eatyourveggies1's Profile
Birmingham Cheesehounds
Saturday I purchased some Nevat goat cheese (Spain) at Whole Foods. Soft luxurious texture, almost citrus notes. Really amazing. I bought all they had (sorry!). Hopefully they will be getting more in.
Here is a link I found from SF Gate on the cheese.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/06/24/WIGGN7AF341.DTL&type=wine
Birmingham Cheesehounds
The Green Hill is really tasty. I have been enjoying this week with the Thomasville Tomme (also Sweetgrass).
Birmingham Cheesehounds
So what is the less-expensive French chevre you prefer? While I am a huge fan of Belle Chevre, and try to keep my goat cheese money local, I'm always open to options.
And on the local discussion, I've been impressed with the Wright Dairy cheeses I have purchased this summer at PP. Really like Wanda.
Also, I have posted on this before, but if you find yourself in the Elberta area of Baldwin County or near the Alabama Gulf Coast, Sweet Home Farm is producing some excellent cheeses. It's actually worth a field trip. The store is only open on Saturdays, and currently they aren't making enough to sell outside of the farm. Go early in the morning, and try to get the place to yourself. There are so many to taste. Here is some info from the Southern Cheesemakers' Guild.
http://www.southerncheese.com/Pages/sweethome.html
Best Fine Dining In Mobile.....
Have not been to Felix's or the Oyster House in a while, but would suggest Felix's over the other. NOJA is excellent, as is Tru, which is in the Springhill area of Mobile. The Pillar's, it's been years...
Also, in downtown Fairhope, a great lunch spot is Panini Pete's in the Fairhope French Quarter. House-made mozzarella is great, and you can even purchase by the pound. There might be a crowd, however. It's been featured on the Food Network a few times.
Best Fine Dining In Mobile.....
Across the bay, Camilla Cafe in downtown Daphne is best. The "fine dining" establishments in Point Clear are very inconsistent and at times laughable. They oftentimes have a hard time delivering what the menu promises (Wash House, restaurants at the Grand Hotel). The Colony in Fairhope has closed and reopened as Tamara's, a steakhouse that seems to be a more promising bar scene. The dives/holes are better in the Fairhope area.
There is a new sushi restaurant in downtown Fairhope, Master Joe's, that is good for the area. Not stellar and certainly not worth comparison to other sushi restaurants in metro areas. But good for Fairhope.
Try Red or White wine store/bar in Fairhope for great antipasti and pizzas. They carry some good cheeses (Belle Chevre, Sweet Grass Dairy). The Sunflower Cafe in a strip mall next to Fairhope Health Food store offers good lunches and dinners, though not much for atmosphere. But clean, consistent food, a good deal of which is organic.
If you have more specific questions, I'll be happy to answer.
Breakfast in Birmingham
I still think the brunch at Crepe Myrtle (Little Professor) is one of the best in town. Their sweet potato hash is really good with the smoked trout and wasabi cream.
The breakfast menu at City Hall Diner in Vestavia looks promising. Anyone been?
Also, any experiences at Demetri's in Homewood for breakfast? I don't like their barbecue, but the parking lot is always packed out in the morning.
Birmingham: Banh Mi mania
Finally made it for lunch today. Bahn mi with the char-broiled pork. Very tasty. Also got the pho tai nam with thinly sliced beef and brisket. For $3, the bahn mi is the cheapest, tastiest lunch I know of in Birmingham.
Birmingham - Royal Reds?
I would call Snapper Grabbers again, as they do have them from time to time. Since royal reds are caught so far out and must be frozen on board at sea to keep them fresh, it is my understanding that once regular shrimp can be caught closer to shore, the fishermen stop going so far out for the reds.
As a side note, Snapper Grabbers is also selling the ribeyes that are on the menu at Highlands. I believe they were around $12.99 each. Can't remember the specific kind.
Bham area - Let's talk barbecue
Wondering what the consensus is on Moe's on Rocky Ridge. I've really enjoyed their pork and smoked chicken sandwiches. Sauces are good as well, though I usually add more spice. And their sides are always a highlight for me. Collards, creamed corn, mac and cheese, Brunswick stew, etc. One day last summer I stopped by pretty early in the day and spoke with someone in the kitchen while I was waiting on my order. They'd already been through 60 pounds of fried green tomatoes that morning. And they weren't the frozen kind. I could see bowls and bowls of freshly cut tomatoes waiting for their hot grease bath. Mmmmm. Hope summer will hurry.
Birmingham - Locally milled grits & local knife sharpener?
I've enjoyed all of the McEwen & Sons products that I've purchased. I am also using their organic cornmeal right now, and it makes some killer cornbread.
Please post if anyone finds out if V. Richard's still does the Tuesday knife sharpening.
Tuscaloosa - Birmingham
I agree with Big Daddy. It's a decent lunch spot and better than other chain sandwich places, but nothing earth shattering. The two locations I have been to (downtown UAB and 280) are always packed at lunch and even early for dinner, so the masses are enjoying. I like the vegetarian club with roasted red peppers, bellas, pesto, and goat cheese. Pretty tasty, but I would like to be able to order it on whole wheat bread. I've asked a few times and the response is always that they are premade. That concerns, but then again, I am purchasing a $7 sandwich at a chain sandwich shop. I've ordered one pizza (can't remember which one), and it was a bit greasy. But I have heard others who really like the chicken BBQ pizza.
Birmingham bakeries
Pasty Art Bake Shoppe in Homewood and Angel's Cakes and Confections in Crestline Village are two of the very best in town. They bake from scratch and don't use mixes like many of the other bakeries in town. Pastry Art is known for their cake bites, and Angel's makes an addictive caramel cake and caramel cupcakes. Their chocolate cake with homemade peanut butter cups is also worth trying.
Owl's Hollow Farm Delivery in Birmingham
If anyone is interested in filling the void of Pepper Place this fall/winter, Rod Palmer, owner of Oak Hollow Farm, is delvering on Saturdays to people in Birmingham. He offers delivery at Pepper Place and is also considering some home delivery. Here is the link to his Web site. You have to sign up to newsletter, and then click on the place a Pepper Place order link on the left of the site. There you will find listings of produce/meat available. He's also hoping to add some dairy.
http://owlshollowfarm.com/index.php
Steakhouses (Birmingham, AL)
There is nothing girly about the steak frites at FonFon. I always end up eating off my husband's plate and begging for one more bite.
I'm not a steakhouse diner because I tend to shy away from chain restaurants, but you can be sure of a good fillet at daniel george and likely at some of our other top locally-owned restaurants.
Birmingham Surprises
From home page of Satterfield's site:
Wednesday night is Tapas Night in the bar with a special menu of “small bites,” all-night happy hour and live music from Glen and Libba.
Birmingham Surprises
For non-expense-account nights, they have wine specials on some nights during the week and a fun appetizer menu in the bar on Wednesday nights (with live music). Great bartenders, and great chef's counter when in the dining room. My favorite meal there is still braised rabbit and homemade pappardelle dish from a fall or two ago.
Birmingham Surprises
I believe they offer the same menu throughout the day. Report back if you try.
Birmingham Surprises
I was pleasantly surprised by a dish at Makarios in Five Points a few weeks ago. So surprised, in fact, that I thought about the flavors the next morning, afternoon, evening and just about every day since. Time to go back this week. It is their lamb gallaba (spelling) ordered zesty with hummus. I've never had this dish else where, so I can't compare it. Very intense can't-get-enough flavor. As crazy as it sounds, I would liken it to middle eastern fajitas. Tender pieces of lamb cooked in zesty sauce with vegetables. This is on top of a bed of hummus, so you roll up the mixture in pitas, at least that is what I did. Really amazing dish. And for $12 I think, you can't beat the price. It also comes with lentil soup and rice.
Birmingham - Break 'n Bread
This is a great event, Dax, and a good chance to support our local restaurants and mingle with fellow foodies. If you can swing the VIP tickets, not sure how much they are this year, you get access to a covered tent, tables, and unlimited wine pours. It's worth it in my opinion if you plan to make an afternoon of it.
Bham - Hot and Hot
Definitely do the chef's counter if you have a party of one or two. I've done it with three before, but find it a little hard to carry on a conversation.
sushi in birmingham?
Had a great meal at Jinsei over the weekend. Quality of sushi was excellent. Had the Jinsei roll, the spider roll, and a special which was albacore on top, (spicy?) tuna on the inside. Also shared the Chilean sea bass in a wonderful black bean broth. Just wished the fish had been served with some bok choy or other type of vegetable. It looked so lonely with no accompaniments.
sushi in birmingham?
Any Birmingham sushi updates?
I've heard rumblings that the original sushi chef at Jensei is no longer there and that quality has gone down in recent months. Does anyone have any info to share?
Birmingham, one night only
I second pinotboy on the bar side at Highlands. It is the preferred spot for many because the atmosphere is fun and a little more lively. No need to worry about getting second-rate service, either. It's also seriously one of the best bars in Birmingham so regardless of whether or not you eat there, you should stop by for drinks or a drink and dessert after dinner.
With that said, Bottega would be a quick 2-3 minutes cab ride from the heart of 5 points.
Birmingham, one night only
daniel george or Highlands. Chef's counter if you go the Hot & Hot route.
Birmingham Pizza
Shot glasses, or juice glasses, are the norm for sips of wine at Chez Lulu. Garlic soup continues to get me there.
Anything Chowish along/around Rt. 30A
I highly recommend Basmatti's on 30A in Santa Rosa Beach. Asian-influenced food and some of the best, freshest sushi I have ever eaten (including some of the big names in NYC). Rolls were very refreshing with creative uses of ingredients such as fresh herbs, rose water, truffle oil, cracked pepper, etc. Vegetables for sushi rolls and summer rolls are locally-grown. I stuck to the sushi and appetizers, but the entrees did look great. I heard some pleasant reviews of the firecracker grouper, which looked to be lightly fried and served in a sweet-and-sour sauce. Prices for rolls were about $8 up. I think I had 3 rolls and two glasses of wine for around $50ish, so not too bad.
Birmingham - (reasonably) healthy eats?
I tend to do Tazikis for lighter meals. Their Greek salad with grilled lamb is good, as is their plain Greek. Greek with chicken also available. I try to use dressing very, very sparingly because I know it is packed with calories. I also think their Pesto chicken wrap is a decently healthy lunch or dinner, though you are getting lots of carbs from the pita.
My gripe with Newks is that many of their sandwiches, etc, are premade. I've asked for whole wheat bread with their veggie club a few times, and they always tell me they can do whole wheat bread because their sandwiches are already made.
Best of B'ham??
Their web site does not list flavors, as they change each day. You can also find gelato at Whole Foods. Angels is better, but on a hot day it's fun to shop with a half pistachio/half dark chocolate cone.
Birmingham - (reasonably) healthy eats?
Please report back as you find good healthy eats in the HAM.
