THOMASTON &8212; Since opening in Nov. 2006, Mama Nem&8217;s Bistro in Thomaston has no doubt made a reputation for itself as being a unique and special eatery.

Chef Robert Cawley, a native of Beulah who now lives in Montgomery, is the consulting chef for Mama Nem&8217;s. He is responsible for creating and testing menu items and training all of the staff. According to Cawley, it is one of their goals to be distinctive.

By taking more traditional dishes and putting a twist on them, Cawley and his staff have been able to keep a steady flow of customers to their bistro brunch each Sunday and more recently, their Friday night dinners from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

This year for the first time, they hosted a Halloween-themed evening complete with a menu featuring &8220;Voo Doo Shrimp&8221; and &8220;Graveyard Pie.&8221;

Cawley said the shrimp dish is just a different take on what some would refer to as New Orleans-style barbeque shrimp. The twist for Mama Nem&8217;s: add a little bourbon and some Chinese Chili sauce.

Other items for the special evening included Mama Nem&8217;s house salad, chicken with artichoke hearts and sun-dried tomatoes, apple bourbon pork loin and beef burgundy. The finishing touch was graveyard pie.

The pie is a take on a fall favorite, apple pie. Only one includes a caramel sauce and toffee bits baked into the pie, served in a spiced cream in glace with whipped cream and chocolate garnish.

Cawley said in all of their dishes, they aim to take classic foods that might be found in grandma&8217;s kitchen and make them their own. Also, all of the items they use for their food they try to buy locally in the state.

The next special event scheduled for Mama Nem&8217;s is a wine tasting at 6 p.m., on Saturday, Oct. 27.

For more information visit www.craftsofalabama.com or call 334-627-3388. Kelli Wright is the staff writer for The Demopolis Times. She can be reached at kelli.wright@demopolistimes.com.