Birmingham Blog

Great food in a relaxing atomsphere

birminghamblog — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 21:32:04 +0000

Ok, so we all need a place to relax & have a good time after a long day at work. Now if you are willing to fight a little traffic, just off of Highway 280 you can have your fill of great food, great drink specials and good entertainment.

The Superior Grill has been a Birmingham institution for years. The restaurant/bar has gotten a reputation for having some of the best Mexican food in Birmingham. What's makes the Grill so special?

Well, let's start off with the food. The selections alone are worth coming back for more. One of my favorites is the Taco Salad. It's filled with lots of meat, cheese and plenty of other goodies. The portions are HUGE and normally I can't eat but about half (and that's being kind) and take the other half home for later.

Now, you don't have to go for a full meal, they do have a happy hour and unlike most bars that offer a happy hour, (which is from 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.) The Grill actually has decent food to offer to their customers. The drinks are great also. The first time I went to the Grill, I had the strawberry margarita and it was out this world. It wasn't too salty like a lot of margaritas I've had in the past. It had just the right mixture of salty and sweet for me to enjoy the drink.

For those of you who like to have entertainment with your dinner, Thursday-Saturday nights is band night from 6:30-10:00 p.m. You can relax or kick up your heels. You can also kick back and enjoy the game as well. The Grill has plenty to offer those of you looking for a relaxing atmosphere. For more information, go to http://www.superiorgrill.com/.

The Superior Grill has been a Birmingham institution for years. The restaurant/bar has gotten a reputation for having some of the best Mexican food in Birmingham. What's makes the Grill so special?

Take a Romantic View of the City....

birminghamblog — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 00:06:18 +0000

With Valentine's Day just a few short weeks away, many out of towners may ask you where is a romantic place to take their sweetie?

Why don't you take them to Vulcan Park, relax and enjoy the view. Vulcan, who is the Roman god of fire and forge, has been a Birmingham may stay since 1904 and its the largest iron statue in the world.

A 10-acre park surrounds the 56-foot statue along with with an observation balcony that sits on a 124 foot pedestal. Vulcan offers the best view of Birmingham especially at night.

This year the park is holding a Valentine's night reception from 8pm-11pm with champagne, music and sweets for your sweet. The event is only $40.00 a couple and $20 for that brave single romantic soul. In order to enjoy this evening of romance, you must make reservations which you can do by going to www.vulcanpark.org.

For those of you that want to skip the romance, Vulcan does offer regular daytime hours and decent rates for children and senior citizens. If you still want to take your sweetie but can't afford the $40 charge, nighttime rates run as low as three dollars and that includes entrance to the park and observation deck.

So, whether you go for a romantic view or a history lesson, Vulcan Park is a place that everyone can enjoy.

City Stages Music Festival

birminghamblog — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 01:39:03 +0000

It might be the dead of winter, but it’s never too early to start making plans for that summer get away. If you love music, then join us in June for City Stages. What started out as a simple music event has now turned into a major festival that draws in people from all over the world to Birmingham.

City Stages has been called by The Chicago Sun-Times and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as” the best music festival you've never heard of " and "the best such event this side of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival,” quite a compliment for a music festival that is just in its 18th year.

What makes this festival so unique that yes it does bring in popular acts such as R & B singer Patti La Belle, country singer Hank Williams Jr., and even rap artist such as Snoop Dog.

But unlike the other music festivals, you can see all these acts in one weekend for less then 50 bucks a ticket and per weekend pass.Weekend passes run from $35 to $40 a pass (depending on when you purchase your passes) and tickets are just $28 a day. For that not only do you get great music, but great food and a family like atmosphere.

City Stages normally takes place around the third weekend in June so for those of you who don’t like the daytime heat, my advice is for you to attend the festival at night.

It’s slightly cooler and most of the featured acts are on at night although a lot of the local acts are good as well. There is something for everyone. For more information go to www.citystages.org.

Dreamland BBQ: There ain't nothing like it no where

birminghamblog — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 01:31:39 +0000

Historic landmarks can be found all over the Birmingham area, but one landmark that actually didn’t start in Birmingham, but Tuscaloosa (an hour away from Birmingham) is Dreamland BBQ.

Dreamland started as a little shack off of University Blvd and Highway 59 in Tuscaloosa just minutes from the University of Alabama’s campus. Before long, the shack with great ribs turned into the local hang out especially when Coach Paul “Bear Bryant started getting his ribs from there.

Pretty soon local politicians and famous athletes turned Dreamland into a popular hang out spot. I think what makes the original Dreamland so popular is its simple menu of ribs, bread and Pepsi products. But like most businesses, once word got out about how good the food was, the owners decided to expand.

One of the restaurants is located in you guessed it; Birmingham. Nowadays, on the Dreamland menu you can get a little bit more then ribs and bread, now you have your choice of other menu items such as bbq chicken, potato salad, banana pudding, cole slaw and well you get the idea.

It’s nice to have all those other items to choose from, but trust me when I say the ribs and bread alone will fill the heartiest appetites. Dreamland has gotten so popular that you can even have them delivered to your home.

Whatever location you choose (there are PLENTY to choose from) you cannot go wrong. For more information go to www.dreamlandbbq.com.

Step back into history

birminghamblog — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 03:52:40 +0000

One of the things that makes Birmingham a popular destination for tourist is the Birmingham Civil Rights Museum. Birmingham was the battleground for the Civil Rights movement of the 50’s and 60’s. This museum pays tribute to the heroes and heroines of that era. The museum first open its doors in 1992, but the idea for the museum came back in the 1970’s.

What makes the museum unique is the actually artifacts from the actually events that had taken place such as the jail where Dr. Martin Luther king wrote his famous letter from the Birmingham jail. Another artifact is of a burned out bus that is part of an exhibition called “Bus Ride to Freedom”.

Other exhibitions include the Barriers Gallery, which chronicles what life was like in a segregated society in the 1920’s t0 1954. Some of the featured artifacts include segregated streetcar, and segregated water fountains. Touring the museum gives you a feel for what life was like for African-Americans during those times.

The museum also features a Human Rights Gallery which visitors can use the interactive media to give them a sense of the international scope of the movement of human rights around the world. The Birmingham Civil Rights Museum is a great place for anyone who is interested in studying the history of civil rights not only in this country, but also around the globe.

For more information call (205) 328-9696

Admission Prices:
Adults $10.00
Group Rate $7.00 (25 or more adults)
Senior Citizens (65 and over) $5.00
College Students (with ID)
$4.00
Children (17 and under)
FREE

Where Alabama Sports Legends Live

birminghamblog — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 03:50:10 +0000

Legend is a word probably used way to often to describe people or places but in this case, it maybe appropriate. The Alabama sports Hall of Fame is home to the sports legends whom either played or call the state of Alabama home.
Established in 1967, the ASHOF host such famous athletes as Olympic gold medal winner Jessie Owens from Danville, AL, Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron from Mobile, AL, Heisman Trophy winner and former NFL and Major League Baseball star Bo Jackson and Super Bowl winning quarterbacks Bart Starr formally of the Green Bay Packers, Ken “the snake” Stabler, who played for the Oakland Raiders and former New York Jets quarterback “Broadway” Joe Namath. Namath, who is not a native of Alabama, played his college ball with the University of Alabama.
Each year the ASHOF holds ceremonies to induct new members into the hall. The public can purchase tickets and are encouraged to attend the inductee banquet. The hall of fame is opened Monday through Saturday from 9am to 5pm and admissions run from $5 for adults, $4 for senior citizens (60 and over) and $3 for students. Families only pay $14 and for groups of 10 or more get a dollar off each admission.
The numerous artifacts and features that the ASHOF has will be perfect for any sports fan. For more information go to the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame website at www.ashof.com.

A taste of Europe in Birmingham

birminghamblog — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 22:12:41 +0000

When most visitors arrive in Birmingham, the first thing they want to know is where to go for a good meal? Being a native of Birmingham, it's only natural for most of us to suggest a good BBQ joint so our visitors can taste some of the best bbq in the Southeast, which is fine, but for a true dining experience they will never forget, suggest Bottega.

Now you may ask what is a Bottega? Bottega Restaurant and Café (which means little workshop) opened its doors in 1988 and 1990 respectively. I had my first experience with Bottega a few years ago and what an experience. The food was terrific and the atmosphere was classic, but casual.

The setting of Bottega is like out of a romantic European movie, with its walnut paneled walls in a two level dining room and a courtyard that adds to its romantic feel.

One of the best parts about Bottega is that it's one part is a restaurant for those who desire more upscale dining and the one part cafe for those who want a more casual dining experience. Either way, you can't go wrong.

Chef Frank Stitt, a southerner himself, combines his taste for southern cuisine with a Mediterranean and Italian flare. The dinner and cafe Menu items include Tuscan ribeye with sweet onion marmalade to an Italian chicken club sandwich served with roasted peppers and arugula.

Whatever your taste buds crave, Bottega's menu offers a variety of food to satisfy the pickiest of eaters.

For more information go www.bottegarestaurant.com

A place to rest your head: The Tutwiler Wyndham

birminghamblog — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 21:37:07 +0000

Located in Birmingham's historic Civil Rights district, The Tutwiler Wyndam Hotel offers its guest a taste of history. Built in the 1920's, this lavish hotel was a showplace for celebrities such as actress Tallulah Bankhead and aviator Charles Lindberg but, that's only half of this hotel's story.

Once you step into the Tutwiler, you'll see why its consider one of the best hotels in the Southeast. With its beautiful columns and elegant décor, the Tutwiler allows its guest to take a step back into a simpler time. But do not mistaken this hotel's elegance as a place only the rich and famous can enjoy, The Tutwiler welcomes families and couples.

The family package includes a complimentary breakfast for four, beach bags and disposable cameras for the kids.

For adults looking for a romantic getaway, the hotel offers a package any couple would love. Start your day with a quiet breakfast for two served with a bottle of Domaine Chandon compliments of the hotel. End your evening with a fine dining experience at one of the hotels restaurants.

Whatever your wants and desires may be, the Tutwiler Hotel aims to fulfill your every need.

For more information call 205/322-2100.

Visit The Tutwiler Wyndham on HotelsByCity.net