Category: Alabama

I learned about a special brunch at the Birmingham Museum of Art that only happens the first Sunday of every month. It’s a really popular experience and it took me two months to be able to get a reservation. When I was finally able to get in I was extremely excited.

Walking into the museum I was greeted with the sound of live music. The piano echoed throughout. It really added to the ambiance and enhanced the brunch experience.

This brunch was buffet style with a carving station, a made-to-order omelet station, fresh fruits and breads, an assortment of hot dishes, and a full collection of fresh desserts. It all looked delicious that it was hard to determine exactly where to start.

  

After walking all the options I decided to start with waffles. On one half I poured on the warm maple syrup, keeping it very traditional. The other half I covered with the fresh chopped strawberries and Chantilly Cream.

They had shrimp and grits that I noticed was extremely popular. I saw them refill that section twice. I knew I had to try this dish. The shrimp had wonderful flavor and the grits were cheesy. The grits were really addicting. I ended up going back for seconds on the grits.

Their carving station had amazingly tender and juicy roast beef. They also had shredded lamb. I am not a fan of lamb and I usually just avoid it. However, I was told that I needed to try the way they prepare it. It was remarkably similar to a pulled pork. It did not have that normal gamey taste. It was more of a smoky flavor that I enjoyed.

They had several options of cakes, pies, and cheesecakes to choose from for dessert. It went for the caramel cheesecake. It was so creamy and not too sweet. It was a great ending to brunch.

If you are looking for a unique brunch experience in Birmingham, then make plans for Oscar’s. Look far enough in advance because they fill up quickly. Their menu will also change each month so to see what they will be serving go to www.artsbma.org

Enjoy!

T

 

I have really started enjoying brunch on Sunday afternoons. This time I wanted to try Grille 29.

One of the reasons this place made the list was their $3 mimosas. You can’t have brunch without a mimosa. If you are interested in something a little more salty and spicy they do offer a gourmet Bloody Mary. There was so much going on with this drink (including the Cajun shrimp) there was no need for a second one.

They had fresh made deviled eggs that were perfect for sharing. They had a dill taste along with hints of truffle oil. They were topped with a crispy piece of prosciutto. That little crunch added a nice touch.

They had many different options to choose from on the brunch menu. I had to try the Grand Marnier French toast. The bread was cooked perfectly – two large pieces of Texas toast that were crispy around the edges and soft in the center. The Grand Marnier anglaise came on the side so I could dip each piece of toast as I took a bite. I knew this dish was going to be sweet so I made sure my side item was the red roasted potatoes. This added a necessary flavor balance to my meal.

If you are in the mood for brunch then Grille 29 is the place for you. Visit their website at: http://www.grille29.com/

Enjoy!

T

Located a few doors down from Bellini’s Ristorante is Edgar’s Bakery, a perfect stop to get dessert. I decided to get something to go, but they have several tables set up so you could enjoy a fresh dessert there.

There are so many choices – cupcakes, cinnamon rolls, petit fours, danishes, bear claws – whatever your heart desires. They even have full cakes that you can take with you for a special occasion.

 

I went for an assortment of petit fours. These are my favorite dessert. They are small bites that allow you to try several unique flavors. In my box I got chocolate, vanilla, caramel, strawberry, and red velvet.

Once I got in the car I ended up trying a red velvet. Two bites and I was done, the perfect dessert. It’s the right amount of sweetness without feeling like you have overindulged. These are also the perfect treat because they stay fresh for a couple of days.

So if you have a sweet tooth or something to celebrate make sure you go to Edgar’s Bakery. They have several locations around town so there is bound to be one near you. www.edgarsbakery.com

Enjoy!

T

 

I am always looking for new Italian restaurants. I was told that I had to try Bellini’s Ristorante for their take on Italian food.

When I went in I felt like I was transformed to a family home with a large wine collection. Built into the walls were wonderful wine racks that I wish I had at home.

 

The wait staff was extremely friendly and very attentive. I had to start off with a traditional Bellini since it is the namesake of the restaurant. They used fresh peach puree that was noticeable as soon as I took a sip.

I started off with their homemade soup of the day – Italian wedding soup. The broth was tastey with one large homemade meatball rather than smaller ones. It paired well with the homemade bread they served.

The appetizer that was a must try was the meatball arancini. I have tried many different versions of arancinis, however, this was like nothing I have ever had before.

This arancini is a meatball covered in a pesto risotto, then coated with panko breadcrumbs and fried. It was delicious. The meat was moist and light and the risotto was cooked perfectly.

For my main course I got the Ricotta Gnocchi.

I was expecting traditional gnocchi but this was completely different. They made a homemade gnocchi but then stuffed it with ricotta cheese. It was a like a gnocchi ravioli for a simpler description. It was severed with a sausage Bolognese sauce that was also delicious. It was like an Italian chili and I could have eaten an entire bowl.

If you are hungry for Italian but want something that has a unique twist then check out Bellini’s: http://www.ourbellinis.com/

Enjoy!

T

The Avondale area of Birmingham is a growing hot spot with breweries, clubs and great restaurants. Post Office Pies is one of these hot spots.

Not only do they make fresh, homemade pizza in their wood fire oven, they make homemade sausage, meatballs, and mozzarella cheese!

I started with the meatballs while waiting for the pizza to come out. The meat was extremely tender and moist. I could taste all the fresh seasonings and cheese in each bite.

There are so many pizzas to choose from on the menu. I went for the “Swine Pie”, which was covered in their homemade pork sausage, pepperoni, bacon, and then topped with mozzarella and fresh basil. I could tell that all the ingredients were fresh simply by the taste. The pork sausage should be an item by itself on the menu – that’s how good it is.  The pizza dough is sweet and cooked perfectly with that added crunch from the oven.

The pizza was much bigger than I expected which worked out well because I knew I had lunch for the next day. It’s a fun place to go and they are open late which is always a good things for a Saturday night.

See their menu at: http://www.postofficepies.com/

Enjoy!

T