It's News to Mobile...

 

Yesterday started as a lazy, gray Sunday and I walked through Langan Park, which was dotted with the most disc golfers I have seen in some time there, especially for an overcast morning. A group of about a dozen said it was not a tournament they were just there for a friendly get together...The sun broke through in the afternoon, with temps in the 60's on this mid-December morning along the Gulf Coast...

Today I have a new spy in my cadre and we have yet to christen her with a code name, but in just a few minutes casual chat I discovered that she and her daughter are connoisseurs of Asian cuisine, especially Japanese having spent several years on the island. After my visit to Slurp Society I tried my hand at making ramen, and though it was delicious it was not as good as theirs...the topic of ramen noodles came up with my new source, particularly how expensive they are at the supermarkets, and she reminded me about the Asian markets on Azalea Road, where I had not been in awhile...so I drove on over and found what can only be called Asian Market Row. Not only was the original My Hoa (flower in several Asian languages) there but several other stores side-by-side in a funky but cool strip-mall formation. The parking lots were crowded and inside My Hoa I found a package of inexpensive ramen noodles I will try, and also picked up some Thai chili peppers to compliment the few I have in the garden...even for someone as knowledgeable about Asian cuisine as I, there were some fruit and veggies I did not recognize but do want to try...these stores are packed with everything Asian, including 40 pound bags of rice, dishes, every condiment on the face of the planet and more. I will definitely go back as I did not even make it into one of the stores...if you cook Asian food in Mobile, then My Hoa and company are for you...there is also a Pho restaurant on this little street...

My source also raved about a few restaurants I have yet to visit, including Thai restaurant Charm, on Schillinger, Korean BBQ next to the relocated Michael's Art store ( I found out the hard way and got stuck in Springdale Plaza - whew, having somehow forgotten this was a major Christmas shopping day...never made it to this restaurant but it's on my agenda when things calm down...) and Happy Sushi, which they say the menu includes a lot more than just raw sushi...looks like my programme du bal is already filling up...a visit to Dauphins in the Battle House tower downtown is on the list with a neighbor, for what will be our first time to this already iconic eatery on the 35th floor...

If you are into grass - and who isn't, Bienville Souvenir & Gifts have some for the feet - Grass Flip Flops. Yep, this is Mobile and these sound like a one of a kind Christmas gift so run downtown and say hi and buy something....

I am seeing a lot of pub about Mobile Pedal Tours and according to their social pages they host private parties, brewery tours, corporate parties and  (my words) parties for men or women who want to have one last celebration before they settle into matrimonial bliss....

It looks like the Lil Cigar Lounge is having an Ugly Sweater Slow Burn Sunday, December 24th.. save me a seat and a nice smokin Cuban, and one for Santa to...

I look at the Callaghan's Irish Social Club music line-up and it makes me ceolán, -áin with happiness...with Taylor Knighton, Phil & Foster with Corky Hughes, Karl Langley & Brandon White, Gabe Willis, and Johnny Hayes on individual dates from tomorrow through December 23rd...and this is a redneck holler to all the people who say there is nothing to do in Mobile, or some of the other stuff they say about us in a fit of jealous rage...

Wishing a get well soon to WKRG's Caroline Carithers who has a head cold with all this flip-flop weather from hot to cold....

 Congrats to  Realtor Preston Niemeyer (no relation) who sold the Fruit and Nut Home in Fairhope through Ashhurst Niemeyer Real Estate...hey Preston, my Christmas gift does not necessarily have to be wrapped this year...

Tim Jordan, who gets around Mobile even more than "It's News to Mobile," sends a Peace on Earth greeting from Dauphin Way United Methodist Church...

I look forward to an eventual visit to The Waterfront Daphne, I have been seeing a lot of great publicity and their water-side setting and menu including awesome looking adult beverages, looks downright this is what I'm talkin about....

Although it's chilly today in and around Mobile, the sun is out, the sky is still blue and the yard dude finally showed up so I don't have to break any fingernails or get blisters slinging a rake, or punish my eardrums with the what can only be called not a sound of progress, the centrifugal, galling noise of a leaf blower...