Ivey's Restaurant Robertsdale

Health experts say we should eat like a King at Breakfast, a Queen at Lunch, and a Pauper at Dinner. Since I consider myself a Queen, Lunch is my favorite meal of the day for many reasons: it's less expensive than dinner, the portion size is perfect, and you can have a nap afterward (if you are retired) so it's okay to have a glass of wine.

I don't eat breakfast because I practice intermittent fasting, and I’m not a King, so when it's time for lunch, I am starving! On Friday, my dining companion and I went to Ivey's Restaurant in Robertsdale because we had both heard it was a great place. We didn't have a reservation but were lucky to be seated as our server, Morgan, said it was often impossible to get a table on Fridays without a reservation.  

As we waited for our table, we were surprised to find the restaurant’s guest book included many names from all over the United States, and even a guest from Orleans, France, so Ivey’s reputation for fine dining and reasonable prices is known far and wide, especially for those visiting the Scenic 98 Coastal area.

The atmosphere at Ivey’s is casual, and there are prints of paintings depicting life along the coast by Stig Marcussen, a Mississippi coastal artist. They also have an interesting collection of Le Beaujolais Nouveau wine for each year’s release dating back to 2000. Regulated by the French Government, this new wine release happens each year around November 3 just after the grapes are harvested.

Back in the day, Ivey’s was our go-to place for a special occasion fine dining experience. In the ’90s, white tablecloth and candle establishments were few in the Scenic 98 Coastal area. Ivey’s is known for its “Cajun and Creole cuisine, with a touch of Southern French influence.” The Chef and Manager, Daniel Lores, began working for Ivey’s when he was eighteen years old and has been with the restaurant for two decades. He knows his clientele and provides us with a satisfying lunch fit for a Queen!

The menu had so many tantalizing choices that we had to have a glass of wine to help us decide what to order. We noticed how reasonable the prices were and took our time perusing the extensive menu. I told my lunch companion that the Shrimp and Grit cakes had come highly recommended, but I was attracted to the Seafood Crepes filled with shrimp, crab, and crawfish. I'm unaware of another place that serves Crepes and Grit Cakes, so we requested these.

I started with Fresh Oyster Stew, another dish you don't see on menus, and it was full of big, plump oysters in a lovely creamy broth.  My friend couldn't make up his mind between a Crawfish pie with shrimp and crab sauce or Gumbo and asked Morgan to surprise him. She brought him  Seafood Gumbo. We both agreed that we did well as we ate every spoonful.  Small house salads came with our entrees, and the homemade dressings made a perfect palette cleanser for the main course.

My Seafood Crepes were light and filled to the max with creamy well-seasoned seafood. It was accompanied by Ivey’s baked rice, which is a creative take on a southern staple.  My sidekick said the Shrimp and Grit Cake was delicious and the brown sauce on the dish was extra good. Neither of us could finish it all and I was happy to bring home the leftovers for Pauper's dinner. I was sad to be satiated because I really wanted to try the New Orleans Bread Pudding or Bananas Foster for dessert. Oh well, there will definitely be a next time.

Ivey’s is located at 8427 Pennsylvania Street, just off Highway 59 in Robertsdale. Have a look at the menu by visiting their website iveysrestaurant.com.  Once you see this menu, you will want to make a plan to visit. I am taking my sweetheart there for Valentine's Day Lunch!