Take Them Food: Restaurants to Try

Here in the South we like to take people food. New neighbors get baked goods, new moms get entire dinners. It's awesome. People come see the baby, hold the baby, and bring you food. Then they leave...and you can stuff your exhausted face in your bathrobe while breastfeeding. I can't wait!

I will say the etiquette is different depending on the family. When some of our BFF's had their first child, we brought them dinner and we stayed to eat with them. But most of the time it's an early evening food drop with limited baby viewing. You rub yourself down with sanitizer and coo away.

Restaurants in Birmingham have gotten wise to the idea that people not only take meals to others, but sometimes just need a good dinner to pick up and serve to the family - no cooking involved. I have done some research recently because of new babies in the family and thought I would share a list of options. I know there are more, but this was what I came up with pretty quickly.

Ready to Eat -

• Urban Cookhouse - Crestline, Summit, Homewood. Pick up meals after 3 pm.
• Maki Fresh - Rice bowls for four, definitely unique. I haven't had the chance to try this one yet.
• Taziki's - Many locations! Pick up after 2 pm.
• Zoe's - Multiple locations, two different serving size options.
• Costa's Mediterranean - Trussville and Hoover. They have all sorts of options for 2 or 4 person meals. You can also get their baked pastas uncooked and ready for the freezer!
• Little Donkey - Homewood. I could only find the info on the "taco packs" under the online take-out ordering. Four options with sides. Another one I haven't tried, but their tacos are damn good. Now if we could just get to-go cocktails...
• Taco Mama - Crestline Village. One option that feeds 4 hungry people!
• Iz Cafe - Hoover (Rocky Ridge) and English Village. They have a monthly menu of take home meals available Tuesday thru Thursday.
• Jim 'N Nicks - Many locations! And you get the option of buns or cheese biscuits...cheese biscuits, every. time. please. thank you.

Cook at Home (or freeze for later)

• Ashley Mac's - Cahaba Heights, Inverness, Riverchase."Gourmet To Go" casseroles and prepared foods (appetizers, desserts, salads, etc). Definitely get dessert and pick up a dozen sour cream biscuits for you and the lucky recipient. They just melt in your mouth!
• Homewood Gourmet - Homewood. Rave reviews from everyone who has received one of these bake-at-home gems. Don't forget the gigantic cookies and/or brownies. Remember...bathrobe eating is better done with dessert in-hand.
• Dishn' It Out - Crestline (next to Saw's Juke Joint). Extensive selection! I often peer through the windows at their freezer collection while waiting to eat at Saw's.
• What's 4 Supper by Edgewood Catering - Homewood. I haven't tried this place yet, but they put out a weekly menu that looks great. They offer frozen and freshly cooked.

*Most of these places do have prepared foods (chicken salad, pimento cheese, etc) but they specifically offer a "Meal for 4" or "Family Dinner" option that is all ready to eat when you walk in the door.

It could be worse...

"It could be worse," said Dad on day two of our recent vacation to Turks and Caicos. I quickly responded with, "It couldn't be much better." To which he chimed back, "...but it could be worse." 

We were both right. It could have been worse...we could have been at work back in Alabama where the weather was around 40 degrees. But it really couldn't have been much better. I mean, this conversation took place here:

The most clear water and softest sand ever. 

 See what I mean? 

From the edge of the pool, overlooking a dining patio and then the beach.

This was our first vacation alone since Mr. B arrived. I missed him every day, especially when I saw the other kiddos that were staying at our resort. But let me be honest, while I missed him I was glad he wasn't there. 

We have arrived!

We slept in, enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, sat on the beach watching the turquoise water roll in, took long walks in the velvety sand, sipped on adult beverages over an extended lunch, napped by the pool, toasted ourselves at the hotel bar before venturing out for dinner, noshed on local grilled lobster, slipped on the bedroom slippers left for us by the turn down service before enjoying the chocolate placed on the bed. Repeat that for five days and you will feel like a new person. And even appreciate your opinionated and rapidly growing toddler for the amazing little human that he is. 

Beach bar at its best.

Our favorite lunch spot - The Somewhere Cafe

Most importantly, Dad and I got to spend some uninterrupted time together and make memories. I won't say that we needed it, we are lucky to have a fantastic support system of family members who actually ask to babysit so we can have date night. But it was really great to have. Whether we were talking about how life has changed in the past year, debating whether to have a pina colada or gin and tonic, or sitting in silence staring at the scenery, it was a nice reminder that we have each other and are in it together. And we are fortunate enough to really like it that way.   

The other side of the pool from the water-side bed.

The resort was beautiful at night, complete with Christmas lights!

After a trek to lunch, enjoying the walk and the company. 

Location: Turks and Caicos

Resort: The Regent Palms

Favorite Restaurants:

Somewhere Cafe & Lounge

Mr. Grouper's Restaurant

Le Bouchon

Mango Reef

Bay Bistro

Justice for the Sweet Potato

Since when do people not like sweet potatoes? As a Thanksgiving side, sweet potatoes are boiled to mush, drowned in butter and sugar, then topped with cinnamon and marshmallows. While this sounds like a perfectly lovely dessert, the sweet potato gets no justice here! 

I say...JUSTICE FOR THE SWEET POTATO. They are good and nutritious and easy and cheap. We have sweet potatoes at least once a week. Here is a vague overview of how I cook them. Let's call it an "unrecipe."

Ingredients

• Sweet potatoes
• Olive oil
• Spice (s) of choice - Herbs de Provence; DAKs Original Red; salt, pepper and garlic; BBQ type seasoning; balsamic vinegar and honey; etc. etc.
• More spices! Don't be shy, spices are good!

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Or 450 if you have something else to do at the that temp.
2. Wash and pat dry. Cube sweet potatoes leaving the skins intact. However large or small you prefer, it is best to get them close to the same size. This is not my forte.
3. Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil, pour some olive oil on it, throw the potatoes on top, sprinkle on the spice of your choice. Toss the potatoes with the oil and spices. *Be sure the potatoes have adequate space or they won't cook well.
4. Put the potatoes in the oven for 20-25 minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes and temp of your oven. And also how you like your potatoes. 

Cubing sweet potatoes.

Sweets tossed in oil and spices.

As you can see, there is no real science to this process. Dad's favorite spice is the Herbs de Provence purchased from TJ Maxx, of all places. Then there is DAKs, a local company that produces a line of salt free spices. The original red is great for anything, but goes really well with the sweet potatoes for a spicy, smoky kick. 

Here are some tips: 

• Sweet potatoes go GREAT with BBQ and spicy foods. The day Jim 'N Nicks starts offering sweet potatoes bakers, I may never cook again. 
• They look beautiful on a plate with their rich orange coloring. 
• I like adding leftover sweet potatoes to my salads; they add texture and so much flavor. 
• If you have a fussy newborn and are trying to cook dinner, get a K'tan baby wrap. Just be careful around hot surfaces (duh).

B at 5 weeks with zombie Mom.

On The Move: Lobster for B

Babies require a lot of stuff; more stuff than I ever realized. In the arena of seating we have a total of 8 items that range from a contoured pillow (The Boppy Lounger) to a motorized bouncer (InGenuity Auto Bouncer). B enjoys 5 of those options, with a possible 6th dependent on his mood. At a mere 7.5 months old he has outgrown 3 of these already.

"Real food" quickly changed seating options; an upright position and wipe-able/washable surface is necessary. So Dad and I researched and debated high chairs. We decided on the OXO Seedling and it is fantastic...see last week's post for some details.

But Dad and I like to get out of the house! While the old wooden restaurant high chairs are a great standby, we wanted something of our own that was easily portable. So the research began again and we landed on phil&teds lobster. 

I spent weeks eyeing this chair until my aunt was in town and we stopped by Swaddle to droll over their inventory of everything baby related. Before I could make it to check out B's great aunt swooped in and made the purchase (hugs and kisses to Aunt Andi). We used it twice THAT DAY! It has quickly been added to the home departure list.
  

B hanging at G-pa's.

Not one to be excluded from the fun. Cahaba Brewing has picnic tables perfect for the lobster.

I would say we have successfully used the lobster at 70% of locations attempted, including - Cheesecake Factory, Cahaba Brewing, Red Zone Sports Bar, Beef O'Brady's, Slice, Five, Habaneros, Cocina Superior and Saw's Juke Joint. At all of these locations multiple people have approached us to ask what the chair was and where they could purchase. 

Pros:

• Folds and includes a slim carrying bag (total weight is 4 lbs)
• Easy installation to compatible table
• Weight limit of 37 lbs
• Includes tray that is dishwasher safe and sanitary
• Safety straps/harness 
• EXTREMELY sturdy

Cons:

• Restaurants like funky tables, it won't fit everywhere
• Seat is hand wash only and does have crevices 
• Frame could use cushioning or head rest 

Where's my marg?