Latest news with #SouthernCooking
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
This Milton restaurant served their fan-favorite dish to Kid Rock, Randy Travis and more
Milton Southern cooking and seafood staple The Cutting Board served up a slice of home at country music star Jamey Johnson's star-studded Tennessee wedding May 20, with the help of some Pensacola area vendors. Owner Nan Foster was selected to plan and cater the wedding at Graystone Quarry in Franklin, Tennessee, for longtime friend and 'In Color' singer Johnson and his bride, Brittney Eakins. Foster and her husband, hometown cook Steve House-Gregory, even recreated a hit from their restaurant's menu called Seafood Sensation for a crowd of 350 packed with the big names of country music. Some of the guests included Kid Rock ('All Summer Long'), Randy Travis ('Forever and Ever, Amen'), Zac Brown ('Chicken Fried'), Lee Brice ('Hard to Love'), Gary Allan ('Watching Airplanes"), Ella Langley ('You look Like You Love Me,'), Riley Green ('There Was This Girl') and many more. Get to know The Cutting Board here: The Cutting Board reopens in new location, serving up seafood and Southern specialties There was one guest on the list who left a particularly big impression. 'Randy Travis is the greatest human,' Foster said. 'I mean, he is an incredible human who is gracious in spirit and just is always a pleasure to speak with.' Since the wedding was centered around Southern elegance, The Cutting Board's cuisine fit perfectly in the picture. They brought in highlight dishes from the Panhandle, delighting guests with regional favorites such as mini muffulettas, cups of Louisiana gumbo, and, of course, fresh, local seafood. Seafood Sensation, known at The Cutting Board as Andy's Sensation, was one of the first dishes she ever fed Johnson when they met many years ago. 'We knew going in that we would include that because that's one of his (Johnson's) favorite dishes,' Foster said. 'These guys want good, enjoyable food. It doesn't have to be fancy, it doesn't have to be over the top, it just has to be good.' For dessert, Foster had Johnson's beloved guitar replicated into cake form, with Mississippi-based vendor Cakes By Iris capturing every detail, even the guitar's scribbled signatures. Foster also looked locally for vendors to assist, with The Thirsty Ranch mobile beverage cart serving up his and her style cocktails of hand grenades and blueberry moonshine margaritas, and professional photos shot by Pensacola area photographer, Addie J Photography, that were featured in People Magazine. 'It's just a fantastic opportunity for local vendors to have the opportunity to go to something of this caliber. It gives us a great opportunity to showcase our town, our community, and the kind of people that we have,' Foster said. Foster said one of the highlights of the experience was sharing a piece of the Panhandle with the celebrity guests, some of whom even messaged her after the wedding, trying to get hold of her recipes. 'Absolutely not,' Foster teased about sharing them. She said the event was special not only for her business but also to draw attention to the Panhandle and show what it has to offer despite its small size. 'You never know when you meet someone if you're going to have an opportunity to bring a slice of your world into someone else's world,' Foster said. 'And for us, that's been the most unique experience is being afforded the opportunity to showcase our small-town Panhandle community into such a large world dynamic.' If you want to try the Seafood Sensation for yourself, you can order it from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday at The Cutting Board, 8855 State Road 87 S. in Milton. Foster can be reached at 850-516-0975 for questions or catering inquiries. Stay updated on the latest restaurant news by subscribing to our free Pensacola Eats newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Wednesday. Sign up for the newsletter at This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Jamey Johnson wedding planned and catered by Milton's The Cutting Board
Forbes
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
A Local's Guide To Dining In Downtown Richmond Near Linden Row Inn
Aerial view of Richmond Skyline. Virginia. Set inside a series of beautifully preserved Greek Revival row houses, the Linden Row Inn is the kind of hotel that quietly stuns. It's a portal to another time—complete with antique furnishings, gas-lit charm and a deep connection to one of Richmond's most famous literary sons: Edgar Allan Poe who reportedly courted his first love in the garden. While an on-side restaurant is coming soon, it's also in prime territory for exciting dining. Just steps from Monroe Ward and a short ride from some of the city's most vibrant neighborhoods, Linden Row is perfectly placed for food lovers. Linden Row Inn Exterior To help navigate the city's ever-evolving food scene, we turned to someone with serious local intel. Sarah Leffler, Senior Marketing Manager at Savara Hospitality and the woman behind the brand's buzz-worthy presence online, is also a passionate food enthusiast. She knows exactly where she'd go—and why. Here are her top picks. Mama J's Exterior Just blocks from the hotel, Mama J's is a cornerstone of the neighborhood—and Richmond's go-to for soulful Southern cooking. Leffler calls it a must. 'It's one of those places that feels like home,' she tells us. 'The Southern and soul food here is the real deal and such a staple in the neighborhood.' On any given day, you'll find regulars filling the booths for fried catfish, collard greens, and hot cornbread. The energy is warm, the food hits deep, and you'll be thinking about the mac and cheese long after you leave. Perly's Restaurant & Delicatessen dishes This beloved Jewish deli is a short stroll from Linden Row—and an absolute crowd-pleaser. 'Perly's delivers authentic, crave-worthy dishes,' Leffler says, noting its Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives cameo. From towering Reubens and matzo ball soup to blintzes and brisket, the menu balances nostalgia and creativity. The vibe is retro, the pickles are sharp, and there's always something new on the specials board. Restaurant Adarra Interior Now in its new Oregon Hill digs, Restaurant Adarra remains one of the city's most transportive dining experiences. Leffler loves its intimate, under-the-radar feel: 'It's one of those places that feels like a little secret, everything on the menu is thoughtfully crafted.' The Basque-leaning menu leans earthy and elegant—winter lettuces, lamb belly, or black bass with charred scallion butter—and the natural wine list is impeccably chosen. Lost Letter Dishes Lost Letter is a pasta-and-wine haven in Scott's Addition is Leffler's dream dinner spot. 'If you're into fresh pasta, housemade bread, and a great glass of wine, Lost Letter is a dream,' she says. Settle in on the patio when the weather's right, or grab a candlelit corner inside. The menu is seasonal and subtle, with a focus on technique and texture—simple dishes that hit with precision. Lolita's Hero Shot When the vibe calls for bold flavor and a buzzy room, Leffler heads to Lolita's in Carytown. 'It's my favorite place to kick off a girls' night,' she says. 'Amazing, authentic Mexican food in this super vibey, colorful space.' Standouts include the variety of tacos with homemade tortillas tuna tostadas, and conchinita pibil. Look forward to unique cocktails like the flamenco rosa with tequila, fermented pink peppercorn and raspberry-rhubarb honey, grapefruit soda topped with salted foam. It's a party—whether you show up for lunch or roll in for dinner. Echelon Wine Bar Exterior Echelon Wine Bar in historic Shockoe Slip is where Leffler unwinds after work or meets clients in a more relaxed setting. 'The visible wine cellar adds such a cool touch, and the selection is top-notch,' she says. The space toes the line between refined and unfussy. Think curated dishes, like chef's selection of cheese and charcuterie plates or more substantial options like homemade cavetelli or a Wagyu burger paired with a thoughtful, globe-trotting list of wines. Q Rooftop at Quirk Hotel Just a half-mile from Linden Row Inn, Quirk Hotel is a favorite for rooftop cocktails with a view—Leffler points to Q Rooftop Bar as a great spot to catch the sunset over the Richmond skyline. The hotel restaurant named The Lobby Bar serves seasonal dishes and a well-edited list of Virginia wines in a stylish, art-filled space. The cocktails lean inventive, with fresh herbs and house infusions—like the garden growni, a savory-sweet blend of vodka, Aperol, and tomato-basil syrup. The pastas hold their own, too, like the house-made bucatini in a briny, botarga cream that tastes like summer on a plate.
