The Globe, an original Shakespeare-themed restaurant, reopened in downtown Tuscaloosa at the former location of Carmelo’s Cafe in March.
Located in downtown Northport for 17 years, The Globe was forced to close its doors in 2009 after economic struggles.
Jeff Wilson, owner and chef of The Globe, said the restaurant kept its original title because of the history behind the name.
“The original location was in Northport, and there was an old hotel built on the location where we opened called The Globe,” Wilson said. “The Globe was also Shakespeare’s first theater, and the food is from around the globe. So we have three tie-ins to the name.”
The restaurant serves a variety of dishes to cater to different palates. Each dish on the menu is created from recipes that Wilson has developed over the past 20 years.
“It’s best called global fusion,” Wilson said. “We serve French dishes, some Cajun food and things I’ve come up with. Some of the dishes are themed with Shakespeare, and some not. It’s eclectic, unique. We have filets and salmon. We have all of the basics that everybody knows but with a different twist.”
One of the most popular items on the menu is The Globe’s original shrimp tortellini.
“Everybody likes the shrimp tortellini,” said Wilson. “It’s a cheese tortellini with a cream sauce. It’s very good.”
Along with being a restaurant owner and chef, Jeff Wilson is also a University of Alabama alumnus who graduated with a degree in theater. Instead of moving away to a big city, Wilson decided to follow his love of cooking to open a small restaurant and start a family. However, his prevailing passion for theater inspired the Shakespeare theme, which is featured throughout the restaurant.
Wilson said it is his goal to create a rare visual and culinary dining experience for his costumers.
“I hope they think it’s the most unique food and unique space they’ve been in the South, or even in Tuscaloosa,” he said. “I just want them to feel like it’s a very unique, cool place.”
During its time in Northport, The Globe created its own community within the Tuscaloosa area. Russell Stephens, an employee at The Globe and a recent UA graduate with a bachelor’s degree in musical theater, said the reopening of the restaurant will help re-establish The Globe’s community of followers.
“There’s a big community in Tuscaloosa that thrived off of The Globe,” Stephens said. “I think the reopening just kind of re-lit the spark that used to be here.”
Stephens said he hopes the new opening will allow new customers to experience a one-of-a-kind restaurant.
“I can definitely say it’s not like any other fine dining place in Tuscaloosa,” Stephens said. “It’s a unique menu, more than anything I have ever experienced, both working and as a guest. I’ve never seen another restaurant like this in terms of theme or menu. It’s just really chill; it’s just a great restaurant ,and the food is incredible.”
The Globe is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m.
