Shady Street looks a little … umm … shady (and not in a tree-lined way). But do not be deterred. At the end of this off-the-beaten-path road—down by the Alabama River and very near downtown Montgomery—you’ll find Capitol Oyster Bar. (Again, do not be deterred.) This white, corrugated metal building is way more than it … Continue reading Gulf-Fresh Seafood with a Side of Blues
Continuing my "new to me in '23" experiences, I went to Oxford, Mississippi, for the first time. Yes, I know. How can that be? It's so close! It has that wonderful bookstore! Well, it has a lot of things, and I made the most of my half a day there while Rick was riding his … Continue reading A Day in Oxford, MS
I'm not usually one for New Year's resolutions, but I do love new experiences. So my goal for 2023: one new-to-me experience each week all year! This goal is wide open. New foods to cook (and eat), new authors to read, new food trucks and restaurants to try, new movies to watch, new cities to … Continue reading A Year of Newness: One Week at a Time
This has been Bill E. Stitt’s year. A high-on-the-hog kind of year. The founder and owner of Bill-E’s Small Batch Bacon and Bill-E’s the Restaurant, both in Fairhope, was recognized as a Silver Retailer of the Year by the Alabama Retail Association (sales $1 million to $5 million annually; Stitt says these numbers apply independently to … Continue reading Because … Bacon
The entire country knows that Birmingham is a destination for dining. And young, local chefs like Abhishek Sainju, the Nepalese chef-owner of Abhi Eatery + Bar in Mountain Brook Village, are an important part of the reason why. Abhi (as he’s known to everyone) is one of several restaurateurs who have made the Magic City … Continue reading True Destination Dining
I went to New York City recently for the Les Dames d’Escoffier International conference. I’ve learned from past conferences to see the city when I can because I barely see the light of day during the actual conference. So, we took the first plane in, the last plane out and here’s what we did in … Continue reading Taking a Few Bites from The Big Apple
Kristian Denis created her own domain, and she has downtown Huntsville covered. This restaurant owner grew a tiny wine shop (400 square feet in a former lumberyard switch house building) into two different dining destinations: Le Petit Bijou Sandwich & Wine Bar and Domaine South. The complementary restaurant concepts, just a stone’s throw from each other … Continue reading Raise a Glass to Destination Dining
Sol y Luna did it first. This restaurant, when it originally opened in 1998, introduced Birmingham to an elevated version of Mexican cuisine. Beautifully plated, delicious, imaginative dishes were served alongside premium tequilas meant to be sipped and savored in a sophisticated space that celebrated an ancient culture and encouraged a true dining experience. This same … Continue reading Sol y Luna Tapas & Tequilas Satisfies Year After Year
Champagne & Fried Chicken, the annual drive-through, pick-up picnic fundraiser for the Birmingham chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International, allows us to award grants and scholarships to women pursuing culinary careers across our state. To date, we’ve given more than $120,000 to women of all ages to help them grow their businesses and continue their … Continue reading Champagne & Fried Chicken is Back!
The very idea of gas-station sushi is so incongruous that it was lampooned in a memorable Esurance commercial. The ad was funny. Zhu Jianjun thinks so, too. And he talks about it, and laughs about it, even as he proudly serves colorful rainbow rolls and beautiful salmon nigiri to customers – familiar and frequently new – in his … Continue reading Fuel Up Deliciously at Bayou Fresh Seafood
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