Atmosphere and service were great! The side salad left a lot to be desired. It was 10 pieces of…read morelettuce, half a walnut, and 3 tidbits of apple. Not worth the $16. Chicken was ok. Wine was fantastic.

I honestly wasn't sure what to expect when we got here. This place has been on my list since it…read moreopened, but I just never made it out. I'm glad I did!!! It makes me think of going to eat at your grandmas house, but elevated. The dishes all had a southern undertone, but were prepared in a new and exciting way. We started with the angel biscuits, as they were highly recommended. That brown butter that came with them was ‍ Then we shared a summer salad which was light and had apples, walnuts and a vinaigrette dressing. My friend got the New York strip and I got the Ibérico Presa, which is part of the pork shoulder , and we shared the collard greens and potatoes as a side. All of the meat we found out is raised in Franklin TN and is fresh. For dessert we shared the Alabama lane cake, which I was bossed with after reading To Kill a Mockingbird and have tried to make myself! The restaurant itself is small and cozy and they use real old southern style glass dishes. Our waiter, Micah was nice and attentive without being pretentious. He handled all of our questions about the menu seamlessly Hope to return soon!

Food...excellent Service...impeccable…read more Ambiance...perfect #1 in my book I would definitely be back when in Birmingham

We've dined at Armour House several times and always enjoy it, but this visit finally prompted me…read moreto leave a review with a bit of feedback. First, the food: truly no notes. It's spectacular every time. The rotating menu keeps things fresh and interesting, and every dish we've had has been thoughtfully prepared and consistently excellent. The kitchen is clearly doing something special and it's a big reason we keep coming back. This visit, however, the service was unusually slow. Our dinner lasted about two hours (7:30-9:30) on a night that didn't seem particularly busy. There was a noticeable lull in the dining room with quite a few open tables, yet it still took nearly 40 minutes between finishing our appetizers and receiving our main courses. The pacing just felt off compared to past visits. Valet (which I understand isn't directly run by the restaurant) was also a bit slow -- about a 15 minute wait to get our car at the end of the night. All that said, Armour House is still a really special spot with incredible food and we'll absolutely be back. Sharing this feedback because we've had such great experiences here before and hope this was just an off night.

This other restaurant was packed so we came here. The food was really good, everything was cooked…read moreperfectly. It was a little slow to come out but our awesome bartender Cayla provided us with excellent cocktails so we didn't mind the wait!

Pro: The ribeye was very good and so was the pecan bread dessert. The place is cute and attached to…read morethe hotel I was staying in. It was a cold, rainy night so it was nice to have that option without having to step outside. Cons: it was oddly quiet. Like awkward. And I was told the music had been broken for a while. I thought the AC was broken, too. it was very warm. Maybe to make up for the chill outside, but still. Again, It was just awkward inside. dark, warm and quiet. Overall, I would give this place a second try.

Cayo Coco has been on my list of restaurants to try for a few months now, and I can confidently say…read morethat I'll be back soon! I genuinely could have ordered almost anything off the menu; everything sounded delicious. Unfortunately, I don't have the budget or the ability to consume every dish off the menu, so my boyfriend and I settled on splitting 2 small plates and 1 entree. What we ordered: -Smoked Fish Fritters: a Cuban delicacy. Still thinking about how good these were. Plenty to share! -Snapper Ceviche: personally not my thing, but my boyfriend loved this. I honestly wanted to like this, but the raw fish started to weird me out. -Jerk Chicken: served atop a tomato/bbq risotto that was devine. The inside here is so cozy and slightly tropical. They have a huge alcoholic selection too if that's your vibe. I'm so excited to return and try some more dishes!

Cayo Coco restaurant missed the mark for me. I really enjoyed how the dining areas really lean into…read morethe tropical theme. I ordered the Espresso Martini ($14); it was lacking something in the flavor, but that could possibly be from me going against the grain when ordering. I had the jerk chicken, it was not a true jerk chicken ($29) it was basically grilled chicken with sauce so when expecting something more authentic it was disappointing to say the least. The tamarind caesar ($15) was also different than I expected; although I would make a trip for it, I would order it again when visiting. The best thing I tried was actually the typhoon brusssel sprouts ($12), I was very happy with them and honestly would have been okay if that was the only thing I ordered. The wait staff was great, very personable and being willing to dicuss the menu and give suggestions. Espresso Martini(Vodka-Carajillo) 7/10 flavor is not what accustomed to might have been better with the Rum normally fixed with. Tamarind Caesar- at first glance definitely not my regular Caesar. Definitely not an average Caesar the lettuce is grilled giving it a smoky flavor, caught off guard but I would order again. 8/10 Jerk Chicken- overall was a good dish first time trying farro wasn't sure what to expect made me think of oatmeal, the mango salsa and sauce on the chicken was good the chicken itself was a bit dry but still good. Overall I would give the dish a 7.5 I rarely order chicken out and I think this was a reminder why. Typhoon Brussel Sprouts- had great taste 9/10 I could come back and get a drink with the Brussels. Would consider the Star of the night The price was consistent with the area, nothing seemed overly priced. Portions were also large enough to be split so if with a group and wanting to try multiple items you would be able to do it and have enough.

An all-around great meal! We tried the Charred Spanish Octopus for an appetizer. The char taste…read morewith the romesco and squid ink sauces was a delightfully complex flavor. For entree, I ordered the Blackened Wild Louisiana Redfish, and I would definitely get it again! The blackened seasoning was perfection, and I thought that the fried okra were well done too. We also tried a dessert that I can't remember the name of - it was chocolatey, creamy, and delicious! I really liked the atmosphere - a good combo of formal while being unstuffy. We brought some family that was in town, and we were definitely pleased with the experience!

Always a great experience. Great food, drinks, customer service, and a lovely atmosphere.read more

This morning, Sunday, February 15, 2026; My wife and I went to "The Essentials" for Sunday, Brunch…read more I have not eaten at "The Essentials" for a few years now. We don't like going out on holidays like Valentines Day so we usually do something the day after. Food: I got the Steak & Eggs. They were great. I did think the "Potato Cake" on the plate was a bit dry but I did eat it all. I was surprised that no Toast was provided for this item. Just an after thought. My wife go the Banana Bread French Toast. She also loved it. Service: This is where "The Essentials" understands what their clients want. Our server was outstanding. I looked around and felt the entire staff really knew how to work with their guests. Refreshing. Ambiance: At first, I thought the restaurant was a bit noisy. Yet my wife and my conversation was not strained. The Ambiance was upscale casual. Value: I thought the prices were a bit high yet the real story was, once I was finished, my mind was asking when the next time I would return. Cost a meal is in direct portion to how much you enjoyed it. I enjoyed my meal very much. Eat well, Drink well and stay healthy.

This is a great spot in Birmingham. The menu was not clear, but the staff worked with us to figure…read moreout what they could make without seed oils and gluten-free options. I ended up with a bunless burger. The Caesar salad with chicken was my first choice, but both the dressing and the chicken had seed oils - not good. Still, the vibe was great, and we made the best of what was available. Thanks to the chef for working with us.

We had heard from so many friends that we had to try Little Betty Steak Bar. When a friend invited…read moreus to dinner we were so eager to try it, and let me say we were not disappointed! The ambiance was great with lights on the tables, low lighting overall and plenty of room between the tables. We definitely felt like we were in our own little corner, could hear each other talk, and we did not have to listen to others conversations. I really enjoyed the mocktail I ordered. It was called the Sinaloa Sunrise and was much more than a few juices poured together. It was full of flavor, and I actually said "Wow" out loud as I drank it. It included pineapple juice, lime juice, habanero brown sugar syrup, sage syrup, and grenadine sink. Before I ordered it, i I wondered about the sage syrup, but it really added to the taste. For an appetizer, we shared the Wagyu Beef Carpaccio. Our friend suggested it and he was right on the money. It consisted of fresh horseradish, truffle aioli, fingerling potatoes, pickled mustard seeds, arugula, and caciotta al tartufo. It was melt in your mouth goodness. For my entree, I went with the 8 oz Filet. It was cooked perfectly, and we shared a side order of the Brussels Sprouts Calaprese. They were absolutely delicious and plenty for the three of us. This wonderful evening ended with dessert. I went with the Bananas Foster Cheesecake. It was good, but it needed more caramel. It included brown butter caramel, pistachio banana crumble, spiced ice cream, white chocolate crèmeux and white chocolate pearls. Was this an expensive dinner? Yes, but it was well worth it. You definitely are paying for a whole experience including unique flavors in every bite and wonderful service. Our server, Matt, made the night perfect.

Little Betty more than exceeded every high expectation that we had and I'm so happy to report it is…read moreBEYOND worth the hype. We were greeted with the warmest hospitality you can imagine and our waiter, Chris, was so kind and knowledgeable. He thoroughly went over the menu and Emma, his assistant, didn't let our glass get less than half full all night. They were both extremely attentive and personable as well. Chef Kyle greeted us and made sure we were enjoying everything and taken care of. Each dish reflects the passion for his craft. He described a few dishes perfectly - one being the waygu croquettes. He said they were like French onion soup in a ball and deep fried. We enjoyed every bite and I told Chris that we'd take 27 more of them We also got beer carpaccio - compliments of the chef. This was my first time trying it anywhere and I was pleasantly surprised. The truffle aioli, cheese, and arugula atop thinly sliced beef that reminded me of prosciutto. Each bite was a little different - would get again. The focaccia is not to be skipped either. Warm, soft, fluffy, with flaky salt and olive oil. Done. The Caesar salad is one like we've never had before. The cured lemon set this over the top and added a tangy yet sweet component. I'm not usually one to rave about a Caesar salad but this was top tier. My spicy lobster vodka pasta was phenomenal and just the right amount of spicy. Extremely flavorful and had big chunks of lobster. The bread crumbs on top added the perfect crunch. David loved his steak and his only complaint was that he needed a serrated knife to cut it with. I heard a lady at a table beside us say the same thing Not to say that it wasn't cooked perfectly - because it was. We loved the Gouda fries and the crispy brussel sprouts were probably my favorite brussels I've ever had (!!!). The affogato was heavenly (never met one I didn't like). And they included a cannoli with a birthday candle. If you can't tell, we had an exquisite evening here. It met and exceeded all expectations. I can see us dining here for many many celebrations to come.

Infinite amount of stars for the food but negative one star for how slow they are. So very hard to…read morerate this place. So here is the downfall. It might have been the slowest dinner I ever had in my life. I had a 7:00 PM reservation and I arrived early and sat down at 6:50. After being greeted and ordering wine I placed an order of the pork belly appetizer at 7:05. The pork belly appetizer came out at 8:00, 55 minutes after ordering. I placed the entree order at 7:30 and it came out at 8:30. There were only 3 other tables in the restaurant. Two three tops and a two top so not even large tables. Why on earth is it taking an hour to get out an order. I have my credit card at 8:50 and got it back at 9:15. 25 minutes to charge a card? I mean I guess you can get busy but the 4 tables here had 3 people helping with them. At no point when the server came by my table did I ever say I needed another minute. So, a 2.5+ hour dinner as a single diner was ridiculous, especially considering they were not busy. The food here was truly incredible, some of the best I've had anywhere I've traveled. I absolutely loved it. You can tell they source fresh, local ingredients daily, and that commitment clearly shines through in the quality of every dish. I started with the pork belly appetizer, which was outstanding. The cut had the perfect balance of meat and fat, expertly cooked with the fat beautifully rendered. The flavors were exceptional as well, finished with a maple glaze and paired with a sweet potato cornbread that was completely unique and memorable. For my main course, I ordered the smoked ribeye, and it was flawless. The quality was top-tier, with gorgeous marbling that truly reflected a prime cut. The smoke flavor was perfectly balanced--present but never overpowering. It had a beautiful crust, was expertly seasoned, and cooked to an ideal temperature. It honestly could not have been better. They also offered a few amuse-bouches that were equally impressive. A single bite of cherry tomato with lamb bacon was one of the best bites I've ever had. To finish, I was served a watermelon and muscadine sorbet with a St-Germain finish, an incredibly thoughtful and skillful dessert. There is an immense amount of talent in this kitchen. You will never be disappointed by the food here. My experience seemed to be overshadowed by the slow service and near the end I was so ready to just leave. However I might consider returning just for the food.

Food first, thoughts after... Ranked as number 3 in top 5 of…read moreBirmingham's most expensive local restaurants. Overall my love and I had a pleasant time here. Bishop was our server and he made the overall experience so much better. Complimentary palate cleanser and opener. Located downtown so street parking or valet. Great atmosphere for date night.

Salud is a genuine treasure in the heart of downtown Birmingham. The vibes, the downright lovely…read morepeople who provide excellent customer service and the food all combine into this magic that you feel as soon as you walk in the front door and I just love it. In fact, I'm getting warm feelings right now just thinking about my time here. Their vegan option is a nopal taco (tender, marinated cactus). It's excellent, but what makes it next level is that SALSA BAR with the best salsas I've ever had. It reminds me of taquerias in California. I drowned my taco in all of the sauces. In fact, I could probably be happy eating tortillas and salsa here. Because, yes, the tortillas are that delicious. As is that guac. Again, some of the best I've ever had, gimmicky tableside guac included (never felt that was such a great thing anyway). Here, you get a generous portion of the creamiest quality guac you can imagine. I can't report on the margaritas other than to say they look gorgeous. The wine pours are also generous and the prosecco is damn good.

I heard alot of great things about Salud…read more Salud reminds me of the taqueria's in Mexico, with the Jarrito sodas, pineapple and mandarin Try them with a tequila shot! Also the guacamole, the cheese dip and the tacos. They do have a full bar and can do frozen drinks. I loved that you can add your own toppings to your tacos. The tacos come with just meat. You can add onions, limes, cilantro and pickled onions and pickled jalapeños as well as sauce. They had a Verde sauce as well as regular salsa, and a Salsa Borachja sauce with onion, garlic and Mexican beer. It was spicy and delicious. They have plenty of counter seating, a few tables inside and several tables outside. This is a tapas bar more than a testaurant.

Outstanding seafood and a delightful dining experience are sure to be found at Automatic Seafood!…read moreThis is a more upscale outing, and it made for a cozy and elegant birthday dinner/date night. What we ordered: -Smoked Fish Dip: This appetizer could have easily been shared with multiple people. The dip was so flavorful! -Fish and Chips: You definitely can't go wrong with this one. The fish was perfectly crunchy and battered, and the fries were perfect! -Spice Crusted Yellowfin Tuna: my boyfriend loved this! It wasn't my favorite, but the potato stack that it is served with was phenomenal... they know how to do potatoes here. Without a doubt, I'll be back here. Their menu changes regularly, so there's always something new I can look forward to trying.

Pros: food was good and cool atmosphere/vibe. The bread/rolls app and oysters were the highlight…read more Cons: #1 Prices were utterly absurd. Look, I understand inflation has taken a hit on everybody but charging up to $50 an entrée and everything else à la carte??.....my meal better be amazing but it wasn't. #2 Service was just ok. Ours wasn't the most jovial individual but not a dealbreaker. Issue came with the check....we had three groups in our party and he charged everyone's credit card on other's check and had to re-process everybody. Really annoying as this is not a hard thing to deal with handling separate checks (inconvenient for him?...yes, but not difficult). All in all....I will not be back as the food/service definitely not worth the $$