{"id":6020,"date":"2014-01-11T11:49:48","date_gmt":"2014-01-11T19:49:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=6020"},"modified":"2014-01-10T12:22:51","modified_gmt":"2014-01-10T20:22:51","slug":"cocktail-corner-tupelo-junction-cafe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=6020","title":{"rendered":"Cocktail Corner: Tupelo Junction Cafe"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"The<\/a>

The Whistling Dixie at Tupelo Junction Cafe, photo by Leslie Dinaberg<\/p><\/div>\n

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! by\u00a0Leslie Dinaberg<\/a>\u00a0|<\/strong><\/p>\n

You’ll find Southern comfort food in spades at Tupelo Junction Cafe<\/a>, but this reliable old favorite downtown restaurant also has a creative and well-priced cocktail menu (1218 State St., 805\/899-3100).<\/p>\n

This week my tipple of choice was the Whistling Dixie<\/strong>, a smooth concoction of Maker’s Mark Whisky<\/a>, Fresh Squeezed Lemonade and Soda that was just the ticket before a yummy meal of the\u00a0Crispy Fried “Free Range” Chicken with Caramelized Onion Mashed Potatoes, Sauteed Swiss Chard, Sweet Corn & Herbed Pan Gravy. Delicious … and just like Grammy used to make, if my Grandma didn’t specialize in making reservations!<\/p>\n

Tupelo’s specialty martini list has clever home-fried names\u2014which the writer in me approves of\u2014and lip-smacking top shelf potions\u2014which the drinker in me approves of. For example:<\/p>\n

The Kentucky Derby<\/strong>, made with 10 Cane Rum<\/a>, Amaretto, Pineapple, Orange Juice & Cherry.<\/p>\n

The Sweet “Tea”ni<\/strong>, made with Ketel One Citroen<\/a>, Blackberry Sage Iced Tea & Lemonade.<\/p>\n

The Sour Lemon Drop<\/strong>, made with Grey Goose Vodka<\/a>, Fresh Squeezed Lemon & served in a sugar rimmed glass.<\/p>\n

The Pink Flamingo<\/strong>, with Tanqueray Gin<\/a>, fresh squeezed Pink Grapefruit Juice & Soda.<\/p>\n

The Southern Belle<\/strong>, an Absolut Mandarin<\/a> Cosmopolitan with Cranberry and Lime Juice.<\/p>\n

The Rajin’ Cajun<\/strong>, with Absolut Peppar<\/a>, Chipotle Bloody Mary & Pickled Green Beans. This is definitely a brunch time favorite for Bloody Mary fans. Try the\u00a0Wild Mushroom, Asparagus, Black Truffle Cheese Scramble with Baby Green Salad & Homemade Bread\u2014you’ll swear you’ve died and gone to truffle-sniffing heaven!<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Spicy Smoked Chipotle & Crab Bloody Mary<\/strong> also has a lot of brunch time takers.<\/p>\n

And for dessert, try the\u00a0Velvet Elvis<\/strong>, made with Stoli Vanilla<\/a>, Kahlua, Baileys, Banana Liquer & Chocolate. If you really want to “love me tender,” pair this with the\u00a0Chocolate Turtle Beignets with Cr\u00e8me Anglaise & Candied Pecans. Ahhh, such sweet nirvana!<\/p>\n

Happy Hour is also a great time to visit Tupelo Junction Cafe. Every night from 5\u20137 p.m. (they’re closed Mondays) they have selected cocktails for just $6, including\u00a0The Rajin’ Cajun<\/strong> and\u00a0The Southern Belle<\/strong>, as well as a\u00a0Farmer\u2019s Market Blackberry Mojito<\/strong> and a terrific\u00a0Margarita<\/strong> with Fresh Lime, Mint, Cucumber & Tangerines. Selected wines by the glass are only $5 during happy hour, in addition to a whole slew of tasty small plates, including\u00a0Cheddar Cheese Hush Puppies with Spicy Pepper Jam,\u00a0Fried Green Tomatoes with Herb Buttermilk Dressing, and those\u00a0Chocolate Turtle Beignets I was telling you about.<\/p>\n

I’ll definitely be back again soon. Hope to see you…I mean y’all, there.<\/p>\n

Cheers!<\/p>\n

Click here<\/a> for more cocktail corner columns.<\/p>\n

\"Leslie<\/a>

Leslie Dinaberg<\/p><\/div>\n

When she\u2019s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS<\/a>, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a \u201cgoal-oriented drinker.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

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