In May 2011 Crestline Seafood which was escalating in popularity, winning awards for their gumbo in 2010 and beginning to have Friday night lines for a table CLOSED.
The BP oil spill brought sales to a screeching halt, with our Mt. Brook Alabama customers expecting fresh shipments from the coast of Panama City and Bayou La Batre each day. Prices of raw oysters the weeks following the BP oil spill rose from $37 to $96 for a GALLON. Gumbo was cost prohibitive. The cost of shrimp doubled and our customers became concerned about the health risks of seafood.
In an effort to keep the doors open, my husband, the owner, Chad Adams, quickly switched gears towards a BEACH BURGERS theme in anticipation that the spill would be cleaned up and the gulf waters would get back to normal.
That never happened and also during the stress of the situation, the energizer bunny I once knew became stressed and frustrated. His blood pressure following the spill spiked to 240 over 190, much of that while on the phone for a hundredth time explaining the scenario to yet another person who had been assigned his CASE.
Anyone who visits the gulf coast even today knows that tar balls continue to dot the beaches, full crews as late as August of 2012 still comb the beaches in the early hours to "pick up items that need investigation".
We can never know what the spill meant for our beaches, our wildlife, or the waters we swam in just shortly after the "coast was to be clear" of danger.
For Crestline Seafood Company it meant the end of a dream. It meant the end to fresh seafood being delivered to our neighborhood, cooked the next day off the boat into our ice cases, grilled, blackened, or who will forget those shrimp and grits that we still struggle to find a substitute for.
Chad has moved on from the Seafood Business (he had moved from Gulf Shores with the dream to start up a little restaurant like the ones he loved there).
He works with SouthPoint Mortgage. After all, his business prior to CHEF was as a CPA.
If you need a mortgage, and a bit of qualified experience to turn your credit around call him!
His desk number is 205-503-5020.
I am sure he would be happy to hear from you! And he will save you some money too! Almost every person who has shopped him after another quote has found his rates better.
As for the oil spill. Birmingham was outside of the radius for eligible claims. He didn't want to sue so kept pursuing reimbursement and lost wages for a failed business DIRECTLY LINKED (and documented as a CPA would document those claims) to the BP CRISIS to find that even as I type this on October 29 2012, his file has moved from Gulf Shores to Washington DC, back to Mobile, Alabama and now is beginning proceedings with a lawyer over TWO AND A HALF YEARS later.
THOSE ADS SAYING BP MAKES RIGHT are a joke. We have so many we know who never were compensated for claims that were legitimate.
Unfortunately now as you might have seen on recent ads, ANYONE might get a piece of BP if they file, and still those who tried to go through the proper channels remain unpaid.
I will personally never trust BP or their representatives. As a person who once lived ON the GULF with the ocean as my back yard, I still experience tar balls and oily sheens after the storms. They can tell me all they want how safe it is. I am NOT buying IT or BP products.
Allison Adams
CSC WAS located in the heart of Mt. Brook, Alabama. NOW TACO MAMA Prior to BP's mess we brought the CATCHES OF THE COAST to Birmingham & attempted to buy time until the BP spill passed as CSC~ BEACH BURGERS out of safety for our customers. WE TRULY THANK ALL OF THOSE WHO HELPED MAKE IT A SPECIAL MEMORY IN OUR HEARTS AND A CHECK OFF THE OLD BUCKET LIST OF TO DO'S ONE DAY. RESTAURANT.....CHECK!
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Saturday, April 2, 2011
MARK THE DATE~ April 9 CRESTLINE VILLAGE
APRIL 9
CRESTLINE Village will be Swarming in Activity.
THE FUNKY FISH FRY~ in front of Otey's, where JUICE and EARTHBOUND will be rocking the neighborhood. Catch Juice after 2PM.
FUNKY FISH FRY LINK CLICK HERE~
Listen to JUICE'S music by clicking here: JUICE TUNES LIVE
THE MT. BROOK ART ASSOCIATION will have their SPRING ART SHOW on Crestline Field from 10-4.
www.mbartassociation.com
Here at CSC~ BEACH BURGERS Allison Adams artwork will be featured. (with demos sometime between Ann Kathryn's first 2 soccer games! and catching a glimpse of Brent on keyboard when Juice performs) She will be painting out front Friday afternoon and sometime Saturday.
Samples of work include some fun new WATERCOLORS FRESH from Studying with Paul JACKSON (master of color and light)
www.pauljackson.com
Here is a sample (and I always hate to share unfinished work)..but think you are gonna like it!
MENU ITEMS
In addition to the following items, for spring we have SALADS.
THE GULF SHORES
Certified Angus Burger with Grilled Onions served on a Ciabatta Roll
THE DESTIN/ 30A
Tender Veal Burger with Tomato Aioli served on Ciabatta Roll
THE NEWPORT BEACH
Garden Veggie Burger with Basil Pesto served on Ultra-thin Wheat Bun
THE CHESAPEAKE BAY
Our Jumbo Lump Crab Cake with Lemon Dill Caper served on Ultra-thin Multi Grain Bun
THE WASHINGTON, D.C.
Lean Turkey Burger with Cranberry Aioli Served on Ciabatta Roll
ALL BURGERS SERVED WITH SPRING MIX, TOMATO, PICKLE AND ONION
Your choice of : AMERICAN CHEESE, SWISS CHEESE OR PEPPER JACK CHEESE
Your choice of: CREAMY SLAW, POTATO SALAD, CHIPS OR HOUSE SIDE SALAD
$7.67
KIDS MENU:
Hamburger or Cheeseburger with side $4.95
Grilled Cheese with Side $3.95
THE GULF SHORES
Certified Angus Burger with Grilled Onions served on a Ciabatta Roll
THE DESTIN/ 30A
Tender Veal Burger with Tomato Aioli served on Ciabatta Roll
THE NEWPORT BEACH
Garden Veggie Burger with Basil Pesto served on Ultra-thin Wheat Bun
THE CHESAPEAKE BAY
Our Jumbo Lump Crab Cake with Lemon Dill Caper served on Ultra-thin Multi Grain Bun
THE WASHINGTON, D.C.
Lean Turkey Burger with Cranberry Aioli Served on Ciabatta Roll
ALL BURGERS SERVED WITH SPRING MIX, TOMATO, PICKLE AND ONION
Your choice of : AMERICAN CHEESE, SWISS CHEESE OR PEPPER JACK CHEESE
Your choice of: CREAMY SLAW, POTATO SALAD, CHIPS OR HOUSE SIDE SALAD
$7.67
KIDS MENU:
Hamburger or Cheeseburger with side $4.95
Grilled Cheese with Side $3.95
WINNER of the KID'S ART CONTEST~ BEACH BURGER
We have a WINNER of the Art Contest for March. (the soft blending and the beach scene complete with beach chair made this one a favorite for our three judges.
The runner up, a more vibrant fun image.
The winner receives dinner for two adults/two children. The runner up receives One adult/one child meal.
Be sure to enter for April!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
CSC~ BEACH BURGERS IN THE NEWS
Posted on January 13, 2011
A transformation in Mountain Brook
CRESTLINE SEAFOOD COMPANY CHANGES UP THE MENU
By Christiana D. Roussel
Chad Adams will be one of the first people to tell you that last summer’s oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico hurt the seafood business. Ironically, his business is more than 250 miles away from Mobile. Chad and his wife Allison own Crestline Seafood Company in Mountain Brook. But CSC is in the midst of changing the restaurant’s dining concept, away from one dominated by the problematic product.
Opened in 2009, the original business model for CSC was to offer the best seafood for Birmingham home cooks, with a sideline dinein restaurant for those craving handcrafted crab cakes and bottles of beer in a relaxed environment. CSC was an immediate hit, becoming a great local “joint” that attracted customers of all ages.
Located in the former Clumpies Ice Cream location on Church Street, just across from City Hall, Chad and Allison installed a soft serve ice cream machine which kept the steady after-school customer stream that corner had been so famous for. Residents who once scoffed at the idea of ice cream and seafood quickly changed their tune. CSC is immaculately clean and inviting, and kids have loved meeting their moms there after school—enjoying a treat while picking up ingredients for dinner.
Proffering seafood was an easy choice for Chad Adams, who almost has saltwater running in his veins. A Birmingham native who has spent large portions of his life in Fort Morgan and Gulf Shores, he is a natural cook with an easy-going attitude. A CPA by trade, he analyzed all aspects of the restaurant/retail concept before jumping in. He’d done the math and determined he could turn a profit offering fresh premium snapper, sushi-grade tuna and shrimp. The restaurant side of the balance sheet would be lagniappe—a little something extra—and add a much needed casual dining spot in his backyard, Crestline Village. Things were going along swimmingly, until late April 2010.
When British Petroleum’s Deep Water Horizon oil rig exploded, the fate of Crestline Seafood Company hung in the balance. Would the crabs be safe to eat? How could we be sure that the shrimp and redfish we’d come to love were still good? Chad met with suppliers and looked at other possible sources for his seafood. But once the shrimp and fish were determined safe to eat, prices went up dramatically. He worked hard to maintain the caliber of product and service that his customers had come to expect, but things got tough. Even though the seafood offered was impeccable, the mental image some customers had could not be shaken. “I have had customers EVERY day come in and ask if our seafood comes from the Gulf. When I tell that some of it does, they turn around and walk out,” he laments. “Even though I was getting my stuff from the same guys in Panama City Beach that Frank [Stitt] uses, there was a mental block some people had.” It finally just became too much to try and overcome.
With five employees whose livelihoods were in his hands, and an uncertain customer perception about his product, Chad made the decision to change things up on his little corner of Crestline. Starting this week, there is a transformation taking place as CSC starts featuring Gourmet Beach Burgers. Among the new items will be an Angus burger (known as the Gulf Shores Burger); a Destin Burger made with ground veal and served with a tomato aioli; a turkey burger; and a vegetarian Garden burger. And those crab cakes that the Adamses are so famous for? Those will still be available on the Chesapeake Bay, served with a lemon dill caper aioli.
When asked about pricing, the CPA in Chad came out as he gave a very odd number. He went on to say that once the customer adds in a side and a drink, the price becomes an even $10 which includes tax. That makes perfect sense. Of course, wine and beer will still be available for the over-21 crowd.
Allison adds, “We want this to be a place where families can come in and grab a burger between kids’ weeknight activities. We’ve always enjoyed a steady lunch crowd and hope that will continue. CSC has had live music nights, featuring local bands like Juice, and I think this place can do the same. Kids of all ages can feel comfortable coming in here to hang out.” The new CSC will be open for lunch Monday through Friday, 11a.m. to 2 p.m. and for dinner 5p.m. to 8p.m. Saturdays, you can grab a burger anytime between 11a.m. and 8p.m.
So, while the menu will change at CSC, the same relaxed atmosphere that folks have come to know and love will remain.
Christiana Roussel lives in Crestline and is a lover of all things food-related. You can follow her culinary musings on-line at ChristianasKitchen.blogspot.com or on Facebook (ChristianasKitchen) or Twitter (Christiana40).
A transformation in Mountain Brook
CRESTLINE SEAFOOD COMPANY CHANGES UP THE MENU
By Christiana D. Roussel
Chad Adams will be one of the first people to tell you that last summer’s oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico hurt the seafood business. Ironically, his business is more than 250 miles away from Mobile. Chad and his wife Allison own Crestline Seafood Company in Mountain Brook. But CSC is in the midst of changing the restaurant’s dining concept, away from one dominated by the problematic product.
Opened in 2009, the original business model for CSC was to offer the best seafood for Birmingham home cooks, with a sideline dinein restaurant for those craving handcrafted crab cakes and bottles of beer in a relaxed environment. CSC was an immediate hit, becoming a great local “joint” that attracted customers of all ages.
Located in the former Clumpies Ice Cream location on Church Street, just across from City Hall, Chad and Allison installed a soft serve ice cream machine which kept the steady after-school customer stream that corner had been so famous for. Residents who once scoffed at the idea of ice cream and seafood quickly changed their tune. CSC is immaculately clean and inviting, and kids have loved meeting their moms there after school—enjoying a treat while picking up ingredients for dinner.
Proffering seafood was an easy choice for Chad Adams, who almost has saltwater running in his veins. A Birmingham native who has spent large portions of his life in Fort Morgan and Gulf Shores, he is a natural cook with an easy-going attitude. A CPA by trade, he analyzed all aspects of the restaurant/retail concept before jumping in. He’d done the math and determined he could turn a profit offering fresh premium snapper, sushi-grade tuna and shrimp. The restaurant side of the balance sheet would be lagniappe—a little something extra—and add a much needed casual dining spot in his backyard, Crestline Village. Things were going along swimmingly, until late April 2010.
When British Petroleum’s Deep Water Horizon oil rig exploded, the fate of Crestline Seafood Company hung in the balance. Would the crabs be safe to eat? How could we be sure that the shrimp and redfish we’d come to love were still good? Chad met with suppliers and looked at other possible sources for his seafood. But once the shrimp and fish were determined safe to eat, prices went up dramatically. He worked hard to maintain the caliber of product and service that his customers had come to expect, but things got tough. Even though the seafood offered was impeccable, the mental image some customers had could not be shaken. “I have had customers EVERY day come in and ask if our seafood comes from the Gulf. When I tell that some of it does, they turn around and walk out,” he laments. “Even though I was getting my stuff from the same guys in Panama City Beach that Frank [Stitt] uses, there was a mental block some people had.” It finally just became too much to try and overcome.
With five employees whose livelihoods were in his hands, and an uncertain customer perception about his product, Chad made the decision to change things up on his little corner of Crestline. Starting this week, there is a transformation taking place as CSC starts featuring Gourmet Beach Burgers. Among the new items will be an Angus burger (known as the Gulf Shores Burger); a Destin Burger made with ground veal and served with a tomato aioli; a turkey burger; and a vegetarian Garden burger. And those crab cakes that the Adamses are so famous for? Those will still be available on the Chesapeake Bay, served with a lemon dill caper aioli.
When asked about pricing, the CPA in Chad came out as he gave a very odd number. He went on to say that once the customer adds in a side and a drink, the price becomes an even $10 which includes tax. That makes perfect sense. Of course, wine and beer will still be available for the over-21 crowd.
Allison adds, “We want this to be a place where families can come in and grab a burger between kids’ weeknight activities. We’ve always enjoyed a steady lunch crowd and hope that will continue. CSC has had live music nights, featuring local bands like Juice, and I think this place can do the same. Kids of all ages can feel comfortable coming in here to hang out.” The new CSC will be open for lunch Monday through Friday, 11a.m. to 2 p.m. and for dinner 5p.m. to 8p.m. Saturdays, you can grab a burger anytime between 11a.m. and 8p.m.
So, while the menu will change at CSC, the same relaxed atmosphere that folks have come to know and love will remain.
Christiana Roussel lives in Crestline and is a lover of all things food-related. You can follow her culinary musings on-line at ChristianasKitchen.blogspot.com or on Facebook (ChristianasKitchen) or Twitter (Christiana40).
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
NEW MENU CSC- BEACH BURGERS
THE GULF SHORES
Certified Angus Burger with Grilled Onions served on a Ciabatta Roll
THE DESTIN/ 30A
Tender Veal Burger with Tomato Aioli served on Ciabatta Roll
THE NEWPORT BEACH
Garden Veggie Burger with Basil Pesto served on Ultra-thin Wheat Bun
THE CHESAPEAKE BAY
Our Jumbo Lump Crab Cake with Lemon Dill Caper served on Ultra-thin Multi Grain Bun
THE WASHINGTON, D.C.
Lean Turkey Burger with Cranberry Aioli Served on Ciabatta Roll
ALL BURGERS SERVED WITH SPRING MIX, TOMATO, PICKLE AND ONION
Your choice of : AMERICAN CHEESE, SWISS CHEESE OR PEPPER JACK CHEESE
Your choice of: CREAMY SLAW, POTATO SALAD, CHIPS OR HOUSE SIDE SALAD
$7.67
KIDS MENU:
Hamburger or Cheeseburger with side $4.95
Grilled Cheese with Side $3.95
Certified Angus Burger with Grilled Onions served on a Ciabatta Roll
THE DESTIN/ 30A
Tender Veal Burger with Tomato Aioli served on Ciabatta Roll
THE NEWPORT BEACH
Garden Veggie Burger with Basil Pesto served on Ultra-thin Wheat Bun
THE CHESAPEAKE BAY
Our Jumbo Lump Crab Cake with Lemon Dill Caper served on Ultra-thin Multi Grain Bun
THE WASHINGTON, D.C.
Lean Turkey Burger with Cranberry Aioli Served on Ciabatta Roll
ALL BURGERS SERVED WITH SPRING MIX, TOMATO, PICKLE AND ONION
Your choice of : AMERICAN CHEESE, SWISS CHEESE OR PEPPER JACK CHEESE
Your choice of: CREAMY SLAW, POTATO SALAD, CHIPS OR HOUSE SIDE SALAD
$7.67
KIDS MENU:
Hamburger or Cheeseburger with side $4.95
Grilled Cheese with Side $3.95
CSC~ BEACH BURGERS ARE HERE!
Today was the first day of service for the NEW MENU, featuring BEACH BURGERS.
After the holiday break we came to realize that we could no longer support the efforts necessary to keep a full
fledged seafood establishment going.
The months following the OIL CRISIS brought a number of challenges. While supply was there (we were already getting the
seafood from the Panama City Beach area~ checking in each night as boats came in~
offering the FRESHEST CATCH to our customers each morning).
Chad, being a CPA, charted the changes over the past 6 months and found that our sales were off by 75% from the previous year...and believe it or not, each day, with reports coming from the Gulf, we would have a customer come in, look at the case and ask if we were selling GULF seafood....when we said yes...they turned and left.
We began offering "non seafood" items and had some of the best crab cakes, gumbo and tuna dip available but found that there was little consistency in the flow of traffic through the door.
We hate that our REGULARS who loved to stop in for a dozen oysters or those who loved the gumbo, fresh fat gulf shrimp or other fresh catches of fish will now have to travel out of the tiny kingdom to get similar food to serve their families at home.
We have switched gears in an effort to keep our employees working and also keep the doors open but selecting a menu that not only is GREAT TASTING, but easy to implement.
No longer are there four shipments each day to coordinate, so simplicity has its advantages.
We know of some similar restaurants around doing the "burger only thing" but not here in the area.
We are hoping our regular customers who love what Chad has been doing in the past will come in and try out the new burgers.
We also encourage the teens to come in and make this their hang out. We serve great shakes and malts that are another thing not offered here on the street.
And great news for our seafood fans~ THE CRABBY PATTY is one of the burgers.
Hope you will come in and check it out!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
ALLISON
After the holiday break we came to realize that we could no longer support the efforts necessary to keep a full
fledged seafood establishment going.
The months following the OIL CRISIS brought a number of challenges. While supply was there (we were already getting the
seafood from the Panama City Beach area~ checking in each night as boats came in~
offering the FRESHEST CATCH to our customers each morning).
Chad, being a CPA, charted the changes over the past 6 months and found that our sales were off by 75% from the previous year...and believe it or not, each day, with reports coming from the Gulf, we would have a customer come in, look at the case and ask if we were selling GULF seafood....when we said yes...they turned and left.
We began offering "non seafood" items and had some of the best crab cakes, gumbo and tuna dip available but found that there was little consistency in the flow of traffic through the door.
We hate that our REGULARS who loved to stop in for a dozen oysters or those who loved the gumbo, fresh fat gulf shrimp or other fresh catches of fish will now have to travel out of the tiny kingdom to get similar food to serve their families at home.
We have switched gears in an effort to keep our employees working and also keep the doors open but selecting a menu that not only is GREAT TASTING, but easy to implement.
No longer are there four shipments each day to coordinate, so simplicity has its advantages.
We know of some similar restaurants around doing the "burger only thing" but not here in the area.
We are hoping our regular customers who love what Chad has been doing in the past will come in and try out the new burgers.
We also encourage the teens to come in and make this their hang out. We serve great shakes and malts that are another thing not offered here on the street.
And great news for our seafood fans~ THE CRABBY PATTY is one of the burgers.
Hope you will come in and check it out!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
ALLISON
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
NEW YEARS LOBSTER DINNER
CSC WILL BE HAVING
a Special New Years Eve Dinner.
$30 a person includes appetizers,
crabcake or fish dinner with a lobster tail (sides) and dessert.
Our gumbo was voted no. 1 in Bham Metro Magazine~
come check us out!
Offering three seating times- 6:30 7:30 and 8:30
Drink specials. (WINE AND BEER) Champagne
Call 637-7460 for details.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
HOLIDAY ITEMS
CALL NOW TO ORDER SPECIAL ITEMS FOR CHRISTMAS~
Shrimp (peeled and deveined available), sandwich trays, oysters, crab
We also offer CSC for Private Parties.
THIS THURSDAY ~ DEC. 16
IS GIRLFRIENDS NIGHT.
BE SURE TO REGISTER.
on Facebook
or call 205-637-7460
Shrimp (peeled and deveined available), sandwich trays, oysters, crab
We also offer CSC for Private Parties.
THIS THURSDAY ~ DEC. 16
IS GIRLFRIENDS NIGHT.
BE SURE TO REGISTER.
on Facebook
or call 205-637-7460
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