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BY LISA KAMPETER

The Dining Divas decided to try out Kota Wood Fire Grill, located just across the street from the Fox Theater, and operated by one of our favorite restaurants, Triumph Bar and Grill.  This breezy night with pleasant temperatures was a perfect teaser to fall being just around the corner, a favorite season for most of the Divas.

Prior to making the commitment to try out Kota, we made sure there weren’t any conflicts with a Fox show that night.  Parking in Grand Center can be rough.  The Cautious Divas weren’t pleased with my decision to park on a side street next to the Fox, a quite desolate area on this night.  But had I not, I would never have noticed the charming new diner right on the corner and a place that I plan to check out for lunch some time soon.  I’m a diner type of girl.

The Travelling Guest Diva joined us from Atlanta although her home is mostly on the road.  Her job takes her all over the United States.  We envied her as she shared with us plans for her upcoming trip to Alaska, until she told us the expectant temperatures were in the 30s.

But for the Travelling Guest Diva and the Greek Diva, they’d rather plop themselves down on a couch rather than travel the country.  The fall means it’s a new college football season.  These Florida natives and University of Florida roommates can talk SEC football like the Dining Divas can talk food.  Not really professionally but with passion.  They are slightly biased.  “Three yards and a cloud of dust,” says the Greek Diva of Big 10 football (or is it Big 11 or  Big 12?).  “Real football is played in the SEC.”

Regardless of what fashion expert Stacy London says about “what not to wear,” any attire with a combination of orange and blue is fashionable, according to these Gator girls.  But it has to be the right color orange.  “Not that Tennessee orange.”

For the Italian Diva, the fall means all of her wedding plans are finally coming to fruition.  For the Colorful Diva, the fall means back to school (along with a 70-hour work week), and it means she’s that much closer to the degree she’s been working so hard on.  For the Educator Diva, the fall means back to the head of the classroom and to the students she loves.

So Kota had a jump start.  We were already feeling good when we walked in.  And they had good happy hour choices, which they didn’t limit just to the bar area.  Being that we were one of maybe three other tables, I’m glad they could be so accommodating.  I’m hoping this was just a slow night.  I don’t know how these places survive when there’s not a show playing at the Fox.

Unfortunately, the restaurant wasn’t the only thing slow this night.  So was our waitress.  You would have thought she had 50 tables, not just three.  But what she lacked in speed, the chef made up for in our dinners.

Kota serves up southern style food with a dash of hospitality to top it off.  A couple Divas shared the Hangtown Fry Salad, field greens with bacon, egg, tomatoes, olives and fried oysters, chopped and mixed with a green goddess vinaigrette.  This was the Engaged Diva’s favorite part of her meal.  And the kitchen staff was hospitable enough to split the salad prior to bringing it out.  That goes a long way with us.

If you’re a fan of grits, you have to try the barbecued shrimp served with smoked chile grits.  The creaminess and flavor had a perfect amount of that southern kick we love.

If you’re into stuffed mushrooms, you may or may not be pleasantly surprised.  If you’re looking for typical stuffed mushrooms, these are not them.  Kota’s are stuffed with goat cheese and herbs and served with a creamy garlic parmesan sauce.  They were the size of the Deep Thought Divas head (well, possibly not that big.  Her head has grown in the past couple years.)  They were a great surprise for the Italian Diva and the Traveling Diva; yet, it was a slight disappointment to the Simple Diva who may have been intimidated by their size and the fact that they were fried.

The Educator Diva is ready to return to Kota for the Nawlin’s Po Boy with shrimp.  She’s still craving this sandwich and the wonderfully spicy grits that accompanied it.

Of course, the Southern Diva had to have grits with her meal, too, the Smoked Pork Chop.  And she loved all of it.

The Picky Diva ordered the safe choice, the Healthy Grill with a beef filet medallion, a grilled chicken breast, and a side of fresh asparagus.  Healthy can mean boring, but this meal still tasted good the next day as lunch

Kota’s menu had so many other items we wanted to try, and their prices were reasonable.  For the Dining Divas, that makes it perfect for any season.

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