Leon’s | Crockpottuesday

This Saint of a coffee shop is nowhere near my house, but you will catch me here most mornings Monday-Friday, and the occasional Saturday. Saint Alban’s is situated on upper King street just past the bridge and is Brooks Reitz’s second child after Leon’s, another favorite. The first time I came here was with Richard and Julia after an early morning yoga class. We all went with the light Ethiopian roast coffee and I experienced a feeling unlike any other coffee intake I’ve ever participated in. I became not sober. This coffee energized my soul and body for hours. Richard had come in town for SEWE weekend and we had big plans that day at Brittle Bank Park. As we were getting ready, Richard and I couldn’t stop running around my house. We were bouncing off the walls and Katie and Jay had to ask what was wrong. Or right? Julia even said she sang and danced the most she ever has in the shower. Maybe our natural temperament played a part, but we were definitely boosted to another extremity. Now that I know what I know about Ethiopian coffee, I keep coming back for more. But that’s not the only reason. For starters, these lovely ladies at Saint Alban offer a FREE REFILL (as if one doesn’t do it)! Saint Alban’s free parking and free wi-fi also play a part. And more importantly, this coffee shop is one of those inviting places you feel extremely comfortable in by yourself. Saint Alban is what gets me out of bed early and excited to start writing. Imagine taking all that crazy boosted energy and forcing it instead to circulate through my body and express itself through writing at a small quaint table. Telling you I be like “akdjflkejfeiofndklgneiojgeioj” just typing away. This place inspires me because I find myself coming in here without a story. One morning I was all caught up on my restaurant adventures and recipes, but was really craving sitting up there with a cup of Ethiopian, so I grabbed my lap top anyways and propped down at a window table. Two hours passed and I realized I’d dived head first into I guess a new project, “Memoirs of a Hospitality Servant.” I’ve decided to start writing all of my hotel stories down and giving each crazy crisis its own chapter. (Debut will be when I retire or leave the business). So my point being, Saint Alban and it’s coffee is extremely revitalizing and encouraging and I love starting my days in here.Beyond the coffee, I will say the food here is somewhat pricey, but worth every penny. I have indulged in their waffles, hard-boiled egg brioche, ham and cheese scone, turkey avocado and sprouts open sandwich, and their homemade granola. My favorite is the turkey avocado and sprouts sandwich which I of course devoured before even considering a picture. At first I was discouraged because it is $9 and open-faced, so one piece of bread, but once I polished it off I was beyond satisfied. I could taste the dough in the sour dough bread and the avocado spread was so smooth and creamy. And put those hazardous sprouts on anything and I’m down. So my Crockheads, check out Saint Alban’s and let me know how you handle the caffeine. Or I’ll prob just see you in there. Take care amigos.

So following my last post, I figured nows a good a time as any to tell you about Leon’s. Leon’s is a new restaurant that opened up last Saturday on upper King Street. I’ve been anxiously awaiting the restaurant’s opening as I drive by it often. Also, my buddy Tom, Louise’s boyfriend, is the main bartender up there and he has been getting me pumped and telling me great reviews on the place. The menu is simple:

Three main components: Oysters, Fried Chicken, and Vanilla Soft Serve Ice Cream.

How genius? The simplicity is what I’m attracted to. It targets a direct audience…those craving oysters and fried chicken. I didn’t even realize this is something I would crave at the same time, but now I can’t stop! I already want to go back. Also, the atmosphere is beautiful. You walk into an open-air bus shed type of building with dark wooden rafters as the ceiling, hanging lights, funky vintage chairs and tables, music playing that Danielle says takes you back to the 20s, and then a connecting outdoor patio where we started off our night.

My dinner accompaniments consisted of my front desk team at Charleston Place with a hint of accounting (Danielle). I made clear that there were 3 rules: 1) We must try everything 2) please allow for a picture before diving in and 3) we have to get a group picture before the night is over. These are pretty much the standard guidelines for a Crockpottuesday outing as you already know. So to start…you guessed it…OYSTERS.

The waitress explained two different raw oysters they were serving for the night. Virginia oysters that are big and have a medium salt flavor and Massachusetts oysters that are smaller with more salty flavor. The table decided on Virginia. Great choice.

Next we had the grilled oysters. I had never had grilled oysters before and was pleasantly surprised by the smokey flavor. The charcoal spice is also a different experience when mixed with the soft texture of an oyster instead of a typical firmer texture of meat.Now for the Traditional Rockefeller oysters- my favorite. These were covered in a spinach puree that was similar to a pesto flavor. Not to be confused with pluff mud.

Next we ordered two sides before our entrees. The first were fried brussel sprouts. These were okay- didn’t really do it for me. I was expecting them to be completely fried, more like fried okra.I think brussels should stick with being roasted.The second side was smashed avocado on sourdough bread. This was amazing. The bright lime green avocado was mixed with lots of lime so the tangy flavor really stuck out and was a perfect match with the shaved radish on top. I will have to try this at home.Now Crockheads- for the best fried Chicken in town and for the best price possible just look at the picture below. This 2-piece light meat fried chicken was so juicy and so crispy I had to take a second. For all you country folk- better than gas station fried chicken. For all you city folk-better than ritzy high-end fried chicken you eat with a knife and fork. I’m talking straight classic dictionary fried chicken y’all. Can’t beat it.Even comes in sandwich form!

My only complaint about Leon’s was that a very vital component of the menu was not available. The soft serve ice cream machine was down! What better way to finish off a meal like that than with some soft serve!! Hopefully it will be back and working though soon because I will definitely be back! Now everyone go to Leon’s and see Tom!