Tag: featured

Celebrating an Unsung Hero of Birmingham’s Food Scene

by sswagler, posted in food, recipes

I had the absolute honor of helping out with Alabama NewsCenter's awesome coverage of food-related stories to celebrate Black History Month and the contributions of African-American cooks and chefs to our state's rich food scene (current and past). One of my favorite pieces was about Juliette Flenoury, a name we all should know. My editor … Continue reading Celebrating an Unsung Hero of Birmingham’s Food Scene

Fox 6 Books: February

by sswagler, posted in books, recent reads

Happening now! Here's what I brought to WBRC Fox 6 on February 5:  a fun children’s book about some important Birmingham history by a local writer; an unusual salute to the Tuskegee Airmen during Black History Month; and hot, new (I mean brand-new) fiction. Meet Miss Fancy is a heartwarming story by Irene Latham with illustrations with illustrations John … Continue reading Fox 6 Books: February

Central has Become Essential to Montgomery’s Downtown Food Scene

by sswagler, posted in food, restaurants

In downtown Montgomery, steps from the reclaimed riverfront and right in the middle of an important past, a restaurant called Central is delighting guests with inventive dishes and gracious hospitality. Central is named for the old central warehouse area, now a hip and happening entertainment district of restaurants, hotels, bars and museums. Common Bond Brewers … Continue reading Central has Become Essential to Montgomery’s Downtown Food Scene

Sunday Dinner: Dijon and Cognac Beef Stew

by sswagler, posted in food, recipes

I've looked forward all week to an afternoon of cooking. It's cold and gray outside, and I wanted to make something warm and comforting. A from-scratch stew--rich and deeply savory--is about as comforting as it gets. This recipe from the New York Times Cooking website is an exercise in the meditative process of quality time spent … Continue reading Sunday Dinner: Dijon and Cognac Beef Stew

Designing Delicious Dining at Blueprint on 3rd

by sswagler, posted in food, restaurants

Blueprint on 3rd, one of Birmingham’s hottest new restaurants, is named, quite simply, for the building it occupies – the old Birmingham Blueprint Company headquarters. But, really, owner Dean Robb’s decades-long career as a restaurateur has been a kind of creative, working blueprint for this place. Robb understands the value of honoring the past, and … Continue reading Designing Delicious Dining at Blueprint on 3rd

Freddy’s (More Than) Wine Bar

by sswagler, posted in food, restaurants

A girls' night gathering led me to my new favorite wine bar. But, really, Freddy's is much more than a wine bar; it’s also a laid-back, counter-service restaurant with seriously delicious food. And right now it feels like the perfect place to spend some cozy, quality time with friends and family during the busy holiday … Continue reading Freddy’s (More Than) Wine Bar