Frank and Pardis Stitt anchor Condé Nast Traveler’s Birmingham story

The story opens with chef Frank Stitt and his wife Pardis, owners of Bottega and Chez Fonfon. They also own Highlands Bar & Grill, the 2018 James Beard Award winner for Outstanding Restaurant in the nation, which is currently shuttered.

Pariseau sets the tone with the advice she got when she asked a local what to do in Birmingham:

“Everything begins and ends with Frank Stitt.”
Leslie Pariseau, Condé Nast Traveler

From there, she recalls past meals at Bottega and Highlands, then spends her first evening of this trip at the bar at Chez Fonfon. She also notes that Stitt grew up in Cullman, an hour north of Birmingham, and helped establish the Market at Pepper Place about 25 years ago.

Birmingham spots in Condé Nast Traveler’s Magic City feature

Guide to local pop-up markets — Pepper Place, the sight of last year’s food festival. (Bham Now)

Beyond the Stitts, Condé Nast Traveler‘s feature covers dozens of Birmingham restaurants, theaters, galleries and historic sites. Those include Sloss Furnaces and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, which tell the city’s steel and civil rights history.

Here are some of the spots she described: