Recommendations for good food in Birmingham?
Hello. I have one night in Birmingham and interested in great food. Up for casual or pricey, but primary focus is good food. Don't mind casual, but would prefer "decent" atmosphere meaning not picnic tables in a barn (not opposed to that sometimes, just not this trip). Appreciate any thoughts.
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OK so we ended up at Hot & Hot Fish Club. Great atmosphere and great food. Kind of funny that each of us went with the pork trio since it's known for seafood but the waiter recommended and it was amazing.
Great winelist, although the mark up WOW. I guess we're used to Napa where they can't mark them up much or people just bring their own. Thanks for the recommendations.
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Highland's Bar & Grill - Frank Stitt has been nominated for a James Beard for as long as I can remember. He's paved the way for fine dining with southern cuisine. This is his flagship restaurant. The service is top notch, the atmosphere is comfortable, and the food is amazing. I've never been let down. Definitely the upscale place to go in bham, in my opinion
Chef FonFon - Located next door to Highlands, and also owned by Frank Stitt. The atmosphere is casual, a great feel, and the prices are reasonable. The food is very French countryside. The charcuterie is awesome, as is just about everything else on the menu. If you love French cuisine this is a great option.
Bottega - Also owned by Stitt, this place is split into two parts, the restaurant and the cafe. The cafe is much more casual whereas the dining room is fine dining. I personally have never dined in the restaurant as the cafe works best for me. I generally go for lunch - the pizzas are great.
Hot & Hot Fish Club - Haven't been here in a while but when I went I really enjoyed it. Owned by Chris Hastings (who worked for Stitt prior to going off on his own). I can't speak too much for it because I don't go there often but the food is always good and I remember the service being nice. A great meal and a very cool atmosphere.
These are my favorites in Bham. Some often say they're touristy (Why I'm not sure..) and overdone but i've never had a negative experience at any of the restaurants. Frank Stitt is a wonderful chef and restaurant owner. If you're visiting for a short time i'd say visiting one of his establishments is a must!
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re: teejaymoore
You understand very well, then, about the Stitt influence in town.
All of those suggestions are good. Within your complex is a pretty good sushi/Japanese place called Jinsei http://www.birminghamrestaurants.com/menus.asp?action=form&recordID=335499
and a well-regarded tapas/Mediterranean place called Do-di-yos. http://www.dodiyos.com/
For breakfast near your hotel, I've heard raves about the morning fare at a barbecue joint a block away, Demetri's http://www.demetrisbbq.com/BREAKFASTM...
But I'd go with the high-end places mentioned above, especially Highlands or Hot and Hot (whose chef, Chris Hastings, also is a James Beard nominee). Both specialize in haute Southern food. They'll give you a unique sense of place.
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How much do you want to spend, where are you coming from and where will you be staying? We've got some James Beard-quality restaurants, decent Mexican fare, Italian, Southern cooking from haute to just hot.
Relatively few barns with picnic tables.›4 Replies-
re: Big Daddy
Staying at Aloft Hotel in Soho I think. Price doesn't matter just not up for fancy (meaning fussy, not price). Looking for casual to nice good food (contemporary, southern, mex - anything but italian as overdosed on it). James Beard probably a good start.
PS - barn comment wasn't a slam on BHM but more just a preference statement for this trip. My favorite burger in Napa is at a gas station.
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re: teejaymoore
sheilal
Mar 4, 2010 09:42 AM
I really enjoy Cafe Dupont which is located downtown. "Fancy" southern food at it's best. http://www.cafedupont.net/
For great seafood, I recommend Ocean - definitely try the lobster pot pie if you go. Fabulous!!
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