Good restaurants?? [Archive] - Alabama Moms Forums!

Aliebama

02-16-2007, 06:39 PM

isn't it sad that I flew here to see if anyone was going to reccommend a good mexican joint :rofl: We eat out at cheap joints.. when we go by ourselves with no kiddies we go Ocharleys or Olive Garden places we would still go with the kiddies. Crazy I know..

kinda :ot: but cheap mexican wise we like Hacienda Mexacalli & On the border my favorite VERY RARE treat is Cheesecake factory. I like the cajin chicken crispers there. but I have to be real good and not shop on :ebay: and :wash: :hang: :couple: to get my hubby to take me :rofl:

Aliebama

02-16-2007, 06:46 PM

you probably already left but I just remembered there is a red lobster out there!!

Plus where is the parents night out you drop the kiddies at?

jennhpiper

02-16-2007, 09:06 PM

kathy took her kids to the Vestavia YMCA!!

willngrace

02-16-2007, 09:35 PM

oooo we love Taj India!! On the Border is yummy too!

KimInHelena

02-17-2007, 08:00 AM

I love Thai food, so that's usually what I want when we go out, but I've been dying to try Taj India. Is it really good? And pretty authentic?

guest

02-17-2007, 10:22 AM

I haven't been to Taj India yet, we decided not to go last night but I will say that Aha Bite is pretty authentic. I liked it better before it changed owners but it is still good and cheap!

We ended up deciding skip the nice restaurant idea and see a movie, but since the movie started at 7:10, we had to grab a quickie burger at Jacks (not so good, but quick) and then head to the dollar theater to see We Are Marshall. I have a huge crush on the star of that movie, so I was so excited about it! We got there to discover I was wrong about the movie time and it really started at 7:30 and that it was 2.5 hours long!!! So, that didn't leave time for us to see that movie and get back to pick up the kids by 10. We saw The Holiday instead...it was nice but dh wasn't interested in seeing a chick flick.

So next time we are going somewhere good!

willngrace

02-17-2007, 11:01 AM

I think so. The only thing I have to compare it with is when we went to England and ate it there. We go at least once a month and the owners are sooo nice. THey have a great lunch buffet so you can try a lot of different things (mostly veggie).

Amy

02-17-2007, 11:55 AM

I know I'm late but I'm throwing a few good places to eat in the ring, just in case anyone is looking for something yummy and different.

Guadalahara (I know I spelled that wrong) in Hoover is good eats. They have a Wednesday buy one combo get one free and they are fast, too.

If you are looking for foo-foo and to take your time, try eating at the Local in Vestavia. The fondue is amazing. Maggie loves their basil chicken pizza.

Sekisui in Vestavia is also very yummy.

I want to try Aha Bite. I used to eat at Taj India al the time but I haven't been in years. Now I want Indian food!

AmyBee

02-17-2007, 12:40 PM

Kathy, I'm sorry your night didn't go quite as planned!!!

Hope is was fun anyway...

We don't eat out much, but when we do, we stay down here. Lately, if we get takeout from Full Moon BBQ, we think we are eatin' good. :):):)

AlabamaGalSusie

02-17-2007, 12:46 PM

Oooooh I've been wanting to try the fondue at Local!

Here are my faves:

Ali Baba for Persian. Oh, my! The best lamb chops in the whole wide world, and everything else is good too.

Sol y Luna for gourmet Mexican tapas. And fine tequila if you're into that sort of thing, which I'm not. But the salmon roulage, chile in nogado, lobster & crabmeat empanada, vegetable salad, and chicken chilequiles (sp?) are my favorites. And the hibiscus tea.

Taste of Thailand for Thai and sushi. I usually go to Surin of Thailand in Crestline because it's closer, but I like Taste of Thailand better. There's another one out 280 - Thai Emerald, I think? Haven't tried it.

Taj India ... we go lots because it's within walking distance, and it's very kid friendly.

Bottega Cafe ... ditto except not quite as kid friendly but still there are usually plenty of kids milling around if the weather's nice. There's also a bit of a divorcee scene going on at the bar, but we just ignore that.

Chez Lulu in English Village is one of Arrany's favorites and mine too because I love stinky cheese and they have the best cheese plate ever (although it's spendy). They have great soup, salads, sandwiches, and "tartes" (kinda like quiches), and occasionally fabulous entrees. Plus you get to eat in their super funky "early thrift store" decor and be waited on by their very interesting wait staff.

OK, I gotta go 'cause the fam wants lunch.

patewrite

02-17-2007, 02:24 PM

I second Sol y Luna, went there for the first time recently and it was yummy!

patewrite

02-17-2007, 02:28 PM

I also liked Bottega and Nona Rose for a nice restaurant.

AlabamaGalSusie

02-17-2007, 02:40 PM

I also liked Bottega and Nona Rose for a nice restaurant.

Is Nonna Rose still open? I thought it went the way of Brazil and all the other Arman's joints.

AlabamaGalSusie

02-17-2007, 02:41 PM

I forgot to mention that Chez Lulu and Ali Baba both feature belly dancing on occasion ... we've never actually been to either when the dancer was there, but you know, it sounds like fun!

Hayes

02-17-2007, 03:41 PM

Susie, I'll meet you at Chez Lulu for stinky cheese anytime. It is one of my favorite things!

AlabamaGalSusie

02-17-2007, 05:27 PM

Susie, I'll meet you at Chez Lulu for stinky cheese anytime. It is one of my favorite things!

After the plagues are over, we'll have a cheese date!

JessiKa

02-17-2007, 09:12 PM

I looooove Surin.. Sushi and coconut soup YUMMMMM... The chicken noodle bowl during lunch is awesome and the sweet and sour chicken and chicken fried rice at night are also good.

We havnt been to Local.. We will be going there VERY soon now.. I love fondue and was wishing there was some where in Birmingham that had it.. Now Im in the know!

Allison

02-18-2007, 10:51 PM

This isn't useful to you for your date, Kathy, but I thought I'd post anyway that in the future you might want to try the Silver Coin on Lorna Road in Hoover. (it's in the same shopping center as the Golden Temple--way at the opposite end)

Robbie and I went on a date Friday night and had intended to go to P.F. Changs, since they have a gluten free menu, but it was a total traffic jam in their parking lot and the line snaked out the door, so we decided to try the Silver Coin instead.

The verdict? Delicious!!! And, as a total bonus for me, they use very little wheat! Lots of rice, chickpea and lentil flour instead, so I totally pigged out on papadam, dosa, sambar and all the things I love. I almost ordered nan bread too, just because I could eat it and I love it dearly, but I saved it for next time.

The place is clean, nicely decorated and the service was quick and polite.

The waiter said that they often get families in there, so next time we're taking our little curry eater, Riley!

guest

02-18-2007, 11:00 PM

Allison next time you go, call me and I'll meet you for lunch! I've been there three times already since they opened. Once with Hayes, once with Mike and the kids and once with just me and the kids. I could live on Indian food and I used to eat it 3-4 times weekly when I worked with an Indian company in PA.

The waiters there are nice! They did magic tricks for the kids and didn't charge for the kids when I was there with Hayes even though there were 6 kids and only two adults! Then when I went back with Mike they all recognized us and asked about my friend with the baby!

My only complaint is that the buffet is small, but I do agree that the food is good!

How does it compare to Taj India?

Allison

02-18-2007, 11:11 PM

I like Taj India ok, but having moved here from Atlanta, where there's a huge south Indian population and tons of great restaurants, it's not all that it could be. Plus I hate trying to park there. I'm with you, Kathy, I could eat Indian every day. It's my soul food.

I think the biggest difference to me between Taj India and the Silver Coin is the atmosphere. Taj India has some bad lighting, in my view (I don't need it to be bright, just visually pleasing, and for heavens sake don't rely on the dismal overhead) and the Silver Coin did a great job lighting their restaurant. That may not make a difference to some, but to me that affects how I feel about a place.

guest

02-18-2007, 11:14 PM

Well then I guess I don't need to try Taj India then! When we were in Atlanta for a weekend, we found a super Indian restaurant near the hotel. We ate there 2x during our 3 day stay there, lol!!! We had places like that in Pittsburgh and I was so sad to find that there really are no wonderful Indian restaurants here.

momtotwogirls

02-19-2007, 01:04 PM

Ruth Chris is yummy!!!! Or Nonas in vestavia. There are so many good (no kid) resturants here in Bham!!! I could name them for days!

cflanagan

02-19-2007, 02:13 PM

Kathy and Hayes, how was your PNO? I went to the Y to check on the children for you. Nicholas was playing happily with a truck, while Maddie, Celest, and William were having a ball in soft play. Lydia was happily painting a bird house. Samuel lit up when "Tase" came to play with him. After a while they stopped playing for a quick snack and then resumed playing with the 2 "big" girls, teenage helpers. When I was leaving, Linda, one of the workers, was rocking N to get him to sleep. I hope you enjoyed your night out as much as your children did.

guest

02-19-2007, 02:21 PM

Honestly I was a nervous wreck, especially since Nicholas goes to bed normally at 7pm, but when we returned and Maddie proudly announced that she didn't cry the whole time and Nicholas was sleeping all snuggled up to one of the workers I felt so much better.

They had fun and the ladies who work there were fantastic! We will definitely be doing this again.

virginia

02-19-2007, 07:27 PM

What do your kids eat at Taj India??

JeniBeans

02-19-2007, 07:54 PM

Hey, if you go to Ruth Chris' let me know how it was. DH and I are going to see Harry Connick Jr. next month and thinking of hitting that joint before the show@! LOL

guest

02-19-2007, 08:25 PM

What do your kids eat at Taj India??

Virginia, I can't speak about Taj India specifically since I've never been there, but my two littlest have been eating all sorts of Indian food ever since they started on solids. I just taste everything before giving it to them to make sure it's not too spicy but they normally love the rice and breads plus anything made with garbanzo beans and Nicholas has been a huge fan of anything curry.

guest

02-19-2007, 08:26 PM

Jen, I've heard it's one of the best steaks you'll ever eat so I'm sure it's fine. It would be perfect before a Harry Connick Jr. concert!

kalohabreeze

02-20-2007, 06:31 PM

I love the fish market but it's downtown :)

willngrace

02-20-2007, 06:45 PM

Ruth Chris is sooo good! It is quite pricey but the steaks are out of this world!
:myop: :cloud9:

herc

02-23-2007, 02:19 PM

I don't love Taj-- IMO its a bit overpriced and the food is just soso. Am I reading that there is a new Indian place? We got one a couple of months ago here and it is really good, but pretty expensive. My sis lives in bham, and we got her a GC to 26/Ocean (they are same ownership). She said it was expensive but wonderful food. I think that she ended up going to Ocean. You can see the menus here--http://www.birminghammenus.com/southside.html
I am jealous of all of the nice restaurants!

guest

02-23-2007, 02:22 PM

Heather there are a couple Indian places here. One is by the Galleria, called Aha Bite and the other is on Lorna Road. They are both okay but don't compare to what I was used to in PA or the places I've been to in Atlanta.

etorres

02-23-2007, 02:30 PM

Ruth Chris is sooo good! It is quite pricey but the steaks are out of this world!
:myop: :cloud9:

I second this! We love Ruths Chris and always go there for our anniversary :) Best steaks ever.

guest

02-23-2007, 04:46 PM

Nona Rose changed ownership and is now Nona's. Its still open. They have the best white chocolate bread pudding! We went for Valentine's about 2 years ago and got surprised with a $120 check (too much wine!!). We haven't been back except for when my boss paid for it. :) Shula's is also really yummy. They have the best filet ever. Its similar to Ruth's Chris in quality and price but has a sports theme (or at least the one I went to in Baltimore did).

Kim

lovingfive

02-23-2007, 06:39 PM

Ok, but what about the service in these places.
I love some places here and the food is great, but the service is horrible.

Hayes

02-23-2007, 06:55 PM

Service at Local was SLOW. Do not get ina hurry. I don't mind leisurely, especially at a nice place, but for what we paid, we will go to Highland's next time.

AlabamaGalSusie

02-23-2007, 08:58 PM

Service at Local was SLOW. Do not get ina hurry. I don't mind leisurely, especially at a nice place, but for what we paid, we will go to Highland's next time.

:ditto: Service at Local was pretty obnoxious the first time I went. They made us wait half an hour or so after their opening time until they printed the day's menus. They did comp us an appetizer, but still. Wednesday the service was pretty good ... but then again there weren't many people there at all. I think it's good but mighty pricey; Highland's is a better bet in general. You know, now that I think about it, I MIGHT like Cafe Dupont (http://www.birminghammenus.com/cafedupont/) downtown even better than Highland's. Maybe. Hmmmm. They're both great. And Bottega Restaurant, dang, it's special too! LOVE that parmesan souffle. And Hot and Hot Fish Club (http://www.hotandhotfishclub.com/), wowza, the best desserts, IMO. All these latter places have better atmosphere, better service and more selection than Local. And really, the prices are often better.

guest

02-26-2007, 11:21 AM

I've heard good things about Hot and Hot too. Its on my list of places to try when we actually have a chance to go out without DS. :)

etorres

02-26-2007, 05:19 PM

:ditto: Service at Local was pretty obnoxious the first time I went. They made us wait half an hour or so after their opening time until they printed the day's menus. They did comp us an appetizer, but still. Wednesday the service was pretty good ... but then again there weren't many people there at all. I think it's good but mighty pricey; Highland's is a better bet in general. You know, now that I think about it, I MIGHT like Cafe Dupont (http://www.birminghammenus.com/cafedupont/) downtown even better than Highland's. Maybe. Hmmmm. They're both great. And Bottega Restaurant, dang, it's special too! LOVE that parmesan souffle. And Hot and Hot Fish Club (http://www.hotandhotfishclub.com/), wowza, the best desserts, IMO. All these latter places have better atmosphere, better service and more selection than Local. And really, the prices are often better.

Why have I never heard of any of these places?! It's probably b/c I've only lived here for a year, but still...where are any of these places you named located?

AlabamaGalSusie

02-26-2007, 08:16 PM

Local is in the Vestavia City Center.

Highlands and Bottega are both owned by Frank Stitt and are located in the Five Points South area (well, Highlands is in Five Points South and Bottega is maybe a half mile away on Highland Ave.). They are, I think, widely considered to be the best restaurants in Birmingham. Each one has a "cheap side," which ain't particularly cheap, but at least is more family friendly and doesn't take reservations. Highlands' "cheap side" is called Chez Fon Fon, and Bottega's cheap side is called Bottega Cafe.

The Hot and Hot Fish club is also in the Five Points South area. It's actually between Bottega and Highlands. If I walk to Highlands, I pass Bottega and Hot and Hot.

Cafe Dupont is on 20th Street North, I think around maybe 2nd Avenue. It's in the heart of downtown Birmingham.

etorres

02-27-2007, 09:13 AM

guest

03-14-2007, 03:56 PM

Just found this post and man now I am so hungry for a NICE meal. I need a date night soon (and a hundred bucks slipped in my pocket)

Just a few comments:
I like Taj, it's minutes from my house but I haven't tried the new place in Hoover though I've heard good things about it. The best time to eat at Taj is for the festival of light and the festival of color. They have a huge dinner buffett for these special occasions. Parking is a pain but I do try and go for these holidays. just missed Festival of color though,which was on my birthday (march 5th) , would have been a great b'day dinner

Surin is my all time favorite restaurant!

I like PF Chang's but Allison be warned...A friend of mine with Celiac ate there from the gluten free menu and had a reaction. She got some free coupons out of the deal but was flared up for over a month. She said "no thanks" about the free coupons...Why would she go back if this happened once.

Just wanted to warn you Allison since yall are sensitive to gluten.

I'd love to keep this thread going with all these yummy restraunts listed. It's good to know about kid friendly places but it's also nice to get a date night and not have to worry about kid friendly. Bottega cafe used to be our fav but I haven't been there in years.

Any other yummy places?

AlabamaGalSusie

03-14-2007, 04:28 PM

Other yummy places:

- Little Savannah in Forest Park ... for a "nice" date night in a small neighborhood restaurant.
- Daniel George in Mtn. Brook Village ... also for a "nice" date night.
- Gianmarco's on Broadway in Homewood ... you MUST have a reservation ... haven't tried this one yet but the reviews have been excellent and it's the only Italian restaurant in B'ham that I know of that's gotten excellent reviews.
- Kathy G's Terrace Cafe in the B'ham Museum of Art for a nice lunch. They have a kids' menu too. (And, oh yeah, they have an art museum there too.)

I think I mentioned this in an earlier post, but one of my favorites is Ali Baba in Hoover. It's "Persian," but I don't find anything about it to be "too" exotic; the menu is not intimidating and everything is yummy. If you haven't been, put that one on your "must try" list. (Like I'm doing with Taj for those festivals and with the Silver Coin next time I'm in the neighborhood.)

Oh, and for a totally different "dining" experience, hit Gilchrist in Mtn. Brook Village for an egg salad sandwich and a limeade sometime. (It's just a soda fountain, and kids love it.) Good chicken salad, too. And if a BLT with pimento cheese is your kinda thing, they've got one. You can get a side of chips or aspic. I'm not sure how they got the idea to sell aspic, but I've seen old Brookies get it. It's also been sling friendly ... Kristen and I went there with slings one time and were a huge hit. It's kinda near the Zoo and Gardens.

guest

03-14-2007, 06:11 PM

Thanks Susie!!!

Sooooo, what's aspic?

AlabamaGalSusie

03-14-2007, 06:25 PM

Thanks Susie!!!

Sooooo, what's aspic?

LOL, well, I'm not an expert, but I think it's like tomato Jell-O. Maybe beef Jell-O. The point is, it's a cold, savory, gelatinous substance. Maybe it's alien innards. I'm not 100% sure; I'm not an old Brookie.

Hayes

03-14-2007, 07:20 PM

aspic is tomato jello
it is vile, but my mother LOVES it!

Anything with Frank Stitt's name on it is excellent. DH and I ate at Chez Fon Fon the other night and it was good and not terribly expensive.

guest

03-14-2007, 09:17 PM

LOL, well, I'm not an expert, but I think it's like tomato Jell-O. Maybe beef Jell-O. The point is, it's a cold, savory, gelatinous substance. Maybe it's alien innards. I'm not 100% sure; I'm not an old Brookie.

:omg:
mmmmmmmm, sounds yummy

NOT!!!!

thanks for the info, probably something my grandma would have eaten