Looking for dishes in Birmingham area

[bhamdining]

Got the following question on our Bhamdining.com blog but I'm at a loss for an answer. Can Chowhounds help?

Can you tell me where (within a 30 mile radius) they have gazpacho soup on their summer menu and/or where we can purchase some to take home? Also are there any restaurant where we can order Snails in Black Bean Sauce?

[rebadiva]

Chez Lulu rotates gazpacho (both red and white) as the soup du jour in the summer. Both are delcious, but they are served in such tiny tiny cups!

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Chez Lulu
1911 Cahaba Rd, Birmingham, AL 35223

[Big Daddy]

Snails, try Red Pearl on West Valley Ave (INside Super Oriental Market) They keep snails live there, and make black bean sauce dishes, so it seems two could be combined.

I'm wracking my brain trying to remember who made a killer gazpacho at the Slow Food Fair at Jones Valley Urban Farm. If I remember, I'll post.

[Dax]

Pretty sure they have oysters at RP as well but when I asked if they did them, the waitress said no. There were lots of folks there getting duck at the restaurant Sunday at lunch ... nothing says 4th of July like roasted duck! I had the Sichuan-style braised beef hotpot, which was just ok.

[Big Daddy]

Snails are on the Red Pearl menu (although sauteed) while oysters are not, which may be why they woldn't do it. Frankly I haven't found that youg woman who works in the restaurant to be particularly helpful at all. The young woman who aorks at the cash register is usually friendly and helpful.

[Dax]

Agree on both counts. The woman at the counter is always nice and helpful when I ask about something (assuming I ask when they are not too busy).