There’s nothing like New Year’s Eve in Gulf Shores and there’s nothing better than spending a part of that last day of the year at the Sunset Corkroom.

We know, we know – you have a lot of places you can go but we’d like to invite you to come to ‘our house’ tonight.

We are already preparing and designing your dinner and overall experience and it’s only December 3rd!

I know Chef Rudy is planning up some mouth watering dishes and who knows it might even include Caviar with a ice cold Vodka chaser!  That sounds pretty good to me!

Whether you’re a local or visitor for the first time the Sunset Corkroom is destination dining all throughout the year and particularly on New Year’s Eve.

We pride ourselves on paying particular attention to the details … you know what they say, the devil is in the details so we make sure you don’t have any hidden oops waiting for you.  We are commited to oo’s and ah’s not oops and sorry.

We want to invite you to consider getting an early reservation as we always sell out and with what we’ve got planned; great food, fantastic music and considerable celebration – you won’t want to miss it.

Be sure to check back from time to time over the next few weeks as we’ll be posting more details about what we’ve got up our sleeve … until then happy travels and happy eating!

Nj

If you were at the Sunset Corkroom for the start of the  Frank Brown Songwriters Festival 2010 then you know how incredible the lineup was. We couldn’t believe our ears as we were treated to some of the best music the festival has to offer.

It seems that every year this just gets better and better.  And, as one of this years sponsors we’re just so excited to have another week of incredible artists and music … or as I like to say toe-tapping, humming and strumming.

If you weren’t able to make any shows last week we’ve got a terrific lineup starting on Thursday.  You can see our Frank Brown Songwriters Festival Schedule online but remember that we’re selling out fast – our seating is limited – so you’ve got to call us to make sure you can get a seat.

Not only will your ears be tuned in for a treat, but your stomach will rejoice as well.  We’ve got all our local favorites and a couple of surprises up our sleeve so don’t miss out.  This festival comes around just once a year so make sure you, your friends and family are taking advantage of all this amazing talent.

I’m looking forward to seeing everyone this week – locals and out-of-towner’s alike.

If  you’re ready for a night on the town then this Thursday, Friday and Saturday are choice nights.  What could be better than great eats, good drinks and toe-tapping, strumming and humming.  Sounds like a perfect storm of a great night out.

See ya then,

Nj

We’re ready for this years Frank Brown Songwriters Festival and we’ve got some great entertainment (along with our fantastic eats and drinks) which means good times for you, your family and your friends.  Remember, you must make a reservation if you want to join us as seating is limited.

Check out our schedule of special events:

Thursday, November 11th

• 7:00 pm Rusty Tabor, Kevin Denny
• 8:30 pm John Wiggins, Aaron Barker

Friday, November 12th

• 7:00 pm Amy & Walt Fletcher “Sterling Fletcher”
• 8:30 pm Ottar “Bing Hand” Johanson.  Tore Anderson, Brent Moyer, Joe Sun

Saturday, November 13th

• 7:00 pm Jerry Salley, Larry Cordle, Carl Jackson
• 8:30 ASCAP SHOWCASE: Marla Cannon Goodman, Daryl Altman, Deanna Bryant, Matt Warren

Thursday, November 18th

• 7:00 pm Ken Johnson, Jaron boyer, Blaine Larson & Brandon Rickman
• 8:30 pm Pete Salis, Karyn Williams, Brian White, Greg Friia

Friday, November 19th

• 7:00 pm Casey Kelley, Leslie Ellis, Stephen Lee Veal
• 8:30 pm AMA PRESENTS: Webb Wilder, Phil Lee, Kacy Jones, Gove Scivenor

Saturday, November 20th

• 7:00 pm Katie Rogers
• 8:30 pm Wayne Carson

We’re excited to have so much talent visiting us and look forward to seeing you and your friends and family.  We know this will be the best Frank Brown Songwriters Festival yet.

See ya soon,

Nj

Everyone at the Sunset Corkroom is excited for this years Frank Brown Festival.

If you’re new to the area then you’re in for a major treat and if you’re a “local” then you know what I’m talking about.

The One & Only "Mr. Frank"

Frank Brown was a night watchman at the Flora~Bama for 28 years and saw every thing a man could see with that job. Frank was known for his moral values, his personal integrity and incredible character which still endure to this day.

Mr. Frank, as he was known by all, retired at age 91 and was featured on Paul Harvey’s “The Rest of the Story”.Frank was quite the character.  He’d show up to work with a pair of revolvers hanging on his hips as if to say “now don’t you boys be giving anyone any trouble”.  Who say’s Texans are the only gun slinger’s around!

Frank was a philosopher; he knew that happiness comes from wanting what you got and what he got was a lifestyle that kept on giving.  Frank loved his job and the music that came with it and we celebrate that ’cause we’re the same way.Frank was the first guy everyone saw and the last guy everyone said goodnight too.  He worked until he was 91 and he finally headed home when he was 95 years old back in 1988.

Frank never left the ‘Bama though as his spirit lives on and that spirit is celebrated every year with the Frank Brown Songwriters Festival.

Over the next couple of weeks you and everyone along the Gulf Coast has a chance to discover the roots of great music with this celebration of Frank Brown and Songwriters from around the world.

The Sunset Corkroom will be hosting some of the artists so keep an eye out for what’s coming up.  Our first guests come onboard November 11th at 7 pm.

Who’s playing?  That’s for tomorrows post … until then happy strumming and humming.

Nj

Okay, check out the Sunset Corkroom entertainment lineup!

Is this the ultimate anti-oxidant cocktail?  Well, it’s certainly one of them.  While we can’t document all the claims that pomegranate might perform – everything from curing cancer to preventing dental plaque – we can testify to the yum factor of this cocktail.

This recipe comes straight from my friend, the NevadaGal, who drinks this nightly (okay, sometimes she switches out for a St. Valentines Massacre, Not too Bloody) and she swears it has sharpened her wits and ensures a good nights sleep.

Don’t be deceived by the simplicity of this drink – it is absolutely fantastic.

First – find your glass.  Preferably a stemmed one … something on the order of a nice champagne glass (if you don’t have one you can pick one up at the Wine Store!)

Get your ingredients:

1.  Vodka (whatever kind you like)
2.  100% Pomegranate Juice (I use POM)
3.  Sparkling Pomegranate (This is a secret ingredient and the BEST is from Trader Joe’s if you’ve got that in your town)
4.  Cava or Champagne (Cava is a Spanish sparking wine and it is great for this cocktail … only buy champagne if you need to impress your date or something!)

Mix your drink:

Look at your glass and try to figure this out …

Pour Vodka until you have filled 25% to 33% of your glass (personal taste does matter here!)
Add about 20% POM and Sparkling Pomegranate Juice each (your glass should be about 80% full)
Float your Cava or Champage on top.

Taste your drink:  Yikes! That’s Good … Go ahead; Say it Out Loud!   Now go look for your socks that just got knocked off your feet!

This drink is great on the rocks – but be careful ’cause the sparkling wine can get excited and spill over the top and it’s also great in a frozen martini glass with a sugar rim.  Oh, and if you make it in a martini shaker be prepared for an explosion – I speak from first hand experience.  Better to shake up everything but the wine and then float the wine once you’ve poured into your serving glass.

Enjoy …

Summer is one of my favorite times of the year … from the fresh food to warm sunny days it just doesn’t get any better.

One of my favorite treats is Corn & Zucchini fritters.  There’s nothing like fresh, sweet corn at peak ripeness combined with succulent squash and a bit’o seasoning to make the perfect first course or light supper.

Here’s how you make the dish.

2 cups King Arthur Flour or whatever flour you like to use
1 tbs baking powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp salt
freshly ground white pepper
2-3 eggs beaten
1 cup of whole milk
1/4 cup butter melted
2 cups of zucchini, grated
1 1/2 cups of fresh corn kernels
1 cup shredded white cheddar (oh yea!)
1/4 cup cooked chopped bacon (did I say this was good!  You better believe it!)

I love 1 TBSP of finely chopped Jalapenos in this … if you don’t like the heat skip this part

Grapeseed oil for frying

In a bowl mix all the dry ingredients.
In a separate larger bowl, whisk the eggs, add the milk and all the veggies and fold in the dry ingredients.
Add more milk or an additional egg if the batter is too stiff.

In a cast iron skillet, heat about 1 tbs of oil.
Drop the fritter in by the large tablespoon, turn when golden. Drain on paper towels.

Serve with Maple Syrup or Creme Fraiche (I make my own Creme Fraiche and WOW is it good!)

For an appetizer, top with Wild Caught Smoked Salmon!

Enjoy!