Reviews › Fine Dining

Sandwich Season
 
I love Birmingham Breadworks in the springtime. 
 
By Jan Walsh 
 

Birmingham Breadworks has the best sandwiches! Each is made to order with their freshly baked breads made of flour, water, and salt. And the lunch menu has nine tried and true sandwiches plus a seasonal sandwich. 

Bay Leaf Buffet
 
Never had Indian food? This buffet is for you. 
 
By Jan Walsh 

 
Bay Leaf Modern Indian Cuisine and Bar's buffet is back! The self-serve, open buffet offers everything from salad to desserts, and many dishes in between from mild to spicy. The buffet is served from 11:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. and available for dine in or takeout, for only $15 per person. Regulars line up for Bay Leaf’s buffet. But I find it is also a great opportunity for those who have never tried Indian cuisine or who want to try more Indian dishes without committing to a full plate of a single dish. Kev prefers mild. I want the heat. So, it is also perfect for us. 

The Whole Quesadilla 
 
From queso to cookies Taco Mama feeds us well.
 
By Jan Walsh 

 
Our Taco Mama is The Summit location. But with nine locations in the Birmingham metro area, you can easily find your own Taco Mama for dining in, pick up, delivery, and catering. You may also order online where Happy Family Take Out Meal, Taco and Nacho Bar, and Margarita Mix by the gallons are popular. And for patrons with allergies, Taco Mama also has an Allergen Menu with symbols for fish, shellfish, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, and eggs, alongside each menu item that contains these common allergens. Mama has thought of everything!

Bless My Heart

Ted’s Restaurant serves Southern fare with a Greek accent.

By Jan Walsh

Entering Ted’s I see smiling faces holding pitchers of iced tea. I look forward to being called pet names, such as “dear” and “honey.” And if I am a real sweetie I might be “darling” today.

Bistro Valentine 
 
Everybody loves Bistro V!  
 
By Jan Walsh 

 
Bistro V is packed as we enter for our 5:00 p.m. Valentine’s reservation. Not a table open other than ours. Ahh, with 300+ requesting reservations, they opened early. although none of us knew what would be on the menu, we regulars knew it would be special. Locally owned by Executive Chef, Jeremy Downey and Pastry Chef, Emily Tuttle Shell. And their Valentine menus is not price fixe but expanded with many special offerings. 

Our Ocean 
 
For fresh seafood, all roads lead south… to Southside. 
 
By Jan Walsh 
 

Our favorite seafood restaurant, in the world, is located at 20th Street South. Chef George Reis’ Ocean Restaurant has it all. Fresh fish, shrimp, oysters, scallops, and more from the Gulf of Mexico, lobster from Maine, and an array of sushi. But you don’t have to be a seafood lover. Ocean is also a destination restaurant for carnivores, with the finest cuts of beef grilled to order over hickory wood. 

French Fortress
 
From hot soup to warm dessert, Chez Fonfon wards off winter. 
 
By Jan Walsh  
 

Dashing up the sidewalk towards Chez Fonfon, a cold blast whips our umbrella. From the antique globes within, the arched frosted windows illuminate a welcoming glow. And as we arrive at 11:00 a.m. sharp, the doors open to toasty temps and friendly smiles inside, including from its owners Chef Frank and Pardis Stitt.

Clean Eats
 
Eli’s Jerusalem Grill pleases all with organic fare. 
 
By Jan Walsh 
 

Eli Markshtien originally opened Eli’s Jerusalem Grill to make Israeli food, from his grandmother’s recipes. Locally, family owned by he and wife, Laurel, this one-of-a-kind eatery has since become a destination restaurant.

New Year's News

Life is a gift. Each moment is precious. And I try to remain in the present. Yet it is fun to look back, including at 50 Favorites 2023 and my first culinary cartoon series, “That Guy!” And as the old year fades and the new one gets underway, it is time to start something(s) new. 

Do Tell

MARO’s secret specials are now offered six days a week.  

By Jan Walsh 
 
Chef Abhi Sainju’s new restaurant, MARO is a fast casual, Asian Fusion eatery. It is located at 361 Rele Street, in Lane Parke, in the same Mountain Brook Village neighborhood as Abhi Eatery and Bar, and open Monday through Saturday.