I have eaten at a couple of other places that deserve some mention. I visited my grandfather in the Mobile Infirmary and ate in their cafeteria, which is not too bad and oh-so-cheap. First off the staff are the friendliest people I have come across in a long time. They were lively, happy and a bit saucy.

Their fried chicken is just incredible and what I hoped would be on the menu when I visited, but it had been served the day before.

My mother and I recently had a horrible meal at Morrison’s. I like cafeteria food, and grew up with Morrison’s but I think I have eaten there for the last time, although I did count on them for my vegetable fix. Now I think the Infirmary Oak Hill cafeteria will fit my bill.

I had a tender turkey and damp dressing with a nice hint of sage. Their turnip greens I am sure have a nice amount of fat, but I pretend they are healthy. I completed the meal with a crackling browned corn muffin and a rich dense slice of fudge pie with whipped cream on top. Oh yes, and I had to eat a side of fried corn nuggets. This, plus my mother’s vegetables and our drinks came to $12. I recommend this as a good place for Sunday lunch after church.

Fish tacos galore

To celebrate a friend’s birthday I recently tried out the “Mojitos and Fish Tacos” at the Bakery Café. The mojitos, while I did not have one, were made with Bacardi and my friends reported they were fresh and quite tasty, and around $6.

As for the tacos, an extremely large, fresh piece of fried fish was accompanied by a tangy slaw that included slight slivers of red onion, a salsa that tasted as if roasted tomatoes had been used, sour cream and black beans with feta. The flavors blended wonderfully and the portion was extra large. I am glad I went and had the experience, but it is heavy on the wallet at $25. My suggestion would be to split this one.

New places aplenty

I ran into Wendell Quimby at lunch the other day and he is hard at work planning and beginning construction on his latest restaurant venture, a southwestern restaurant to be named Bull. Booths will line the space, currently empty on Dauphin in between Wintzell’s and 615. The restaurant will seat about 60 and he plans to open by late fall.

Also, Noell B’s opened this past Friday for lunch and dinner in the former Loretta’s location at Conception and Conti. I have yet to go in, but understand there is a funky mural documenting Noell’s history of ventures and also features some colorful downtown celebrities from past and present.

Williams passes

Todd Williams, who owned Toad Hollow Vineyards in California died recently and he had a fondness, connection and supported charitable efforts in Mobile. He is also Robin Williams’ brother and he played the bartender at the pool scene in the movie “Mrs Doubtfire.” He will be missed in this market and along the Gulf Coast in the restaurant and wine business.

He donated all the proceeds from his “Katrina Relief” Merlot sales to buy computers and other badly needed items for kids in the Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana areas affected by Katrina. He and his wife Frankie are very close friends of Lyle Lovett and his wife and they were able to get together in Mobile when Lyle had a concert at the Saenger.

That is when Mike Bailey a local wine distributor, had a gathering at 219 in honor of Todd and Toad Hollow Vineyards. We had nearly 200 people show up for that and it spilled over into the streets. The “Relief Merlot” debuted that evening and was actually his Reserve Merlot bottled up for that event in history. According to Mike, “he always said that he was funnier than Robin. He got the name Toad because when Robin was young he couldn’t say Todd and called him Toad.

Long knives

Not wanting to cook due to all the heat really does not have me inspired to share recipes. A friend of mine suggested I write some columns on cooking equipment. A good set of knives is imperative to have in any kitchen.

This is part one of a two-part series. A knife is the most important and most often used utensil in the kitchen. Many people do not know where to start, which knives to buy first or which one to use.

Buying knives is not a small decision because the knives you choose should last a lifetime. My father told me one should buy the best knives he/she can afford, but then they bought me a great set of Henkels knives that I have been very happy with. And a set is the best for the money and usually come with a block for storage. You can always add other knives (for example, I have a paring knife that I have held onto that did not come with my block).

Next time, some advice, what is the definition of a quality knife and what type of knives are out there.

Kinnon Phillips is Lagniappe cuisine editor. Contact him at kphillips@lagniappemobile.com.

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