Opera Cake: A rich layered dessert with almond sponge, coffee buttercream, and chocolate ganache.
Bars • Grill • Vegan • American
"If there is a restaurant that is a Birmingham institution among the wealthier crowd, there is literally only one name that locals would bring up, and it is undoubtedly Highlands. Not that there aren't other nice restaurants, but this spot has proven itself over time and is ran by a chef that most Alabamians are quite proud of. Opened in 1982, Highland's is a place that put Birmingham on the map in a positive way at a time when the post industrial iron period was about to wind down and transform the city. Frank formalized his cooking techniques by working in kitchens of San Francisco and France, creating a medley of American Southern and French cuisine that is difficult to find elsewhere. It was not a time when it was common to see a chef from Alabama going to study cooking in Europe, thus the story was already an anomaly. Frank Stitt was trying to pioneer sustainable agriculture and farming well before anybody in Alabama knew what in the world that actually meant or for that matter, cared. One of the signature items is the baked grits that has been around since the restaurant opened. It's a tasty grits preparation and without a doubt, something to try. The pheasant was spectacular, fairly lean and with a crispy delicious skin, served with grits and green beans. Pastries here are created by Dolester Miles, who has been in the job for well over 30 years. The opera cake is absolutely spectacular, gentle and complexly layered. The basque cake is peachy and moist, with a crispy delicious exterior and Chantilly cream. Not only are these likely the best desserts to discover in Alabama, but may be some of the best to be found in America. The attentiveness got derail was clearly evident. As far as service, generally fine, but not particularly attentive. The waitress did not seem in much of a mood to welcome people to the establishment. Many items on the menu were running out by 8:30pm on a Saturday night. Nobody was particularly impressed with the flounder that got substituted for the grouper. And then there are other questions, why would you run out of grits? They know they are always filled to capacity and ingredients to make grits are not immediately perishable. Highland's has by this point in Birmingham's history become a classic. It's evident that most people here have been around for decades working at their jobs and serving the rich crowds of Mountain Brook. It's a place of great food and shows many combinations of ingredients that are nearly impossible to find elsewhere, let alone be executed this well."
Full • Hotels • American • Breakfast
"Fountain Square in Cincinnati is an absolute gem. This iconic public space is the heart and soul of downtown Cincinnati, and it never fails to impress. The beautiful fountain, surrounded by vibrant greenery and stunning architecture, creates a picturesque setting that is perfect for relaxation or people-watching. The square is always buzzing with activity, offering a wide range of events and entertainment throughout the year. From live music concerts to food festivals to ice skating in the winter, there is always something fun happening at Fountain Square. It truly brings the community together and fosters a sense of belonging. One of the things I love most about Fountain Square is its central location. It is conveniently situated near numerous restaurants, shops, and attractions, making it the perfect spot to grab a bite to eat or do some shopping before or after enjoying the square. The surrounding area is filled with energy and vitality, adding to the overall experience. The atmosphere at Fountain Square is simply electric. Whether it's a sunny day with families enjoying a picnic on the grass or a lively evening with friends gathered around the fountain, there is a palpable sense of joy and camaraderie. It's a place where people from all walks of life can come together and create lasting memories. In addition to its vibrant ambiance, Fountain Square also boasts excellent amenities. The seating areas are comfortable and plentiful, providing ample space for relaxation and socializing. The free Wi-Fi is a nice touch, allowing visitors to stay connected while enjoying the outdoors. The accessibility of the square is also noteworthy, with ramps and elevators making it easy for everyone to enjoy. Fountain Square in Cincinnati is a must-visit destination. It is a true urban oasis that offers a delightful mix of beauty, entertainment, and community spirit. Whether you're a local or a visitor, spending time at Fountain Square is an experience that will leave you with a lasting impression."
Meat • Steak • French • Chicken
"Superb dining experience, staff extremely competent and helpful, noise level exceptional (which is rare to find these you can actually have a normal conversation while dining. Cannot over recommend Le Colonial."
Coffee • Brunch • Bakeries • American
"WOW! The cafe was recommended to us while we were on vacation at Seal Beach. It was about a 10minute walk from our rental so I decided to walk down one morning for coffee and breakfast. It was DELISH! In face the next three mornings we walked back with different family in tow. While there we ate both sweet and savory crepes, the homemade granola, omelettes, and the AMAZING avocado toast! We were happy they had gluten free bread for one of us and always provided wonderful service. If you go early (before 7:30) you can usually avoid the air and line but if you get there after the rush it is totally worth the wait!"
Tea • Full • Wine • American
"My wife and I went to the Grand Tier restaurant for a pre-opera dinner two days ago. I must say that my negative review is not based on the food, which was delicious, but on the service, which was disappointingly poor for a high-end establishment. We were barely seated for two minutes before the waiter was already pushing us to order wine. He returned shortly after to pressure us into selecting the 3-course meal and drinks. It felt as though he was rushing us through our dining experience, and we had to ask him to give us some space. Despite not even having our wine or first course yet, we were already feeling disheartened by what was supposed to be a special evening. Though the restaurant was busy, there was no personal touch from any of the staff; the overall atmosphere was cold, robotic, and hurried. Our meal, including three courses, wine, coffee, and settling the bill, was completed in just 1.5 hours, even though we had ample time before the opera. The lack of breaks between courses only added to our disappointment. Overall, our first and only experience at the Grand Tier was a letdown for a high-end establishment. Throughout our five-day stay in New York, we dined at various restaurants, all less expensive than this one, and found the staff at Grand Tier to be the least friendly by far. My recommendation to the manager would be to open the restaurant at 6:00 instead of 6:30 to allow guests up to 2.5 hours to enjoy a leisurely three-course meal before the performance. This is a reasonable request given the restaurant's prices and the cost of opera tickets. Additionally, the staff should strive to be more personable and show genuine care for their guests beyond just their money."
French • Bakery • Desserts • American
"Ordered Chocolate chip cookie, chocolate marshmallow cookie. They are huge and dense and heavy!!! Delicious with quality ingredients used.Also order the Spanish cookie with caramel inside. Very buttery. And had a sort of clove or spice taste if you're into that.The cupcake of the month was pistachio cherry. Very good. Not too sweet either.Also ordered the cheesecake in a jar. Very good with a nice layer of Graham on the bottom and not too sweet.I would come again.They put care Into their food and packaging"
Full • Salad • French • Chocolate
"Loved the experience here i would highley Recommend this restaurant to anyone. Very, very authentic food as close as you can get to being in France while in Texas. I definitely love the new improved and secure parking they have along witha police officer on the property actively observing all our vehicles. I love the fact that it's only vallet at this restaurant because the amount of privacy and security given. I do not have to worry about my vehicle being vandalized."
Soup • Steak • Pasta • French
"Has there been a change in the kitchen? The Bercy is my go-to place for escargots. The dish is still good but something seems to be missing from the spectacular sauce as previously prepared. Also, the veal and mushroom rigatoni, which is also a favorite, was so salty to be inedible. I never send anything back but did on this occasion. The wait staff was unfailingly accommodating. The bread is wonderful and plentiful."
Tacos • Vegan • Mexican • Bar-lounge
"Had been looking forward to trying this place for quite some time. They've been developing this area near Red Rocks for quite some time. It is a perfect location at the bottom of Origin Hotel Red Rocks. You are right off of I-70 and can easily run up to the mountains or down to downtown Denver!Beautiful atmosphere. The outside seating area is awesome. Decorated with string lights and firepits, it is a great environment to relax have a drink and good food.We sat inside which was also beautiful. The food was good but a bit over priced for what you were getting. Great taco options and flavors. Nachos were good as well. The service was a bit lack luster though.Overall positive experience. Looking forward to checking it out again."
Coffee • Cheese • Desserts • Bakeries
"They have incredible variety here. I shared a box of many different varieties of Baklavah including pistachio. Extra syrup containers on the side for anyone wanting it sweeter was appreciated by my tasters. We also tried assorted cookies that were also delish. I look forward to tasting breads, and specialty cakes. 5 stars!"
Wine • Beer • Drinks • Fusion
"Jim was a fantastic waiter! The $60 menu was wonderful, just big portions. Tenderloin was so tender, just could have had a little more seasoning. The cranberry salad with blue cheese and candied nuts was wonderful, just huge. Real mashed potatoes! The cheesecake and carrot cake were yummy, but we were so full we only took a few bites and were not able to eat the rest. We would return, would try the $35 menu. There was no added tip to the bill as prior review stated, but there is a 3% credit card charge. We just paid cash. Will return. Atmosphere nice, people weren’t all dressy, casual place. Nice experience!"
Cafe • Coffee • American • Café, American
"The atmosphere is cozy and quaint. The food looks absolutely delightful. We chose this restaurant primarily because my husband can only enjoy sugar-free desserts due to his dietary restrictions. Unfortunately, we were disappointed to find that they only offered one type of mini sugar-free cupcake. He ended up ordering a mini carrot cake sugar-free cupcake. Meanwhile, the kids and I chose a slice of the Big O cake, a Space City cookie, and the rocky road sheet cake. Both the Space City cookie and the sheet cake were really sweet and packed with sugar. The service was adequate; we didn’t have much interaction with the staff. At one point, two individuals came into the store asking for money, and the employees were quick to inform them that it was not permitted. Overall, I just wish there had been more variety in the sugar-free cupcake options."
Cafés • French • Coffee • Bakeries
"we reserved a table for the Mother's Day for people. when we came there, there was a sign that it was reserved, but we had to raise the chairs for the table. it is a command of the front art, so we got our commands and stood in the line, so it took at least minutes to get through the line. we didn't expect much, but after we waited for our coffee and tee, we frustrated a few minutes. when we were there for a few minutes, someone came and told us that we had only a few more minutes and that someone had reserved the table....and we had not yet got our food. not classic. if they want a reserved table, they have to come and order to get everything to turn the table around. I have made an evaluation to yelp and received feedback that they were not a restaurant in sitting, so we expected too much. that's not the problem. my biggest thing is that they came to us and told us we had to go before they had taken our food out. very badly executed. to everything else. there was a terrible fat smell that made our eyes water. Eating was okay, but not worth the experience. if they want a reserved table, they have to do something else."
Full • Wine • Pasta • American
"I was very impressed with the food at Parkwoods. The seafood was my favorite because it was very fresh. I ate quite a bit of oysters The Mac cheese and the salmon were also very delicious. It was a Christmas morning buffet so they also had a carving station for prime rib, charcuterie, belgian waffle station and an omelet station. The omelet station was made to order and the omelet tastes amazing. We also had a mimosa. The mimosas were $10. The mimosas were not the strongest i,ve had but it did taste good. They also had a dessert making station and cookie decorating station. I'm always skeptical when it comes to macaroons because they are usually hard and rubbery at some places, but the ones on their dessert bar were soft and tasted fresh. The vibe was very peaceful and laid back. The server was polite and attentive. I think her name was Latisha. The restaurant makes you feel like you're eating in a glass house. It's beautiful, serene and earthy. Someone was playing jazz music on a keyboard so that enhanced the ambience even more. There is a lot of beautiful art and statement pieces placed throughout the lobby and restaurant. The Christmas Brunch buffet was $49 per adult(without tax) and worth EVERY penny. We paid $8 to park in the parking garage of the Crowne Plaza Rivina hotel."
Wine • Full • Pubs • Mexican
"I've already eaten here because I bought a dinner voucher from travelzu. without this it would have been an expensive meal for what they get. the service was always very slow and it could be out of the lack of personal, but even the other few paints I had eaten here, it was also slow before the pandemic. the personal was nice. you eat well over all, but has rejected a bit of my previous experience. Maybe it's just a hit or something for me. but a thing is annoying that they calculate for chips and salsa. in the rule this is a stack free appetizer from a Mexican restaurant, but now they charge $6 for it. another thing that I feel is a torn, is her brisket empanada. it tastes ok, but definitiw not $18 worth for a piece big enough for just a few bites. the alpastor is a good value and tasted good. it is recommended to be divided between 2 people, and they are at the moment. the dessert we had was really good as the churros and maus cake (currently substituted for their lava cake)."
Cafés • French • Chicken • Bakeries
"It’s my first time in this restaurant and was a nice experience. You need to order and pay with the cashier and them self served the drinks and pick up your food when is ready. Te ambience is nice, confortable and clean, with a lot of seatings and also they have outside seating. Extensive menu with a lot of nice Cal-Mex Food, also they have a bar. (I’m not sure if it’s a full bar) The food was made very fast and looks fresh and tasty. The employees were very nice and good spirit, the lady who pick up the trays and dirty dishes was very nice and attentive. We had chips and salsa fresca, Cuban pork and salmon taco. Everything was good and fresh. I was for lunch and was kind of busy but the service was fast price are affordable and depends how hungry you are maybe you can share the plate. Why 4 , no servers"
Cafe • Pizza • Mexican • Chicken
"I have heard many things about this place, but was not aware that they discriminate against African American males. I wanted to pick up a delivery order. the three servers that worked on this day ignored my annoyance as I asked for the order. another man went after me after waiting for 10 minutes and was immediately helped. insecure what policy or procedures are, but the disregard has lost any future business with this company, and I will call and alert them to their company's inferiorities for others from a lighter skin tone. no place to be if you African American."
French • Coffee • European • Vegetarian Friendly
"The hotel lobby has a pleasant atmosphere, but the menu here is quite limited due to the small space and Manhattan location, with prices generally higher than in New Jersey. I ordered the tomato mozzarella on a baguette, but the "house-made fresh mozzarella" was unexpectedly melted, which was confusing. It had a strong oak smoke and salmon flavor, making me suspect it had been stored with lox. The pesto was too salty, though overall it tasted good, likely from quality olive oil, despite lacking pine nuts or walnuts. The tomato was bland and pale, probably out of season. Overall, the sandwich was disappointing. The baked goods are artisanal and well made, but if possible, I recommend visiting a location outside the city. If you do go to this spot, I suggest buying the pastries and preparing your own sides."
Chicken • American • Cocktail • Bar-lounge
"Went for a special Birthday luncheon with family. Was disappointed they were only serving the brunch menu. I was planning on having a nice steak for my special day and they didn’t have any on the brunch menu only dinners. Then they never sang to me or brought any treat out for my birthday and that was another added disappointment. We had to go outside next-door to sprinkles and get our own cupcakes to celebrate. So if you’re planning to go there for your birthday bring your own treats and don’t expect any special treatment or a very good selection on the menu! Our waitress was nice the food was adequate. We ordered the Montecristo sandwich it was good but very rich and sweet so I split my chicken with my daughter. It was also very messy with jelly on the outside instead of inside it! My birthday lunch was OK but Luckily my family made up for it by being special"
Steak • Kosher • Burgers • Barbecue
"This is a fantastic place to eat. The staff are hardworking and care about their product, despite being understaffed. The owner is in the midst of everything and makes sure you get exactly what you need. The food is unique and delicious. Simple offerings like barbq pulled beef tacos are spiced up with unique toppings like horseradish sauce, while the fries have an interesting sweet seasoning. Love it!"