A Southern Reuben made with corned beef and pickled collard greens. A Tallahassee take on croquetas — with smoked mullet. Chicken — yes chicken – cracklins coated with a spicy honey glaze. 
These are just a few of the dishes you can expect to find at Table 23, the former home of the Front Porch, when it opens June 20.
At a media preview on June 16, owners Joe and Mandy Lemons, with chefs Brian Knepper and Brandon Miller, talked about creating a Southern-style menu that looks familiar but has lots of surprises. For instance, those cracklins. They’re not your granny’s pig cracklins. These are made with fried 
chicken skin elevated by a honey sauce with Asian spices. They could be addictive.
Fried okra gets a dusting of crushed pecans and this Southern take on Latin croquetas features round puffs stuffed with fish instead of creamy ham and cheese. The burger adds pimento cheese and peppered bacon, served on challah, and of course, there’s shrimp & grits, though it has a mushroom and bacon tomato gravy. If all this sounds rich, try the fresh Gulf fish catch “prepared simply.”
Desserts are made in-house, including a basil sage gelato, and a sweet strawberry pretzel parfait (based on Knepper’s mom’s recipe) served in a small mason jar.
The Lemons said they wanted a place that’s inviting but not so high-priced that it’s reserved only for special occasions. Most dishes are 
under $20. There is a rib-eye for $28 and a hand-cut filet for $34 on the high end of the entree list, with pecan-crusted chicken for $18, plus small plates, “hand helds” and salads.
You’ll find Southern-style cocktails, including a Pecan Old Fashioned and a Lemon Meringue, a selection of craft beers, sangria, wines by
the glass as well as fine wines for those who want to splurge.
It’s good to see this lovely location back in business. Tell us what you think.
If you go …
Table 23
1215 Thomasville Rd., Tallahassee, 32303
