Nary a Word About Barbecue*

Birmingham, domain of mines, mills and furnaces, has been transformed into a center of freshly unearthed tubers, organic urban farms and wood-fired ovens.

With little fanfare outside the world of devoted gourmets, white-tablecloth establishments that rival New York’s or California’s have bloomed like azaleas all over Birmingham.

Finally! I heard this article was in the works around the time we moved here, so I've been eagerly anticipating it. Birmingham dining's the focus, but you also get a good feel for the best texture of this place. Ms. Dewan's observation that "the downtown streets can have an empty, Hopperesque feel even on weekdays" is spot-on, for better and for worse. And yay for the Sloss mention! (Someday, I swear, I will go there again and take some pictures and have my own little Sloss appreciation post on here.)

I'm happy too that she mentioned the Garage -- Todd and I immediately put that one at the top of the list when we visited here before the move. I think you'll be hard-pressed to find any other bar that matches it for quirky ambience (save for Bottletree, which also gets a nice shout-out, thank goodness). I've heard the courtyard is awash in wisteria in the spring. Can't wait to, ah, get double-drunk on the floral delights of both the surroundings and a good pint of pale ale.

The thing I've noticed about a few Birmingham restuarants so far--and granted, there are many I haven't been able to try yet, like the Hot & Hot Fish Club--is that as good as the food may be, "dowdy" too often describes the interior design. Or, in some cases you'll see attempts at modern style that just don't hit the mark. In some ways, it's a nice change of pace from the ostentatiously outfitted, ultratrendy spots that are a dime a dozen in Chicago. But c'mon, let's swear off poinsettias and big red and gold ornaments as a holiday decorative theme, OK? Ick.

Anyway, Birmingham's dining scene certainly deserves praise, and I hope biz and pleasure travelers alike take note. Frank Stitt, you're the man. If I could, I'd place a big shiny key to the mu'fkn' city right in your sweet little hand. I bet you'd know just how to put it to use. I wonder what's next for you. (How about a cafe downtown, hmm? B'ham's no longer hurting for fabulous upscale dining options. What it could use now, I believe, are several unfussy-yet-stylish new options for everyday, budget-friendly meals. )

-----

Also note: Dre's Ramblings' post on the NY Times piece. I heart his positivity! Give this man a key, too. Dre makes me believe in a bright future for this town-- better yet, he makes me want to roll up my sleeves, stop bitching, and get involved in making it happen.

*almost