While most of you are assuming that I am completely missing in action (because, let’s be real - I am. I’m living in what I call “The Batcave” with little to no sunlight in my grandmother’s attic) I have been trying to force myself out of this funk and back into real life, blog life and work life. Or as close real as my current situation can be.

Y’all know I don’t do change. It mentally drains me and the stress usually causes health flair ups. Last week, unexpectedly, my husband had to leave town with just a few hours notice. So in the midst of packing, moving, unpacking and trying to feel settled - when Michael pulled out of my grandmother’s driveway for a couple of months, I felt completely lost all over again. I just couldn’t sit down and write because all I wanted to do was sleep.

And then the opportunity for a Girls’ Night happened. It was honestly perfect timing. I did my best to get over my social anxieties and went out with Heather and two of her girlfriends to the private, soft opening of Tupelo Honey Cafe in Virginia Beach, VA. Timing could not have been any better. I needed to get out of the house. I needed to be around people. I needed good ole, southern style, comfort food. And that’s exactly what Tupelo Honey had to offer!

Since we were there to check out the place and sample some entrees, we were given smaller menus and instructions to pick different dinners for each person at the table. Easier said than done when you’re dining with a gluten intolerant guest. I had noticed on the large menu posted outside of the restaurant that Tupelo Honey Cafe offered quite a few “GF” options, all marked on the main menu. When our abbreviated menu didn’t have any Gluten Free Options, the waiter and manager went above and beyond to make sure I had tons of amazing options.

Because of my gluten intolerance, the manager said we could order off of all four abbreviated menus for that night. He then proceeded to explain how Tupelo Honey Cafe handles food allergies. When you tell your waiter that you have an allergy, it’s their policy to report it to a manager and the kitchen. My dinner, while normally grilled, was pan seared to ensure there was zero cross contamination. I was also THRILLED to hear that they have gluten free bread available. For no extra cost, they gave us gluten free bread with our pimento cheese spread for our apps. It really meant a lot to me to know that the staff at Tupelo Honey was well educated and took my food allergies very seriously.

I was told that Tupelo “invented” pimento as an appetizer… While my southern grandmothers would probably disagree, I have to say that this was one of the most delicious versions of pimento cheese I have ever had. (Paired with my GF toast, for the win.)

For my entree I picked their pork chop with a fig glaze, over sweet potato mash with a side of asparagus… and let me just say it was absolutely delicious. The pork chop was cooked perfectly!

I then stole a couple bites of Heather’s dinner, my second choice, sea scallops with risotto. While I highly recommend either of these entrees, I think the scallops were my favorite.

No dinner is complete without dessert, and we got two to share. I did learn that while they have a ton of gluten free options on the menu, they do not have any gluten free desserts. That being said, the gals at the table were so enamored with the southern style banana pudding, I just had to taste the tiniest little spoonful of it. It was totally worth the intestinal discomfort! This has to be some of the best banana pudding I’ve ever had in my life.

I had such a great time and enjoyed this dinner so much that I didn’t even realize the time. We shut Tupelo Honey Cafe down! The place was completely empty as we rolled out of there with happy hearts and full bellies.

Tupelo Honey Cafe in Virginia Beach officially opened their doors yesterday, July 13. My sister, who works across the street from them said that it has been packed. We are actually going back tomorrow, for my sister’s 27th birthday (when did that happen?!) with reservations for lunch.

Good food just makes me happy. Tupelo Honey Cafe and a girls night out was exactly what I needed last week. Their food was amazing, the drinks were wonderful (definitely try the lavender lemonade drink!) and the atmosphere was full of southern flair. Go check them out and let me know what you think!

Please note: Tupelo Honey Cafe did give me a complimentary dinner but these opinions were all my own. You will love this place. And if you need a dinner friend, let me know. I will be more than happy to join you!