BIRMINGHAM DINING

Latest dining news and reviews for Birmingham, Alabama

Wesley True, Chef/Owner
True, 9 Du Rhu Drive, Mobile, 251-344-3334

Restaurant's Specialty:
We use French techniques to present a constantly evolving menu with global influences and local flavors.

What Sets This Restaurant Apart From Others?
Our award-winning wine list has been recognized by both Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast. Also, working with a local coffee roaster, we designed our own house coffee.

How Long Has The Restaurant Been Open?
One year.

Honors:
Lagniappe Mobile named True the Best New Fine Dining Restaurant, and I received Best Chef in Mobile honor. We also received the Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator and the Award of Unique Distinction from Wine Enthusiast.

Continue reading "Dishing with Mobile's Wesley True, owner of True restaurant" »

[Kairos Kafe, 515 University Blvd.; 251-3101; www.kairoskatering.com]

If you've resolved to avoid sweets this year, you may not want to read further.

Or, perhaps you should, in case you want a recipe for a crowd-pleaser that's quick to prepare.

Continue reading "Kairos Kafe's recipe for Chocolate Krackle dessert" »

[La Dama Italian Bistro, 5084 Pinnacle Square, Suite 112, Trussville; 661-0717.]

Take a quick look back at recent reviews in Second Helpings
A recent holiday shopping trip to some of Trussville's electronics stores (three different ones!) did not produce the present we were looking to buy for our youngest child's Christmas, but the enticing aroma of roasting garlic yielded a great gift of another sort that we all later enjoyed -- a family-friendly, authentically delicious Italian eatery. We left Best Buy that day empty handed, but then we followed our noses to La Dama Italian Bistro just a few doors down. Impressed and intrigued, we grabbed a menu, promising ourselves we'd come back soon. Continue reading "Four-star food at Trussville's La Dama Italian Bistro" »

For those who'd like another opportunity to taste sparkling wines before New Year's, The Pleasure Is All Wine will have a Bubblicious Champagne Tasting from noon until 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 27.

Champagne and sparkling wines at all price points will be tasted. There is no charge. Call 205-985-4760 for more information.

FOOD DETECTIVE:
Getting recipes from area restaurants for your favorite dishes

For those reviewing their portfolios, 2008 most likely looks dour.

Yet, as the Dow and dollar dropped, our cakes and biscuits rose.

Solace, somehow, reigned in countless kitchens. It's there that many found comfort, whether in something as simple as mashed potatoes or as memorable as a cake made from a mother's recipe.

As generous as ever, restaurateurs continued sharing their secrets and revealing their recipes for everything from sweet potatoes to chocolate cake, from spaghetti sauce to white sauce, from shrimp to slaw.

The Food Detective has managed to unearth a number of recipes, several of which are recalled here:

Continue reading "A dozen 2008 recipes to remember" »

Tasty seafood, sauces just two of the many reasons to visit Sweet Bones

SWEET BONES ALABAMA,
245 Summit Blvd.; 970-3058

Sweet Bones Alabama is the exception to the rule that good barbecue places have to be concrete block, tin roofed, smoky, out-of-the-way places with eccentric pit masters.

It not only has good barbecue but also has steaks, seafood, innovative appetizers and a lot of sides.

Nor is it so out of the way. It is located in the Summit shopping center. It fit right into the old On The Border restaurant very well. Judging from a couple of visits, it has already caught on even though it has not been open at the Summit very long. The architecture fits Sweet Bones well.

As you enter, the sound of Delta blues sets the tone, but the music fades as you enter the restaurant.

The first room is a bar plus booths. There are comfortable alcoves for waiting (they don't take reservations and business is brisk) and two large dining areas with booths and tables. One has a fireplace and the ubiquitous large-screen TV. In addition, there is a private area called the Alabama Bored Room, probably named for business dinners.

Continue reading "Good ribs, old smoky dive not included" »

DISHING WITH: Inside the kitchen with area chefs

RESTAURANT'S SPECIALTY: Fresh American with a Mediterranean twist.

WHAT SETS THIS RESTAURANT APART FROM OTHERS? Ambiance, flavor and consistency.

HOW LONG HAS THE RESTAURANT BEEN OPEN? Seven years.

HONORS: This year, for the second consecutive year, the restaurant received Florida Trend magazine's Golden Spoon Award for Excellence. (Chef Mattison previously was honored for the Summerhouse Restaurant on Siesta Key.) The award recognizes restaurants that have exhibited a stellar track record of service and selection, and recognizes individual achievement and distinctive contributions to the Florida restaurant world. In August, their wine programs received an award from Wine Spectator magazine.

WHAT'S NEW? A private dining room.

Continue reading "Dishing with: Chef Paul Mattison of Mattison's" »