 Chez Fonfon and I
Like an old friend, she is always here for me.
By Jan Walsh
I hate Octobers. If I could, I would find a magical calendar that skips this month every year because bad things tend to happen in October. And this month was no exception, with the loss of our 14-Year-Old Cavalier Kings Charles Spaniel, precious Wyckie. Today is our first outing since. And I choose lunch at Fonfon because here I can laugh, or I can cry. Seated in our favorite corner, the window table of the bar, her warm, French jaune walls wrap around me, protecting from the worries of the world as the antique lights glow like halos above. Sizzling aromas of escargot fill my senses, warming my soul. “People never forget how you make them feel. And in restaurants those feelings become the brand,” Chef Craig Shelton, The Enlightened Restaurant. I just finished reading Craig’s book. And his section on “Designing Delight” brought my past experiences at Fonfon to mind. Highly recommended reading for restaurateurs, chefs, and foodies.
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 Dinner and "A Show"
Window table at Bistro 218 overlooks Arrtwalk 2025.
By Jan Walsh
We head up 20th Street North just in time for our reservations at Bistro 218. Yikes! The road is blocked by tents in the street. Ahh, Artwalk! This annual arts festival takes over Birmingham’s downtown loft district transforming it into a two-day, outdoor art exhibit. There are more than 100 visual artists, everything from caricatures to oil on canvas, live musicians, street performers, food and drink vendors, and children’s activities. We quickly detour and find Bistro 218’s valet on the corner rather than in front of the door as usual.
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 A Blueprint for Dinner
Steak Two Ways, Fries One Way
By Jan Walsh
Tonight, we arrive at Blueprint on 3rd thirty minutes before our 5:00 reservation. We take our favorite seats at the end of the Bar. This planned, extra time allows for a drink, extending our evening on the front end. Looking over the bar menu, Kev forgoes the specialty drinks and takes the bartender up on his offer of a Margarita. I study the drinks looking for rum and bourbon. Intrigued by Ambrosia’s Mist, but I settle on Banana Bread Old Fashioned. Kev’s cocktail is vibrant and refreshing. Mine is complex and relaxing. Perfect start to dinner…
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 Class Act
Who’s who line up at Bottega Café’s iron gate, just in time for lunch.
By Jan Walsh
If Bottega Café were a high school senior, she would likely be voted “Most Popular” (for lunch) in the high school’s “Whos’ Who.” Or she might be tied with Chez Fonfon. All the people lined up here waiting for 11:00 a.m. are obviously voting for her. They love her Italian fare’s Southern accent, her lovely limestone façade, sunny patio, and her gracious staff and owners, executive chef Frank Stitt and wife and partner, Pardis.
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 Together In Time
100 years, one location, two iconic restaurants: Joy Young and Café Dupont
By Jan Walsh
If only I could time travel. In my mind, I do…
Arriving at Café Dupont, the valet welcomes and walks us to the door. Here we enter the historic bar, are graciously welcomed by the hostess, and taken a step up to the dining room. Seated at the center, window table, beside the original doors with big city views, co-owner (with wife Angela) and executive chef, Chris Evans stops by the table
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 Best of Bocca
The Next Level at Bocca Ristorante
By Jan Walsh
If I could whip up a perfect evening at Bocca, it would be tonight’s…
The valet is waiting at the door as we arrive. Inside Owners Tom and Christy Saab’s daughter, Ashley Rose welcomes us and leads us to the dining room. Here Chef Saab, dressed in his chef whites greets us.
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 Anniversary Dinner
Kev and I celebrate 29 years at Bottega Dining Room.
By Jan Walsh
Seems like yesterday… I married the love of my life. Few people ever find what we have. And we cherish it. For our anniversary, tonight we choose a restaurant that we both love, Bottega Dining Room.
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 Bread for Thought
The making of a weekend bread list from Birmingham Breadworks…
By Jan Walsh
Mothers never stop thinking and overthinking. This was well played in the movie, What Women Want… We want a happy, healthy family! And when my family heads home for the weekend, I start planning with a Birmingham Breadworks list, where breads only include water, salt, and yeast. And now with online ordering on their website, I have time to shop at my leisure and send someone to pick it up. And anything on my list that is not available in the online ordering system can also be picked up.
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 Chowhounds Night Out
Doggies with discerning palates recommend FoodBar.
By Jan Walsh
For Mother’s Day weekend, Jordan and Courtney bring their new fur baby, Jayce home to meet the family. After initial sniffs, he starts taking over Rudy’s bed and Wyckie’s toys. Kev, Ross, and I commence spoiling Jayce rotten. And our snooty Cavalier King Charles tolerate him, which is the best you can expect because this is how Cavaliers are with other breeds. “At least he is not a poodle…” I expect Wyckie and Rudy are mumbling to each other. But they have a gift for him, a leather collar like theirs. I don’t think Jayce should be left while we go out to dinner. So, Director of Operations, Heather Hay reserved the perfect table, for all our poochies, on the patio. Appreciation and congrats to Heather, who was recently accepted for membership in the Birmingham Chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier International.
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 Cat and Dogs
Dog friendly series starts at The Red Cat
By Jan Walsh
We had never taken the dogs with us to dine until we were forced to go on a dog friendly vacay last year while our hardwood floors were being refinished. Delighted by their behavior we no longer hesitate to take them to local restaurant patios.
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