OC Food Diva: 2017 World Food Championships: Luna’s Eat & Drink in Orange Beach, AL

Friday, March 23, 2018

2017 World Food Championships: Luna’s Eat & Drink in Orange Beach, AL

The menu items in this post were provided by Luna’s Eat & Drink but the opinions expressed here are my own.

After the adrenaline pumping World Recipe Championship Top 10 Round at The Wharf, it was time to get off our feet and refuel ourselves with some delicious pub grub. Luna’s Eat & Drink is a neighborhood sports pub (fitting since we just competed in food sport). Executive Chef Bart Wilson has created a hand-crafted menu that delivers southern classics and low country food to a broader audience. Luna’s ambiance has a welcoming feel that is great for kicking back and watching a game or just enjoying a relaxing meal with family and friends.

Marinated Gulf Shrimp Salad is shrimp served low country style with lemon and spices over crisp greens and topped with fried onions. The gulf shrimp had a meaty texture like lobster and had such a great flavor. The shrimp we normally get on the west coast pales in comparison. The lemon and spices added a nice zing and paired well with the salad greens. The fried onions were like “croutons” and added a crispy texture to the dish. Rating: 4.5/5

Crab Claws are fresh Gulf blue crab claws lightly floured and fried. If you love crab, you’ll love these. The lightly fried exterior contrasted nicely with the sweet crab meat inside. They are very easy to eat, just like eating artichoke leaves. This would be a great appetizer to share with friends while watching a game and some pints of ice cold beer. Rating: 5/5

BBQ Gulf Oysters are lightly breaded and fried Gulf oysters served over Creole BBQ cream sauce and topped with crisp bacon and chives. The breading on the outside was like a perfectly fried chicken or chicken fried steak, bumpy, crispy coating with amazing flavor. The oyster itself was juicy and cooked just right where there was still a bit of briny oyster liqueur inside. The creole BBQ cream sauce added a creamy yet spicy kick to the dish. I could eat this forever! Rating: 5/5

Cola Braised Pork Belly is served over house-made cornbread and topped with white BBQ sauce and red cabbage slaw. The cola helped tenderize the pork and caramelized on the outside for a nice bark. White BBQ sauce was introduced in Decatur, AL by Big Bob Gibson back in 1925. As this was my first time having it, I have to say it was a little different but gave the pork belly a nice tangy flavor. The slaw on top added a crunchy texture. Rating: 4.5/5

The Beerger is a beer-basted burger on a sweet sourdough bun with Luna’s beer mustard, fried onions, and Luna’s beer cheese. The perfect gastropub burger! The burger patty itself is huge! The mustard added a tangy flavor. The beer cheese was luscious with cheesy and hoppy flavor from the beer. All you need is an ice-cold beer to pair with it! Rating: 4.5/5