Eating Our Way Across America-First Stop Fairhope, AL

We have several goals for our travels...Since we are big fans of the Food Network, one is to visit as many of the "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" as we can.  We consulted Guy's website before we came to Bella Terra and found a few of his favorites. And last weekend we ventured out to Fairhope, Alabama, a beautiful town on Mobile Bay that is about 30 minutes from here.  It was founded as a "flat tax" town; a kind of utopian experiment that resulted in an upscale artists' community.  It reminded me of New Hope, Pennsylvania.

Well...back to the food.   We had lunch at Panini Pete's where we sat in a lovely courtyard on a brisk day.    But,  the food was worth a chill!  We shared a wonderful mufaletto (ham, cheese, pickles) panini and a hot beef and bleu cheese sandwich with  handmade fries!  Desert was a heavenly bread pudding made with their famous breakfast begnets.  It was smothered in a caramel sauce that was to die for.  Best of all,  we met Pete,  the chef and owner who was featured on the show.  He shared stories about Guy and the notoriety that repeat appearances on the Food Network have created...We warned him that he should be prepared for a Bobby Flay "Throwdown."  Our first stop on the Triple D tour...delicious and fun; and as if we hadn't eaten enought, we left with white chocolate chip cookies that were the best we have eaten!        KB