Reviewed by: Patience Itson
Chef Jacob Stull launches new French popup, Rêve, in Birmingham
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Are you ready for the next big thing in Birmingham’s fine dining scene?
Look no further than Rêve: a new French pop-up tasting menu restaurant from Chef Jacob Stull, hosted in several restaurants in downtown Birmingham.
Meet Chef Jacob Stull
For Chef Stull, French cuisine has always been an important part of life.
A descendant of French immigrants, he remembers his childhood kitchen packed with sourdough bread, fresh vegetables, jars of preserved fruits and more.
“To me, French cuisine is a style that always tells a story.
It’s complex and takes a lot of technique, but done right, you can create an experience that really speaks to people.”
Chef Jacob Stull, Rêve
Chef Stull began his culinary career by working at several restaurants along the East Coast, learning the principles behind molecular gastronomy and extremely high-end tasting menus.
But he always yearned for ways to bring his own creativity to the table.
After leaving the East Coast, Chef Stull moved to New Orleans, landing a job at the historic Brennan’s Restaurant on Royal Street.
It was here he got the chance to express his creativity while studying under the famed Chef Slade Rushing.
“Chef Slade taught me that, while it’s important to know the science behind a dish, a great chef has to respect the old traditions of France.
Anyone can cook a nice piece of fish, throw a starch or sauce on a plate and call it a day. But it’s important to think through the flavors and stories you want to tell.
My time at Brennan’s helped me identify my voice and the experiences I want to bring to people.”
Chef Jacob Stull, Rêve
Bringing Rêve to The Magic City
In 2018, Chef Stull moved to the Birmingham area and began working with Atlanta-based Concentrics Restaurants to open two unique concepts within Tuscaloosa’s Alamite Hotel:
“Starting a concept from scratch was challenging, but it taught me how to develop a strong, loyal team—some of those people are still with me to this day.”
Chef Jacob Stull, Rêve
Recently, Chef Stull chose Birmingham to try his latest concept: Rêve.
“The French word rêve translates to dream, and my dream has always been to open a restaurant where open-minded people can have an experience curated by a chef who’s doing something he believes in.
To me, that described Birmingham to a T.
Everyone I’ve talked to about this concept has been so receptive. Birmingham is nothing but positivity, and I’ve always wanted to be a part of this restaurant scene.”
Chef Jacob Stull, Rêve
The Rêve experience
Rêve is a culinary adventure like no other. It’s a pop-up tasting menu restaurant that draws from Chef Stull’s French heritage and experience as a restaurateur.
Rêve is held each Thursday and Sunday and offers two options:
- A five-course tasting menu, which lasts about an hour and a half ($100)
- A ten-course tasting menu, which lasts about three hours ($150)
Each Rêve experience is held in one of several host restaurants in downtown Birmingham and seats no more than 20 guests a night.
“We’re curating experiences that are going to be memorable, from the personalized envelope with a custom wax seal to the dishes themselves.
After guests are seated, I explain each dish in detail: where the ingredients come from, who the producers are, how we prepare it and the story of the dish itself.”
Chef Jacob Stull, Rêve
Book your reservation with Rêve on OpenTable and discover the art of French fine dining right here in The Magic City.
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