Opinions are like…

By Kinnon Phillips

I get my picks too, and it is my prerogative to make them public. Here is who I would have voted for (had I participated) in the food categories for Nappies 2007.

Best Pizza – Tie between Mellow Mushroom and La Pizzeria. I could not be more excited to see the Mushroom open up in MiMo. Their crispy honey wheat crust has such flavor, and I cannot veer past the Magical Mystery Tour pizza with a mix of mushrooms, pesto base and feta. La Pizzeria has inventive combinations and the crunchiest cracker crust I have had the pleasure of eating.

Best Steak – Osman’s filet with the gorgonzola sauce is the best, followed closely for me with Ruth’s Chris. All the butter is a bit rich on their steaks, but “oh so good.” I once made the mistake of asking for no butter, and it is just not the same.

Best Seafood – Bayley’s – since I rediscovered this place only a few weeks ago, they do the best fry job with fish and shrimp. For a bit more haute, I have had some wonderful seafood dishes at Guido’s, particularly a Snapper Almondine at lunch two weeks ago.

Best Brunch – Another tie. Callaghan’s is great comfort breakfast, always on the mark. 615 is a recent addition to the brunch scene, with a fabulous menu and good food.

Best Local – NoJa. NoJa is doing a good job of brining some different creations to town. This hopefully can spur some good imitators at a lower price point. Traveling to Atlanta, Birmingham and even Montgomery has shown me that an upscale atmosphere and modern food can be done at a mid price point.

Best in First Year – Royal Scam. The duck panini at lunch is well prepared and on good bread. At night, I have written just a short time ago about the small plates and how good they are.

Chain – Macaroni Grill is pretty good for the chains. Decent food and the kids are satisfied.

Chef – Osman – not Donny or Marie, either. The one on Hall’s Mill Road. Gnocchi, steaks, veal and seafood – across the board they do it right.

Underrated – Royal Scam, see above. Yes, the plates are small, and you have to eat a lot if you are hungry. But that is not the point, most people come to drink and just taste a few things. See above on quality.

Outdoor – Ed’s Shed deck has the best view on the causeway, with alligators, sunsets and fauna growing just on the other side.

Best Service – I have always had a pleasant, without being overbearing, service experience at Felix’s.

Worst Service – The Brewpub. The last time I went, on a Saturday evening, I asked five times for a glass of water. I finally had to do downstairs and get one from the bar, along with refills for the same. We rarely saw our waiter.

Best Wings – The Jamaican Jerk wings at Bob Baumhauer’s I got turned onto recently and win in this category.

Best Chicken Fingers – You can’t fight the Foo. Foosackly’s.

Best Lunch – 219/Water Table. I do eat there all the time, but 219 is simply the freshest and best. With the excellent courtyard addition and market, they are cementing themselves to downtown growth. The Water Table’s seared tuna wrap with wasabi mayo, along with great tasting salad dressings, bekon me to make the drive to the Loop for lunch fairly often.

Best Deli – We still do not have one of these. But, for a hell of a sub, I go to Sub King in Crichton.

Best Gumbo – A table of friends all ordered gumbo at Wintzell’s recently and the shrimp were large, there was a nice amount of crab and the roux a nice dark brown.

Best Po-boy – Still the ham and cheese combo, with dill pickle chips at Pollman’s Bakery, with a cookie or two.

Best Sushi – Samurai J’s has made a nice entrance into the Mobile market, but Liquid is the gold standard. Nice big fat rolls with stellar fish quality.

Best Bakery – Any cookie, brownie or doughnut at Pollman’s. I love the iced fruit bars, cherry nut, and decadent Mediterranean cookies. My mother makes me buy the iced cookies every time I am going to see her.

Best Burger – Like the rest of you, Callaghan’s. Either the cheeseburger with Pepper Jack or the patty melt are always on my mind when I enter.

Best Ethnic – Pho 88. This noodle house on Azalea, on the right headed south, just before Michael Boulevard has rich broths and tasty combinations. There is another across the street, next to Mikado I hear is good as well.

Best Atmosphere – NoJa. Up-to-date, modern and colorful, NoJa mimics the new look in restaurants across the country and does so very well.

Best Mexican – Head down to Los Arcos on Old Shell near University for a hell of a guacamole made at your table. The tuna tacos are perfectly seared and spiced as well. The regular items are stellar as well, using quality ingredients.

Italian – There is no true Italian here, but La Pizzeria does a nice job with basic and special pastas.

Best BBQ – The Brick Pit. I do not get a chance to go there often, as I am hardly ever out that way during lunchtime. But those Brick Bites have a nice bite and the BBQ is never greasy. And some of you others, your BBQ has not been what is has been in the past – hopefully you know this and will improve.

Best Home Cooking – In LoDa, Mama’s is consistently top notch, with incredible fried green tomatoes, fired chicken, green beans – you get the picture. The Big Time Diner gets a nod as well.

Cannot Believe They are Still Open – Last year I got cussed out at the Nappie Awards for my pick. I hate to be fateful, but I was right, as the place is closed now. I just cannot believe that the Brewpub is making it. Their patrons have to be drinking the beer, too drunk to notice the mediocre food and bad service.

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

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