You are single. It is your birthright – at this point in your life – to be fairly footloose, able to travel on a moment’s notice and without a work agenda. But in this economy, who is really able to be frivolous?

You are.

Springtime in Manhattan is legendary. It is a time of gentle rains mixed with emerging sun, blooms, walks in the park, bright lights, city sounds and…

…you, you, you.

New York is shopping, Broadway, cocktails, tours, and whatever else you want it to be. Manhattan can be all about you. Take a friend or make a new one. Go ahead. We give you permission to be selfish in the eyes of your married friends. You know they’re just jealous.

To facilitate your “All About Me” weekend, consider Hilton’s Times Square Entertainment Package. You will save money through the package discounts to several major New York City attractions and restaurants, it includes an overnight stay, and the saved cash makes more of that shopping for yourself entirely possible.

For more information visit hiltonfamily.com/entertainment or call 1-800-HILTONS and mention plan code LJ or LJ1.

Maintaining an ecologically aware life style at home is one thing, but on the road it can be about as easy as finding a Waffle House waitress who hasn’t dallied with a certain professional golfer.

But with LEED-certified design and green materials used in the building’s renovation, guests at the Hotel Palomar Philadelphia can be assured that they are spared the inevitable outgassing from carpets, furniture, and paints. The entire building is smoke-free.

Located at 17^th and Sansom streets in Philadelphia’s tony Rittenhouse Square neighborhood, the Hotel Palomar – managed under the Kimpton Hotels umbrella – is part of a new breed of high-end and green-minded boutique hotels is springing up around the country.

The location – as well as the Palomar’s guest rooms and public spaces – speak to the luxury expected by the demanding 21^st century traveler. Art Deco elements were already a part of the 24-story building’s original design, and architects added layers of rich elments reflecting everything from Mediterranean warmth to Arts-and-Crafts detail.

Each of the 230 guest rooms serves as an oasis of comfort in the heart of a city that, once considered on the rise, has now officially risen. At 385 square feet, the Spa King Room allows plenty of space to move around, as well as an expansive Fuji soaking tub and spa-style stand-up shower. Each room comes equipped with an iHome mp3 player docking station allowing guests to bring their music with them.

Also welcome at the Hotel Palomar are pets, making this new eco-edition to the Northeastern hospitality scene a comfortable spot for animals and their human friends.

For more information, go to www.hotelpalomar-philadelphia.com.

If you are watching The Bachelor and becoming lonely for a little escape of your own – whether you have a significant other or are totally single – pack your suitcases for a much needed getaway. Retreat to lush, tropical St. Lucia, just as the Bachelor Jake and his rose ceremony survivors did for taping of some of this season’s episodes. We will not make you admit that you watch that cliché-laden show of desperation for marriage, but you really must admit that St. Lucia looks pretty darn sexy in its role.

What may not be initially sexy to a shy single adventurer is that the government of St. Lucia proudly purports that 36% of its tourism is based upon weddings or honeymooners. Knowing that is half the battle. Everywhere you turn, people will be very much in love and very happy to seemingly flaunt it. Just convince your platonic best friend to board the plane with you and get over it.

What you will find upon arrival is that this 27 mile long, 14 mile wide island neighbor to Martinique has so much to offer that you may not even consider the opposite sex while visiting. Yes, there is always that possibility that your lovely bikini-clad fellow tourists or men in surf shorts will not catch your eye, as you sun yourself and read a great novel or sip a tropical beverage at a poolside bar. And ladies, we do not believe for a moment that the incredibly gentlemanly demeanor of the local men – French, West Indian, British specimens of impeccable muscle tone – will cause you to consider having your own Waiting to Exhale island experience, either.

With the exception of the most developed area of the island surrounding its capital city of Castries, St. Lucia is a primarily ecologically untouched gem of the Caribbean. It is largely mountainous, very lush with tropical foliage and colors, and home to so many recreational options that boredom will not be an issue. With diving, horseback riding, hiking through the rain forest, sailing, deep sea fishing, and a multitude of other activities to choose from, the biggest obstacle will likely be that of convincing your travel partner to do what you want to do, first.

A great option to a flashy mega-resort  packed with crowds is the boutique all-inclusive Calabash Cove Resort & Spa. North of the capital and situated on the private Bonaire Bay with northern views of Martinique, Calabash Cove provides greater elbow room for decompression from work stresses and daily life, mixed with a full menu of spa treatments, a fitness center, lush gardens for exploring, a designer infinity pool overlooking the bay, and a renowned restaurant.

Whether mingling or enjoying a drink alone while you take in the breathtaking scenery is your style, the Calabash Cove C Bar offers a daily happy hour of piano music and libations as the sun settles for the evening. In what we consider a very wise marketing move, the C Bar named the event the “Blue Hour” (we will pretend it was named for us).

Rooms at the Calabash Cove Resort consist of only 26 suites, all with Jacuzzis and some with private pools. Nine of the 26 are sunset-view mahogany cottages featuring plunge pools, hammocks, outdoor showers, and breathtaking seascapes over the bay.

Regardless of where you stay while visiting St. Lucia, do not let The Bachelor or romance-oriented marketing deter a visit. This little jewel of the sea offers so much eco-oriented beauty and activity that you will soon stop noticing the lovebirds at dinner tables surrounding yours. Remember that 64% of travelers to the island are not on their honeymoon or getting married, and as long as the 36% who are stay close to the resort to do what honeymooners do, there is more room for you to enjoy all of the activities St. Lucia has to offer.

Calabash Cove & Resort’s website is located at CalabashCove.com.

Below are Magazine BLU’s favorite places of contemplation, those promising plenty of opportunities for exploration and re-energizing. In these places you can find peace and the answers sought, if you simply breathe the air in deeply and listen to the quiet:

1. Pt. Reyes National Seashore, California – Television commercials tout the “happy cows of California.” We found them. Drive the lush green hills of Pt. Reyes amongst those cows and baying elk, as well as foxes, bobcats, mountain lions, porcupine and jackrabbits. Walk the gorgeous beaches of plunging cliffs and roaring waves to visually interact with whales, fur seals, sea lions, dolphin, and elephant seals. Venture to the lighthouse of 1870, walk the quiet cemeteries of seamen, explore the culture of indigenous peoples, or simply sit on the sand and breathe the salt air. Truly one of the most magnificent places on the U.S. coasts.
   

   Scenic view of one of the beaches of Pt. Reyes, California.

2. Highways of Colorado and Southeast Utah – For a trip of many colors, altitudes, cultures and seasons all at once, either embark by car from Denver, Grand Junction or Salt Lake City. Plan a looping route including Interstate 70 through Colorado from Denver to Grand Junction, down into Moab and Arches National Park, through your choice of Canyonlands, Glen Canyon, Natural Bridges, and Rainbow Bridge parks, then head into Colorado at or near Four Corners and literally stand in four states at once. Get a culture fix at the peaceful, undeveloped park of Hovenweep, where you can explore Puebloan-era prehistoric villages. Make your way to Great Sand Dunes National Park for an odd oasis of sand, water, and biological habitat in a place you just wouldn’t expect. From there, venture through Southern Colorado on any highway of choice and enjoy more of the Rockies at a slow pace.
   

   Rainbow over the desert of Southeastern Utah.

   

   Aspen grove along the Utah-Colorado border.

3. Nebraska – Yes, Nebraska. Not generally thought of as a tourist attraction, Nebraska makes this list precisely because of that lack of consideration. You never know what you will find there, as we discovered when tornadoes followed us down one highway in between scheduled stops and elk crowded around us only hours later. This is Middle America, the Great Plains. Weather and seasons vary from the goldest of golds to the whitest of whites, providing an easy illustration of the state’s underlying drama and potential for discovery. Visit the Agate Fossil Beds, Scotts Bluff, the Niobrara National Scenic River, or the Homestead National Monument. Just off Interstate 80 and the Highway 26 – the Western Trails Historic and Scenic Byway – you can camp solo on the shores of Lake CW McConaughy feeling secure and at one with Nature on the shoreline with the morning bringing a hot shower and some primping time, courtesy the lake’s park facilities.
   

   Elk Herd in Nebraska.

4. Yellowstone (off season) – Not enough can be said about Yellowstone, particularly when visited slightly off-season when the crowds are gone but inclement weather has yet to take over. Truly one of the greatest examples of National Parks, Yellowstone provides so much opportunity for even the biggest greenhorns to convene with Nature without straying too far from the car – if at all. Our favorite starting point is from Salt Lake City, driving Interstate 80 – perhaps stopping for some Park City lunch and exploration or shopping there – to Rock Springs, then up to Jackson and the Grand Tetons. Take in the sights and energy of Harrison Ford’s Jackson Hole and enter Yellowstone through the Highway 191 gate. That highway will take you through to Idaho for a return to Salt Lake City, or you can venture deeper into Wyoming or Montana.
   

   Yellowstone, Wyoming.

5. Valley Forge – The East Coast is a hectic place. But Valley Forge, the encampment site of the Continental Army and thus a major hub for the beginnings of our country, offers a great peace and silence in the middle of so much modernity. Beautiful statues, historic cabins, and rolling fields enable quiet reflection upon the odds old George and his men were up against and are a natural setting for accumulation of strength against your own obstacles. Take your bike, running shoes, or roller blades to get the most out of the park. A great benefit of Valley Forge is its close proximity to the cities of Philadelphia and New York, so bright lights and the trappings of humanity are only a simple drive away.
   

   Roadway through Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

   

   Cannon lined up on a battlefield of Valley Forge.

6. The Yukon via the Alaska Highway – Canadian provinces, Alaska and the Alaska Highway are so laden with opportunities for isolation and introspection that they require more than a mere mention. However, one of the most striking places in the north has to be the Yukon. This is a difficult drive, often upon loose gravel. We blew three tires traversing this roadway – and that is two more tires than the typical car tends to have as “spare” -  so really consider whether this is a route to be driven entirely alone. There was a period of two days during which we ran across only three or four other cars far into the Yukon, so waiting for someone else to come to your aid is likely not a good Plan B. A smart, witty buddy makes this trip better, as does a padded wallet of cash in the event your tires must be special ordered from another country, too. When driving the Alaska Highway, starting in Seattle and heading through Vancouver is a fantastic kickoff if you are up for the added hours.  Regardless of how you get to the Yukon, try to do so during the season change into fall (late August to early September) and factor in those days of going only 20 or 30 miles per hour for miles upon end, in the event of road construction. Upon arrival the turquoise glacial streams, snow capped mountains, golden leaves, and crisp air will usher you in with open arms.
   

   Fall season colors of the Yukon, Canada.

7. Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains – Idaho is second only to Alaska in terms of easy access to wilderness. There is so much wilderness, in fact, that we learned to follow the basic rules of leaving a trail of information in the event someone needs to find you, as well as to keep the gas tank as close to full as possible. Try to stay away from the touristy spots and get into the mountains. You will find magnificent colors, crystalline streams, natural hot springs, and the occasional Mom and Pop diner or grocery for great picnic fodder. We rounded one corner on the dirt and gravel roads deep in the Sawtooths and happened upon no less than a dozen nude men – presumably hunters or fishermen – smoking cigars and “hot tubbing” in a spring. Whatever happens in the Sawtooths stays in the Sawtooths.
   

   Stillwater pond in a mountainous cove of the Sawtooths, Idaho.

8. Montana – A river does run through it. In fact, so many do that this is the greatest place to learn fly fishing or perfect your craft. Here, movement is all about the 10 o’clock-2 o’clock swishing of the fly rod and the science of which flies suit each river and time of day. Even for a novice fisherman or one raised with cane poles and bobbers, Montana is Heaven. One of the most interesting drives between fishing trips or mountain treks is that of the Garnet Ghost Town. Garnet – a gold mining boom town from the 1860′s – exists just as it did as the last residents left in the early 20^th century, primarily after a town fire of 1912. From December to April you can rent a Garnet cabin furnished to period authenticity. Because the road is gravel and off the beaten path, Garnet is a wonderful day-long side trip whether you are exploring Butte or Missoula.
   

   Garnet Ghost Town near Missoula, Montana.

All photos Copyright 2010 Kimberly Toms and Nola Blue Media. Photography by KToms.

By Gillian Benary | As a true San Franciscan, I cannot fully enjoy the pleasures of the city without a fabulous cocktail in hand, one crafted with an artisan’s attention to detail, and composed of premium spirits and local, gourmet ingredients, of course.  Perhaps the most intriguing cocktails in the city are hiding deep within the Tenderloin District, at Bourbon & Branch, a bar so inconspicuously located at 501 Jones Street that you could be standing right in front of it without realizing.  The cryptic sign out front reads, Anti-Saloon League, and after uttering the secret password through the stereotypical speakeasy slot (announcing yourself as having a reservation – hint, hint), the heavy wooden door creaks open to reveal burgundy, velvet-flocked wallpaper, the din of jazz and warm chatter, and grinning bartenders with metal shakers in hand.

The mixologists at this speakeasy take their cocktails seriously, making a visit to this gem of a watering hole an enlightening, as well as intoxicatingly historic, experience.  Bourbon & Branch staff are well-versed in the differences between barrel-aged bourbon, Tennessee whiskey, and Scotch whisky, and you will grow more trusting by the moment as you peruse the extensive menu of fine whiskeys, vodkas, and tequilas.  Also highly recommended is their menu of classic cocktails drawn from the annals (and flasks) of American History with curatorial care.

Once the nightly Amuse Bouche arrives, it will surely whet your whistle for a signature concoction. Standouts include the Democrat (bourbon, honey, peach liqueur, and lemon, in homage to Harry S. Truman), or the Claremont Affair, of pear-infused rye whiskey, Amaro Nonino, bitters and clove essence, telling the story of a doomed romance, from the sweet beginning to the bitter end.  San Francisco embraces the revival of classic cocktails, and Bourbon & Branch fully deliver in that reawakening.

By Gillian Benary | Due to competitive nurturing and the quality excesses of Nature, San Franciscans demand only the most delicious food and above-par, tantalizing cocktails. But, even more distinguishable could be the environment and scenery, to be savored with as much gusto as any edible delicacy.

For anyone wishing to combine top-notch cuisine with breathtaking views, a visit to Epic Roasthouse at 369 The Embarcadero is in order.  Epic is the brainchild of industry veterans Pat Kuleto and Jan Birnbaum, a duo who excel at taking inspiration from the classics, and adding a San Franciscan twist.

Epic’s space is richly textured and inviting, and elements of the industrial-cozy decor originate from the saltwater pumping stations used to combat the Great Fire that set San Francisco ablaze in 1906.  The interior is just grand enough to hold its own against its sweeping view of the Bay available through the restaurant’s enormous windows.

While Epic is open nightly for dinner, highly enjoyable is their weekend brunch, when the Epic Bloody Mary (with house made pickled vegetables and a lavender sea salt rim) and a magnificent view of a sun-kissed Embarcadero are all the hangover cure an explorer could require.  The wine list is also fantastic, extensive, and thoughtfully composed.  Diverse offerings include hand-picked “rising stars” of the wine world, from Australia to Slovenia and right back to Sonoma, as well as vintners who double as surfers, skateboarders, and poets.

Epic’s menu itself is concise and confident, with several standout offerings, such as Beef Tartare with a Raw Quail Egg or the Epic Prime Rib, Wood Oven Roasted Liberty Duck Breast, Seared Day Boat Scallops with Oxtail Ravioli, Duck Confit Salad, and sumptuous late summer Heirloom tomatoes with the most divine house made mozzarella cheese.

But, according to locals and critics alike, it’s the House Burger which is truly, well, Epic.  Recognized by many as the best in the city, the burger, comprised almost entirely of filet mignon, with ribeye and lamb added for flavor and richness, arrives open-faced.  Accompanied by freshly fried, golden, basket-weave potato chips, a wedge of bright fuchsia grilled onion, crisp lettuce, ruby-red tomatoes, and vibrant chartreuse pickles, it comprises a marriage of colors and flavors that will not be easily annulled.  The burger is presented with a flight of homemade garnishes, including house mustard, pickled mushrooms, and sweet corn relish.  It all makes for a meal so delectable that it would tempt even the most disciplined of vegetarians.

Poleng Lounge:  A favorite night spot for Western Addition dwellers, this restaurant/tea lounge/bar (1751 Fulton St) has a low-key (read: unannoying), clubby atmosphere.  Check their website (www.polenglounge.com) to see what events or DJs might be there that evening, or just come to enjoy some delicate cocktails and split a few plates off their innovative pan-Asian menu.  My favorites are La NOPA Ninja (a complex and memorable blend of Herradura tequila, lime, cilantro, green tea and a dash of chili), as well as the Walu Butterfish Kinilaw, a ceviche-like dish of raw Hawaiian butterfish served in a mellow but flavorful blend of coconut milk, sugarcane vinegar and thai chiles.  Yum.

Uva Enoteca:  Located at 568 Haight Street in Lower Haight, Uva (the Italian word for grape) offers the best of locally crafted meats and cheeses, as well as antipasti, gourmet pizzas, and panini. Select Italian wines are served quartino-style, richly heightening the overall experience of Italian bistro authenticity, as initially imposed by the dark woods, exposed brick walls and marble countertops of this warm, inviting space. Ensure you finish and cleanse your palate with one of Uva Enoteca’s locally-created gelatos! You won’t need reservations, unless your group is larger than four.

Beretta:  If you crave Italian “comfort food” with the colorful flair of locally-sourced ingredients, but need organic, vegan or vegetarian selections for someone in your group, Beretta will satisfy all. Located in the Mission District at 1199 Valencia, dinner is served from 5:30 p.m. until 1:00 a.m.! Food is not all you will want to indulge in, as their cocktail list offers beautifully mixed selections for any discerning soul.

Ducca:  Located at 50 Third Street in the heart of downtown, Ducca (pictured below) bills itself as offering “timeless Northern Italian favorites with a modern California influence.” That is exactly what it delivers, in addition to the richness of Venetian-style dining, whether in the warmly appointed dining room, or al fresco on the terrace (complete with a fire pit for cooler evenings). Ducca offers breakfast, lunch and dinner hours, as well as cocktails until 12:30 a.m.

Tangerine:  If a brighter, pristinely white atmosphere and Pacific Rim cuisine with a California interpretation is more enticing at the moment, Tangerine will leave you well satisfied.  Locals rave about their brunch, dinner menu, and sake and soju-based cocktail creations. With its location in the colorful Castro neighborhood at 16th and Sanchez (3499 16th), you can easily combine food and drink at Tangerine with a stop at the legendary and historic Castro Theatre, for films such as Breakfast at Tiffany’s, To Have and Have Not, Touch of Evil, and even sing-along viewings of classics such as The Sound of Music.

Upon walking into Scoma’s, the circa-1965 seafood landmark on Pier 47 in San Francisco, one immediately notes the dated interior of post-Kennedy restaurant décor. The combination of medium and dark woods, red vinyl buffet chairs and general architectural flow-through is reminiscent of lounges and coffee shops of the pre-Aquarian age. You almost expect the Rat Pack to saunter through, on their way to some off-bar, private, smoke-filled room, to enjoy surf and turf, martinis, and perhaps a little Marilyn.

Look beyond the initially obvious. Note the view from your table (albeit very close to your neighboring tables), through large, single-pane glass windows. What you see beyond the structure’s walls is the San Francisco you either traveled so far to visit, or the one that keeps you there as “home.” Bringing yourself back from the panorama of water, small yachts, sailboats, and skyline, settle in and ready yourself for succulent seafood, local vegetables, fresh mozzarella and Painted Hills natural beef. This is food that will make you forget the less-than sumptuous ambiance.

Once a coffee shop on Fisherman’s Wharf, Scoma’s was reincarnated after purchase by Al and Joe Scoma. This view, this position on the pier and water, this real estate should never have been for mere coffee, sandwiches and donuts. The location was prime for creation of a great San Francisco culinary tradition that is a 350-seat restaurant, serving about half a million diners each year. Armed with their mother’s recipe collection, the brothers’ vision became reality and is now one of the highest volume independent restaurants in the United States.

As seafood is off-loaded directly from fishing boats every morning from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., the public can watch the beginnings of daily fresh catch preparation, at the restaurant’s Fish Receiving Station. Scoma’s cutters inspect the seafood to ensure top quality, then fillet, trim and prepare each fish for the journey to oven and plate.

Just how much fish does an authentic fresh-catch restaurant of Scoma’s caliber utilize? Well, according to Purchasing Director Kelly Bennett, 500 pounds of crab, 50 pounds of salmon, 70 pounds of clams, 85 pounds of scallops, 50 pounds of shrimp, 40 pounds of Ahi tuna, and 100 pounds each of prawns, calamari, and swordfish are fed to guests each day! All of that, plus 175 loaves of San Franciscan sourdough bread, hit white-tablecloth dining tables for lunch and dinner before each night’s closing.

Scoma's Executive Chef Steve Scarabosio has worked the renowned restaurant's kitchen and cuisine for 24 years.

Steve Scarabosio has been the Executive Chef for almost 7 years. He started as a line cook in the Scoma’s kitchen in 1984, after graduation from the Hotel and Restaurant Program at San Francisco’s City College. Truly working his way up from the lower position, Steve learned each line position as he acclimated to maintaining the Scoma family vision, all the while infusing the traditions of his own cooking heritage. Soon, he was promoted to Sous Chef, then Executive Sous Chef. Finally, in 2002, Steve took the helm.

We started our journey into the menu with a sampling of several appetizers. Fried Oysters with Wasabi Aioli, Calamari Fritti, and Mini Crabcakes were very pleasantly presented – and even more so – very pleasantly ingested. To counterbalance the fried seafood starters, Scarabosio served a Caprese Salad with tomatoes grown in his own garden, and a “Black and Blue” Ahi  (spice crusted and seared rare) with a hydroponic Watercress Salad.

For the main course, house-made Lobster Ravioli in a Lemon and Saffron Cream Sauce with spinach and fresh tomatoes was served, along with Swordfish Piccata. Improvements simply could not be made.

For dessert (and you must leave room), a wide selection of decadence is available, courtesy a sampling of delightful sweet-tooth fare. But, you must have the house specialty, a Tiramisu that Chef Scarabosio developed from an original Italian recipe passed through the generations of his family. Served in a coffee cup with a chocolate spoon, it wonderfully closes a meal fit for locals hungry for the fresh catch, or out-of-towners seeking a landmark San Franciscan culinary experience.

Scoma’s is located at the west end of Fisherman’s Wharf at Pier 47, on Al Scoma Way. Complimentary valet parking is available, subject to availability. You may view the menu at www.scomas.com.

Raintree Seafood & Steakhouse
Raintree is not only our favorite restaurant in St. Augustine, but is one dreamed of fondly, due primarily to their succulent seafood and wonderfully decadent Bananas Foster Crepe dessert. Of course, dinner comes before dessert and you will not be disappointed there. Dress is dinner casual, which suits the overall vibe of St. Augustine very well. Shuttle service is available to and from most area hotels, but the distance is walkable from most locations in town. 102 San Marco Avenue, St. Augustine, FL 32084; 904.824.7211; www.raintreerestaurant.com.

Raintree Restaurant cuisine (above photos).

Opus 39 Restaurant & Food Gallery
Opus 39 is a second “requirement” when in St. Augustine. Their menus are planned daily with such attention to detail, and the wine selection is absolutely superb! This five- to six-course dinner extravaganza is enjoyable in and of itself, but the quarterly art showing throughout the dining space is food for the creative part of your soul. 39 Cordova Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084; 904.824.0402.

Casa Monica’s 95 Cordova Restaurant and cuisine
(above and below photos).

95 Cordova at the Casa Monica Hotel
95 Cordova features New World Eclectic Cuisine, fusing American, Middle Eastern and Asian flavors. Top shelf martinis and other beverages compliment the extensive, seasonal menu that is enjoyed in richly extravagant surroundings, including deep colors and 24 karat gold accents. 95 Cordova Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084; 904.827.1888; www.casamonica.com.

Culpepper Steakhouse of Dallas Serves More Than Just Beef
Photographs By Mark Margraff

You know, cowboys don’t eat just beef. Yes, they know beef – and a great steak, at that – better than most anyone. But, what else can be considered authentic cowboy cuisine? We have the answer, in the form of upscale yet finger-lickin’ fare of Culpepper Steak House of Rockwall, Texas .

We called late in the dinner hour, at about 8:30 p.m. It was a Monday night and the restaurant business is historically quietest on Monday nights in “these here parts.” I meekly asked if we could bring in a large party for an impromptu party at about 9:00 p.m. Manager Joel Johnson’s answer was a confident, kind, “Yes, of course!”

I hadn’t yet told him we wanted to review the cuisine of Chef Chad Bowden. I thought I would be subtle and appreciative of their last-minute kindness, without adding any additional stress.

We settled into our table after meandering through Culpepper’s renowned, eclectic mix of “ranchana” and collectibles from miles around, including several taxidermic masterpieces such as an African lion. It is the kind of place you want to explore, as you wait for your appetizers to arrive. Giant stone fireplaces provide both warmth and ambience, while animal rugs and an abundance of wood and brass are cozy themes. Yes, you can immediately tell from your surroundings that you are in Texas.

We were a fairly large group, so collectively we decided to test the kitchen by ordering as much from the menu as we could. Well, in reality, we were just hungry and wanting our first authentic local meal, outside of the fast food we had to order throughout our three-day fashion shoot. So, order we did.

The “Starters” menu includes: An Iced Seafood Platter of lobster medallions, prawns, smoked scallops, New England oysters and king crab; Saffron Black Mussels served with a toasted torn baguette, carrots, celery, onions, and saffron broth; An Artisan Cheese Platter of imported and domestic daily selections; Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail with a cracked pepper cocktail sauce; Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes under a crawfish etouffé sauce; Breaded Texas Torpedoes, Poblano Strips and Onion Rings, served with Habanero sour cream and garlic ranch sauce; then, the Flash Fry Calamari Steak served with mango Thai chili sauce. Of these, we collectively opted for Saffron Black Mussels, Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes and, of course, the Breaded Texas Torpedoes, Poblano Strips and Onion Rings.

Top Left: Saffron Black Mussels; Bottom Left: Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes topped with crawfish etouffe and Caprese Salad; Bottom Right: Breaded Texas Torpedoes, Poblano Strips and Onion Rings.

The Saffron Black Mussels were the standout favorite of our table, both in presentation and flavor. We actually counted the number on the platter and equally delved them out to those wanting to taste, as who wants to start a steak house brawl over mussels on a Monday night, right? Muscles in a bar on a Friday, perhaps, but that is another story. There was one lone mussel that had refused to open, served on the platter. Knowing what could be in store for a diner silly enough to challenge Fate and pry the holdout open to eat it, we all refrained. Also considering the exceptional flavor of the others on the platter, as well as the late hour, we certainly didn’t find the oversight reason for complaint. Overall, the Saffron Black Mussels will be a reorder, if our little group ventures into Culpepper again.

Second on our Starter preference list is the Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes. Now, these crab cakes are not what one would consider “pretty.” But, what they lacked in presentation, they made up for when eaten. The crawfish etouffé was exactly as it should be and a delightful topper for the hearty crab. There was distinct separation of the delicate, light cake flavors from the etouffé upon your palate, yet they married well in a concise union.

Finally, the Texas Torpedoes platter was typical of a Lone Star State presentation. Basically, you cannot go to a steak house down here without expectation of some sort of stuffed jalapeno, fried appetizer or onion ring. They delivered, true to the cliché and yet presented in a more enticing and artful manner than the typical “piling” on a round platter or in a paper-lined straw basket. If in Texas , you must have a stuffed pepper or two. It is the law.

Kudos to me for bringing my newfound Yankee taste buds back home to the South on this trip, as I was actually able to spread some nuggets of knowledge a few of the non-Northeasterners on the trip had apparently not yet acquired in their dining notebooks. Who knew that Tomato Caprese Salad was not staple fare south of the Mason Dixon? Well, I knew it is not as common down yonder, so I ordered it as part of our Salads selection for the next course. My first twenty-four years were as a Southerner, so I did not learn of the delight known as a “Caprese” until I hit Philadelphia in my mid-thirties.

Imagine my excitement when the Caprese arrived, with giant red tomatoes alternating with gorgeous, memory-laden light green tomatoes I grew up eating fried and peppered! And yes, the mozzarella was authentic, fresh and the likes of which I had never known until dating an Italian American decades after leaving Texas . Topped with aged balsamic vinegar, oil and fresh basil, Mamma Mia would be proud.

Others in the group ordered common House Salads, consisting of baby field greens, marinated cherry tomatoes, onions, candied Texas pecans and honey-lemon vinaigrette. Options from Soups & Salads fare included Homemade Soup of the Day; the Award Winning! Caesar Salad with sourdough croutons and Grana parmesan; The Iceberg Wedge of tomatoes, buttermilk blue cheese, egg, and apple-smoked bacon; and the Baby Spinach Salad of fresh figs, goat cheese, pancetta, and white balsamic vinaigrette.

When ordering our main course, we had all decided to overlook beef. It was very difficult, though, with choices such as the Mesquite Wood-Grilled Steaks & Chops with aged Prime and Premium Gold Angus, served with roasted garlic smashed potatoes; a 16-ounce Prime New York Strip; 24-ounce T-Bone; Filet Mignon in both 8 and 12-ounces; a 14-ounce Ribeye; 10-ounce Flat Iron; or pork favorite Natural Cut Pork Chops in honey tamarind sauce. In that we opted against these, we were not qualified to add surf to our turf, including the 12-ounce Butter Poached Australian Lobster Tail or local legend 6-ounce Chicken Fried Lobster Tail. Yes, folks…Chicken Fried Lobster Tail.

Other house features, and selections awaiting us, were the Cedar-Smoked Cedar Plank King Salmon, Chilean Sea Bass, Chicken Fried Lobster Tail & Chipotle Glazed Quail, Roasted Duck Breast, Smoked Baby Back Ribs, Grilled Texas Shrimp, Mesquite Grilled Texas Quail, Culpepper Chicken & Half Grilled Lobster Tail, Baked Grouper en Papillote, and Garden Rigatoni Pasta. We opted for Grilled Texas Shrimp, Mesquite Grilled Texas Quail, Chilean Sea Bass, Culpepper Chicken & Half Grilled Lobster Tail.

We ventured forward. Although, at this point and with as little stomach capacity as we had left to spare following the delightful first two courses, I doubt most real cowboys would even have the ability to continue eating!

Top Left: Grilled Texas Shrimp with homemade cornbread wedges, black bean sauce and Pico de Gallo; Top Right: Chilean Sea Bass atop pine nut risotto with a jalapeno beurre blanc sauce. Bottom Left: Mesquite Grilled Texas Quail with orange chipotle glaze; Bottom Right: Culpepper Chicken and Half Grilled Lobster Tail.

The Grilled Texas Shrimp was nicely presented, arranged alternately with homemade cornbread wedges around a center of the black bean sauce and Pico de Gallo. All hail the Pico! Wait, all hail the cornbread! There are certain things a child of Texas misses after leaving home…and for me, cornbread and Pico are high on the list. These did not disappoint, as I sang to myself, “Take me home, country roads…” The Grilled Shrimp was perfect, too.

Chilean Sea Bass served atop pine nut risotto and lightly sauced in jalapeno beurre blanc was a crowd pleaser. The monochrome presentation begged for adornment of even a subtle burst of color in my mind, but the flavor and textures combined well to leave us happy.

Culpepper Chicken & Half Grilled Lobster Tail in garlic chive compound butter was exactly as expected, a delicious “standard” wonderfully grilled and tame enough for cowboy fare-wary cowpokes.

Now, we get to the quail. I ordered the Mesquite Grilled Texas Quail with orange chipotle glaze, as I have had no quail, nor chipotle, of any kind, since about 1985. It was time for some quail and I was hoping for the quality my father once delivered to the dinner table, courtesy a first-class hunting excursion.

I loved the presentation of three birds intertwined atop my chosen garlic smashed potatoes, to the point that, even as my stomach cried out for me to abandon the fork, I had to press on and have some. I must admit that the bird was worth every painful bite. I could only partially explore the flavor of one fowl, but managed to victoriously clean a few leg bones and a little of the breast. Upon tasting, I was regretful that we had indulged so heavily in the Starters and my Caprese, as well as the sampling of every shared main course platter at the table.

Collectively, our recommendation is that you, at some point, venture to Texas and just on the outskirts of Dallas , to Rockwall. The setting is a perch atop Lake Ray Hubbard and makes for a wonderfully flavorful end to a day of business or whatever takes you to Big D, in the first place. Yes, it is off the beaten path just a tad, but I promise you will not fall off the end of the Earth as you work your way through commuter traffic and across the reservoir. You may choose to sample some of the standard cowboy fare of steaks, chops or ribs. But, if you choose to do something unexpected, as we did, you will not be disappointed in the pleasures that are fowl and seafood…prepared true to the form of authentic cowboy cuisine.

More information about Culpepper Steakhouse is available at www.culpeppersteakhouse.com.