary from 2,400 to 5,900 square feet. The amenities, like superb gas fireplaces, Wolf and Sub-Zero stainless steel kitchen appliances and balconies with outdoor kitchens and Jacuzzi hot tubs, not to mention the glorious beach on the ocean location was nothing short of spectacular. In addition the dazzling fitness center has everything including the salt water lazy river, heated salt water pool, hot tubs, exquisite large balcony overlooking the beach with a large hot tub overlooking the oceam, dry sauna & steam room The beautifully decorated owners meeting space, was a collection of atmospheric wonderful areas. This retreat was difficult to say good-bye to0 & very hard to leave. Larry Wireman, who also developed Caribe Resort in Orange Beach. Is the creator. For more information, visit www.turquoiseplace.com. LODGING PROVIDED THE BEACH CLUB AT SPECTRUM RESORTS, 26302 Perdido Beach Blvd. Orange Beach, AL 36561, Toll Free: (877) 553-7415, Email: reservations@spectrumvacations.com, www.spectrumresorts.com. Alabamas most affordable luxury vacation accommodations. Spectrum offers the lowest rates and best service at Turquoise Place and Caribe Resort in Orange Beach!

owners have done their homework. From a spectacular breakfast, and magnificently decorated rooms private baths, cable TV, phones, turndown service, fresh flowers and a well stocked guest refrigerator, this spot is truly a fabulous find located in the historic Magnolia Springs area. JESSES RESTAURANT & MOORES BROTHER MARKET 14770 Oak Street - Magnolia Springs, AL 36555, (251) 965-3827 www.jessesrestaurant.com. I know why they were voted the areas best steakhouse for 4 years! From splendiferous desserts to daily specialties, tender juicy steaks, fresh Southern style seafood and a touch of New Orleans cuisine amid a dazzling atmosphere, everything is special about this place. A new casual room is splendid for hooking up your friends and family. Monday-Saturday. Lunch & dinner. Sunday Brunch 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Extensive wine list. 15 minutes from beach. CETACEAN CRUISES, 25991 West Perdido Avenue - Orange Beach, AL 36561, (251) 550-8000, www.cetaceancruises.com A relaxing cruise on the back bays includes nature discussions and dolphins who are all regular players and familiar to the captain and his crew. Nature/dolphin cruise. Cetacean Cruises, formerly L.A. Water sports, has two unique tour boats in coastal Alabama. The 52 Hawaiian Catamaran sailboat offers scenic sailing cruises and special events, while the 40 pontoon boat focuses on viewing, education and eco tours. They are the only federally recognized Dolphin Smart Boat in the area. The dolphin experience will be a hit with your family. COSMOS RESTAURANT & BAR, 25753 Canal Road - Orange Beach, AL 36561, (251) 948-9663, Email: cosmosrest@gulftel.com www.cosmosrestaurantandbar.com. Open seven days. 11:00 a.m.9:30 p.m. weekdays and 11:00a.m.-10:00 p.m. weekends. Bar open until midnight! Serving a wide variety to satisfy every taste. Sushi bar open 5:00 p.m.-till and all day Sunday. Moderately priced, casual dining. The dcor is lively, colorful and welcoming. Owner, Brian contributes to many area animal fundraisers, and chairs many event events. He has developed a menu that features a different country each month. The dishes are well developed and presented with style. The Spanish specialties were first-rate & the seafood definitely outstanding. TACKY JACKS - ORANGE BEACH, 27206 Safe Harbor Drive - Orange Beach, AL 36561, (251) 981-4144, Email: tackyjackstavern@gmail.com, www.tackyjacks.com. I can understand why this waterside spot has been a local institution for over 30 years. This is surely a feel good spot and the food was really good and sooo reasonable. You really never know who you will meet here. Whhether an innovative breakfast, creative lunch or Southern style dinner, portionsortions are huge, prices very east and quality is first-class. SANROC CAY SHOPPING MALL, 27267 Perdido Beach Blvd - Orange Beach, AL 36561, (251) 981-5423 Toll Free: (888) 386-4853, www.sanroccay.com. From a dock store, to shops with each one offering something different with popular prices, we had a great shoppiong experience here. I did not want to leave. With permanent or transient slips, showers, phones, underground parking, a day spa, a charter fleet: private walk-ons & restaurants like Louisiana Lagniappe, Caf Grazie, North Shore Deli, Grille and Gulf Shores Steamer, this should be on your must see list. COBALT RESTAURANT & ON PREMISES BAKERY, 28099 Perdido Beach Blvd - Orange Beach, AL 36561, (251) 923-5300, www.cobaltrestaurant.net. Nestled just under the Perdido Pass Bridge, and the newest sister restaurant to Cosmos, Cobalt offers a very well presented waterfront dining experience. The three distinctive kitchens and superior service presents something for everyone. I tasted over 10 dishes-all wonderful and the bakery here is sumptuous. VILLAGGIO GRILLE AT THE WHARF, 4790 Wharf Parkway - Orange Beach, AL 36561, (251) 224-6510, Email:

CustomerService@villaggiogrille.com, www.villaggiogrille.com. The Mediterranean cuisine, glorious atmosphere. extensive wine list and bar, wood-burning pizza oven, bakery is a Must try. The Champagne Sunday Brunch is a winner. Reservations are accepted & a must as this chef is popular, talented and pleases all tastes & all pocketbooks. Our family type dinner was just exquisite with each dish having its own signature and style. FLORA-BAMA LOUNGE PACKAGE & OYSTER BAR, 17401 Perdido Key Drive - Pensacola, FL 32507, (850) 492-0611, Email: info@florabama.com, www.florabama.com. One of the last great American roadhouses & did we have a great time here. Home of the Interstate Mullet Toss, the Gulf Coasts greatest beach party & bravura Bushwhacker drink I will return to party hearty. With four bandstands & live music daily, the crowd is diverse. I saw all ages present with everyone having one thing in common a good time! SOUTH BEACH BAR AND GRILL, 925 Beach Club Trail - Gulf Shores, AL 36542, (251) 224-3600 Toll Free: (888) 260-7263, Email: catering@beachclubal.com, www.beachclubal.com/dining.htm. Featuring fresh regional cooking as well as many tastes from the tropics and a beautiful waterfront view. Voted Best Sunday Brunch by Island locals. 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Explore this Civil War stop that features guided candlelight tours in the summer. FORT MORGAN STATE HISTORIC SITE, 51 State Highway 180 West - Gulf Shores, AL 36542, (251) 540-7127, Email: fortmorgan@centurytel.net, www.ft-morgan.com. Today Fort Morgan is a testament to the growth of the American coast defense fortifications from 1834 to World War II. This is a history seminar that I enjoyed from the interesting fort to the many original artifacts and souvenirs, that I brought home to my family and friends. KIVA DUNES GOLF CLUB, 815 Plantation Drive - Gulf Shores, AL 36542, (251) 540-7000 Toll Free: (888) TEE-KIVA, Email: rea@kivadunes.com, www.kivadunes.com. Duncan Millar of the Gulf Shores Golf Association was present to explain & greet our group. There are many golf options and even a restaurant & interesting shop, if you care to indulge. THE HANGOUT, 101 East Beach Blvd - Gulf Shores, AL 36542, (251) 948-3030, Email: city@thehangoutal.com, www.thehangoutal.com. I loved this very fun and food place. The chef is talented, the owner exciting and the food delicious and quite reasonable. Seafood here is spectacular and the sides tasty and well developed. The Hangout is the place for great food and family fun. Hang out & listen to the diverse live entertainment, visit the reasonably priced shop, explore the fire pit, & you will be planning your return to this beachside place, you can call your new home. We loved it here. HOPES CHEESECAKE, 210 East 20th Ave - Gulf Shores, AL 36542, (251) 968-5858 Toll Free: (888) 968-4673, Email: info@hopescheesecake.com, www.hopescheesecake.com. This family run divine tasting dessert place, where they make everything from scratch & according to your order, is located 1.5 blocks east of Hwy 59. More than 30 well developed flavors of scrumptious homemade cheesecakes are presented. Just dream it & they produce the flavor. Only Kraft Philadelphia cream cheese is used and flavors are like a sparkling bracelet on a slender wrist. The Key Lime Pie is exquisite & you can order from anywhere in the USA. SHIPPS HARBOUR GRILL, 27842 Canal Road - Orange Beach, AL 36561, (251) 981-9891, Email: harbourgrill@bellsouth.net, www.shippsharbourgrill.com. We were impressed by the fresh delectable seafood and enchanting prime beef. Everything is made daily & tastings were really superb. The waterfront and outdoor dining, live entertainment and family friendly servers just heighten the enjoyable experience. Open daily, & located at the Sportsman Marina, we guarantee your will be complete with a stop here.

CHOOSE YOUR ITINERARY FROM THESE EXCEPTIONAL DESTINATIONS

LULUS AT HOMEPORT MARINA, 200 East 25th Avenue - Gulf Shores, AL 36542, (251) 967-LULU (5858), Email: info@lulubuffett.com www.lulubuffett.com. We experienced fabulous tastes, a wondrous sunset & great entertainment. The LA caviar, Fish tacos , & fantastic Southern style vegetables at this waterside wonderland, charmed all the attending reporters. Live music excellent service, a marvelous outdoor deck and a very superb souvenir shop where you can arrive by land or sea makes this a sweet destination. ORANGE BEACH ART & WELCOME CENTER, 26389 Canal Road Orange Beach, AL 36561, (251) 981-ARTS (2787) www.orangebeachartcenter.com. Southern hospitality is truly alive at the Orange Beach Welcome Center. A very lovely breakfast was provided by Villaggio Grille at The Wharf Linda Whitlock , President of the Alabama Gulf Coast Area Chamber of Commerce, (they present the National Shrimp Festival) was present and the talented Brody Olive, the illustrious Villaggio Grille Chef and the 2009 winner of the National Shrimp Festival Chefs Challenge, served delicious specialties. Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism. Do not miss the states first and only public glass blowing studio. The demonstration was remarkable at the Orange Beach Art Center THE HOT SHOP STUDIO: www.cityoforangebeach.com. The breathtaking paintings, unique jewelry, creative crafts & amazing artwork are available for purchase at very reasonable rates. Carolyn and I purchased art and unique jewelry The Hot Shop Studio is dedicated to educating the community about glassblowing, sculpture, and art. Admission is free. Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. MAGNOLIA SPRINGS BED & BREAKFAST, 14469 Oak Street - Magnolia Springs, AL 36555, (251) 965-7321 Toll Free: (800) 965-7321, Email: info@magnoliasprings.com, www.magnoliasprings.com. The