Our summer has been amazing! We have had the opportunity to travel and do so many fun things. We took mini-trips to Ross Bridge, Point Clear, Perdido and Gulf Shores. We spent almost a week in Denver, CO for Rob's pharmacy trade show and Madison and I visited my Mom in Naples, FL. It seemed like we were on the go all the time-- no joke... I never unpack my makeup/toiletry bag all summer. I just kept it hanging in the bathroom!!
This past weekend was different though. Rob and I took some time for ourselves and headed off to the coast. We missed the kids, don't get me wrong, but it was so nice to sleep in, layout by the pool or ocean and not have to worry about nap times or snacks or stupid sunhats that Madison hates to wear.
Of course being the foodies that we are, we tried some wonderful new restaurants (again no worries about long waits with cranky kids and not once did it cross my mind that I need to get home to get everyone showered and in the bed at a reasonable hour!) We had our traditional meal of raw oysters and Long Island Teas at Sea-n-Suds, but that was the only "tried and true" spot we went to. Neither of us had ever been to
Cotton's. The place is well established and we've driven past it a thousand times and just never stopped. The food was great. I had crab legs and Rob had the Fillet Oscar- neither disappointed.
One afternoon when a rain cloud threatened our beach time, we drove out to Pirates Cover in Elberta, AL. Legend has it, Jimmy Buffett wrote "Cheeseburger in Paradise" after eating there and I can see why. The burger (shown in above pictures) was amazing! Top it with the Bushwhackers and the relaxing atmosphere and it was perfect!
Even though we really didn't get much rain (just your typical afternoon shower), Tropical Storm Danielle kept the ocean pretty rough so we drove out to
Johnson Beach for a day. If you've never been, Johnson Beach is a state park in Pensacola Key that has access to both the ocean on one side and the bay on the other. The bay side was much calmer and made for a more relaxing afternoon. As you turn off the main drag, there's a little restaurant on the corner called The Reef. While the downstairs is still known as the Reef Lounge, the upstairs has been purchased and converted into the best pizza joint. We ordered the Tuscan pie, and it was the best pizza I have eaten in a VERY LONG time. It had the perfect blend of Pesto sauce, feta, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic and artichokes. Not only did we eat until we were too miserable to move, we took some home and ate it again later that night and then again the next morning for breakfast! So Yummy!
Our last night we ventured out to a place call
The Tin Top, mostly because they are opening a second restaurant by our house in the Towns of North River (where Milagros and Frank's Grill used to be).
Oh My Goodness!!
It's laid back atmosphere was classy and intimate inside while outside you could dine under old oak trees or at the oyster bar. The menu had a little of everything from sauteed oysters that melted in you mouth, marinated crab claws that fell off the fin, and steak and pork chop that were cooked to perfection.
So it looks like my weekend post has turned more into a restaurant review, but what can I say?? I got to recharge and refresh with the love of my life and a full stomach.
