I stopped by Trattoria ZaZa for brunch on Sunday after church, and overall, I had a really…read moreenjoyable experience. There was a bit of a wait before my order was taken, but honestly, it worked out in my favor because it gave me plenty of time to look over the menu. There were so many tempting options that it was honestly hard to decide! I ultimately chose three items and enjoyed a few bites of each. Ham & Fontina Scone: This was my first time trying a scone, and I was pleasantly surprised. The texture reminded me of a dry biscuit, but the ham added a delicious savory flavor that I really enjoyed. Frittata Plate: The frittata was SO good! It wasn't too dry, and all of the flavors worked really well together. It was served with polenta, which reminded me of really fine grits, along with fruit. After trying it, I realized that one entrée would definitely be enough for me to enjoy on its own. Breakfast 'ZA: This was essentially a breakfast pizza topped with a fried egg, and the egg was such a nice touch. The 'ZA itself was really good, although I think adding something similar to a gravy or sauce would make it a little less dry. Even without it, though, the fried egg really took it to another level. Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso: I decided to try the Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso, which was the barista's pick. This was my first time having a shaken espresso, and I'm so glad I gave it a try! It was refreshing and perfect for a hot day. The inside of Trattoria ZaZa is nice, although it is somewhat small, so I opted to sit outside. It was a very warm day, but the awning provided plenty of shade and made the outdoor seating comfortable. I also appreciated that, even though the restaurant doesn't have traditional table service, someone periodically checked on me to make sure I didn't need anything else. Overall, I had a great brunch experience at Trattoria ZaZa. There were plenty of menu options, the food was flavorful, and I really enjoyed trying a few things that were new to me. I'd definitely be open to coming back and trying more of the menu!

We came for dinner before a show down the street at the Lyric. First time here. She had the baked…read moremacaroni and cheese with vegetables added and absolutely loved it. I had the daily special, which was a broken lasagna. Also very, very good. Mixed greens on the side rounded out our table. The pizza looked very good and reminded us of pizza in a shop we love in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. It's walk up service, no ordering from your table, which was fine. The menu has a nice variety. The store is a downtown casual vibe. We probably should've opted for outdoor seating, because the evening was so nice.

Lé Fresca has been on the "must try" list for a while, but we often forget about it because you…read morehave to call for a reservation instead of the usual Resy or Open Table apps. Anyway, I finally called and made a reservation with the friendly person who answered. I even called back to change the reservation time and they were very accommodating. The restaurant is located in the downtown Birmingham area and there's lots of street parking and a pay lot about a block away. They do not offer valet service, but this wasn't a big deal on this particular weekday evening. We were promptly seated by the host who was stationed outside. Water arrived and shortly thereafter our server, Marco, appeared. She was very friendly and gave us a quick run down of the menu offerings and answered any questions we had without hesitation. We started with the arancini, and for entrees chose the rainbow trout with seasonal vegetables and the tagliatelle al funghi. Everything was super fresh and delicious. Nothing to complain about this experience. It checks all the important boxes... good food, friendly service and an inviting atmosphere. We will definitely return to support this locally owned Italian restaurant. I will note that there are more menu options and specials available than you'll find on the online menu.

Don't walk, RUN! This place was absolutely amazing. My friend and I sat at the bar, and the…read morebartender was phenomenal, she was knowledgeable about the menu and made some incredibly refreshing cocktails. The staff and owner were also very welcoming and friendly. The food was fresh, flavorful, and authentic. The ambiance was dark, cozy, and perfect for a relaxing meal. And you HAVE to try the White Banana Bread ..it was unbelievable! I'm a picky eater, so that says a lot. I'm so glad we stopped here for lunch and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great dining experience.

The ABSOLUTE best pasta!!! My friend and me came here during their pasta happy hour ( look it up)…read moreand we had the most amazing experience! The hospitality was top tier. The hostess girl who seated us was really friendly & accommodating. Our server, Becca took such great care of us from drinks to apps to entrees to dessert. She did such a great job throughout our time here. I had their bolognese dish /caesar salad/ red house wine with the HH special. The pasta and Caesar salad were prepared and plated with perfection! I ate every bite... literally!!' The ingredients were all so fresh & I really could go on & on. I won't! Haaha The dining space is classy and decorated nicely. The ambiance provided the perfect mood for a fun night with great food/ drinks /great company! I already know I'll be returning to Bocca real soon.

New happy hour alert!…read more We tried Bocca's new Pasta Happy Hour (Tuesday-Thursday, 4:30-6:30 PM), and it did not disappoint. For $29, you get wine, salad, focaccia, and pasta--a great deal for both the quality and portion sizes. We ordered the house wine, Caesar salad, spaghetti and meatballs, and the Garganelli with asparagus (plus added shrimp). Since it was such a beautiful day, we sat out on the patio, which I didn't even realize they had! The service was stellar, the food was delicious, and we left completely full. They also offer complimentary valet, which is always a nice bonus with downtown traffic and parking. We had a wonderful experience and will definitely be back!

Everything was so fresh and a 10/10! From the friendly wait staff to the delicious food. We ate so…read moremuch we didn't have room for dessert but we knew we had to try it and at least get to go, that was the best idea ever. The manicotti pasta was a first for me and reminded me of an Italian enchilada ha! Paired with the meatballs it was so good. I guess you could say it's a whole in the wall and it's definitely worth trying!

Another wonderful meal this evening with my wife. She enjoyed the shrimp fettuccine Alfredo and I…read morewent with the lasagna. Both entrees were outstanding. Large servings complimented with fresh bread and a side salad with the delicious blue cheese dressing made for a great dinner. Enough taken home for another meal. We need to eat here more often. Super service from Delaney. Highly recommend

Great menu! We had the hangar steak and it was excellent…read more We had grandkids who were well taken care of with small pizzas and Shirley Temples. Drinks were well made and well served. We shared a bottle of wine from a nice sized offering. Pleasant staff and a relaxed ambiance made the night a great celebration for two birthdays being celebrated.

Bettola is perfect if you are in the mood for Italian food. The food and service were wonderful! I…read morehave gotten various pasta dishes before, but the salad I got this time was delicious. The other members of our party got pizzas, and everyone loved theirs. It is very family-friendly and in a great area in Pepper place.

The Essential was such an unexpected find during our trip through Alabama. We weren't expecting to…read morestumble across such an elegant restaurant serving truly elevated food, but it ended up being one of our favorite meals. I ordered the seafood pasta, and you could immediately tell the pasta was homemade. It was fresh, perfectly cooked, and the seafood was beautifully prepared. My daughter had the spaghetti, and my husband ordered the Waldorf salad, which was just as thoughtfully put together. Our waitress also recommended the hummus and house pickles, and I'm so glad we listened. Both were fresh, unique, and the perfect way to start the meal. From the food to the service, everything felt polished without being pretentious. It was one of those meals where every dish was executed with care and attention to detail. Overall, The Essential was such a pleasant surprise and proof that you can find five star dining experiences in the most unexpected places. If you're anywhere near Birmingham, this place is absolutely worth the stop.

I was in town for a concert and came across this restaurant on TikTok, so my daughter and I decided…read moreto give it a try. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the hostess and seated inside. The interior has a nostalgic, warm vibe and would be a great setting for a date night. Our server was awesome! He was friendly, attentive, and recommended some great food and drink options. I also really enjoyed the open-kitchen concept, as I always like being able to see the food being prepared. My only concern was with a couple of things I noticed in the kitchen. Since the kitchen is completely open and visible to guests, I think extra attention should be given to sanitation and overall presentation. I noticed one of the cooks drinking while preparing food, and another wiped his nose with his arm while working. Although he didn't use his hand, it still left me feeling a little uneasy. When guests can see directly into the kitchen, those small details really matter. Aside from that, we enjoyed our experience, and I do think this is a place worth trying at least once. The atmosphere, service, and recommendations from our server were definitely highlights of our visit.

Salice is a great Italian spot in BHM. The interior has a bistro vibe and was bright and welcoming…read more The service was great, especially our waiter Cooper! We started with the fried mozzarella and meatballs with polenta. They were good! For mains, we went with the Campanelle and Rigatoni. The Campanelle was basically a creamy cacio e Pepe - VERY rich and heavy but so so good. The Rigatoni was nice, light, and delicious. Really enjoyed our meal at Salice and will be back!

TLDR: Come at happy hour and get the fries and half off wine and maybe split a pizza…read more The fries are amazing and definitely worth the hype. However I think overall the dishes were too salty and too oily for my liking. The pasta was too salty and I could only have a couple of bites. The chef inspired pizza left me torn because the flavor was so delicious with a roasted eggplant base and vegetables but the oiliness of the pizza was difficult to ignore. The service was great with very cute interior. Next time I would come just for the fries and drinks.

Gianmarco's exceeded every expectation for our son's rehearsal dinner. From the moment Courtney and…read morethe team arrived, I knew we were in wonderful hands. Every detail was handled beautifully, allowing us to relax and truly enjoy the evening. The food was absolutely phenomenal! We started with fresh mozzarella and tomato with aged balsamic and shaved prime beef carpaccio, followed by Lasagna Bolognese, cheese ravioli, and Chicken Piccata. The pasta was freshly made to order, and you could taste the difference in every bite. Everything was incredibly fresh, beautifully prepared, and authentically Italian. Chef received compliments throughout the entire evening -- even from some of our hardest-to-impress guests! The cannoli was the perfect finish. The service matched the quality of the food. Courtney, Chef, and the entire staff were attentive, gracious, professional, and went above and beyond for us. Gianmarco's made such an important night for our family seamless, delicious, and truly unforgettable. The exceptional food alone would bring us back, but the incredible service made the entire experience perfect. We cannot recommend them highly enough!

Had the Penne Vodka and a braised veal with rigatoni. Both were excellent. Managed to seat us…read morewithout reservations on a busy (and somewhat noisy) Saturday night. Service was good. Will go back.

My husband is very intentional about planning dates for us. He knows I like to try new restaurants…read moreas a foodie so he throws in places I've never been before on a routine basis. I have heard of this restaurant, but had never been. My husband decided to take me on last night. The ambience is very fine dining coded. We had a reservation so we were set quickly. Our waitress was knowledgeable and nice. We had drinks, an appetizer, and entrées. Everything was so fresh and delicious. From the entrée, I ate a fried lemon, which was something I had literally never had before. My entrée was a pasta dish and it was so good. My husband had beef cheek and he thoroughly enjoyed it. From the service to the food to the atmosphere, I can't give them anything but a five star review. I would definitely come back here for dinner. I wouldn't mind trying the café that's located next-door.

I got the flat iron steak, medium rare and my boyfriend got the grouper. Everything was so good,…read moreespecially the aioli served with the steak. Can't wait to go back!

I've been here several times before and have always enjoyed my experiences, so I thought this would…read morebe the perfect place for a get-together with friends to celebrate one of our pregnant friends who is getting ready to welcome her little one! I made a reservation ahead of time so we wouldn't have to wait, and everything went smoothly. We were seated promptly at a table right in front of the kitchen, which was actually a really nice spot. Our server, Pratim, was very friendly and attentive throughout our visit. A couple of my friends ordered drinks, including Prosecco and a Lemon Drop, and both looked delicious. We started with the truffle bread and burrata. I've had the bread before and already knew I enjoyed it, but this was my first time trying the burrata, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it! For my entrée, I decided to try something new and ordered the Margherita pizza with extra sauce and cheese. This was actually my first time trying the pizza here, and I have to say it was absolutely delicious! My other friends ordered the Chicken Parmesan, and everyone seemed to really enjoy their meals. Of course, I couldn't leave without dessert! I originally wanted to try the salted caramel dessert, but unfortunately, they were out of it. I opted for the Affogato instead, which is ice cream served with espresso. While I enjoyed the flavors, I found that I preferred tasting the ice cream and espresso separately rather than together. I also made two trips to the restroom during our visit, and both times everything was clean and well-maintained. Overall, another wonderful experience! Between the delicious food, inviting atmosphere, and attentive service, this restaurant continues to be one of my favorites. It's a great place to get together with friends, enjoy a good meal, and make memories. I'll definitely be back!

The restaurant is bright and airy and is welcoming from the minute you walk in the doors. The bar…read moreis nice and big so you can sit either inside or outside and get attentive service. The servers are all professional and give great recommendations. Our server, John (sp?), was terrific. He suggested I add a side of hot honey for the Funghi pizza, definitely do it. It's great! The lasagna was nice, but if you're not a fan of Italian sausage and fennel, this is not the lasagna for you. The Ricotta Cavatelli is that star of the show for our lunch. It is so light and tasty. You can't go wrong eating here for lunch or dinner. The Caesar salad is big enough to split with 2 others to make it into a side salad.