Thursday, May 10, 2007

A Bit British

"All the world's a stage..." wrote English playwright William Shakespeare. At Selma's Tally Ho Restaurant, every table is a stage, meaning guests are treated like royalty.
White tablecloths, candles and crystal set the evening's dining experience in an Old English country atmosphere. Menu items offer an around-the-world experience. Try the local U.S. farm-raised catfish or imported European escargot. How about some Asian crab curry soup? The oysters royale made with garlic, parsley, parmesan cheese, sour cream and onions is an on-the-spot original. Homemade zucchini muffins are a staple. Or, try one of my favorites: chicken and shrimp saute.
Patrons enter this fine-dining establishment through the original log cabin. Previously a private dinner club and hangout for Craig Air Force Base officers, new wings were added, and floor tile salvaged from a building at Old Cahawba, Alabama's first state capital.
Present owner Bob Kelley purchased the restaurant in 1980 and opened it to the public. An Ohio native, Kelley grew up near Paris, France where his parents enrolled in culinary courses during their spare time. Their cooking skills paid off as all four children acquired them too, and Kelley became a connossieur of French wines.
He landed in Selma while doing restaurant consultations on vacation, and even after nearly three decades Kelley continues to improve his menu. He likes to do cooking exchanges as a guest chef in another restaurant, and that chef later visits Selma to create cuisine at the Tally Ho. Among his chef experiences are the Ram's Gate Pub in England as well as restaurants in Pattaya, Thailand; Bonnes, France; and Argentina. He has visited restaurants in a number of other countries.
By the way, there is no item on the Tally Ho menu that the staff has not eaten. When a customer inquires about a dish, his waiter can "testify" to its taste and ingredients.
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12 comments:

Susan said...

Looks like such a quaint old cabin, one would expect to be served something less extravagant within its walls.
Very pretty photo.

Felicia said...

Thanks for visiting me in San Diego. Crab curry soup sounds yummy. I like the chef exchange idea too - probably a good way to learn something new.

Janet said...

The inside is quaint, too, and more charming and decorative than the outside.

Annie said...

One more reason to visit Selma. This sounds like a delightful place to spend an evening, or many evenings.

Z said...

Wow, I like how much care the owner took in all the details. For me, as a person with limited experience of thr world, that's tending towards the European aesthetic rather than the American. The attention to the small things is something I like very much, and am really enjoying it here in Switzerland.

Janet said...

Maybe I should clarify that customers don't get crowns, but they do get prompt attention!

Anonymous said...

i wouldn't have expected to find asian curry at this rustic location. From what you've written they are really genuinely passionate with food..how lucky you guys are!

Janet said...

Kris,the owner of this restaurant was an opening manager for a national restaurant group and previously worked at Pine Mountain, Ga.'s Callaway Gardens when he purchased the Tally Ho. Its location and outside appearance really belie the atmosphere inside. It is in a residential area, which used to be the "country." At one time it was a tea room and offered a driving range for golfers and horseback riding.
Its name is the result of a drawing. Names were placed in a hat, and "Tally Ho" was picked.

My post was getting too long to mention the desserts: varieties of cheesecake and French fried ice cream.

Shammickite said...

Sounds wonderful, when are we going there? If I'm ever in Selma, I'll make sure to give this place a try!

Cheltenhamdailyphoto said...

How exciting!

I have posted a photo of the missing UK girl Madeleine in the hope that the more people see her, the more chance she may be found. Please take a sec to pop over to Cheltenham, thanks to you and your readers.

Squirrel said...

The warm brown, light greens, teal door and sort of turquoise on the right--it all works to be very charming and the lighting is nice.

Lothiane said...

A beautiful building. Sounds like a wonderful place to dine! :)

Greetings from
Oslo, Norway