Connie Pearson

Connie is a native Alabamian with a veterinarian husband, 3 married children and 15 grandchildren. She has traveled extensively in the U.S. and around the world and lived in Ecuador for 4 years. She loves eating where the locals eat, interviewing chefs, photographing beautiful food presentations and learning new preparation methods, ingredients or flavor combinations. Connie's book "Telling It On The Mountain: 52 Days in the Life of an Unlikely Missionary" was published in 2016 and is available on Amazon. In addition to her blog, www.theregoesconnie.com, she is a regular contributor to The Yums, Trip101.com, The Alabama Baptist weekly newspaper, Senior Scene Magazine (Athens News-Courier) and other print and online travel publications.

200 North Beach: French Influence in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi

The first restaurant to open in Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi, after Hurricane Katrina was 200 North Beach. It serves seafood, steaks and much more with a French flair. Location: 200 North Beach Boulevard, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi Menu: Seafood and steaks take center stage on the menu of 200 North Beach and appear in every …

200 North Beach: French Influence in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi Read More »

Gray’s on Main: Anchor of Downtown Franklin, Tennessee

Located in an 1876 Victorian-style building and sporting a neon sign that has been a fixture on Main Street in Franklin, Tennessee, since 1952, Gray’s on Main is a popular restaurant featuring imaginative dishes with a Southern twang. Location: 332 Main Street, Franklin, Tennessee Menu: The menu is seasonal, subject to the availability of produce and the …

Gray’s on Main: Anchor of Downtown Franklin, Tennessee Read More »

Slugburgers: Signature Treat at Borroum’s Drug Store, Corinth, Mississippi

What began as a pharmacy in 1865, Borroum’s Drug Store is now Mississippi’s oldest drug store in continuous operation and now a wildly popular lunch choice for the locals in Corinth, as well as savvy travelers along Highway 72 heading to and from [amazon_textlink asin=’1631213679′ text=’Memphis’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’theyums-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’f6b92097-0e2f-11e9-9962-e96fbd9d9c5e’], Tennessee. Location: 604 East Waldron Street, …

Slugburgers: Signature Treat at Borroum’s Drug Store, Corinth, Mississippi Read More »

smith. in Corinth, Mississippi: Lowercase s, Uppercase Cuisine

It’s odd to see the name of a restaurant begin with a lowercase letter and end with a period, but the 1869 building in which smith. is housed was a former printery, so the title, menu, and associated pieces are made to look as if they were typed on an [amazon_textlink asin=’B07GDD3VFV’ text=’old Underwood typewriter’ template=’ProductLink’ …

smith. in Corinth, Mississippi: Lowercase s, Uppercase Cuisine Read More »

Galley and Garden: Luxury Dining in Birmingham, Alabama

Chef James Boyce, the owner of three popular restaurants in Alabama’s Rocket City of Huntsville, [amazon_textlink asin=’1493003828′ text=’Alabama’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’theyums-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’61af538c-e8fd-11e8-a79b-15d9ddfe81d5′], was persuaded to offer his culinary talents to the people of Birmingham. Galley and Garden, open since fall of 2014, has a location on Highland Avenue that is perfect for diners looking for an …

Galley and Garden: Luxury Dining in Birmingham, Alabama Read More »

Lockkeepers: Gastronomic Gem in Cleveland, Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley

Owners Frank and Malisse Sinito strategically combine their Italian heritage with the history of the region in Lockkeepers, their architecturally-stunning restaurant overlooking the Cuyahoga River a short distance from downtown Cleveland, Ohio. Location: 8001 Rockside Road, Valley View, Ohio Menu: For both lunch and dinner,  Lockkeepers offers an enticing array of appetizers, soups, salads, pastas (made in-house …

Lockkeepers: Gastronomic Gem in Cleveland, Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley Read More »

Crispy Chicken Wings Confit - The Greenhouse Tavern, Cleveland, Ohio

The Greenhouse Tavern: Culinary Hit in Cleveland, Ohio

Chef Jonathon Sawyer, owner of The Greenhouse Tavern and James Beard Winner for Best Chef in the Great Lakes Region in 2015, consistently brings exceptional dining experiences for residents and visitors to the re-emerging Rustbelt city of Cleveland, Ohio. Location: 2038 E. 4th Street, Cleveland, [amazon_textlink asin=’1402733828′ text=’Ohio’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’theyums-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’8be4bcef-c7e2-11e8-92df-59c96fa3fbb6′] Menu: When the appetizer menu …

The Greenhouse Tavern: Culinary Hit in Cleveland, Ohio Read More »

Highlands Bar & Grill, Birmingham, Alabama: 2018 America’s Best

Highlands Bar and Grill in Birmingham, Alabama, has consistently ranked at the top in every list of [amazon_textlink asin=’089587220X’ text=’Alabama’s Best Restaurants’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’theyums-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’e5ab44ee-ba1b-11e8-a98f-f9f8912c25a9′]. Recently, though, the James Beard Foundation gave it the award for being the best of the best in America, 2018 Outstanding Restaurant, and that comes after being a finalist …

Highlands Bar & Grill, Birmingham, Alabama: 2018 America’s Best Read More »

Old Edgefield Grill: Southern Cuisine in Edgefield, South Carolina

The stately home, which now is the location for the Old Edgefield Grill, is situated a block off the Edgefield town square. What was once a prominent family home now serves satisfied diners who live in or visit the Old 96 District in South Carolina. The food is Southern comfort at its finest with surprising …

Old Edgefield Grill: Southern Cuisine in Edgefield, South Carolina Read More »

Rhubarb in Asheville, North Carolina: Acclaimed Chef Using Local Produce

There are two places you simply must visit when you are in Asheville, North Carolina: Biltmore House and Gardens and Rhubarb, a restaurant in the heart of downtown. Owner and Executive Chef John Fleer is a five-time James Beard nominee for Best Chef Southeast and diners will love his creative dishes with their origins in …

Rhubarb in Asheville, North Carolina: Acclaimed Chef Using Local Produce Read More »