Each Spring, there’s one seasonal delicacy on every Southerner’s mind: crawfish. There are appetizers, entrees and loads of crawfish being boiled and sold by the pound. The South clearly takes crawfish season seriously. If picking up a sack of fresh caught crawfish, shrimp, or oysters and hosting a boil in your own backyard isn’t on your agenda, our restaurants have got you covered. Begin your adventure surrounded by gameday hype at Heroes Sports Bar & Grille, where crawfish are served in a creamy spinach dip with warm toasted pita. For those seeking a more laid-back experience, Wintzell’s Oyster House offers a signature crawfish-infused sauce over a variety of dishes, and their acclaimed seafood gumbo pairs perfectly with their freshly shucked oysters. If you’re looking for some heavenly handheld options, you’ll love the fried soft-shell crab po’boy from Debris Po-Boys & Drinks.

Dinner wouldn’t be complete without a view. Add a taste of local flair and a stunning view of Mobile Bay at Felix’s Fish Camp. In addition to the variety of daily fresh catch options, the restaurant’s seasoned and sauteed crawfish tails are a must-try for those searching for a medley of Gulf Coast flavors. The waterfront setting adds an extra layer of charm to the dining experience. Dauphin’s crawfish and beurre blanc Delta Cakes are complemented by panoramic views of Mobile’s skyline from the 34th floor of the RSA Tower.

Beer and crawfish go hand in hand. Mobile’s award-winning craft breweries carry an array of drafts, cans and bottles that complement the local dishes in the area while matching the tastes of guests. Mobile’s oldest brew house, Iron Hand Brewing, specializes in British-style ales. For those who prefer to match Gulf Coast’s flavor and culture while prioritizing sustainability, Braided River Brewing Company is the ideal spot. One of their core brews, “Hoppy By Nature,” features notes of mango, pineapple and grapefruit. The refreshing taste of Oyster City Brewing Company’s flagship and seasonal drinks adds to the longing of sunny days ahead. This indoor/outdoor pub provides enough space for you and your crew to beat the Mobile heat in the taproom or enjoy a spring day with local food trucks on the partially covered patio.

Once the cravings have been satisfied and the beer has been enjoyed, it’s time to venture into Mobile’s entertainment district for some refreshing cocktails and mocktails. The Royal Scam, a popular and upscale spot known for its eclectic cocktail selection, offers the perfect setting to unwind near the buzz of downtown Mobile’s nightlife. Try the “Black Cadillac” from Squid Ink Eclectic Eats & Drinks, a bubbly gin beverage with a splash of real squid ink. Complete the evening at the Haberdasher, where a team of skilled mixologists serves modern takes on old classics and libations.

Spring enhances the flavors of Mobile. Coastal dishes, brews and cocktails set the tone for the upcoming season and create a signature experience like no other. Every bite and sip are celebrations of the diverse and vibrant spirit of Mobile. Cheers to good times, unique cuisine and a warm Spring welcome on the Gulf Coast.

Plan your destination at Mobile.org

The post Mobile, Alabama: Crawfish, Craft Beers & Cocktails appeared first on Food and Travel Magazine.

Summertime. The days are longer, the sun shines brighter, Lake Michigan is calling and Manistee County, Michigan, welcomes you to the perfect destination for a getaway.

Begin your exploration of Pure Michigan with a taste of Manistee. Set along Lake Michigan in the northwest part of the state, Manistee County has 25 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and beaches, three Lake Michigan harbors, inland lakes, 270 miles of rivers and a world-class casino.

Charming, historic towns and tours, fertile farms and lush orchards make a lovely place to sip bourbons, wines, ciders and beers.

Craft brews paired with local fare or farm distilled spirits served in a rustic base-camp setting, you are invited for a taste of the local craft beverage scene on a Brew, Wine and Spirits Tour. This self-guided tour found at www.visitmanisteecounty.com takes you to several destinations around Manistee County, all serving up the best of our region’s beers, wines and spirits.

For a one-of-a-kind experience, Iron Fish Distillery in Thompsonville, Mich., in northern Manistee County, is Michigan’s first farm distillery growing its own grains and distilling spirits on 120 acres in a rural, agricultural setting. This stop is truly not to be missed and a prefect way to enjoy all kinds of bourbons, gin, vodka, maple syrup and great food and hospitality.

North Channel Brewing, located along the Manistee River in Manistee, is the perfect setting to enjoy craft brews and great food, while just steps away from Manistee’s downtown shops. North Channel Brewing weaves a little of Manistee’s history into everything they do in their hip, industrial-style factory setting. You may even catch a freighter moving through the channel as you take in views of the historic downtown.

Stay close to Manistee’s historic Downtown and you will find several fantastic dining stops, all within walking distance. Blue Fish Kitchen + Bar offers new American dining in a relaxed, lakeshore atmosphere. This Featuring an extensive wine list, craft beer and artisan cocktails, hand-cut steaks, farm-to-table and artisan fare, and a large selection of Great Lakes fish artfully prepared by its team of chefs.

Nestled in the Garden Level of the TJ Ramsdell Building, TJ’s Pub is a Downtown landmark and home to a massive Michigan Craft Beer selection, but also an excellent dining establishment. With many craft beer selections rotating seasonally, the occasional tap take over, and various flight boards ready to quench your thirst, this is an ideal spot to enjoy a local craft beer any day of the year, along with tasty food.

All the downtown Manistee restaurants are part of The Stee’ Social District, where adults can enjoy adult beverages from place to place in designated areas in a designated cup.

Off the beaten path in Kaleva, Northern Natural’s tasting room offers several premium hard ciders made from several varieties of Manistee and Leelanau County-certified organic heirloom apples that provide clean, crisp, apple flavors with a dash of sweet. By the pour or by the glass, bottles and growlers are available, along with a nice selection of award-winning wines. Open year-round, a gourmet food truck will delight your palette and ease your appetite.

Located in Arcadia Mich., Ketch 22 Kafe is a delightful gourmet food truck that creates authenticAmerican cuisine with a creative culinary twist. It serves just the right bite, and worthy of its amazingly scenic location on picturesque Route M22.

From historic sites to artisan markets, these are just a few of the places on tours that cover 835miles and take you to 375 sites across Manistee County. Although you may not cover that much ground in one visit, these tours provide plenty of reasons to come back again and again.

Just pick a spot, choose your dates, gather your travel companions, and head in the direction of Manistee for a memorable getaway.

The post Sit, Sip, Taste and Enjoy in Manistee County, Michigan appeared first on Food and Travel Magazine.

Nestled on the scenic California coastline, about an hour north of Malibu, Oxnard is one of California’s best kept secrets and a true hidden gem of a destination. And fall is the perfect time to enjoy an escape to this vibrant beach town, where visitors can enjoy a stunning new beachfront resort, cultural activities for the whole family, diverse food and drink offerings, miles of uncrowded, pristine golden-duned beaches and more.

Where to stay? Check into the beautiful new Zachari Dunes Mandalay Beach, Curio Collection by Hilton, which debuts this fall following a multi-million-dollar renovation. As Southern California’s only all-suite oceanfront resort, the reimagined Spanish Hacienda-style resort features spacious accommodations, exhilarating adventures, epicurean delights, and blissful relaxations, perfect for an effortless California getaway.

Guests will enjoy elevated culinary experiences from poolside restaurant Ox & Ocean, which offers refined cuisine and unique craft cocktails inspired by the bounty of the Oxnard Plain and its pristine coastal waters; to Sugar Beats, a converted Airstream trailer that offers locally roasted coffee and on-the-go offerings to start the day, as well as locally crafter beers and canned cocktails each afternoon to accompany fresh-caught seafood and Cali-inspired handhelds.

The resort’s centrally-located pool is perfect for soaking in the sun with a uniquely crafted cocktail or relaxing in one of the private cabanas. For guests seeking adventure and fun, Henry’s Sundries and Gear Rental is a one-stop shop for everything needed to experience the best of the resort surrounding Mandalay Beach, including bicycles, boogie boards, GoPros, longboards, Hoverboards, gaming systems and more. Guests can also make use of the resort’s state-of-the-art fitness center and access the outdoor classes including fitness classes, sunrise yoga and water aerobics, or enjoy a little friendly competition on the resort’s tennis courts.

What to do? Oxnard is filled with rich culture and history, and fall is a wonderful time to enjoy the numerous cultural events that take place in Oxnard each year. Día de Los Muertos is just one of the annual signature events held each fall – a multi-day, cultural, culinary, and artistic celebration in November for the whole family. The annual Multicultural Festival will take place in October to kick off Multicultural Month, including free entertainment, craft food vendors and an array of international booths celebrating the rich cultural fabric of Oxnard residents.

Oxnard also has an incredible classic car culture. In addition to two premier auto museums – the Mullin Automotive Museum and the Murphy Auto Museum – visitors can enjoy fall car shows including the Central Coast British Car Show and the Ponies by the Sea, as well as the weekly community care meet-ups, such as Muscles & Mojo from The Murphy Auto Museum.

Outdoor adventures abound in Oxnard and the sunny, slightly cooler weather makes fall the perfect time to get outside and explore. From bike and surrey rentals along the beach path in front of Zachari Dunes, to stand up paddle boarding, jet skiing or kayaking through the Channel Island Harbor, to a ride in an authentic Venetian gondola through the Seabridge Marina, adventure-seekers can find plenty to do by land and sea.

How to get here? Oxnard is easily accessible by plane, train, or automobile. It’s located just sixty miles northwest of Los Angeles International Airport, and just over forty-five miles southeast of Santa Barbara Airport. For road-trippers, Oxnard is conveniently located right where the Pacific Coast Highway meets 101. And this fall, the Oxnard Transit Center in Downtown Oxnard will welcome those traveling by train with a brand new mural celebrating Oxnard’s diversity.

The post A Fall Getaway to Sunny Oxnard California appeared first on Food and Travel Magazine.

Visitors to Ogden should check out the distillery’s Side Bar, the on-site craft cocktail destination. The unique menu is divided into four flavor categories (Sweet & Fruity, Sour & Tart, Spicy, and Spirit Forward) that will impress without pretention.

Here are four recent creations straight from the menu:

• “Tag-Along You’re It”
  • 1.5 oz Porters Peanut Butter Whiskey
  • .5 oz Five Wives Heavenly Vodka
  • 1 oz Chocolate Liqueur
  • 2 oz Heavy Cream
    • Mix first three ingredients in a shaker with ice.
    • Pour into a coupe glass filled with some ice cubes
    • Float heavy cream
    • Add Tagalong (float on top of heavy cream and sitting atop ice cubes)
• “Thin Mint is In”
  • 1 oz Five Wives Heavenly Vodka
  • 1 oz Peppermint Schnapps
  • . 5 oz Chocolate Liqueur
  • 1 oz Heavy Cream
    • Shake first 3 ingredients in shaker with ice
    • Paint inside of Martini glass with chocolate syrup (coat fully or stripes or any design)
    • Pour ingredients into Martini glass adding Heavy Cream on top
    • Add thin mint (either crumble, or skewer)

• “Chai-Knees Fortune” (Inspired by the classic Bee’s Knees cocktail)
  • 1.5 oz Madam Pattirini Gin
  • 1.5 oz cold brew Chai Tea
  • .5 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 1.5 oz honey syrup
  • .5 oz ginger syrup
    • Add all ingredients into shaker
    • Add crushed ice in drinking vessel add all ingredients and two sustainable “hay” or “pasta” straws
    • Garnish with fortune cookie on side

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