Steel Magnolias: urban southern cuisine in Valdosta's downtown district

*****I wrote this piece for this month's issue of our neighborhood's magazine Between The Stones. 

I didn't want to post it until the magazine came out, but now it has, so I can finally post this restaurant review. So for those of you that do not live in the Stone Creek community, enjoy! I did add in a few things that were cut from the original, due to limited space. I had a great time writing it {Steel Magnolias is, after all, named after one of my favorite films!} and I'm so hopeful that I will have an opportunity to do more things like this in the future.*****

If you're looking for a freelance writer, please contact me christiantbishop@gmail.com

Valdosta is full of restaurants. For a town of its size, there are plenty of eats to fill your tummy and empty your wallet.  Perhaps the most unique, in fare and feel, is Steel Magnolias, which is likely best described as urban southern cuisine. As you approach the restaurant, nestled in Valdosta’s downtown district, you can immediately recognize the atmosphere that the restaurant aims to project, through the painted metal chairs and tables out front, subtly decorated with mason jars wrapped in twine and filled with understated flowers. The sidewalk display beckons to passersby, seducing and enticing them to look inside the giant window to see what is going on in their kitchen. There is no canned, chain feeling to this place. It is original, just as fresh as the food it serves.

For three years, Steel Magnolias has provided a comfortable, yet sophisticated atmosphere and a deliciously inviting menu, from its location in a renovated historic building, originally constructed in 1891.  One Stone Creek resident in attendance describes the restaurant as an “amazing addition to Valdosta”. Owned and operated by Georgia native Keira Moritz, her heritage and love for her state is evident in the details of Steel Magnolias. All menu items are made fresh and the kitchen buys everything that they can from local farms. You can “expect something different” here, says another local from Stone Creek. And the critics agree! The Valdosta Daily Times nominated Steel Magnolias for best new restaurant, best special occasion restaurant, and best live music venue-all in its first year of business! Steel Magnolias has also been featured in numerous magazines, such as Valdosta CEO, Southwest Georgia Living Magazine, The Tifton Scene, The Tifton Gazette, The Valdosta Scene, and Georgia Trend Magazine. Keira also received praise as the Young Professional of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce.

For a few Stone Creek residents on August 26^th, this menu was tried and tested, and all who attended, myself included, seemed to approve as we waddled out after rounds of drinks, appetizers, entrees, and desserts. One Stone Creek resident proclaimed the night a “culinary extravaganza”. We met on the second level but there are two additional floors to provide ample room for the crowds. A fantastic feature is the roof top terrace, which gives an open-air feel to the sophistication of the restaurant’s atmosphere, and an unmatched view of downtown to boot.

Keira introduced each dish to us proudly, with a passion in her eyes for the creations from her kitchen. The food seemed to taste even better, because someone created it with a love for what they are doing.

The first bites to grace the table were Deviled Eggs, an improvement on your family recipe, topped with crispy bacon, goat cheese, and chives. One attendee described them as “unreal”. Even for those who wince at the thought of eating a deviled egg {I'll admit I'm one of those}, one bite might convert you.

Yeast rolls were then delivered to the table, with the Steel Magnolias’ twist made in house and topped with bacon, hot and fresh. The rolls were divine, reminiscent of a “Rat Cheese” {what some may know as a Krystal burger} that had been deconstructed into a hand made, yeast roll re-do.

I was taken by surprise when I tasted the Pulled Pork & Pimento Cheese Wontons with sriracha aioli, and cabbage confetti. They had a delicious tangy kick, leaving you wanting another, and needing a refill on your glass of water.

Our last appetizer was the Fried Green Tomatoes, topped with feta cheese, grilled corn, and peach chutney aioli. This is the classic southern hors d'oeuvre with toppings that take this time-honored Southern tradition to the next level. 

Following the appetizers were two salads that were far from boring. 

First was the Grilled Yellow Squash Salad with goat cheese, bacon, and wild arugula, topped with basil pesto vinaigrette. This salad was earthy, like you plucked the arugula from your own garden. Though these flavors are not quite and obvious pairing, they blended perfectly.

The second salad was a favorite of the night-Quinoa salad, with blueberries, wild arugula, and silver queen corn, topped with balsamic vinaigrette. This salad was FRESH, to say the least. Another example of ingredients that one may not normally think to pair with one another but it was a beautiful marriage of fruit & veggies. It dressed up quinoa with a sweet blueberry surprise in each bite and the corn tricked your palate into thinking it was munching on an exciting salsa. Zesty and fresh was the name of the game for this delightful dish.

I sampled two of Steel Magnolias signature spirits. The first was the No. 132. This delicious drink mixes Ketel One vodka, muddled strawberries, ginger ale, and a splash of pineapple. It was deliciously fresh without being to fruity. The second drink I tasted was the Spring Fever, which features Square One cucumber vodka, muddled cucumbers, mint, lime and a touch of ginger. This was my favorite of the night, with a crisp, green taste to it. It reminded me of the detox water that has been so popular lately, but with a fun adult drink twist. 

{I was fortunate to have my dad, momma, and sister with me. Please don't drink & drive!}

The crowd was split on their favorite entrée. Many enjoyed the Shrimp & grits, with andouille sausage and roasted red pepper gravy. The rich flavor mixed with the shrimp to take the lead as a crowd favorite. Never boring, Steel Magnolias took a classic and made it better with this entrée. For the rest of the attendees, the Bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin was the evening’s biggest hit. Tender and seasoned to perfection, this dish was never to heavy but always pleasing. How could anyone go wrong when wrapping meat in more meat, especially the ever-popular bacon?

For myself, the highlight of the evening was the Banana Pudding Crème Brulee. For anyone with a sweet tooth, this is better than the ‘nana pudding served at all of your family reunions and church covered dish luncheons. This adds a regal element in taste and presentation. When you crack the classic crème brulee shell, and dive your spoon into the silky banana pudding underneath, your taste buds with thank you and your sweet tooth will beg for an encore.

Coconut Rum Cake was smashing and the Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie was sublime. Steel Magnolias does not disappoint with any portion of the menu, but if you’re a dessert person, you’ll find that exceedingly true.

Many Stone Creek residents who attended the Restaurant Review had nothing but affirmative words for Steel Magnolias. My sister, Abi, described the menu as a “unique spin on your grandmother’s southern food”. There is an “unbelievably relaxed and comfortable atmosphere”, says another attendee, “from the yummy homemade rolls to the decadent desserts”.

Steel Magnolias would be a great place for your next date, or to gather together for a special occasion, or even just a “great place to eat and socialize after work” says one Stone Creek resident. So next time you’re looking for a deliciously unique and well made meal, dress up for downtown, drop into Steel Magnolias. 

Come with an open mind and leave with a full belly. 

I'm obviously terrible at this...

Well, its obvious that I'm not the world's best blogger. Perhaps, I should explain myself...


First of all, I'm terrible at doing things on a schedule. I can manage going to class every day, going to work every day, and going to sleep every day (though never at a regimented time). I'm also usually good at remembering to eat a few times a day, thanks to a grumbly tummy and a knack at eating when I'm bored. But let's face it...I'm not good at routine. It's not my strong suit. When it comes to a set schedule, I'm as right-brained, type B as they come. So naturally, it's difficult for me to commit to making one thing every week and blog about it. And I'm also a poor college senior. Maybe in a few months when I'm in the big girl, working world, with a job and a house, I'll be able to do this a little more steadily. Plus, I'm sure I'll have fun stories to share about the adventures of getting settled into a house with two roommates and my precious pup Hercules. 
So I'll catch you up on all the fun since my last post (which was March 7th, by the way. Yeah, I stink).


Over Spring Break, I drank my first whole beer. Okay, it was Woodchuck, which is technically a cider and apparently that doesn't count but...baby steps! I'm still proud of myself! If you are like me, and you want to drink beer but you can't muscle past the "horse pee" smell and taste (or what I assume horse pee would be like), then Woodchuck is a great starter. Also, if you like apple cider or sparkling apple juice...pretty much the same thing. This beer is gluten-free and pretty tasty if you ask me!

During Spring Break, I also had a day trip to Savannah with the boyfriend. If you've never been to Savannah, GA, stop what you're doing right now and start planning a trip. It is my favorite place in the world. And I had the privilege of living there for six years, so this is not a tourist infatuation. This is a bonafide love affair with this city. It has something for everyone. Sightseeing, bars, restaurants to die for, and if you appreciate the fine arts, you'll be in heaven! If you go (or have gone, or plan to go back soon), you should stop by this amazing little cookie store that has become a family favorite. It's called "Two Smart Cookies" 

The name alone is just delicious. So cute! I prefer the iced sugar cookies but all of their treats are great! On this particular trip, I chose a little pink alligator!

Next, I traveled to the Azalea City, Valdosta Ga. This is where my family lives now. We were past Valdostians when I was in 4th and 5th grade. My dad's journeys as a Methodist minister have brought us back to this city. Now, I don't dislike Valdosta. It is gorgeous. But if you would like to know how hot it might be in hell, come to Valdosta in mid-June. Good grief! However, Georgia didn't have a winter this year so the azaleas were in full bloom by this time. So pretty! 

Here's a picture of my cat, who apparently pays the bills with some modeling on the side, with some azaleas in the distance. 

When I returned from my spring break adventures, life continued as usual. Probably the only craft I've done since my last post was a quick and SUPER easy cow costume for my boss's daughter. All I did was cut cow spots out of black felt and glue them onto an oversized white t-shirt. If you sew, you could (and probably should) sew them on. But i've not yet learned to sew, so I hot glued them. Then, I cut strips of the felt, braided them, and glued them to the bottom back of the shirt, and tied a bow at the end. Like I said, VERY simple. Here's a pic!

I have also become a new member of a service called Birchbox. Maybe you've heard of it. This great little company will send you a box of 4 to 5 high end beauty samples for the affordable price of 10$ a month! There is a waiting list, but I wasn't on it for long. I received my very first Birchbox this month. I got an exciting array of products to try.

 I have really enjoyed all of them, especially the hair oil sample I was given, which I may be purchasing once I'm getting a more steady income. That oil is called Orofluido. Weird name, that's for sure. But it took my coarse, curly, permed-a-year-ago hair and made it soft and silky. This is a miracle oil. 

On March 16th, I traveled back to Savannah with my dear friend Cheyenne. The event was St. Patrick's Day. This year broke the record for the amount of people gathered for St. Pat's...ever...in the world! Savannah is the place to go, with the second largest parade in the world and fun all around to celebrate the city's mass of citizens with authentic Irish heritage. It's a sight to be seen, for sure. Here's Boyfriend and I waiting on the parade to begin. Someone should tell him the phrase goes "Kiss me I'm Irish". We got it mixed up, I think. In this pair, I'm DEFINITELY the more Irish one :) 

We also went out after the parade and had a blast! We saw a band called Liquid Ginger and they were fantastic! We had so much fun, dancing and singing along. The streets were PACKED with people. It was similar to how I felt at Mardi Gras this year. But once we got into Wild Wings, we were safe. It wasn't too crowded at all. 

A few weeks later, I went home to see my family. Our church in Valdosta does an Easter play called The Promise and it was phenomenal! My mom, dad, and sister were in it. the sanctuary was completely redone to look like the temple and mountain side of bible times. 

And speaking of transformations, check out my mom and dad, circa bible times! 

Of course my mom is STILL a hottie, even as a villager from bible times!

And that makeup really made my sweet daddy's baby blues shine! 

Despite all of the Promise shenanigans, I got in a little time with my family and with the gorgeous weather, we laid outside with the pets and soaked up the sun. Hercules really enjoyed himself.

 

After a chasing butterflies and prowling around like a lioness, Mulligan was pooped! She came inside to feel some AC on her fur. 

 

Cheyenne and I have been babysitting four boys (from two families) on Tuesdays for a few months now. Last week, we took them to Dairy Queen to get blizzards and play in the grass at the new mall. We all got rowdy and had so much fun with them. They're sweet but boy are they a handful! 

Cheyenne seems to have in under control though...

 That night, we went to the younger of the four boys baseball game. One of them were focused on the game, but Cheyenne's younger boy was so infatuated and excited about Cheyenne being there, he could barely focus on the game. Here's my little fella, up to bat! 

In my Teaching Children Through Music class, we had to teach a lesson. One girl brought in a huge variety of fruits and veggies to teach about healthy eating and at the end she made smoothies! This has really no other bearing on my life other than the fact that it was so cool! 

I also did a LOT of weeding out. I realized that I have way too many clothes and this will make my life so much more difficult when I have to move into the house in May. A huge pile went to the Annie's Closet Consignment store that I run at the Campus Store. The ones that were not sellable went to Goodwill. But I feel much better about the number of items in my closet. I feel refreshed about the idea of "out with the old, in with the new". 

This weekend, my three roommates and I went out for dinner and drinks downtown. We had a lot of fun and we really enjoy spending time together! 

We'll surely be missing each other in a a little over a month! 

This Sunday, our little sisters took us on our Big/Little trip. They surprised us with a trip to Shakespeare Tavern in Atlanta. If you never been there, you should totally check it out. Dinner, drinks, and a great play! We saw The Merry Wives of Windsor. The actors were immensely talented. 

A good time was had by all! And our Littles even got us customized Green Knight shot glasses! 

Well...you're all caught up! I wish you and your family a wonderful Easter! 

Thanks for reading my blog, despite my sporadic posts. 

I leave you with a picture of my beautiful little college, that I will be graduating from in exactly a month. Thank heavens I won't have to leave! 

Hail Wesleyan, thou emblem of all that is grand!