Birmingham -- Anyone eating anything good these days?

We're also enjoying Mix. Amazing bread, sandwiches, great farro salad. (However, the chopping skills have become inconsistent of late - everything in the farro salad used to be perfectly uniformly chopped to match the size of the farro. Last time we had grape halves and whole olives. Maybe new kitchen staff recently?) Also, the absolute best quiche I've ever had in my life. Super deep and custardy. And the crust was different. Buttery and flaky, but ever so much tender than pie crust. Are they using croissant dough as the crust? Not sure, but it works!

bbloomfield in Central South

Birmingham -- Anyone eating anything good these days?

Saigon Noodle House is our haunt these days. Must have the Bun Laksa Ga (hope I'm spelling that right) - a coconut currynoodle soup with chicken and tofu. We always ask for 1/2 the noodles (that way we get more of the awsomely comforting, healing broth). If Thai coconut soup is too heavy or cloyingly sweet, you will love this. A very light and flavorful touch. Comes with a plate of basil leaves, lime wedges and sliced jalapenos so that you can season it exactly to your taste. The spring rolls are also the best we've ever had (esp. the vegetarian and the chargrilled pork). And we've had a ton of Vietnamese spring rolls since we used to live in little Saigon in Westminster, CA.

bbloomfield in Central South

What is the best Indian restaurant in LA?

I am stunned you think Udupi Palace is mediocre. Having lived in many cities in the U.S. and spent 4+ years in Indian ashrams, I ADORE Udupi. Don't miss the Onion & Chili Uthapam, the Spring Dosa (served with amazing sambal) and their South Indian Thali is stellar as well. On top of that, we always have fast, courteous and western-friendly service. WE LOVE UDUPI!

bbloomfield in Los Angeles Area

Best Downtown Austin Eats

Hi Hounds! I'll be in Austin (at the Omni downtown) the week of July 13-17. Any advice on the best eats downtown?

Thanks!

bbloomfield in Austin

Good healthy eats in Athens, Alabama?

Hi Chowhounds! I'm headed to Athens, Alabama next week on business. Any recommendations for good places to eat, especially for someone who is attempting to eat more healthy food?

Thanks!

bbloomfield in General South Archive

Birmingham bakeries

Thank you! I checked out Tria this morning for brunch. Quite solid breakfast -- one of the most accomplished I've had in years to tell the truth. No one seems to do breakfasts very well any more. Then we checked out the bakery case. Definitely the real deal. The sweets we tasted were mixed. We had the chocolate cupcake with cream cheese frosting and while the cake was good the frosting was odd. The brownie was too fudgy and not cakey enough but had good chocolate flavor. The almond macaroon was good, though not great. However, the breakfast pastry we tried was truly outstanding -- a pear/frangipane danish. I look forward to a return trip. I spoke to the pastry chef and she said they are letting her create her own menu and she is looking to produce more pastries. I look forward to trying more.

We are in Mountain Brook until we close on the home we bought in Pelham (just over the Hoover border). Any other suggestions you have are welcome. We tried Edgar's recently and found it to be merely typical, competently excecuted commercial baking. Will definitely check out Soho Sweets and Culinard. Thanks for the tips!

What do you think is missing from the dessert scene in Birmingham?

bbloomfield in General South Archive