It is desiring a shift from the mundane, that leads us to try something new. We might even travel a little farther, if we suspect we might find something special. It can touch our souls, provide beauty to the mundane, and gratitude to our hearts. Revealed in a variety of ways, like adding flowers to a table setting, little touches make a difference. For those desiring something a little different, just a short drive west on I-10 in picturesque downtown Fairhope, Alabama, is Café Viola, a French Creole Restaurant and Tea Room.
In a small city known for its variety of restaurants, boutiques, coffee shops, and bayfront sunset views, Café Viola, named for the owner’s mother, brings a unique concept to the downtown area.
Owners Joe Rider and Pastry Chef, Maddie Rees, are a father/daughter team working alongside General Manager, Dillon Rees, and Executive Chef Trey Embring, to bring not only delicious French creole cuisine and French pastries served on vintage antique dishes, but also an atmosphere that is friendly, inviting and intimate.
What was it, that brought this French Creole Restaurant and Tea Room concept to life? The restaurant business has always been part of their family life according to Maddie, whose early years were spent in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area where they also owned restaurants before moving to Alabama when she was 15. “I just kind of grew up cooking and then went off to college and changed my major every couple of months... Then I saw a Netflix documentary called ‘Kings of Pastry.’ about a French Chef who was going back to France to become an MOF.”
MOF, an acronym for Meilleur Ouvrier de France, is a prestigious title for which pastry chefs compete, complete with a decorated collar for their uniforms; a collar held in such high esteem in the culinary industry, that one can be arrested for wearing it, if not legitimately certified. In the documentary, Maddie observed that one of the competitors co-founded a school in Chicago for chefs. She decided she “might just look into that opportunity and take the leap.” That leap led to certification as a French Pastry Chef, and that road eventually led back to Fairhope. Meanwhile, influenced by her sister who happens to love tea rooms for afternoon tea, Maddie discussed the lack of tea rooms in the area with her father, and the concept for Café Viola was born.
Specializing in French-style Creole cuisine and gourmet desserts that are as delightful to look at as they are to eat, a sneak peek at their menu includes options such as Crispy Goat Cheese Maison salad, or Crawfish Gravy served on Cheddar and Scallion Biscuits for brunch/lunch. Dinner entrees include Braised Beef Cheeks with garlic mashed potatoes and creole roasted carrots, among others. And the piece de resistance, beautifully and thoughtfully crafted pasties like Fruit of the Forest (Blackberry/Dark Chocolate).
Whether a mother/daughter getaway for afternoon tea, a bridal luncheon for that special bride, or even just a personal, self-pampering pick me up that feels fancy, Café Viola brings all the style with beautifully set tables, soft jazz café music for lunch and afternoon tea, or live music in the evenings for a romantic date night.
cafeviolafairhope.com | (251)279-9648