Elizabeth Ramsey Cooper-Golden

Looking for a "hip" new experience in dining in Huntsville Alabama?  Ketchup is a true must go! Right out of Los Angeles, California!  Ketchup takes classic American cuisine and puts a modern spin on it!  While shopping at the new Bridge Street Towne Center here in Huntsville Alabama, my husband and I took our daughter to Ketchup, for a quick bite to eat.  We loved the atmosphere.  Sleek, modern and up beat would best describe Ketchup!

We were greeted by a very pleasant hostess! We weren't aware that dinner did not begin until 5 pm, but she sat us anyway, and was happy to do so.  We arrived about 4:45.  Our waiter, Dylan, appeared with a big smile on his face, waiting to make our experience great one!

The interior of Ketchup is very modern!  Of course, they have a HUGE ketchup chandelier and a wall of ketchup bottles, that separates the dining area from the very hip bar area.  The center of the restaurant features an enormous, round seating area.  In the bar area, I noticed a private meeting room, with a large flat screen TV. Perfect for a small get together or meeting.  I loved it. 

This was my second visit, but a first for my family. We decided to just snack.  We shared the "3 Some" which is a French Fry platter, featuring 3 varieties, and a sampling of 5 ketchup's.  I highly recommend this platter. I loved the Sweet Potato fries and the homemade Mango ketchup and the Chipotle ketchup.  All of them where delicious!  Next, we shared the "Barking Dogs". Mini Kobe beef hot dogs, with Kobe chili, cheddar cheese and of course, ketchup!  Again, delicious!  We shared the Mac and Cheese that is made with white truffle and dungeness crab. Yum!  I was surprised my daughter loved it.

Ketchup turns into the local hot spot in the evening with a full bar. They serve ultra hip martini's made with tang, yoo hoo and kool aid, just to name a few!  Their milkshakes are supposed to be delicious as well and feature alcohol and non alcohol versions. 

During you next visit to Bridge Street Towne Center, stop in and see Dylan and enjoy the truly "hip" experience of a Los Angeles diner, right here in Huntsville Alabama!

My husband and I are huge fans of Mexican food.  Our daughter was out with friends tonight, so we took it upon ourselves to head to the Bridge Street Towne Center, here in Huntsville, Alabama.  We had both heard so many good things about Cantina Laredo and couldn't wait to try it out ourselves.  Bridge Street Towne Center is located in the Research Park area, on the Madison/Huntsville line.  Convenient for everyone!

From the moment we walked in the door, until the moment we left, it was positive!  I loved the atmosphere. Very warm, with an upscale twist.    They have a full circular bar, in the middle.  Gorgeous!  The crowd was mixed, with a nice blend of families, and couples dressed up for an evening on the town.  We both wore jeans and we fit right in!  We were relaxed through the entire meal.  The Latin music playing in the background was refreshing. Not the loud "canned Mexican" music we all typically hear.

Ross Kirk was our first nice surprise. He was our waiter and what a fine job he did!  Ross has a great personality and we felt like we were his only table the entire evening!  (He had others, but made us all feel special!)  While explaining the "Cantina Laredo" dining experience I soon discovered they are much more than a Mexican Restaurant.  They truly do offer "Gourmet Mexican Food" as stated on their menus.  I was surprised to learn they fly in fresh fish each week day.  Tonight's special was a Halibut fish, served on a banana leaf, with Cantina Laredo's specialty sauce.  YUM!

When we were first seated, there was a bowl of avocados on our table, as decoration.  I was soon to discover that they make their signature "fresh guacamole" right there, at your table.  Oh my goodness.  Trust me when I say I'm not that wild about Guacamole. THIS was the best I've ever had.  It was an experience in itself, watching Ross make it!  (That was really the only reason I ordered it initially, and I'm so thankful I did!).  The Guacamole was delicious!  The chips at Cantina Laredo and the salsa were to die for!  I am a chip and salsa specialist, I believe.  They have the best, hands down!  I was a bit concerned at first, when they brought out the small bowl of chips, but soon learned they keep the bowl full, before it ever becomes empty!  I should know, I ate 3 bowls while devouring my new found love of Guacamole!  We were served a mild salsa and a hot sauce with our chips. I loved the mild and my husband loved  the hot. We were both happy!

The dinner menu has something for everyone.  Tim quickly zoomed in on one of Cantina Laredo's specialty dishes, the Camaron Poblana Asada.  He LOVED it!  The menu describes it like this: Sauteed shrimp, mushrooms, onions and monterey jack inside a poblano pepper wrapped in a carne asada steak on a bed of chimichurri sauce.  He gave it a "Two thumbs up". 

Tim also has a weakness for the occasional Margarita.  The house Margarita was a hit with Tim, to say the least.  Fresh squeezed lemons and limes, tequila and their secret ingredient made this a "10", hands down. I even took a sip and didn't get the "pucker your lips" feeling I have when I drank it. It really was good!  I might even order one on our next trip in, which won't be long after our first experience!  Cantina Laredo specializes in upscale Tequila.  Be sure to view their Tequila menu!

I chose the Enchilada Vera Cruz, with their signature "drunken beans". Yes, drunken beans!  The formal name is Borracho beans.  They are soaked in beer and again, have several of their secret ingredients.   Oh my gosh. You have to try these!  My Enchilada was as expected. Delicious!  I loved the combination of flavors when I took my first bite. The menu describes it as follows: Enchilada stuffed with chicken, spinach and monterey jack cheese topped with tomatillo sauce, vinaigrette marinated vegetables and Cotija cheese.  "Two thumbs up", again!

Finally, our desert.  You have to try the Mexican Apple Pie. Again, this was created at our table by our wonderful waiter, Ross.  I was SO full from dinner, but did manage to eat every last drop of this!  It was served on a sizzling platter. Ross topped our Apple pie with cinnamon ice cream and then poured a warm Mexican Brandy Butter on top.  It sizzled and smoked, which you'll see in the slide show.  I LOVED the dessert!  When you go, you have to try this.

I initially intended to keep this review short, but felt there were just too many positive things to say, and before I knew it, I had a small book here.  We relaxed, enjoyed the atmosphere, caring staff and the best Mexican food Huntsville, Alabama has to offer. The service was tops. Be sure to ask for Ross.  He was fantastic!  We will be back, no doubt about it!  Does it get any better than this?

Here is a link to their web site to view the Menu at Cantina Laredo.  They also serve Brunch!  Enjoy and be sure to tell Ross we said hi!   www.Cantinalaredo.com

Edgewater Community, Huntsville/Madison

Since moving to the Huntsville area in 2007, Edgewater Community has always been one of my favorite local neighborhoods and community is such a fitting description because Edgewater is really composed of several mini-neighborhoods. There is literally a home here for any imaginable taste and lifestyle, from luxurious waterfront acreage to stylish town homes and apartments, rolling hills of stately homes lined with full growth trees to the new construction on Carriage Hill, there is even the private gated neighborhood of Morland Shores.

The center piece of life at Edgewater is obviously its vast recreational amenities anchored by 120 acre Lady Ann Lake. Boating and fishing are permitted on the lake for Edgewater Owner Association members but motorized boating is not allowed. It is common to stroll along the 2.5 mile walking/jogging trail that circles the lake and see a canoe, paddle boat, or kayak leisurely making its way through the water. Sunsets on the lake can truly be breath taking.

Live here and you will enjoy carefree living at its best in a vibrant and active community, utilize the lake, play tennis, exercise in the workout facilities, or simply spread a picnic and meet your new neighbors. While the attached photo gallery may help you visualize community life, a personal visit is definitely the only way to really appreciate what awaits you at Edgewater.

Photo gallery, virtual tour slide show, and a localized market condition brief follows:

[Show as slideshow]

Given the wide variety of living accommodations a home in Edgewater can be purchased in almost any price range or if you're relocating and wish to rent while researching the area further, a better place can't be found. Some local companies also keep corporate apartments here to make temporarily available to relocating employees. To give you a quick assessment of the wide variety of homes available, a search of the MLS this morning for currently listed single family homes revealed 9 listings ranging in price from $229,900 to $589,900, sized from 2,130 sq/ft to 5,500 sq/ft, 3 to 5 bedrooms, and unit priced from $85 sq/ft to $131 sq/ft.

The Edgewater Owners Association (EOA) is very active and publishes a periodic newsletter entitled Lake Life and encourages news and article submissions from its members. It also maintains a website providing additional community information. The EOA employs an Office Manager, two Maintenance Personnel, and a courtesy Patrol Officer all on a part time basis. The community club house also hosts meetings for neighborhood clubs and activities including a book club, bridge, yoga, investment club, etc.

One of the EOA programs that goes beyond impressive is their Community Outreach Program that boasts over 60 volunteers providing services including delivering meals to neighborhood families during crisis, transportation assistance to/from medical facilities, short-term lawn care for the sick/elderly, and so much more.

All of this plus the community is ideally located with entrances off Zert Rd literally 5-10 mins to Redstone Arsenal, Research Park, and Bridge Street Mall. If you would like more information about this unique Huntsville Real Estate community, or would simply like a showing of some of the homes currently on the market please feel free to contact or call me at 256-425-1659.

Local School Districts - Prepare for Growth

The Huntsville Times recently published a special insert entitled the "Impact of BRAC, An Explosion of Growth". It is an exceptional piece of work regarding all things Huntsville and North Alabama. One of the articles of special interest to many of our clients, interviewed the three local school superintendents regarding their plans to handle an estimated 10,000 new students expected to arrive by 2012.

According to Dr. Terry Davis, superintendent of Madison County Schools, "The local school districts are already growing an average of 500 to 600 new students a year". With the influx of the expected job transfers additional growth is expected and this expectation is definitely the impetus of several expansion plans across the districts.

In June 2008, voters will decide the fate of a County wide 1/2 cent sales tax increase to assist funding for several expansion plans. If voters disapprove, the superintendents will suggest a property tax increase to cover the expected short fall.

A summary of the various expansion plans include:

Madison County School District:

• Enrollment - 19,000
• New Elementary Schools - in Meridianville, Riverton, and Madison Cross Roads
• New High School - in western Madison County
• Additional portable classrooms throughout the district

Madison City School District:

• Enrollment - 8,500
• New Elementary School - already slated to host classes in 2009
• New High School - in eastern Limestone County to relieve pressure at Bob Jones one of the largest schools in the state with ~2000 students

Huntsville City School District:

• Enrollment - 23,000
• New Elementary School - in Hampton Cove
• More Class Rooms - at Providence K-8 School
• New Lee High School - in northeast Huntsville
• New Williams Middle School - in west Huntsville
• New K-8 School - in recently annexed portion of Limestone County

We have quite a few visitors and subscribers related to the BRAC relocation so we bought a some extra copies of this Huntsville Times and have just a few left. If you are not already a Huntsville Times Sunday subscriber we would be glad to mail one of our extra copies to you as a professional courtesy. However, the number of copies is limited and they will be made available on a first come, first serve basis.

Feel free to Contact us with your email and mailing address if you would like one of these extra copies, just put "BRAC" in the message contents of the request. Better yet visit our Free BRAC Relocation Package request page and we will include additional information along with the insert.

Walden is an upscale subdivision located in Madison, Alabama with 164 home sites. It has large wooded areas preserved in their natural state via conservancy easements and the main entrance of the community hosts a private park with a lovely small lake. A clubhouse, and Junior Olympic size pool are also available for use by homeowners and their guests.

Walden is in a unique price niche (upper $300k - mid $400k) for its location, as it is surrounded by neighborhoods that are less and more expensive. The closest comparably priced neighborhood is Browns Ferry Crossing, however Browns Ferry Crossing is new construction in its infancy and barren of wooded areas and trees, whereas Walden's major construction occurred during 2002-2005 and an effort was made to save established trees especially in its 1st phase.

Given its price niche and neighborhood uniqueness Walden's property values have appreciated slightly more than the Huntsville real estate market overall, especially in 2004 and 2006. The current inventory absorption rate is also less than the overall Madison market for this price range. The 5 year appreciation rates using the average square foot sales price history are illustrated in the following chart:

If you're in the Madison real estate market as a buyer this is a neighborhood you don't want to miss. Whether a buyer or seller and not already represented, I would certainly welcome an opportunity to interview as your agent or if you just have some additional questions please don't hesitate to email me, I will be glad to assist you anyway I can.

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