A restaurant and hotel full of charm and history, The Victoria's ambience has captivated many guests. The re-opening of the restaurant comes with new changes and new faces. Alan Martin, chef and owner along with his wife, Melanie, has a long history with the restaurant.
A graduate of Anniston High School, class of 1985, Martin attended Auburn University's mechanical engineering school, but soon realized that his passion was for cooking.
"I moved back to Anniston and worked at The Victoria in 1988 as a server," Martin says. "It was my first taste of fine dining, and I really had a passion for it. I loved the excitement, the adrenaline and both the mental and physical nature of the business."
Martin graduated in 1994 from a culinary arts school in Atlanta, and worked at a fine Italian restaurant in midtown named Da Vinci's. After moving to Birmingham in 1995, his career as a chef skyrocketed, and he worked as a chef at an array of great restaurants, including: Highlands Bar and Grill, Bottega, Metro Grill and Standard Bistro. Somehow, Martin seemed to find his way back to his roots, and to the restaurant where he worked many years ago.
According to Melanie Delap, Acting Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the Jacksonville State University Foundation, after Earlon and Betty McWhorter donated The Victoria to the JSU Foundation, Jackson Hospitality Services out of Birmingham was hired to help run the establishment. Dean Robb, previous general manager and chef at The Victoria in the 80s, was contacted to help find the perfect person to operate the restaurant. Robb just happened to know someone who worked as a server so many years ago, and was now established as a talented chef. That person was Alan Martin.
"I've been looking to own a restaurant and my own business for twenty years," Martin says. "I've been very cautious and conservative, and I have not pulled the trigger until now. I just felt like this was the right choice."
Martin says that the beautiful property of The Victoria helped influence his decision, but even more so, it was the relationship with JSU that came along with it.
"I think the relationship between JSU and The Victoria is really going to help the restaurant, and vice versa," Martin says. "Assisting the students at JSU in their culinary arts program will help us both. It will help us get great, quality employees for the restaurant and hotel, and it will assist them in making their program stronger."
Martin is committed to serving food that is not only tasty, but that supports the community. He describes his food as contemporary southern cuisine and says that the southern local staples he cooks are presented in a unique way.
"My philosophy is to seek out the finest, freshest local produce and ingredients to support local growers, farmers and fishermen, and cook these ingredients in a simple way, so that their best qualities are shown," Martin says.
Martin explains that the menu will vary according to what fresh produce, game or seafood from the Gulf they have. He says they have fresh Gulf seafood delivered three times a week. There will be options for vegetarians, as well. While the menu may vary, Martin says he aims to always deliver a consistently terrific meal to guests each and every day.
"So many fine-dining restaurants are often times a hit or miss," Martin says. "You can always count on getting a consistent quality product here, while being served with great southern hospitality."
Delap, who attended one of the pre-grand-openings for JSU at the restaurant, was delighted with both the food and the service at The Victoria.
"The atmosphere of the restaurant itself and The Victoria Inn is beautiful," Delap says. "And then you go in, and you're treated to wonderful service and food that is so pleasingly fantastic. It's just a treat."
Martin wishes to make everyone feel comfortable and at-home in the restaurant. While the "dress code" at The Victoria restaurant might be considered business casual, Martin says you won't feel out of place no matter what you wear.
"Many people think of The Victoria and other fine-dining restaurants as being too formal or uptight, and that's not what we're about," Martin says. "We're going to do great quality food and great quality service, but it's all focused to make the guests have a good time and enjoy themselves."
The Victoria restaurant is open Tuesday — Saturday for dinner from 5:30 p.m. — 10:00 p.m. The restaurant also features a bar located beside a spacious patio, and a wine list that will be sure to complement whatever delicious meal you choose.
"The whole experience is quite lovely," Delap says. "It's a wonderful place."
Julie Skinner, a student worker in the Office of Public Relations contributed to this article.
