Customers stand in line waiting for a seat in Abe’s Grill.
The moment you drive up to this little diner you know the place is special. First of all, their parking lot stays full, always a sign of good food. And the diner’s exterior, a hodge-podge of signs, slogans and placards, grabs your attention and pulls you in.
The 17 stool lunch counter grill was opened in 1974 making it the oldest diner on highway 72 in Corinth, Mississippi. Abe and Terri Whitfield are the worker-bee owners and operators of the establishment. Just enter and Abe will fly over and make you feel part of the hive.
Sometimes it takes a push to get out the door in your own hometown. When you’re on the road and away from home as much as I am, who stays in a local hotel? However, the International Food, Wine and Travel Writer’s Association, of which I’m a member, was holding a two day conference in nearby Jacksonville Beach.
So, I checked in, though somewhat embarrassed to admit I’d never set foot in the Casa Marina Hotel before. The Historic Hotel of America is a grand dame dating back to 1925 and restored to reflect the timeless glamor of the era.
Seems that Jacksonville was an “in” spot during the Roaring Twenties when the hotel first opened her doors. Why the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, John D. Rockefeller and President’s Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman visited the area. Jacksonville Beach boasted a boardwalk, dance casino’s, restaurants, amusement rides and wide beaches where automobiles were allowed to drive. (You can verify this by viewing the old photos lining the hallways.)
Casa Marina
During the war years of 1939 to 1945 the government appropriated the Casa Marina for military housing. Afterward a succession of owners and renovations took place.
Recently the Spanish Mediterranean-style hotel was recognized by The Knot Best of Weddings 2010 as one of their “Top Wedding Professionals.” Brides agree as nearly 150-175 weddings are held in house each year. And please realize, this is an intimate 27-room hotel.
The seclusion of the inner courtyard, the view from the third floor penthouse and the nearness of the ocean bring an enchanted calm to the inn. The food is outstanding and the treasured staff are most gracious and trusted by general Manager, Mark Vandeloo. He must be doing something right as turnover is rare.
Visiting a Jacksonville hotel turned out to be a real treat in my own backyard.
Chocolate and red wine? Sounds questionable but for the sake of this food blog, I ‘d experiment.
According to the wine maker,” ChocoVine is a fine French Cabernet subtly combined with a rich dark chocolate from Holland, paired together to create a decadent, silky smooth drink. It can be served on the rocks or as the main ingredient to an array of sinful cocktails.”
Now, Cabernet Sauvignon is my favorite wine and I adore chocolate, so why not?
WOW. I was not expecting much but ChocoVine is a real find. Honestly. My first sip tasted like Bailey’s Irish Cream but smoother. The drink rolls on the tongue and feels like super creamy, liquid pudding. Yum, I really liked the chocolately goodness, which doesn’t over power and blends nicely with delicate red wine. Smells wonderful, too.
The literature also states, ” The right chocolate paired with the perfect wine can create a near-orgasmic taste experience. But the wrong wine opposite a too-sweet chocolate creates nothing but horror. Many have taken the challenge…and have failed.” Well, I’m sitting at my desk by myself but feeling pretty good!
