Article by: Abbagale Looney, Contributing Writer

Mobile is steeped in history – and controversy. People, both foreign to the county and those raised here, have strong feelings about it. Some people find it too dull, and others find it too loud. Strangers will strike up a conversation with you in the grocery line; if you tell someone you do not support an SEC football team (specifically Alabama or Auburn), they will likely stare at you as if you have just insulted them personally. There are many quirks in Alabama and even more in Mobile County. If you so much as indicate that New Orleans started Mardi Gras, you better be prepared for a fervent response informing you about Joe Cain, and eventually the cultural significance of Moon Pies. While Mobile may not be everyone’s cup of tea, to those who call it home, there is a deep respect and care for fellow Mobilians, visitors, and pride in the Coast. If you are hesitant to fall in love with the city, maybe you can fall in love with its food. Follow along this journey of exploration: Mobile’s best food.

Red or White Wine & Gourmet Center has three locations, all of which are in Alabama. We are lucky to have one in Mobile, along with Fairhope and Birmingham. I had the pleasure of visiting recently, and though it was not my first time there, I found it just as charming as if it had been.

The lively conversations going on at the tables around you become an electric white noise. Though a wine cellar greets you on your way through the door, no alcohol is necessary to become intoxicated by the welcoming atmosphere. The laughter, the couples grinning as they reminisce, and old friends catching up after too long apart all become a lovely tone for the evening. The staff is extraordinary, helping with recommendations and swift service. The mood lighting gives the restaurant an intimate, cozy feel that sweeps you off your feet the minute you walk through the door. There can be people dressed in Mardi Gras ballgowns, or someone in a tank top and jeans. There is a welcoming “come-as-you-are” feel mixed with the sophisticated glow of the fire-brick oven.

When the bruschetta came out, the presentation was simplistic but beautiful – a common theme at Red or White. I took a bite and savored the soft crunch of the bread, paired with the fresh, flavorful cheese spread. With a roasted tomato on top, it was perfect. I turned to the person next to me and said, “If I ever find a man that makes me feel like this bruschetta does, I’ll marry him on the spot.” I meant it, too.

As for the oysters: I’m personally a picky eater, and a few years ago, you couldn’t have paid me to try one of them. But at Red or White, the oysters are cooked in a fire brick oven and topped with a magical mixture of butter and breadcrumbs. Lemon is provided as an option for fresh juice, and it makes a perfect, savory bite. I may sound repetitive, but “fresh” and “simple” are two of the best words I can use to describe Red or White’s food. They have somehow mastered the art of bringing out the natural flavor in food without overwhelming the palate with distracting additions. I hope they maintain that simplicity and deliciousness. These oysters are locally sourced from Murder Point Oysters, and there is an undeniable quality in them.

Their pizzas, much like the rest of their options, are extraordinary. My personal favorite is the Rosemarino. It is described on Red or White’s website to have “Wood-fired Mushrooms, Mozzarella, Gouda, Finished with Rosemary Aioli,” but let me tell you, it tastes like somebody’s Nonna is in the kitchen whipping up masterpieces for her grandkids. As a meat-loving southerner, the idea of ordering a pizza without any pepperoni seemed bizarre to me – until I tried this one. I don’t even like mushrooms. And yet, this pizza is delicious; it is all part of the trance Red or White casts on you.

A decadent “light bite” that Red or White offers is bacon-wrapped, blueberry goat cheese-stuffed dates. They are delicately sprinkled with almonds and have a wonderful blend of savory and sweet. The dramatic, eyes-closed sigh that actors do in the movies when they’ve eaten something absolutely delectable is a real-life experience at Red or White with this treat.

Customizable or pre-selected charcuterie boards are also an excellent choice. The quality at Red or White is amazing; the atmosphere, food, presentation, and experience are unmatched. It has a beautifully romantic charm to it, not in the sense that you must take a significant other, but that you fall a little more in love with life (and maybe even Mobile) each time you go. Take a friend, take a grandmother, take a date; whatever you do, take your time when you visit. Red or White teaches you to savor food, good company, and life with a meal.