Places

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

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 Restaurant
Bellini’s Ristorante and Bar is the best new restaurant for dinner to open 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 alike. 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 Benard 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.

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.



Chef’s Table
The chef’s table at Veranda on Highland’s is not in the kitchen. It is centered in the wine cellar and is the place for an intimate, private dinner or power lunch. The mahogany Chef’s Table, with an antique pedestal of hammered iron, is surrounded by private cabinets with antique bronze screens, wine lockers, and wine racks made of heart redwood. With the temperature adjusted for comfortable dining, tasting menus, created by executive chef, Thomas Robey are served and paired with wines from the cellar.

Child Friendly
Are your children cramping your dining style? Take the kids to dinner with you at La Dama Pizzeria at Liberty Park. Tim Stevens has kids too. So he developed a restaurant for adults and children. La Dama offers a fine wine list, signature martinis, the best of Italian fare—and arcade games in the back for the kids. The kids' also have their own menu. At press time La Dama’s Tim Stevens was planning a La Dama Bistro at the Pinnacle in Trussville.

Diamonds and Denim
A memorable and special evening of food, wine, and entertainment was held at the Fort Payne home of Teddy Gentry, of the legendary band Alabama—Diamonds and Denim Dinner Party. The event benefited the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Also hosting the event with Gentry were George and Harriet Reis of Ocean and 26 restaurants, Chef Clayton and Sharon Sherrod, and Giani Respinto of GianMarco’s. The chefs prepared an amazing menu using grass-fed chicken and beef straight from the Gentry's Farm. The event, limited to the first 40 couples who bought tickets, were bussed to Fort Payne for a reception followed by dinner and special entertainment by Teddy Gentry and friends.

Do The ‘due
Fondue brings back fond memories of the 1970’s nights spent swirling chunks of French bread in melted cheese, beef tips sizzling in hot oil and dipping fruit into pots of deep, dark chocolate for dessert. It was an experience, not just a meal. The Melting Pot is such an experience, not just a restaurant—offering creamy cheese fondues, fresh salads, fine wines, and mouthwatering chocolate fondue desserts.

Favorita Façade
Bottega Favorita building, built in 1925 on Highland Avenue, is the home of Frank and Pardis Stitt’s Bottega Restaurant and Bottega Café. Originally the building was home to Gus Mayer with a dormitory for nurses upstairs. The walnut panels from the dressing rooms at Gus Mayer now line the walls of Bottega Restaurant. “I used to drive by the building on my way to Highland’s, and always admired it,” Frank Stitt says. Carved into the stone above the door are the words, “Bottega Favorita,” which Stitt explains, “a favorite boutique or shop where an artisan makes and sells goods. He opened Bottega Restaurant here in 1988, and the café in 1990. In 2008 the restaurant underwent a remodeling that retained the integrity of its architecture but updated its ambience.

For Cooks
The Cooks Store in Mountain Brook Village is a locally owned one-stop shop for cooks. Whether you want to whisk something up in a hurry, slow cook it all day, or buy a culinary gift, this is the place.

Light My Fire
The patio at Billy’s On Overton is a popular, neighborhood, gathering spot for residents of Liberty Park and surrounding Mountain Brook. With its own patio bar, plasma televisions, a roaring two-story stacked stone fireplace, and Billy’s full menu, this patio has it all. Live music is also enjoyed here Wednesdays through Sundays beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Picnic on Purdy
Take your picnic basket to Zoes and pack it with fried pimento cheese sandwiches, chicken salad sandwiches, pasta salad, potato salad slaw—and chocolate cake. Then head to Lake Purdy, and rent a well-worn pontoon boat. Throw a quilt down for your picnic and enjoy the scenic lake, which has made a comeback from last year’s drought.

Southern Comfort
Located on Main Street Joel’s Restaurant has served the city of Trussville for 25 years. Line up and pick your pleasure of meat and three, cafeteria-style fare. Daily offerings include several meats, such as country fried steak, fired or baked chicken, liver and onions, and an appetizing array of vegetables and casseroles. Joel and Peggy Rickles own and operate this home cooking at its best restaurant. Don’t miss the Blue Plate, which includes their tea and their famous cornbread—with the texture of cake and a hint of sweetness—for only $6.95.

Sunset Views
Dine alfresco on Brock’s patio amidst roaring fire pits and to the tunes of the bagpiper as the sun sets. Both the view and the menu change with the seasons.

Upscale “Sports” Bar
Drop in the bar for a game—or just for a drink—at Shula’s Steakhouse. This wood-paneled, upscale bar offers bar tops, tabletops, and a seat at the mahogany bar. Bartender Allen May has been muddling martinis here for five years. Whether you pair one with an appetizer, an entrée from the dinner menu or sip it alone, martinis sure to score are the Chocolate, Lemon Drop, and Pineapple Upside Down Cake.

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