issue feature
 
 

 
  by Jan Walsh
Adults Allowed
Enjoy an adult evening out at The Wine Loft Downtown or The Wine Loft Mountain Brook. Each Wine Loft has its own identity; both offer a wonderful wine selection and a place to escape the pressures of the day. Begin the evening with an appetizer and a glass of wine. Make a meal of appetizers from their menu and pair with a bottle—or two—of wine. Drop by after dinner. Late nights are also happening and make a great place to extend your evening.

Aged To Perfection
The scenic murals at The Bright Star, Alabama’s oldest restaurant, were painted in 1915 by an unknown traveling artist from Germany who traded talent for lodging and food. Each scene is a vivid and imaginary view of his country.

Art and Art
The Terrace Café is housed in the Birmingham Museum of Art, and Executive Chef Jason Mezrano creates art on a plate for those who lunch there. His café daily specials are just that—special. One such dish is the succotash, a creative mix of fresh, local vegetables.

Asian Double Feature
The claim to fame for the longtime Hoover restaurant, Stix, is the ease of movement between Japanese and Chinese cuisine. The restaurant splits itself down the middle, and one side serves Chinese while one side is a Japanese steakhouse. But there is no great wall to climb over; just choose the cuisine that suits you.

Bananas Foster
The flaming performance of Bananas Foster is prepared tableside at Plaza III. Sparks of flaming rum dance above the fire, and enticing aromas fill the air as the server caramelizes the bananas over a gas burner. Afterwards he spoons the caramelized bananas over ice cream and then adds its “gravy.” With the swirling action of each wrist—Voila! The two bananas foster-filled goblets are served and devoured.

Beef Lovers’ Sandwich
Jim and Nick’s Sliced Angus Beef Brisket is slow-smoked over genuine hickory in a real brick pit by their patient pit master. Served on my choice of sourdough, the sandwich is piled high with moist and tender brisket, American cheese, lettuce and tomato. I taste the tradition in every hearty and comforting bite.

Best Kept Secret
Standard Bistro is a gem of a restaurant. If you have not found your way there it is time you did, because your first visit will not be your last. Tucked away in the Town of Mt. Laurel is one of the best restaurants in the greater Birmingham area—and the South. Residents of nearby neighborhoods— including Greystone, Highland Lakes and Shoal Creek—frequent the Standard Bistro. But it is well worth a drive from anywhere in the Birmingham area and beyond.

Best New Lunch
The Gardens Café offers a lovely lunch with views of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens from its two story palladium windows and from its covered patio. This Kathy G. venue is a lovely spot for lunch, Tuesdays through Saturdays. Beyond the views, this “blooming” café’s chef, Nichole Kessey, serves a menu made of fresh, local ingredients. Her soups, salads and vanilla crème brulee bring me back for more.

Best New Restaurant
Bellini’s Ristorante and Bar is the best new restaurant to open for dinner in 2008. Stop by for a glass of wine after work, reserve a table for a romantic dinner with your spouse, or pop in for an impromptu evening with friends. Their Tuscan style steakhouse fare is familiar enough to bring you back for more yet sophisticated enough to satisfy foodies. The menu offers variety while remaining true to their core cuisine offerings of Italian and steakhouse. And the nightly specials make any evening at Bellini’s a new experience. The restaurant is the achievement of Bernard Tamburello, co-owner and executive chef of Bellini’s and Hoover’s La Dolce Vita. At press time Bellini’s was planning to open for lunch.

Big Idea
If your passion for wine has outgrown your wine cabinet, think bigger. Small Cellars’ national franchise concept began in Birmingham and is the big idea of entrepreneur Brandon Smith, president and founder of the company. The company builds exactly that small cellars. Smith specializes in building small, affordable and attractive wine cellars for today’s homes. His desire is to change the preconception that wine cellars are for the wealthy who live large, one small cellar at a time.

Billy’s Burger
Remember when burgers were hand formed of ground chuck and grilled over an open fire? Today it is difficult to find this simple pleasure. You either settle for fast food or a sticker shock burger. But not at Billy’s Bar and Grill in English Village and Billy’s On Overton. The burgers are thick, handmade and retain their juiciness on a sesame seed bun with lettuce, tomato and mayo. Throw away the grill and head to Billy’s!

Black Napkins
Black is my favorite color. Approximately 90 percent of my clothes reflect this. So I most appreciate restaurants with napkins of the same hue. Among the restaurants that have black, or dark, napkins are Bellini’s Restorante and Bar, GianMarco’s, Grey House Grille, John’s City Diner, La Dolce Vita, Michael’s Steaks and Seafood, Sweet Bones Alabama, The Bright Star, The Melting Pot, The Wine Loft, Veranda on Highland and Village Tavern. And if you request one, the following restaurants will happily oblige: 26, Billy’s Bar and Grill, Billy’s on Overton, Café Dupont, Clubhouse at Ross Bridge, Fleming’s Steakhouse and Wine Bar, Highlands Bar and Grill, Hot and Hot Fish Club, McCormick and Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant, Ocean, Standard Bistro, The Gardens Café and Tavern on the Summit. Brio Tuscan Grill has black roll ups on the bar top and chef’s counter, and black is available in the dining room upon request. Brock’s at Ross Bridge uses yellow, lint-free napkins.

Bottle Room
You haven’t been to B&A Warehouse until you experience its bottle room. The wine bottle-lined ambience is reminiscent of dining in a wine cellar. It is intimate and makes an ideal setting for a holiday, business or family gathering. It will seat 25 for dinner or lunch and is large enough for a reception of 125 people.
 
 

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November Birmingham, Alabama

  

 
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