Reviews › Fine Dining

Gourmet Comfort  

Bistro 218 lunch menu pleases both the foodie and homebody in me. 

By Jan Walsh 

Bistro 218 is one of my favorite restaurants. And Chef Tom Saab is one of my favorite chefs. I appreciate that he sources the finest organic and Non-GMO products, and disallows GMOs in his kitchen, including cooking oil. I also don’t think I have ever been here for lunch or dinner when he was not in the kitchen. And it shows. 

Harvest Kale Salad 

Slice rolls out new fall salad along with new restaurant. 

By Jan Walsh 

I have been a regular at Slice Pizza and Brew since it opened in Lakeview. And now I have a new Slice, closer to home, located in Vestavia Hills. 

Foodie Burgers 

Galley and Garden’s lunch burgers please beef and seafood lovers. 

By Jan Walsh 

Today I am lunching with my dear friend, Laura Calloway to celebrate her upcoming retirement from the Alabama State Bar. And we ladies have saved our appetites for this—and not here to order dainty salads. 

A Feminine Affair  

The Gardens Café host private event for Les Dames d’Escoffier. 

By Jan Walsh 

Les Dames d’Escoffier, Birmingham Chapter welcomed new members this week at The Gardens Café by Kathy G. Located at Birmingham Botanical Gardens, the cafe was the perfect place to have this annual event. 

Galley and Garden named one of America’s 100 Best Wine Restaurants 2018 by Wine Enthusiast.

By Jan Walsh, Photography by Wine Enthusiast and Beau Gustafson 

My favorite table at the Galley and Garden is the chef’s table in the wine room. Here vintage, first class—and first growth—wines are displayed under lock and key, in wine cabinets with antique bronze screens in this 1,500-bottle capacity cellar. Thus, it was no surprise to me to learn that Galley and Garden is now being recognized nationally and internationally for its wine collection.

Pollo Asado Rojo

Chef recommends El ZunZún’s roasted chicken, and so do I. 

By Jan Walsh 

For this week’s “Food Find,” I found a whole new restaurant—El ZunZún! The restaurant is a sister restaurant to Satterfield’s Restaurant, as both are owned by Becky Satterfield.

Magic Grits

The Gulf Shrimp and Grits at Marre and Allen are phenomenal.

By Jan Walsh 

I am not easy to please when it comes to grits. Like Mr. Tipton in the movie, My Cousin Vinny, I believe, “No self-respecting southerner uses instant grits. I take pride in my grits.”

Chocolate Taco 

And the winner of the Magic City Chocolate Challenge… 

By Jan Walsh 

It was my pleasure to judge the 4th Annual Magic City Chocolate Challenge last night. The event was held at Regions Field in the Diamonds Direct Ballroom and benefits Disabilities Rights and Resources, drradvocates.org. Here local chocolatiers and pastry chefs competed as we tasted and judged which dish would be named Birmingham’s Best Chocolate. The event also included live music, a silent auction, free non-alcoholic beverages, and a cash bar. 

In the Know 

Pair brand new dishes with a secret rosé at Marre and Allen. 

By Jan Walsh 

Marre and Allen Bar and Kitchen is a destination restaurant. It is located in the Birmingham Marriott. But unlike most hotel restaurants, it boasts an all-star culinary team—Executive Chef, Chad Schofield and Sous Chef, Damon Davis. And Birmingham Marriott’s General Manager, Chris Townsley brings his extensive culinary and wine background to mentor the chefs and assist in product selection. 

El ZunZún Opening Summer 2018

Becky Satterfield is preparing to open her second restaurant, EL ZunZún. And Jan Walsh was Wowed by her first taste at a preview media party this week.