 Bar Hop
Before dinner drinks at 5 Point, dinner at Ocean’s Bar
By Jan Walsh
Back in the pre-Uber days, designated drivers or cab were necessary to bar hop. What fun to pop in and out, having one course at each restaurant bar, starting with apps and ending with dessert. My preference remains dining at the bar of restaurants, to a table. But these days, rather than hopping from place to place, I make reservations at one spot and stay put for the evening. In fact, I loiter there.
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 Tasting Magic
Chefs, Tyler and Jennifer Lyne synthesize magical flavors into culinary art at Tasting TBL.
By Jan Walsh
I first shared the magic of Tasting TBL with a review of the Saturday 10-Course Dinner months ago. And since then, our sons, Jordan and Ross have wanted to attend. With both “boys” home for Mother’s Day weekend, Kev and I treat them to Friday Night Five Course, Tasting TBL’s Supper Club, to celebrate Jordan’s May birthday.
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 Trusted Taste
Let’s gather around the table, again, at Bistro V.
By Jan Walsh
Bistro V is one of our favorite restaurants. Chef Jeremy Downey and partner, Emily Tuttle Shell keep the stove hot and the doors open Tuesday through Saturday for both lunch and dinner. And when it opens at 11:00, there are always people lined up. Today, as the clock ticks towards opening time, a large, family reunion begins outside in the parking lot, a proud graduate and her family taking photos in front of the restaurant, and two couples meet for lunch. These people trust they will make sweet memories here because they know Bistro V’s kitchen is a lot like their grandmother’s. The veggies were not picked far from the table. The seafood is Gulf. And all products are a curation of the best, in season. Tried and true, time after time.
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 My Friend, Fonfon
Chez Fonfon is like a good friend, who always cheers me up.
By Jan Walsh
Chez Fonfon makes good times better, and makes bad times briefly fade away.
Whether I come to celebrate my birthday or to share a final meal with a dying friend, which I have done here twice, Fonfon is always here for me.
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 Holiday Brunch
Galley and Garden is the place to celebrate.
By Jan Walsh
My family and I have a tradition of celebrating holidays at Galley and Garden. From Easter to Thanksgiving with Mother’s Day and more in between, this is the place to be for the holidays. Galley and Garden is one of the most beautiful restaurants in town, and Chef Jessica Lindeen always has special dishes on the holiday, prix fixe menus, which have a history of being well priced. And today Kev and I arrive to a valet in waiting for Easter Brunch. General Manager, Virgil Morris and Maître D’ Stan Reynolds greet us at the door, and Stan escorts us to our favorite dining room table in front of the fireplace.
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 Time Honored
Celebrating my Birthday at Chef George McMillian’s FoodBar
By Jan Walsh
FoodBar is the newest member of Birmingham Restaurants. But it is not a new restaurant. Renowned Chef George McMillian opened his farm-to-table, Cahaba Heights restaurant in September 2013. So, tonight is a two-toast celebration: my birthday and FoodBar’s upcoming 10th Anniversary in September.
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 Time Honored
Celebrating my Birthday at Chef George McMillian’s FoodBar
By Jan Walsh
FoodBar is the newest member of Birmingham Restaurants. But it is not a new restaurant. Renowned Chef George McMillian opened his farm-to-table, Cahaba Heights restaurant in September 2013. So, tonight is a two-toast celebration: my birthday and FoodBar’s upcoming 10th Anniversary in September.
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 Inside or Out
The umbrellas are open at Bottega Café!
By Jan Walsh
Today we are first in line for lunch at Bottega Café. We look over the menu outside the towering, black iron gates, which open precisely at 11:00. The patio is dotted with black and white stripped umbrellas inviting us to sit underneath here at Birmingham’s most famous patio. Yet inside our window table is also in view, waiting patiently. We opt for our table. From our table it is a delightful scene to watch as most of those behind us quickly fill the patio for an al fresco lunch.
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 Irish Eats
5 Point Public House Oyster Bar’s Annual St. Patrick’s Celebration
By Jan Walsh
Today we celebrate St. Paddy’s at 5 Point Public House and Oyster Bar. This year the fifth annual party is the day after St. Patrick’s Day, Saturday, March 18, to view the Birmingham St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Located in the heart of 5 Points, at 1210 20th Street South, the restaurant is also at the heart of the parade route, passing in front of the sidewalk tables, window tables, and 5 Point’s sidewalk bar.
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 NCAA Best Eats
Best seats for the NCAA Tournament are at our restaurants.
By Jan Walsh
Birmingham Restaurants welcomes visitors to NCAA Tournament. Get a taste of the best restaurants in the Birmingham metro area. No matter which team you cheer, we have restaurants nearby and delivery too. And we have destination restaurants, which lure many out of towners, who come to Birmingham just to dine.
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