Going to the beach used to be something we did occasionally when the kids were little. Tom was never into it and my own passion waned, so with no kids to prompt me it has been many years since I have gone. Over this holiday weekend I was confronted with the stupidity of that decision, and I resolved to make beach-going a higher priority. It was glorious there, and close enough to make it a regular thing.
Since everyone else seems to understand this, it was no surprise to see how it has exploded in size. I was in the small cocoon of Turquoise and didn’t get out except to go down to the new restaurant Coastal and the delightful Fairhope on the trip in and out.
A got a tip from a friend before leaving that I should not miss Coastal, and I am grateful for that tip. If there was a picture perfect beach hangout here it is. We were shocked it was not busier.
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The place is gorgeous and enormous, with separate dining areas with separate kitchens, which means separate menus. We wanted to be outside, of course, but it was so warm out there that even I had second thoughts, but only because Coastal is a California-style indoor/outdoor space.
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And that space is just beautiful no matter where you eat. I might have stayed there the whole afternoon ordering things had it not been so hot. The offerings are enormous so it would not have been hard to do that. We started with the pimento cheese plate with housemade crackers. For entrees we got a baked pastry filled with “stuff” and a turkey club sandwich.
The pimento cheese came with honey drizzled on top and some nuts in the honey. It was a pretty plate with an orchid blossom as garnish. The housemade crackers were light and nice, thin and crispy. The pimento cheese was a little “looser” than I like, but that made it more spreadable. It was very good and I didn’t even really mind the honey on top. It came on a baby kale patch whose curly edges held it in place, and added some color. This was a very good plate with some diverse elements like red grapes on one corner, and berries on another. Pleasing to the eye and palate.
The turkey club gave me plate envy. It was a beautiful sandwich on appealing toasted grainy wheat bread and a mountain of great thinly-sliced turkey stuffed in between the two slices, with avocado making it a little creamy, and red tomato slices sticking out. Pretty great. It came with a side of cubed fried potatoes. If we had chosen to sit in the next section it would have been fries. This was mildly annoying.
My breakfast "thing" was interesting. It was a huge “dish” of puff pastry, filled with scrambled eggs and whatever filings “of the day” you chose. It was either sausage or spinach and feta. I got the sausage and cheddar. The sausage had a noticeable sage flavor, which I rarely encounter but I do like. I have decided crumbled sausage has an unappealing look to me. This was just okay, despite my inability to resist anything encased in puff pastry. I had only a choice of grits or potatoes for this. My request to sub a side salad was denied. The grits were very coarse, but uninteresting. The sides here need a little work.
I was so happy to be back at the beach I even ordered a drink. Pina Coladas at the beach are about the only thing I ever drink, so I got a Key Lime frozen Colada. It was almost impossible to suck from even a very fat straw so I used the straw as a spoon, even though it wasn’t. Enough of the mixture clung to the straw to eat it this way. It was pleasing, but not as good as the French 77s my sister-in-law kept making for me. Elderflower is a taste I find too appealing. Dangerous.
There were lots of dining options this time that were not there the last time I was in Orange Beach. Another reason to return, and soon.
