Watching Chad Slade make kolaches is surreal. The man is big—a former offensive lineman for Auburn, he also played for eight years in the NFL—so seeing his huge hands gently fill and shape the little pastries is riveting. But the owner of American Kolache in Vestavia knows how to whip up some baked goods, and … Continue reading American Comfort Food with a Czech Accent
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
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
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
Few businesses offer a truer flavor of a place—and its people—than a local brewery. With their egalitarian crowds; beers named for cultural landmarks or reflecting the local history or flora or fauna; multiple televisions tuned to what matters right here, right now; and enough space to host a team or two or three, breweries always … Continue reading Cheers to the Teams!
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