A few months back, I was driving from the Weeks Bay area into Fairhope for an afternoon coffee break and noticed a new spot, Jubilee Java, had opened up along Greeno Road. Looking to shave a few minutes off my drive, I decided to give it a shot and went inside. This turned out to be a great decision as the staff was extremely nice and served me a delicious cappuccino.

Leadership is important to any organization’s success. I felt like I hit the motherload when I sat down with Collier Merrill, Maria Goldberg, and David Bear at The Fish House Restaurant in Pensacola a few weeks ago. There is so much to learn about the Scenic 98 Coastal area from these movers and shakers. They are part of the equation that is changing and fortifying the Scenic 98 Coastal area, especially downtown Pensacola. 

Carmen’s Lunch Bar is always on the top of my list when visiting Pensacola. It’s a favorite little neighborhood place that is always inviting, warm, and friendly. In addition to featuring a different take on lunch, and a superb meal, I seem to enjoy ordering the same outstanding things each time. I know I should branch out more because my lunch companions are always oohing and aahing about their selections too.

For those of us who grew up in this area, Magnolia Springs was the place we would stop on the way home from Gulf Shores to jump in the natural springs that were so cold we would turn blue and shiver the rest of the way home. In the present day, boaters can idle into the Magnolia River and find a different version of the Springs in a small cove called “The Cold Hole.“ The water is deep and very cold and will lower your body temperature on a hot summer day.

When Sean’s Prime Dining opened last year, we went with friends to check it out. We had a wonderful evening dinner, and I’ve been back several times for lunch and have never been disappointed. Chef Sean Travis has many years of experience in fine dining and combines elements of French, Caribbean, and Asian cuisine in his offerings. 

Did you know that Mobile’s Virginia’s Health Foods and Fairhope Health Foods also have a sister restaurant, the Sunflower Cafe, adjacent to both store locations? The health food stores feature numerous organic, vegan, and non-gmo products, including vitamins and supplements, and we have always found their staff knowledgeable, friendly, and eager to answer questions. 

If you head up to Diana Rell Dean’s art show, Threads, this weekend, you might want to stop by the Stagecoach Café in Stockton, especially if you are hungry. The Stagecoach Café has been a staple in the area for years and serves a meat and three-style country buffet seven days a week.

I’ve driven by it often over the years. Sandwiched on Pensacola Bay between Blue Wahoos Stadium and Joe Patti’s Seafood, the restaurant is almost out of sight behind a larger office building. Shivering on motorcycles in 50-degree weather created the perfect opportunity for a couple of us to seek warmth and nourishment overlooking the Inner Harbor.