National publication Wine Enthusiast features Birmingham’s “top tier” drinking and dining hot spots

Wine Enthusiast Magazine and its digital site winemag.com is considered by some as the wine lovers bible. The wine and spirits focused media platform has a monthly reach of 2.5 million readers worldwide. Last week, that special audience was introduced to the Magic City by a Wine Enthusiast article titled,  Looking for Top-Tier Drinking and Dining? Try Birmingham, Alabama.

Magical days to come

Wine Enthusiast  begins its story about Birmingham describing how the city magically grew in the 20th century after the founding of our iron and steel industry. It then predicts our city’s future when it comes to entertainment :

“An energetic food-and-drink scene in the city exudes a feeling that its most magical days are to come.”

Food Scene

Featured in the “Eat”  section of the article is Frank Stitt’s Highlands Bar and Grill and the network of chefs and restaurants that now bless the Birmingham culinary landscape  because of his leadership.

The beautiful 1908 home on Highland Avenue that is Gallery and Garden is recognized in the piece. For wine-lovers, Wine Enthusiast points out that the more than 500 labels and 20-plus wines by the glass selection at Garden and Gallery is one of the most extensive in the city.

And of course, the article points out the new Pizitz Food Hall and its wide variety of food that range from Hawaiian to Ethiopian fare.

Drink Scene

Moving onto where to get a drink and spirits, Wine Enthusiast  recommends The Atomic Lounge and Bar, The J. Clyde and The Collins Bar .

Just this week, we wrote about The Atomic Lounge and Bar being named a James Beard Semi-finalists for Outstanding Bar Program. The author calls the bar’s cocktail “The Legendary Sex Panther” world class.

If you are looking for beer, The J. Clyde near Five Points is the best place to taste many of Alabama’s craft beers in one place according to Wine Enthusiast.  The legendary restaurant on Cobb Lane was also one of the original advocates for Alabama’s Free the Hops movement.

The last place featured in the article is The Collins. Located on downtown’s 2nd Avenue North row of restaurants and bars the magazine recommends The Collins as the place to go for a custom cocktail.

Alabama White Sauce?

The article concludes with a recipe for Alabama White Sauce.  Didn’t know the white sauce originated from the 1920s at Bob Gibson’s up in Decatur. Got to say in Birmingham, we’ve got our own places like SAW’s that does white sauce right.

Birmingham continues to be recognized

The Magic City continues to draw positive national attention.

Here are some of the articles that were written about us in 2017.

Vogue Magazine’s  “the South’s Magic City”
Outside Magazine”s 25 Best Towns of 2017 edition.
The New York Times –“Birmingham is ready to surprise you.”
Washington Post – “best vacation destinations you’ve never considered” series.
CNN – “15 charming cities in the American South you may have overlooked.”