About a decade ago, my husband, father, and I were having lunch at my favorite restaurant in Panama City Beach – Montego Bay.
The men were enjoying oysters on the half shell, when suddenly my husband slurped up a pea-sized pearl.
Luckily he didn't swallow it. My dad made it into a necklace: I think of Montego Bay (and my dad) when I wear it.
I can't guarantee pearls in every oyster, but Montego Bay's daily lunch specials are hard to beat. Try the blackened fish-of-the-day, or let your inner kid enjoy popcorn shrimp.
The hushpuppies are so good we steal them off each others' plates. All entrees come with side dishes, so you can get your veggies, too.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
What's our most popular national park?
Hint: it's in the Southeast.
If you guessed THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, you're right. With 9 million visitors a year, it gets twice the visitors of the next most popular park (The Grand Canyon).
But did you know that the Smokies were logged out before being turned over to become a national park? It's true. When the Smokies became a park in 1934, all visitors saw were stumps, except for a few isolated stands of old-growth forest. Most of those grand trees you see today are relative youngsters.
This year The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is celebrating its 75th anniversary. If you plan to go, spring is a great time to beat the crowds. And if you can only go in the summer or fall, all it takes is a short hike to get away from the crowds. Of those 9 million visitors, few venture more than a few dozen yards from the road.
Here's the official website for planning your trip: www.nps.gov/grsm
If you guessed THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, you're right. With 9 million visitors a year, it gets twice the visitors of the next most popular park (The Grand Canyon).
But did you know that the Smokies were logged out before being turned over to become a national park? It's true. When the Smokies became a park in 1934, all visitors saw were stumps, except for a few isolated stands of old-growth forest. Most of those grand trees you see today are relative youngsters.
This year The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is celebrating its 75th anniversary. If you plan to go, spring is a great time to beat the crowds. And if you can only go in the summer or fall, all it takes is a short hike to get away from the crowds. Of those 9 million visitors, few venture more than a few dozen yards from the road.
Here's the official website for planning your trip: www.nps.gov/grsm
Atlanta dining
It's a bit of a stretch to call THE VARSITY "dining out," but as an Atlanta tradition, everyone goes there at least once, if only to take out-of-town friends.
So why am I writing about a place where everyone goes? Because too often visitors to our fair city don't know how to order at The Varsity.
First, you can't dilly-dally around at the counter. It's a hurry-up kind of place.
Second, don't bother reading their menu. Forget the burgers and fries. What you want at The Varsity is a chili dawg (dog for you non-Georgia fans), onion rings, and an F.O.
Slaw and/or onions on your chili dog is okay. A naked dog is okay if you're under 12. But a meatless dog is not okay.
The onion rings are made of thick slices of sweet onions dipped in a thin tempura-like batter before they're fried. Yes, they're greasy, but you can really taste the sweet onion.
And the F.O. is a Frosted Orange, a drink kind of like the Creamsicle ice cream pops you may have had as a kid.
And last, but not least, forget about nutrition and enjoy the taste. You can have that salad for lunch tomorrow.
So why am I writing about a place where everyone goes? Because too often visitors to our fair city don't know how to order at The Varsity.
First, you can't dilly-dally around at the counter. It's a hurry-up kind of place.
Second, don't bother reading their menu. Forget the burgers and fries. What you want at The Varsity is a chili dawg (dog for you non-Georgia fans), onion rings, and an F.O.
Slaw and/or onions on your chili dog is okay. A naked dog is okay if you're under 12. But a meatless dog is not okay.
The onion rings are made of thick slices of sweet onions dipped in a thin tempura-like batter before they're fried. Yes, they're greasy, but you can really taste the sweet onion.
And the F.O. is a Frosted Orange, a drink kind of like the Creamsicle ice cream pops you may have had as a kid.
And last, but not least, forget about nutrition and enjoy the taste. You can have that salad for lunch tomorrow.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Florida on a budget
There's no destination like Florida when you've got kids...and a budget. Beachcombing, swimming, sandcastles are all free of charge. Here are some ways to make the most of your vacation, without being limited to eating peanut butter sandwiches in a crummy hotel.
Condo and house rentals should be cheaper than usual in this economy. Hotels often have kitchenettes.
If a rental house is too expensive for your family alone, invite another family to join you and split the cost -- more fun for the kids, more space, and often cheaper per family than a hotel
Restaurants have early-bird specials (perfect for a family that's spent the day on the beach).
Arcades, mini golf, and indoor entertainments often have 2-for-1 deals if you come in the mornings.
Active military, senior citizens, members of AAA, AARP, and other travel-discount groups almost always get discounts at Florida attractions and lodging.
Timing helps trim costs when you're visiting Florida. If you're not tied into a school schedule, go on the off season ("On" is winter for South Florida, summer for Northern Florida and the Panhandle).
Everyone knows lunch is a less expensive meal to eat in a restaurant than dinner, but in Florida it often also saves you a long wait. Take the kids off the beach late in the morning, have a substantial lunch at a restaurant, and spend the cooler sunset hours back on the beach, with a picnic supper. Kids will be less worn-out and less sunburned!
Check local papers and tourist "freebie" papers for coupons for restaurants and attractions.
Among my mail this week was a brochure from the site www.visitflorida.com, the state's official tourism site. Midway down their home page are buttons for "Hot Deals" and "FL Vacation Auction." A recent search revealed $69 hotel rooms in Destin, golf getaway packages, discounts to attractions for Florida residents, and more.
Another site for frugal folks is www.restaurant.com. On this site you can purchase $25 gift certificates for $10, and $10 certificates for $3. A recent search found 11 participating restaurants in the Destin area, including some of Destin's finest.
And, of course, there's www.priceline.com for bidding on hotel rooms, rental cars, air travel, and packages. Be sure to check out www.biddingfortravel.com first, to get an idea of what prices are winning the bids.
Condo and house rentals should be cheaper than usual in this economy. Hotels often have kitchenettes.
If a rental house is too expensive for your family alone, invite another family to join you and split the cost -- more fun for the kids, more space, and often cheaper per family than a hotel
Restaurants have early-bird specials (perfect for a family that's spent the day on the beach).
Arcades, mini golf, and indoor entertainments often have 2-for-1 deals if you come in the mornings.
Active military, senior citizens, members of AAA, AARP, and other travel-discount groups almost always get discounts at Florida attractions and lodging.
Timing helps trim costs when you're visiting Florida. If you're not tied into a school schedule, go on the off season ("On" is winter for South Florida, summer for Northern Florida and the Panhandle).
Everyone knows lunch is a less expensive meal to eat in a restaurant than dinner, but in Florida it often also saves you a long wait. Take the kids off the beach late in the morning, have a substantial lunch at a restaurant, and spend the cooler sunset hours back on the beach, with a picnic supper. Kids will be less worn-out and less sunburned!
Check local papers and tourist "freebie" papers for coupons for restaurants and attractions.
Among my mail this week was a brochure from the site www.visitflorida.com, the state's official tourism site. Midway down their home page are buttons for "Hot Deals" and "FL Vacation Auction." A recent search revealed $69 hotel rooms in Destin, golf getaway packages, discounts to attractions for Florida residents, and more.
Another site for frugal folks is www.restaurant.com. On this site you can purchase $25 gift certificates for $10, and $10 certificates for $3. A recent search found 11 participating restaurants in the Destin area, including some of Destin's finest.
And, of course, there's www.priceline.com for bidding on hotel rooms, rental cars, air travel, and packages. Be sure to check out www.biddingfortravel.com first, to get an idea of what prices are winning the bids.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Best Dim Sum in Atlanta
I love everything about Dim Sum restaurants. I love the huge tables crowded with multi-generational Asian families. I love the steaming carts the waiters push around. I love the little steamer baskets, each holding 2 - 4 bite-sized dumplings.
I love the vague sense of not really knowing what you're about to eat.
I love the words "dim sum." Say it out loud. Sounds tasty, doesn't it?
In Atlanta, my favorite place for dim sum is the Oriental Pearl, 5399 New Peachtree Road, Chamblee, GA 30341. Others love the Oriental Pearl's dim sum, too, including Zagat Rated, AtlantaCuisine.com, and Atlanta Magazine. It's always crowded on weekends, but there's rarely a wait.
So, for the uninitiated, what exactly is dim sum? It's little dumplings, noodle rolls, and steamed buns, each with a different filling. Sometimes there's a cart of soups, too, and you can always order dishes off the Oriental Pearl's extensive menu. Dim sum tends to be served as brunch, from morning to mid-afternoon on Saturdays and Sundays.
This is how it works....When the waiter stops with his or her steaming cart, he/she'll open the lids to show you the contents, tell you if it's pork, chicken, shrimp, red bean, etc., and ask if you want one. Say yes, and the waiter will put the hot steamer basket on your table, and make a mark on your ticket. You grab a dumpling with your chopsticks (it doesn't taste the same if you use a fork), and plunge into trying new tastes. It's all very non-spicy cuisine, and tends to be foods children will love.
The waiters circle constantly with the carts, so the dim sum is always hot out of the kitchen. They'll offer you as many dumplings as your tummy can hold.
Our favorites are shrimp noodle, pork dumplings, and sesame buns.
Generally, the Oriental Pearl's dim sum is a reasonably-priced meal. On a visit in February, $25 worth filled two adults and one teenage boy.
So if you're in Atlanta on a Saturday or Sunday, stop by the Oriental Pearl.
I love the vague sense of not really knowing what you're about to eat.
I love the words "dim sum." Say it out loud. Sounds tasty, doesn't it?
In Atlanta, my favorite place for dim sum is the Oriental Pearl, 5399 New Peachtree Road, Chamblee, GA 30341. Others love the Oriental Pearl's dim sum, too, including Zagat Rated, AtlantaCuisine.com, and Atlanta Magazine. It's always crowded on weekends, but there's rarely a wait.
So, for the uninitiated, what exactly is dim sum? It's little dumplings, noodle rolls, and steamed buns, each with a different filling. Sometimes there's a cart of soups, too, and you can always order dishes off the Oriental Pearl's extensive menu. Dim sum tends to be served as brunch, from morning to mid-afternoon on Saturdays and Sundays.
This is how it works....When the waiter stops with his or her steaming cart, he/she'll open the lids to show you the contents, tell you if it's pork, chicken, shrimp, red bean, etc., and ask if you want one. Say yes, and the waiter will put the hot steamer basket on your table, and make a mark on your ticket. You grab a dumpling with your chopsticks (it doesn't taste the same if you use a fork), and plunge into trying new tastes. It's all very non-spicy cuisine, and tends to be foods children will love.
The waiters circle constantly with the carts, so the dim sum is always hot out of the kitchen. They'll offer you as many dumplings as your tummy can hold.
Our favorites are shrimp noodle, pork dumplings, and sesame buns.
Generally, the Oriental Pearl's dim sum is a reasonably-priced meal. On a visit in February, $25 worth filled two adults and one teenage boy.
So if you're in Atlanta on a Saturday or Sunday, stop by the Oriental Pearl.
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