Restaurant Week

This is going to be good.  It’s the first annual Birmingham Restaurant Week this week, and 40+ establishments in town are doing prix fixe menus at $10.10, $20.10, and $30.10.


Just a few of those participating: Bottega, Dreamland, Highlands, Jinsei, Little Savannah, Ocean, Veranda, Bottletree, ChezFonfon, Dodiyos, 26, Nabeel’s, Rojo, Sol y Luna, Brick & Tin…


We had a terrific supper at Veranda about a month ago: soft-shell crawfish for an appetizer along with a crab and corn savory beignet, Fudge Farms pork tenderloin, steak (I don’t remember the cut), dessert was a cornmeal peach cake, and a peanut butter / chocolate concoction.

Veranda on Highland, Birmingham AL



When the lighting is better for pics, Veranda’s food looks better – these are from previous visits:

Shrimp Remoulade, The Veranda, Birmingham AL


Fried Soft Shell Crab, The Veranda, Birmingham AL



Chef Tom Robey came to Veranda from Commander’s in New Orleans where he was sous chef, and the dining room manager, Stan Reynolds, is also from Commander’s.


Thank you, Brennan family.


Well, as part of B’ham Restaurant Week, Veranda is doing a $30.10 prix fixe:


FIRST COURSE
House Made Boudin Balls with Bacon Braised Onions, Pickled Peppers & Jack Daniels Creole Mustard Honey


or


Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash & Granny Smith Apples, Baby Greens, Dried Cranberries and Sweet Onions Tossed in a Shallot Hard Cider Vinaigrette


SECOND COURSE
Seared Gulf Shrimp over Late Summer Corn & Okra Maque Choux with Jack Daniels Brown Butter


or


Colorado Lamb Shank with Smoked Crimini Mushroom, Tasso & Sweet Potato Hash, Mirliton Slaw & Natural Jus


THIRD COURSE


Fig & White Chocolate Bread Pudding, Jack Daniels Caramel & Chantilly Cream



Av took me to Brick & Tin last week for lunch and it was pretty good – especially the breads the sandwiches were on (I read somewhere that you can buy just the bread from them, which they bake fresh on the premises).  Gorgeous ceiling:

Brick & Tin, Birmingham AL



L-R: New Orleans (salami, capicola, mortadella, provolone & olives) and field pea salad, Brisket, and a slice of multi-layered caramel cake which at first I thought might be a mille feuille (wasn’t) or a mille crepe (wasn’t) but wasn’t a traditional multi-layered caramel either.  Hmmm…

Lunch at Brick & Tin, Birmingham AL




Many, many other cities do restaurant weeks: New York, Philadelphia, Austin…  It seems as though restaurants in New Orleans get together often, like The Coolinary during summer (three supper courses approx. $35) and the Papa Noel promotions in December.  Tom Fitzmorris has a list of the summer specials going on right here.  I’ll go with Ralph’s on the Park.

Leave a Reply