Category Archives: food

Chris and Frank are at it again

Posted on February 17, 2009 | Leave a comment

One day I’ll actually make their acquaintance and feel like I can use their first names (their last names are Hastings and Stitt in case you were wondering). This marks the second year in a row that both Birmingham, AL based chefs have made it to at least the semi-finalist round (here’s the list of contenders) of The James Beard Foundation Awards. Stitt (of Highlands Bar & Grill) is a potential contender for the nation’s best chef while Hastings (Hot & Hot Fish Club) is hoping to be a finalist in the category of best chef in the South.

The finalists will be named on March 23, with the winners announced on May 3 via a media event and the awards’ official website.

McCafe is coming to Birmingham

Posted on February 16, 2009 | 5 comments

Driving down 1^st Avenue North in Woodlawn away from downtown and looking off to your left just before you drive under I 20/59 will have you checking out the recently rebuilt McDonald’s (it’s been a while too since it re-opened, so don’t feel too bad if you didn’t notice it before).

mccafe-bham What you may not have noticed was the signage on the building announcing that it would soon become one of the metro area locations for McDonald’s latest foray into staying relevant in the fast food world – McCafé. We’re not sure how many more locations are preparing to open in metro Birmingham, but just the fact that we’ve got one is pretty cool. If you do know of others, add their locations to the comments section.

Photo: bhamterminal.com

5 Comments

Posted in food

Tagged AL, Alabama, Birmingham, food, location, McCafe, McDonald's Woodlawn, neighborhood, opening, restaurant

wOOt! Foodimentary wins a “Shorty”

Posted on February 10, 2009 | Leave a comment

Kudos to Foodimentary, a blog and Twitter feed based right here in metro Birmingham, AL (Homewood to be exact) as they are the winner of this year’s Shorty Award for food! The Shortys recognize leaders in producing short content using the popular microblogging site. Here’s a video primer for those not familar with Twitter.

Wondering just how popular and powerful Twitter can be? Foodimentary’s profile currently provides fun facts about food to more than 29,600 followers!

We don’t know if they’ll be able to attend tomorrow’s awards ceremony, but we hope they are able to, considering that CNN’s Rick Sanchez will be hosting with tweeters Shaquille O’Neal and MC Hammer being involved in the fun.

Congrats!

Image: Foodimentary logo, courtesy of the website.

Crestwood Coffee Company… for now

Posted on February 10, 2009 | 11 comments

Pye Parson recently became the new owner of the Crestwod Coffee Company on Birmingham’s East side. Pye also owns Birmingham IN spot Sol Garden two doors down from the neighborhood hangout spot, though she’s not sure of her plans for that space when its lease is up later this year.

Since implemented and proposed changes include allowing customers to establish accounts and regaining its beer and wine license in the near future, it only makes sense to consider changing the name. If you stop by, consider dropping a suggestion in the box at the bar.

11 Comments

Posted in Business, food

Tagged Alabama, Birmingham, changes, Coffee, Crestwood Coffee Company, information, new name, new owner, Pye Parson, Sol Garden

“A sad day for hot dog fans”

Posted on February 10, 2009 | Leave a comment

That is how one commenter on the Birmingham News‘ breaking new blog described learning the news that Tony’s Terrific Hot Dogs will be closing after 29 years in business next weekend. According to the piece, Tony Ippolito’s looking forward to retirement, though it looks like many are going to miss out on the food.

Time for a Bojangles biscuit run…

Posted on February 6, 2009 | 2 comments

… much closer to home. Charlotte, NC-based Bojangle’s has announced plans to expand into the Birmingham, AL market, with hopes of opening four (4) locations in the metro area before the end of the year. We here see this as a great excuse to eat breakfast whenever we want, and that’s important, even to their corporate office, especially when you take a look at their recipe for success.

2 Comments

Posted in Business, food

Tagged AL, Alabama, announcement, Birmingham, Bojangle's, expansion

NYC’s Cheyenne Diner being moved to Birmingham

Posted on January 15, 2009 | 8 comments

Thanks to Twitter follower @BhamWiki, we’ve learned that New York’s historic Cheyenne Diner will be making it’s new home in Birmingham, AL. The diner was closed by a rival Midtown eatery early last year. The landmark Art Moderne structure was originally slated for a move from its home of 68 years at 9^th Avenue and 33^rd Street to the Red Hook section of Brooklyn (as reported on Gothamist in April). Unfortunately, it was beginning to look like efforts were not going to be successful.

The story about its now pending move to the Magic City was first reported on Chelsea Now yesterday with The Associated Press posted a news brief earlier this afternoon confirming the move.

If you want to get a better idea of what we’re gaining here, check out the photos on Tom Fletcher’s New York Architecture site. Hopefully we’ll find out exactly where it’s going soon.

Photo: Farewell. Goggla/Flickr.

8 Comments

Posted in food, The City

Tagged Alabama, Birmingham, Cheyenne Diner, flat bed truck, Manhattan, moving, photo, Red Hook, saved