Hey Ya'll!

Brace yourself for what could be my longest post ever. With the most photo's too.

Yesterday Gary and I went on a date courtesy of Elvis.

Not that Elvis, silly! My brother Elvis.

Actually, probably courtesy of his wife. Either way, they gifted Gary and I with a Paula Deen gift certificate for Christmas.

The gift certificate could be used at her store, her restaurant or her little brother Bubba's restaurant.

We'd been to her place already so we were excited to check out her little brother Bubba's place.

So this is where I would like to pretend I am a food critic and I write for a fancy pants magazine about restaurants where I've dined.

Okay?

Here goes.

Upon arriving at Uncle Bubba's, the view from the parking lot was fitting for a seafood restaurant.

The entrance was inviting.

The interior design was minimal, with a hint of industrial and a bigger hint of family, with pictures of Paula and Bubba growing up scattered about the restaurant. Even some vinyl lettering with words about family.

Soon after being seated in a dining room that would seat a gracious plenty, we were served mini cornbread muffins that were so sweet they could almost be mistaken for cupcakes and the honey butter for frosting.

(note to self, when snapping a picture of mini cornbread muffins using the close up button on lame camera, the mini muffins don't look mini)

My date order chicken wings for an appetizer. I however, do not dine on chicken wings, so I had to take his word for it.

His word, "Not bad."

It needs to be known though that this is how he says "it's good."

My date ordered the Shrimp 'N Grits. He was a little disappointed because he believes there were only 5 shrimp in his Shrimp 'N Grits, but the flavor was definitely there.

I know of what I speak, I snuck a bite.

Without the shrimp though. I cleaned shrimp for the first and last time about a year ago and I haven't been able to eat shrimp since.

However, I've never cleaned crab, so bring it!

And they did!!

I had crab legs, cheesy grits, and corn on the cob.

Heaven!!!

I have zero complaints about my lunch.

(Do you know Paula Deen's secret to grits? To use instant but cook them like they aren't instant. It works! It makes for the creamiest yummiest grits ever!)

The lunch was ended on this shared sweet note, Chocolate Creme Brulee.

The top was missing that crunchy sugar topping... well, the sugar was there, but it wasn't cooked long enough. Even so, it was divine. It was a great way to end the meal.

~~~

As we were leaving the restaurant, Bubba himself was at the door saying his goodbye's to his guests. As much as I do not care if anyone sees the I am taking a picture of food before I eat it, I was too embarrassed to ask him for a picture.

Silly me.

So far I have seen the Food Network star's son (at Lady and Son's) and her brother. Maybe one day I will spot Paula Deen herself.

Speaking of Food Network, Bravo has one of my all time favorite TV shows, Top Chef.

(that was a joke. Did you get it? Was it funny?)

Oh how I love that show! It's on season 5 and I haven't missed one episode of any season. They have all been great fun to watch, every stinkin' one.

This year has been extra fun.

This is Jeff.

He went home last night. Isn't he perdy? He's perdy! And he was intense. I've always been attracted to intense men.

This is Gene.

Gene was intense too. And there seems to always be someone just like Gene (intense and tattooed) on the show, and they always do really well. But he didn't make it was far as the intense tattooed usually make it.

This is Fabio.

I like Fabio. He's from Italy and his English is hilarious and his accent in niiiiice. He's just the sweet fella on the show. He's not bad to look at either, is he?

This is Stefan.

He's from Finland so he has an accent too, but he's missing the cute and sweet.

This is Carla.

I love Carla! She has a catering business and I want to have her come cater something so we can meet and become friends. She is so silly and funny and full of energy and she cooks with love! How do I know that? Because she says it, all the time. And sometimes the judges feel the love, they say that too.

Speaking of judges- this is Toby Young.

He's a new judge and I am not so sure about him yet.


*sigh*
Tom Collichio


*sigh....again*

Tom is a TV crush of mine.

Does your marriage allow for a TV crush?

In my marriage, I am allowed to have TV crushes but Gary's not.

HAHA!

No, really.

Actually, I've been meaning to do a post on Bald Hollywood Hotties for a while. Tom would be at the top.

I do have a thing for bald men, I admit. I married one. Of course, my husband doesn't think bald is beautiful, so I like to point out the Bald Hollywood Hotties to him. Recently he asked if he could point out all the women on TV he thought was hot. I said, "Only if they are chubby."

By the way, there was more to the date than lunch. More on that tomorrow.

*photo's from Bravotv.com and google image