Dining Alfresco

Enjoy Eating Outdoors While We Can

"Where would you like to sit?" The hostess could never fully get this sentence out before the waiting patrons interjected, "Outdoors!"

But can you blame them? After all, is there anything more blissful at this time of the year than sitting outside while dining? After this winter's intensely chilly cold fronts, and before the oppressive heat of summer arrives, Pensacolians race to enjoy dining alfresco.

On Sunday, the decks of Atlas and The Fish House were packed with mothers in hats and children in bows. With the largest outdoor seating in town and fantastic views of the bay, this place fills up quickly. In fact, the brunch crowd here has grown so tremendously that the stairs leading up to the restaurants often resemble a wedding party waiting for the reception, rather than customers waiting for available tables.

"What would you get if you were eating here?" I asked Shelley Yates, The Fish House and Atlas PR and Marketing Manager. It was a question she has heard before, and she rattled off three or four dishes that she enjoyed.

But one dish in particular seemed to capture her heart: "Pecan-Fried Green Tomato Benedict--with the grits of course." This amazing concoction of poached eggs atop pecan-crusted fried green tomatoes, resting on buttery English muffins and topped with hollandaise sauce is a decadent treat. Salty, sweet and buttery, this was one serious way to start the morning. Another route is simply ordering a Bloody Mary made with house-made mix, pickled okra and green beans and going from there.

My counterpart ordered the Bananas Foster French Toast. Made with house-made brioche, this confection is finished with caramel banana sauce and topped with candied pecans. Generally a dish this sweet is reserved for dessert, but I didn't have too much difficulty letting the guilt slide as I enjoyed a bite, then two, then three.

The Fish House and Atlas do not take reservations, but that shouldn't deter you from treating yourself to their amazing menus. Brunch runs every Sunday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Happy hour is every evening from 4-6 p.m. (drinks are half price at any bar) and Wednesday night is Ladies Night.

info@inweekly.net

Full Article Link