My God, I thought fine dining had finally died, especially after covid. Current Charcoal Grill is the first restaurant I've been to in years that still understands and executes on everything that makes eating out enjoyable. The service is *excellent* with a capital "E." We ate at the bar, and the staff were friendly, attentive, and extremely knowledgeable about every single aspect of the restaurant. They have tried everything on the menu themselves. They can describe any one of the imported liquors up on the wall. These are real deal professionals who illustrate just how important the people in a restaurant's front truly are. The food? Delicious. It's a wild grab bag of East Asian fare - Chinese, Japanese, Thai - and it's all done extremely well. The portions are small, which is good, since you'll want to try half a dozen things on Current's very deliberately thought-out menu. The Peking Duck is some of the best I've had. The cocktails are also excellent, with my favorite being a delicious, earthy combination of coconut, lime, and pandan. It's like an extremely upscale tiki drink. I cannot recommend this place enough. Absolutely perfect. 5 stars. read more

Another favorite to add to the list. Loved the space. Loved the concept. Cocktails (specifically Air Tokyo) were outstanding. We went for the "favorites" menu which a $65/person was an absolute steal. You get two starters, dumplings and cured red snapper is what was offered. Two entrees, the bo ssam and banana leaf wrapped redfish, and one dessert, the miso tart. Everything was quite good and more than enough food. The dessert was a real winner. I thought about it days after. Looking forward to going back. read more

I have long been a defender of this place but I think I'm done with that now. Service is still good, ambiance is still fine, and main dish quality is still solid but I just can't defend the prices here. When we ordered our two apps, as three people, we received enough food for each of us to have two bites. That was $30 right there. When we ordered our mains, I asked if rice would be included and I was informed that a small bowl of steamed rice was $5, and that I should order multiple given our party. The mains are already about $40 each, we can't get rice? Rice. I bet you literally buy it in 30 pound bags. Then we were informed the mains were "protein-heavy" and did we want to order some vegetables? So, no vegetables with the main but, sure, what do you have? Oh we have wok tossed sugar snap peas for like $15, and maybe you might need two. No, man, I'm not paying another $30 for sautéed snap peas. Y'all make wonderful food. I just can't possibly afford the fact that everything is essentially à la carte. read more

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Wow. I was not expecting much from Current, but it really surprised me! It was not like many restaurants I see around here, but in a very good way. It was super nice and so much more than what I expected. the original item menu my friend and I wanted wasn't available, so I had to go with my second choice which were the Dan Dan noodles. I didn't particularly love the way it was garnished, it was a bit too intense for me, but the noodles themselves were perfectly cooked. Overall, it was a super nice place to have dinner, and I hope to come back much more often. read more

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The yellowfin tuna tataki was our favorite, along with the crispy redfish and green apple salad. It was a perfect combination of savory flavors with a crisp, tangy, and refreshing bite from the apple. The pork belly was a bit too salty for my preference, but it was cooked to perfection and melted in my mouth. The cut of the steak was slightly chewy and also a bit salty for my taste, though still delicious overall. The interior of the restaurant is beautiful, and the service is impeccable. I would definitely recommend it for a date night or even a dinner with parents who enjoy Asian cuisine read more

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Safe to say that I may hit up the Current whenever I'm working at red mountain theater. I came here after a Saturday night performance at RMT to escape the rain. The restaurant was pretty empty for a Saturday night. I sat at the bar and enjoyed a dirty martini. I also ordered the salt & pepper shrimp. I enjoyed everything! The bartender was cool and made sure I was straight. I love the vibe @ Current, especially on rainy nights. Although it was still raining when I left the restaurant, I walked to my car happy and full! read more

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I've had a lot of amazing Asian food, so I can be a tough critic... but this place was super solid. The service was incredibly attentive, parking was easy, and the atmosphere alone is worth the visit. So vibey and honestly didn't even feel like we were in Birmingham. The standout dishes were the panang curry and the miso custard dessert, both easily a 9.5/10. The curry was almost perfect... I just wish it came with some naan to soak up that amazing sauce. The dumplings and ice cream were also great (about an 8/10). The bo ssam and brisket egg rolls landed around a 7/10 - still good, just not showstoppers. Overall, I'd absolutely return. Solid food, great vibe, and a really memorable experience. read more

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We were looking for a restaurant that could seat six people last minute around 8:30 pm on a Saturday night without a major wait. After contacting several restaurants, we were glad that Current Charcoal Grill was available. Also, we happened to be at the UpDown Arcade bar, so it was an easy walk. I like that they take reservations, and I loved that they were able to seat us away from the crowd and by a window. The service was great! We really liked our waitress. Some of my favorite dishes were the Pork & Shitake dumplings, the Iberici Pork and the steamed Bao Buns. read more

Current Charcoal Grill - Asian Fusion Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Cool, modern, all the things. Big industrial building with lofty ceilings and comfy booths. Aesthetic curation to the max. What are the kids saying these days? Current Charcoal is 'aura farming.' I've been here twice now, and can firmly say that my recommendation is to treat this place like a tapas/shared plate situation. For two people I recommend 2 appetizers, 1 sushi/nigiri, and 1 entree to share. The entrees are great but the flavors here are too good to limit yourself to too much of one of them. Drinks are good, and reasonably priced. Glass of wine $13-25 which seems fair to me. They get extra points because they have the Elusive Lambrusco (band name idea) on the menu, my fav. We had the calamari and dumplings to start. The dumplings come under a cage of baked cheese (I think) that's so different and adds some great texture. Came with a chili oil, peanut dipping situation that was the perfect heat/salt/umami. The calamari were perfectly fried. Very lemony and peppery, with a creamy dipping sauce. I had the short rib panang curry for an entree, and it was awesome. I generally prefer a chicken in a curry, but this was the perfect super-fatty treat. I came home with enough leftovers for lunch the next day. ALSO! Our server boxed up my leftovers for me. I absolutely love when they do this. I don't really want to scrape my plate at the table. I understand that sometimes it's a health department thing to not take back dirty dishes, but I think everywhere should be doing this for you. We had a reservation for Friday night, but they honestly weren't packed to the max. I'm guessing they save spots for walk-ins. read more

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What a perfect spot for gathering with friends or family for the Holiday season! The service..... from the valet when arriving to the host and server who also were very attentive to our needs.....Everyone was so nice! The food topped off my experience to be outstanding. I had the Phoenix Rising Cocktail and Salt and Pepper Calamari to start and they were a such good way to start. For my entree, I had Dan Dan Noodles which were a little spicy but still delicious. I really loved the atmosphere that was so elegant. Even the bathroom was an experience and clean. I'm glad to have this as an option for dinner in my future! read more

We had a fantastic experience at Current Charcoal Grill. The server, Eric, was excellent--attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable. The menu changes often, so don't expect the same dishes every time, but that's part of the charm. We started with the sweet corn ribs and soy pickled cucumbers--both fresh and flavorful. For my main, I had the whole fluke flounder, perfectly cooked and beautifully presented. We shared a side of steamed rice, which complemented everything nicely. Highly recommend for a seasonal, thoughtful dining experience. Oh and dessert- the miso custard tart!!!!! read more

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Very cool, modern ambiance! Our waiter, gave amazing recommendations: Beef Carpaccio- was super tender, fresh, and perfectly balanced with apple to give it citrus and the sauce made it perfect! He said the Iberico Pork is the best entree: he was right! The pork was cooked to perfection with the meat so tender and not dry at all. The food is cooked beautifully and packed with flavor! We will be back! read more

Current Charcoal Grill - Beef Carpaccio - Asian Fusion Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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As an American Born Chinese, I'm a manifestation of Asian fusion, so when someone told me that Current is good Asian fusion, I knew I had to be the judge of that. On the table: pork katsu bao, sweetcorn ribs, whole fluke flounder, soy pickled cucumbers, crispy potatoes. Pork katsu bao - I was very pleased. The pork deep fried into a cake was a creative southern spin on a classic staple of the orient. Sweetcorn ribs - this felt more like a Mexican street food to me as cheese isn't really a thing in most Pacific Asian cuisine, but I still liked the dish and really liked the stracciatella cheese and chili crisps (I'm a big fan of chili crisps - Lao Gan Ma is the most popular chili crisp brand you can find at any Asian grocery). Whole fluke flounder - another pretty good fusion with the butter and soy. Normally this type of dish is steamed in traditional Chinese cuisine. I can appreciate the attempt to fry it, but it didn't work for me like it did on the pork bun. It felt like the fish fry dried it out too much since the flounder itself was already pretty thin. I do love the fact that the fish came out bone-in. Most Americans are pretty scared of bones . One thing I wish I had was a bowl of rice to eat with the sauce, but I wasn't going to pay $8 for a side of rice. Soy pickled cucumbers - good. Crispy potatoes - good, enjoyed the curry mayo. One suggestion I have is to improve the organization of the menu. Some dishes seemed more shareable/family style while others were individual entrees. The waiter knew how to guide us, but it was still a little confusing, especially as the prices varied significantly between dishes. And fried chicken was listed under "Salads and more." I guess it was the only "more" item, but I definitely didn't see it having initially skipped over the salads part. Raw dishes were listed first, so it wasn't clear to me if these were more along the lines of appetizers, entrees, or side dishes. Overall, I think this place does a great job of blending together coastal Asian and southern cuisine and flavors. The creativity and execution I experienced during my visit definitely "pays homage to the vast range of flavors, ingredients, and techniques of Asian cuisine and the bounty of the Pacific" (from website). I sometimes forget that a lot of people have never been introduced to elements of Asian cuisine before, so I'm glad that this place is providing a familiar way to be introduced to new flavors and ingredients. read more

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Food was great. I went after a play at Red Mountain Theater. Emily the bartender was personable and informative. She engaged in conversation with me and helped me pick our my dishes. The atmosphere was swanky just like I like it. read more

Current Charcoal Grill - Salt and pepper shrimp, beef spring rolls, and Jasmine rice - Asian Fusion Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

My mom took me and my SO here to celebrate my work anniversary. I enjoyed the experience and the food overall, though the start was a little rocky as making a reservation was like buying a car or something. Asked for name, phone number, email, and some other things that I can't remember....there were a lot of questions for a reservation. Then they wanted a credit card too. So yeah. Anyway. So it's Asian-American fusion, and I would say the food reflects that pretty accurately. Very much recognizable Asian dishes that have twists. Got pan fried dumplings, green onion pancakes, fish, short rib, mushroom pot, green tea ice cream, and miso cake. Everything was above average. My favorite was the green tea ice cream tho, haha. Definitely worth trying, but it's not going to be a regular for me. Reservation too much of a hassle. May pop in for ice cream to go tho, ha. read more

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Current Charcoal Grill is absolutely deserving of Michelin-level praise. Every visit has been outstanding from the food to the staff to the ambiance. The dumplings, shrimp, and Panang curry were all incredible, perfectly executed, full of flavor, and beautifully presented. The staff is attentive and welcoming, making every meal feel special. Lovely atmosphere rounds out the experience. This is the kind of place that sets the bar high in Birmingham, truly exceptional from start to finish. read more

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Oh my goodness I love this place. The location. The ambiance. The service from beginning to end. They valet your parking for free for you but there is also plenty of free parking on the street street after 6pm. The waiters were impeccable. Justin is so knowledgeable of the menu I told him what I liked and he did not disappoint with any suggestion. I ordered the skirt steak with sweet potatoes on the side. The steak was cooked to perfection. The flavor was there honey, it wasn't too heavy or too light and paired with the sweet potatoes which had this amazing sweet sauce....10/10 no notes!! Compliments to the chef and Justin! Fantastic job. I live in ATL but will definitely be back whenever I'm back in town. read more

Currently now obsessed with current! Knowing it's from the same creators of Automatic Seafood, I did come in with high expectations. And it definitely met my expectations and more. When first stepping in, the vibes of the restaurant are so fun and hip! Our server was very personable and helpful throughout the meal. To start, I tried the lucky lotus which was fantastic. We shared the dumplings, wings, and scallops for appetizers. My favorite were the scallops but everything was delicious. I enjoyed the beef Panang curry for dinner - very hearty and very good. I also tried my friend's snapper and the fried chicken which was delicious. If you're up for southern Asian fusion, you can't miss out on Current. read more

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Our first experience at Current Charcoal Grill. We walked from Red Mountain Theater after the show, right next door & arrived 20 minutes before our resy. Very cool vibe with rustic, elegant ambiance. We all 4 set at the bar and enjoyed happy hour drinks and appetizer. "Mini martini" 10.00 and Salmon Roe Onion Dip with housemade potato chips. The only appetizer offered, by the way. A happy hour menu should offer more than one appetizer. Service was very good from the bar to dinner service. Noah (the bar) offered great service! Kaitlyn was our server. She was very knowledgeable and explained each menu item we asked about. We ordered the dumplings for a starter. Very unique but just ok. Not a lot of flavor but very artistic presentation. My husband and I ordered the Iberia Pork, imported from Spain. Served on top of caramelized onions and fresh herb salad. Bony melon sliced on top of the pork was unique and lovely except for too much fish sauce. Again, just ok. We ordered steamed rice on the side, along with the spring rolls. My husband and I shared. Everything served with sauces, which were very sweet. Iberia Pork was tender. 55.00 . No rice served with the entree which is why we ordered a side of steamed rice. We felt everything was over priced. Our friend ordered the flounder and eggplant. He said it was very good. We ordered a dessert for our friend's birthday; Miso Tart Brûlée. We all tasted it. Delicious and unique. Not a favorite dining experience but not our least favorite either. We always try the new restaurants when they open here in Birmingham. So grateful for the evolving food scene in the Magic City!! read more

This is my 2nd visit. I came last year when they opened and felt like everything was "meh" - at that time I had the ribeye, purple sweet potato tempura and dumplings. Didn't think it had much flavor. Decided to try again this year. Ambiance is great. Service is great. I actually had the same server as last year. Appetizer was ok but very salty. My snapper bowl had a lot of flavor but I didn't really understand it - I couldn't see any snapper in it. There were no chunks of snapper. So if there was snapper it was blended up very fine with the rest of the ingredients. My husband got the tuna bowl and didn't like his as much but said the same thing - no tuna in sight and no texture of tuna chunks - it was ground up very fine. The one thing we loved was the miso custard tart - very unique. I would come back just for that. read more

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My family and I dined here for my mom's birthday. We did not have a reservation but we were able to dine at the bar. Bartender was very knowledgeable and offered some great selections. I ordered the crab salad and sticky lamb ribs. Food was very good. Ribs were tender and very flavorful. Highly recommend. read more

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Attended here to celebrate a birthday. We sat at the bar. All tables were full.. The waiters and waitresses were attentive and were helpful and explained the dishes well and answered all questions that we gave them. The food was good. To get reservation you must give the your credit card number. Also we were asked if we wanted a refill on a drink and was charged for 2 drinks. Just fyi on both read more

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My boyfriend and I came by for date night and chose to sit at the bar. The bar was an excellent choice. Our bartender was wonderful and helped add to the fun of the night. I loved how we had a view into the kitchen. The restaurant itself is gorgeous, with food plated just as beautifully. I absolutely loved the duck breast, but every dish was delicious. I'm also glad we didn't skip out on dessert either. The chocolate mouse cake was an excellent way to end our meal. I would definitely recommend this place for a nice date night or an occasion meal read more

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Was visiting from out of town and looking for a relaxed, upscale spot. Came here and was impressed! Semi-humid day, so the AC was already refreshing. Huge ceilings meant tall shelves as well as a tastefully decorative interior. I had great service from a fellow who was quite helpful in assisting memorable dish selections. I started with colorful crisps paired with a dry ceviche-like dip. I moved on to their delectable version of a Bahn-Mi. Thin meat with a hint of heat satisfied my palette. Would certainly go back the next time I'm in the area! read more

Current Charcoal Grill - Bahn Mi sandwich - Asian Fusion Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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I have visited Current Charcoal Grill twice and both times were lovely! The servers, bartenders, and hostesses were so welcoming and created a lovely environment. The first time I went was around 4/5pm and I sat at the bar. I had so many different things but my favorite foods were the tiger prawns, kimchi, and skewers! The second time I went was for dinner and I had the halibut, while my date had the snapper. My halibut came with yummy vegetables and in a very tasty broth, however the fish on its own was a little dry and lacked some flavor. My date's snapper had a topping that was pretty salty, but the sides were great. Our server was wonderful and the bar made us some delicious lychee martinis! I would return but order something different! read more

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This was my first visit to Alabama, and of course, my first visit to Current Charcoal Grill. Being in the hospitality industry, I love open concept kitchens, and Current has a very open line to watch with a char broiler, saute, double fry station, a wok, sous vide, a very unique open grill, and garde manger all in sight. Upon my arrival, I requested if I could sit at the kitchen bar and take my time. I was a table for one, as I was in Alabama on a client assignment, which was completed in the afternoon. I now had nowhere else to go, and I only wanted to sit and relax. I was accommodated, and I was not bothered to leave my seat for the duration on my meal, which was for over two hours. Bartender, Ali, was first to address my needs, and there was another server taking care of me, and I apologize for forgetting her name. I was stationed facing directly into the middle of the kitchen scene, which is right up my alley. My meal consisted of: Bartender Ali prepared an excellent Basil Hayden Old Fashioned with a requested Cointreau instead of simple sugar, and a glass of Thorne & Daughters Pinot Noir with my steak. Appetizer: Blistered Shishito peppers, black garlic aioli, tamari roasted pumpkin seeds Main: Wagyu striploin, red miso demi, maitake mushroom, whipped vadouvan butter Side: Spicy Cucumbers, togarashi, yogurt, herbs, crushed peanuts Dessert: Miso custard tart, butterscotch & cultured whipped cream I watched the expediting of all the meals coming out, and while the restaurant was very busy, the line was working together to get items out properly. While there was a here and there item that may have sat longer than the chef may have wanted, hot plates and the heat lamps were maintaining temps just fine. I only saw one item return all night for what may have been a reheat request. My meal was excellent, everything, and especially the reduction of red miso, and the dessert was delicious. I have no difficulty recommending this restaurant. Another local restaurant told me Current is an expensive restaurant, however, I found this not to be completely true. Anyone can manage a good meal selection here without dropping too much. While Chef Adam Evans', I later learned, was not there, his Executive Sous managed expediting, and the line team was impressively together. Go, sit, enjoy, and the atmosphere, service, and food and Current will provide you a delightful experience. read more

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I'm a big fan of Automatic so I was excited to try this place! I love the high ceilings and blue decor, it gives a really chic vibe. I've been here for lunch and dinner and loved every bite of everything. The fried rice is my fav along with the snapper ceviche. Since I usually come with friends, we tend to order several dishes and share so I've also tried the fish collar, dumplings, smashed cucumbers, noodles, and a few other things I can't remember. I've tried a few cocktails as well and they're good as well. Service had been great, the waiters and bartenders are friendly and know the menu well. They give good suggestions! The patio is covered, with plenty of seating and the same upscale vibe as the inside. Great choice for a girls night, family celebration, or date night. read more

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We had initially relocated to Florida when this place first opened and was hesitant to try it at that time. However, now that we've moved back to the ham, we decided to give it a try. Given that all of our friends in bham and the foodies on social media had only great things to say about the place, how could we not come here? We've been here twice now in the past month. I believe that this is my top Asian-American restaurant in bham. Aside from the prime location in downtown Bham, superb service and beautiful interior decor, the food is just outstanding. The menu changes often based on the chef, which keeps the diners from coming back. The quality and creativity in the menu items are superb. It's a fusion of many Asian cultures which I love. We dined with more than 4 in a party so that we can enjoy more menu items family-style. I don't believe that I've tried something that I did not like on the menu. Some of my favorites have been the beef carpaccio (more along the lines of Thai/viet flavors), dumplings, fried string beans, heirloom tomatoes, fried whole flounder, pork skewers, green curry grouper and crying tiger skirt steak. Some are no longer on the menu but may reappear in the future. This place is just lovely. We will be back again for sure. read more

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to chef / cook person pls i need the fried rice back the black rice the fire rice charcol rice you did it once. i had it. i ate it on the bench outside with a plastic fork. you gave me water. it was good day. i come back every thursday. i wait. menu keeps changing. no rice. no smoke. just words i cant say. you changed it. why. it was right before. hot and burnt and soft inside. i saved a piece in my pocket. it's gone now. nobody listens. they say "we rotate." rotate what?? it's gone. bring it back 1 time. i'll know. i'll feel it. i don't need anything else. just the rice. read more

Current Charcoal Grill - Asian Fusion Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Another phenomenal meal at Current! The food here is so consistent, fresh, and just downright delicious! We had the bao with crispy pork, sticky lamb ribs and mango rice pudding. All were amazing, but those ribs! One of the best things I've ever eaten. Our server was great. She provided great recommendations and let us enjoy our meal without rushing to clear the table- making us feel so welcome and relaxed. Great night! read more

The atmosphere here is 10/10. The Asian fusion menu is super creative, and everything was tasty. The scallion pancake was a great starter, and the fish entrees are the stars. The only thing that was disappointing was the nigiri as it was super dry tasting and not flavorful. read more

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The food here is fantastic, thoughtful and creative. our server was very nice and well informed as well, gave us multiple recommendations (I think his name was Sam). The space is well decorated (though a bit loud, but hey it was busy). All in all 10/10 read more

We decided last minute to try out Current Charcoal Grill. A few friends had recommended that we try it. We were able to get reservations at the bar and we are SO thankful that we sat at the bar. Kendall and Sydney were incredible! They were very professional, attentive, and kind. We shared spirits that we like and asked them to make us whatever they'd like. The drinks did not disappoint! They made great drinks and really made our experience top notch. We started with a few appetizers (hush puppies and spring rolls), then moved on to our entrees (Penang Curry and Dan Dan Noodles with spicy beef). We also tried a side of the tempura sweet potatoes. DON'T MISS OUT ON THOSE! They were shockingly delicious. We ended with coffee, chocolate pie, and coconut rice pudding. Well put this in our dinner rotation for sure. We were so impressed and can't wait to go back! read more

Great craft cocktails with attention to detail. Bartender Emily was able to make great menu suggestions. Well trained service staff. The ambiance is modern with a historical vibe. The scallops were super fresh and flavorful, seared perfectly and the fresh corn was the perfect pair. I would highly recommend! read more

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Delicious food and cocktails. Very unique dining experience with unusual and perfect flavor. Exceptional service. Comfortable plush booths with relaxed vibe. We will definitely be back! read more

Current Charcoal Grill - Asian Fusion Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

This place is truly remarkable! The atmosphere is such a vibe, and the food and drinks. I tried the pork belly, and wow... I literally had to cover my face because the flavors were that good. Everything complemented each other perfectly. This spot is ideal for a date night or special occasion like an anniversary. Another bonus: they offer complimentary parking. After we parked nearby, we noticed the valet and they even offered to go get our car and park it for us. Excellent service all around! read more

Truly wonderful concept, execution, and service. I expected nothing less from this group. I had the fish collar, tuna tataki, yellowtail, and a couple pork baos. With the exception of the last minute pork baos that were kind of boring (it was the pork part) the rest was absolutely fantastic. I'll be back soon with the crew and certainly a recommended place in downtown from now on. read more

Great dining experience, great atmosphere... this was my second time visiting the menu was a little different.. I would recommended just riding all apps that way you can get a taste of everything! read more

My husband and I scored a reservation for dinner here and did not leave disappointed. Our waiter John was wonderful, and his trainee Michelle was so sweet. The restaurant has the industrial feel with a great Asian vibe to it. The noise level was not bad as we could still carry on a conversation fine. Now as for the food it was a little hard to pick a favorite but our favorite by far was the dumplings-bit of a trypophobia warning but they are phenomenal. We tried a little bit of everything and really enjoyed all the dishes we had. This is slightly upscale dining and the staff/service shows this, they had great attention to detail and a good knowledge of the menu. read more

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Amazing upscale restaurant with an open kitchen concept. I sat at the bar and love being able to see all the preparations being done in the kitchen. The service was amazing as to be expected with a more upscale environment. My server was very knowledgeable about the drink and food options. I decided on the grilled snapper and sticky rice and it was delicious! Everything was cooked perfectly. The fish was moist and the sauce and rice complemented it perfectly. My friend order the crab fried rice and enjoyed it was well. We also ordered some appetizers that we loved!! I will be back soon! They also offer valet parking which is a lifesaver with the restaurant being located in the downtown area. read more

Current Charcoal Grill - Wontons - Asian Fusion Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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