Magnolia Springs, Alabama

We had lunch the other day at a favorite place, Jesse's Restaurant, in Magnolia Springs, Alabama. It's in a beautiful, heavily-wooded spot on the Magnolia River a few miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico. It's a sleepy village where the mail is still delivered by boat. If you have read Fannie Flagg's, A Redbird Christmas, you know all about Magnolia Springs.

What a great surprise it was on our first visit to discover Jesse's wonderful food and atmosphere. They have creative, upscale, casual dining for lunch and dinner. And don't miss the crab bisque.

Attached to Jesse's is Moore Brothers Village Market with one of the best butcher shops in this part of the south. It is also worth a visit. We often take a cooler with some blue ice in case we buy a supply of steaks or chops. It can be a long, hot trip home.

The Cold Hole bar, located between the restaurant and the market, serves drinks and items from Jesse's lunch menu from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

(The photos are from the Magnolia Springs Bed and Breakfast website. Check it out.)