Extreme Makeover: Home Edition's, Ty Pennington & Mark Cruz at the Atlas Oyster House
The Pensacola Fish House was the site of the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” wrap party hosted by The Fish House Restaurant and Heritage Homes. The Emmy Award-winning reality program wrapped up filming this week. The show selected Finis Gaston’s family in Pensacola as the focus of their makeover show, which is set to air sometime in December. The Fish House Restaurant, part of the Great Southern Restaurant Group, was active in the volunteering and food services for part of the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” episode. The Fish House was initially contacted months ago by Heritage Homes, the builder of the home in this episode, and selected by Heritage Homes as the location for the VIP wrap party and to participate in catering for the party.
MATTHIEU RODRIGUEZ • SPECIAL TO THE NEWS JOURNAL • OCTOBER 6, 2010
The New Zealander prepared by Matthieu Rodriguez of Atlas Oyster House. (Tony Giberson/ tgiberson@pnj.com)
One of our busiest nights at the Atlas Oyster House is Girls’ Night Out on Wednesdays. Actually, we’re pretty busy most nights, but Wednesday is when the magic happens.On Wednesdays, from open to close, we have guests all night. And when a bartender asks, “What would you like to drink,” the popular reply is, “Surprise me!”
When given this response recently, I immediately grabbed a new product: Pinnacle Kiwi Strawberry Vodka.
I know, I know. Kiwi Strawberry Vodka, really? Next thing you know, I’ll be reaching for the cotton candy vodka! (Pinnacle makes that, too. But I digress.)
Vodka is a versatile spirit because it can easily be infused with a variety of flavors and it plays well with other spirits. Its smoothness also appeals to the masses.
So what pairs well with kiwi and strawberry? More fruit, of course. A little peach schnapps. Some pineapple juice (my co-worker Nate’s suggestion). Add some sour mix to temper all that sweetness, and top it off with just a splash of Sprite to give it a bit of effervescence. Taste for balance, and surprise! You’ve got yourself an original New Zealander.
It’s perfect on a hot summer day or a cool fall night, so you won’t be surprised to find it now at the Atlas Oyster House.
Atlas Oyster House, 600 S. Barracks St., Pensacola. 437-1961, or visit www.atlas.goodgrits.com.
We have all seen the show “Say Yes to the Dress” on TLC. Like every girl, before I was engaged I dreamed about my wedding: the perfect dress that I would wear walking down the perfect aisle, in the perfect church, to marry the perfect groom! I have seen too many episodes of that show to admit but one thing I took from all those women in all those shows—I was not going to be one of those brides that listened to everyone from their cousin to their best friend to the future mother. I did not want to sit in a room with my friends and family clouding my thoughts about what I truly wanted in a dress! Everyone knows that when we go to a movie and watch the previews, suddenly we all become professional movie critics, telling the person next to us which movie is a bomb and which one you can’t wait to see. Well, woman in dress shops suddenly become Tim Gunn from “Project Runway” looking you up and down like you are a complete wreck! Well, no sir. That’s not for me!
So there I was in Puerto Rico—total time engaged less than 24 hours—and I looked at my fiancé and said to him I was going to grab us some drinks. As I walked out of the hotel, lo and behold, across the street was a beautiful bridal shop. I thought, “Oh, what the heck! I’ll just go in for a look.” No harm in that, right?
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it’s finally happening. Yours truly, party planner extraordinaire, is taking the blissful dive into matrimony. You are all probably thinking how easy the planning of such an occasion might be for me, considering that is what I do!
Well, friends, if you think that, you would be wrong. Okay, so yes it is easy for me to know who is going to make my cake and who is going to do my flowers. I have seen lots of work done by the amazing women none other than Shannon Pallin from Fiore and Betty Weber who makes the best cakes in town. Catering, of course, will be taken care of by the masterful chefs here at the Fish House (we’re keeping all of the vendor venues local). Sounds like I have a pretty good plan, right?
Well, that isn’t the half of it. From booking the church to picking the wine and music, it can all get very overwhelming. Not saying it can’t be done, but the last thing a bride wants to worry about on her wedding day is whether the DJ shows (more…)
Here at Great Southern Events, your wish is our command. Anything that screams original or extravagant is our style. Recently, we had an event out on the Deck Bar that might have just topped the originality chart for rehearsal dinners.
I had never heard of a luau rehearsal dinner, but soon found out that it’s a wedding rehearsal dinner, Hawaiian style. And this one pulled out all the stops. When the planning stages of the luau began, intimidation continued to creep up on me. The father of the groom was the coordination king of the luau. Actually, come to think of it, he was more like the coordination drill sergeant for the luau; reminded me of a parent that you can’t “disappoint.” As the planning continued, the magnitude of the event grew and grew. (more…)
Just in time for Mother’s Day: Meet our neighbor, Jewelers Trade Shop!
Jewelers Trade Shop is located in historic downtown Pensacola. We have been providing the finest quality in designer and handcrafted jewelry for over 50 years.
Our selection of bridal jewelry includes Hearts on Fire, Tacori, Ritani, JB Star, Scott Kay, Gottlieb and Sons, and A. Jaffe. We showcase men’s and women’s watches from Tag Heuer, Tissot, and Seiko, David Yurman, and Montblanc. We specialize in custom jewelry designs and Conch Pearl Jewelry. Stop by for a consultation with one of our jewelry experts, and let us help you choose the right jewelry for your occasion. (more…)
My father had a business when I was growing up. I used to work for him after school and in the summers. On Friday afternoons, I would tag along with him and the rest of my coworkers after work to a bar across the street from the office.
I wasn’t old enough to drink, and most of my friends thought it would be boring, but it was my favorite thing to do — because at happy hour, I learned the most. This weekly ritual seemed so magical to me. I knew how difficult the week had been, the deadlines and meetings with clients, but at happy hour, all of that turmoil seemed to disappear. My father and his friends would tell stories and jokes about the week and about each other. Clients and potential clients would show up to seek advice or to just join in on the fun. After awhile, I realized this wasn’t just a few people drinking after work; this was when a lot of the important business really got accomplished. Deals were made, alliances formed, and conflicts resolved. (more…)
We have all seen the show “Say Yes to the Dress” on TLC. Like every girl, before I was engaged I dreamed about my wedding: the perfect dress that I would wear walking down the perfect aisle, in the perfect church, to marry the perfect groom! I have seen too many episodes of that show to admit but one thing I took from all those women in all those shows—I was not going to be one of those brides that listened to everyone from their cousin to their best friend to the future mother. I did not want to sit in a room with my friends and family clouding my thoughts about what I truly wanted in a dress! Everyone knows that when we go to a movie and watch the previews, suddenly we all become professional movie critics, telling the person next to us which movie is a bomb and which one you can’t wait to see. Well, woman in dress shops suddenly become Tim Gunn from “Project Runway” looking you up and down like you are a complete wreck! Well, no sir. That’s not for me!
Here at Great Southern Events, your wish is our command. Anything that screams original or extravagant is our style. Recently, we had an event out on the Deck Bar that might have just topped the originality chart for rehearsal dinners.
