Thursday, May 28, 2009

Dining Spotlight: Scottsboro - The Blue Willow

This post was contributed by Leigh, who blogs at Tales from Bloggeritaville , Plates and Places , as well as Photographic Memories .

I was in Scottsboro, Alabama this past weekend visiting family members in the area. For lunch, my cousin Beckie took my mother and I to eat at the Blue Willow.

The Blue Willow is actually a house converted into a "tea room" of sorts. The home was built as a Victorian style in 1890 by Mr. J.D. Snodgrass, for his wife Hattie May Brown, and they lived in the home until their deaths.

The Blue Willow Restaurant, as it is today, is a truly eclectic mix of styles and tastes . There are many rooms in which to dine, and on the walls are artwork and antiques for sale. You can literally shop the walls while you eat. But the eating at the Blue Willow was certainly the best part. The menu offered a variety of dishes, including sandwiches, cheeseburgers and specialty salads. My mother, cousin Beckie and I opted for the Blue Willow Sampler, despite the 100 places brochures recommendation of Sweet Tomatoe Pie .

While waiting for our plates to be prepared, we shopped the wall art and had a fun time as our eyes wandered the room as well as the yard outside the window, which was also full of items for sale. The Blue Willow carries unusual gifts, including hand painted Russian jewelry and nesting eggs, as well as painting and crafts by local artist, antiques and much, much, MUCH more.

The waitress brought our sweet tea as well as a basket full of fresh yeast rolls and the restaurant specialty "world famous" bourbon butter. The rolls were warm and as I spread the bourbon butter it melted instantly. The bourbon butter made the rolls. It was not what I had expected to taste~ a shot of bourbon, I never detected, but instead was sweet and had a distinct and wonderful flavor.

Our meals arrived in a timely manner. The Sampler had generous portions of the Willows fresh homemade chicken salad and was also served with pasta salad, congealed pretzel salad, fresh fruit and two little mini carrot or spice cake muffins. It was alot to eat.

The pasta salad was a tri-colored mix of pasta in a creamy Italian and honey mustard dressing with black olives and smaller vegetables throughout. The chicken salad was fresh, and actually even more than what appears on the plate. The fruit was fresh and contained grapes, strawberries, pineapple, watermelon and kiwi. If you order the sampler, my recommendation would be to save the pretzel salad for last. It will serve as a dessert. It was perfect and delicious, with a crisp pretzel bottom layer and a sweet cream cheese layer followed by cherry jello. It was my favorite of all the sampler.

I want to make mention that the owner told of some pork loins that would be served for the nightly menu. He said it was a specialty and that it would be worth the trip back. Lunch and Supper is served at the Willow. Call for hours.

The Blue Willow is a place you will want to return to for a delicious meal with friends.

The Blue Willow
303 East Willow Street
Scottsboro, AL. 35768
(256) 259-3462

Hours: Thurs-Sunday 11-2 Fri & Sat nights 6-8:30
The Blue Willow Caters and Delivers

*Leigh is a full time mother, a part time photographer and writer. Her photography and written work is featured in several professional business and local publications. She owns her own photography business, Photographic Memories. Leigh resides in the Alabama with her three children and husband "Big Daddy". You can read more of Leigh's daily adventures by visiting any of her three blogs: Tales from Bloggeritaville , Plates and Places , as well as Photographic Memories

If you would like to contribute to Alabama Bloggers about any subject, please email me! I would love to have your contributions, whether original or pre-published on your blog.

9 comments:

MamaHen said...

Oh, that sounds good. I love sampler plates. Mark always jokes with me because when we were dating I would always get the sampler platter-no matter where we went!

Christen said...

That place sounds just like the Chocolate Biscuit Tea Room in Trussville that I commented about on the places to eat in Alabama post. It makes me want to go there now!

Trina said...

That does look like what you would get at the Chocolate Biscuit! I haven't been there in about 2 years. Their chicken salad and pasta salad is so good!

Dirt Princess said...

Hi I would like to be added to the ALabama Bloggers please ma'am. I don't have outlook, so I can't email you that way.

Thanks...

Dirt Princess from Mobile

Chandy said...

If Leigh says it's good, it must be. Love that blogger!

I hope to be able to try it one day...

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Hi, Leigh, glad you found your way over here. I've always wanted to go to Scottsboro & shop that that place.

j said...

Hallelujah! FINALLY I am able to comment on your blog. MY WORD but my computer is being a booger.

First of all, Leigh is fabulous and an awesome choice for a guest blogger. Love her! Love her blog! Love her post on this blog!
I will read whatever she writes.

I read your post about "I lovee Poop" (too cute) and wanted to comment but like I said, my ornery computer wouldn't let me.

I really like the Alabama Bloggers blog and I think a best post of the week is a great idea!

Have a wonderful weekend.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Three Friends and a Fork said...

The Blue Willow owners sold a few years back. Now we have The Magnolia House in the same location and just as good, if not better. Come visit and visit some of our other uniquely Scottsboro businesses and attractions.

http://threefriendsandafork.blogspot.com/2014/06/scottsboro-is-hidden-gem-yall.html

If you haven't linked up and introduced yourself yet, be sure to go here to do so!