Logo courtesy of Birmingham Restaurant Week.
For the Love of Local: Birmingham Restaurant Week 2015
Mid-August means a return to school, summer’s peak and one of the most anticipated culinary events of the year, Birmingham Restaurant Week. The 10-day event, now in its sixth consecutive year, will highlight over 75 locally owned and operated restaurants offering Restaurant Week menu specials including two to three course prix-fixe lunch or dinner menus for $5 to $30 per diner, according to the event’s press release.
After being named “America’s Number One Next Hot Food City” by Zagat, Birmingham has garnered national attention for its innovative gastronomic scene.
“Overshadowed for years by its neighbors Nashville and Atlanta, Birmingham has now come into its own as a premier culinary destination,” Chris Hassiotis wrote in the Zagat review.
Zagat gave nods to prominent Birmingham chefs Frank Stitt, Chris Hastings and Clifton Holt and named Five Points South the premium foodie neighborhood.
“Our city has such an accessible, diverse dining scene, and Birmingham Restaurant Week is the best way to experience our vibrant restaurant culture at a modest price,” Stitt said. The Birmingham restaurateur is a six-time finalist for the James Beard Foundation’s Outstanding Restaurant Award for his Highlands Bar and Grill. Stitt’s other eateries Bottega, Chez Fonfon and Bottega Café will also be participating in this year’s Birmingham Restaurant Week.
“You’ll see for yourself why we’re nationally celebrated as a food and drink destination and one of the best in the South,” Stitt said.
“BRW provides a win-win for all,” said VINO owner Al Rabiee. “Locally owned and operated businesses experience increased sales at the hands of local community support, and the local community gets great deals on fabulous food choices.”
Other participating restaurants include Davenport’s, Dreamland BBQ, Fish Market, Iron City Grill, Little Donkey, Little Savannah, Nabeel’s, On Tap, Post Office Pies, Primeaux, ROJO, Satterfields, Silvertron Café, Slice, The Wine Loft and Urban Standard.
For more information and a complete list of participating restaurants, visit bhamrestaurantweek.com.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13
Moms and Mimosas Morning — Birmingham Bake and Cook Company. 3112 Heights Village, Vestavia. Birmingham Bake and Cook is inviting all back-to-school moms to toast the end of summer vacation with a complimentary mimosa and special discounts after dropping students off at school. 8 a.m. Free. For more information, visit bakeandcookco.com.
A Taste of New Orleans — The Bright Star. 304 19th St. N., Bessemer. This weekend The Bright Star will be offering the best in Creole cuisine, deviating from its usual Greek fare. Visiting New Orleans executive chef Richard Bickford will prepare classic dishes from Tujague’s, New Orleans’ second-oldest restaurant. Thursday–Saturday, 5–9 p.m. For more information, call (205) 424-9444.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 15
Beer Boards Bags Cornhole Tournament — Avondale Brewing Company. 201 41st St. S. The Young Professionals Civitan of Birmingham presents the second annual, double-elimination cornhole tournament and beer social benefitting the Exceptional Foundation. 12:30–4:30 p.m. Free to watch, $28 per 2-person team to compete. For more information, call (205) 542-1752.
BBQ at the Zoo — Birmingham Zoo. 2630 Cahaba Rd. Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School presents the 2015 BBQ at the Zoo. Local barbecue teams will prepare chicken, pork, ribs and briskets, while competing for first place in the BBQ at the Zoo cook-off. Attendees may also visit the BBQ at the Zoo Beer Garden to sample great local brews. 3–7 p.m. $10. For more information, visit hfcristorey.org.
Chef Demonstration — Pepper Place Market. 2829 Second Ave. S. Jason Mezrano of Kathy G’s Catering will be sharing culinary tips and tricks during the weekly chef demonstration at Pepper Place Market. 9 a.m. Free. For more information, visit pepperplacemarket.com.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16
Brews for Books — Avondale Brewing Company. 201 41st St. S. The Literacy Council Junior Board has organized an evening of craft beer, live music and literacy advocacy. The Schmohawks, Andy Spain and Lost Astronaut, and Heath Green and The Makeshifters will perform. All proceeds benefit the adult literacy and English for Speakers of Other Languages programs. 6:30–10:30 p.m. $5. For more information, visit alliteracycouncil.wordpress.com.
Covering Calas Benefit Dinner — Continental Bakery Downtown. 1820 Fourth Ave. N. A four-course dinner and live music will kick off this benefit supporting a community in Haiti that recently lost its schoolhouse and place of worship. Immanuel Church will provide more information on the church in Calas, The Haiti Collective and ways to send support. 6:30–8:30 p.m. $30. For more information, call (205) 422-6856.
Sweet Home Brews — Railroad Park. 1600 First Ave. S. Abita, Straight to Ale, Avondale Brewing, Oskar Blues Brewery, Good People Brewery, Founders Brewing Company and The Fish Market will contribute delectable edibles during this fundraiser benefitting the Ronald McDonald House. The afternoon will consist of beer tastings, live music and Fish Market’s $14 shrimp boil plate of shrimp, andouille sausage, corn and potatoes with Cajun slaw and freshly baked focaccia. $35. 1–5 p.m. For more information, visit rmhca.org.
MONDAY, AUGUST 17
Wooden Goat Pop-Up Restaurant — Rojo. 2921 Highland Ave. Wooden Goat, opening in Avondale this fall, will preview items from their menu during this restaurant take-over event at Rojo. 6–11 p.m. Free. For more information, visit the event on Facebook.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18
Birmingham Science Café — John’s City Diner. 112 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N. Every third Tuesday, John’s City Diner and McWane Science Center give the floor to different scientific professionals during this dinner, trivia and lecture event. This month, the discussion revolves around patient-centered care led by John A. Galdo, assistant professor of Pharmacy Practice and Community Practice Residency director at the McWhorter School of Pharmacy. 6–8 p.m. Free. For more information, visit mcwane.org.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19
Wine-o-logy 2015 — The Wine Loft. 2201 First Ave. N. In conjunction with Birmingham Restaurant Week, The Wine Loft and Rush Wines present this wine tasting event. Attendees will be able to sample a flight of four wines paired with appetizers. Each ticket includes a complimentary glass of wine. 5:30–7:30 p.m. $25. For more information, visit bhamrestaurantweek.com.
Weekly Wine Tasting — Neighborhood Hops and Vine. 1712 28th Ave. S. Neighborhood Hops and Vine will be offering wine tastings every Wednesday at their new location in Homewood. Wine selections are sourced from small-production vineyards and represent brands such as Selbach, Elicio and Sensation. 5:30–7 p.m. Free. For more information, visit neighborhoodhopsandvine.com.
