Lake Martin Voice Realty
Inside Catherine’s Market At Russell Crossroads
Lake Martin’s newest deli and grocery – Catherine’s Market at Russell Crossroads – officially opened on Tuesday, December 16, 2008. I went by there today for lunch to check out the inside of the store and deli. It was really nice, a first class operation.
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As advertised, the market section had lots of cool, higher end grocery items. The wine shop was well stocked. I even found my favorite Rioja. I didn’t scrutinize the meat counter very closely, but I am sure that it is nice.
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The deli was rippin and roarin. It was covered up with Russell Lands sales agents and employees. I also saw 2 or 3 tables worth of people that drove down from Alex City, including Mr. Ben himself, one of my fourth grade teachers, and a lady we’ve gone to church with for decades. That’s one thing I like about Lake Martin, I always bump into friends wherever I am eating lunch.
I played it pretty safe and selected the stacked ham sandwich on wheat with pasta salad. It was good. A friend got the 1/2 and 1/2 – the soup of the day was some sort of seafood bisque, which he really liked. You order at the deli counter and then go and sit down, they bring you the food. It took about 15 minutes for them to serve it, which I guess wasn’t bad for their first week. With a sweet tea, I was in and out of there for about $11.00, which is comparable to another one of my Lake Martin favorites, Green Valley Market & Cafe.
My only criticism is that I detected some sort of flavor to the sweet tea, like a peach or fruit or some sort of whang. It definitely has some sort of fancy angle to it, to which I am morally opposed. Just give me some straight up tea, please. If you want to get fruity on me, please put it in a separate dispenser and let me know ahead of time. Admittedly, I am a purist, a stickler for good sweet tea, so maybe I am on the fringes of opinion here. But this is a relatively tiny complaint when put against the entire experience. It really was nice, clean, well run, and tasted good. I expected all kinds of problems as this is their third day in biz. None such. Very professional.
Meat Counter:
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Fresh veggie aisle:
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Lunch menu:
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I wish them the best. I think they are a great addition to the Lake Martin area, I am sure to be back in the future.
Click here for the Catherine’s Market menu
And here for the back of Catherine’s Market menu
Also see:
All of the pics I took of Catherine’s Market, and my entire collection of web photo albums on Picassa, including waterfront property on Lake Martin that I have for sale.
John:
Great post! I’m so excited to have a NEW PLACE TO EAT!!! I live halfway between Alex City and Kowaliga, and no matter what, I’m always having to drive to eat, shop and what not…so I couldn’t be happier for a location that’s finally convenient to my house!
I’ve now been there 3 times, and each time had great service.
Day 1: I ordered the Old Fashioned Chicken Salad sandwich on Croissant…and I have to admit…it lasted 2 meals. The garden pasta salad was Dee-lish! Day 1 total: $9
Day 2: I tried their store… I chose some pasta, 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, fresh onion, imported garlic and herb butter, fresh brocolli tops and some spices. That lasted 3 meals! Day 2 total: $23
Day 3: DESSERTS!!!
So, the GIGANTIC chocolate chip cookies have made their way home, as well as the most DELICIOUS Italian ice cream (Vanilla bean) that is a super smooth gelato write in the first freezer as you walk in. I judge ice cream on whether or not they can make a vanilla, and boy can they make a vanilla… Day 3 total: $15
Needless to say, I’m a customer for life. As you may have guessed, I’m a workaholic in my profession, so I need something on the go, but healthy. And a large majority of the restaurants/fast food locations in AC just don’t offer that. I now have a place I can go and get something different everyday, without feeling like it’s the same old, same old!
See you there real soon, I’m sure!
All the best,
Nikki
Thanks, Nikki! Sounds like you have sampled a lot! See you there!
Anyone else out there tried Catherine’s?
The pictures and review was very nice . I am the General Manager of Catherines Market and wanted to let you know that I am a purist also and the peach flavored iced tea was a Grand Opening error on our part. We used this tea instead of our whole leaf organic tea that had not arrived yet foe our opening . We now have what I believe to be a great iced tea. I would like to thank everyone for supporting Catherines Market .We are so happy to be serving our community . Rick Little Owner V.Richards Market / General Manager Catherines Market
Thanks Rick! Wow, that’s great news on the tea. I plan to be back in there this week so I will be sure to say hi. Great job – I have heard nothing but compliments from everyone. Feel free to comment here anytime and pop in to let us know of special events.
[...] to check out some pictures from the cafe and read about the experience of another customer, see this article from the Lake Martin Voice. He seemed to enjoy it much [...]
I’m a little late finding this post, but I love Catherine’s. Whenever we buy salmon we always go there now since it is so fresh. I also love the cafe and their cinnamon rolls are dangerous for your weight. The shrip po-boy on Fridays is my personal favorite. I can’t drink anything with caffeine, but for the tea I would have to agree with you on that it should be left alone and not messed with.
thanks, Amy – I will have to try the salmon next time I’m at Catherine’s Market!
[...] Our Children’s Highway. The construction zone stretches from Russell Crossroads (location of Catherine’s and the Springhouse) south to just below Windermere Road. As of this writing, the highway is [...]
[...] Springhouse there serving tasties (I think they did a squash bisque last year) and the folks at Catherine’s Market are supposed to have cold beer and [...]