Critics Consider Sarris Cafe, New Thai Restaurant Surin 280

IN THE NEWS: The Birmingham News’s Tom Gaskin reviews Thai restaurant Surin 280 (16 Perimeter Park South, 968-8161), while Lynn Grisard Fullman considers Sarris Cafe (2651 Pelham Parkway, 685-0100). al.com
Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

‘Gourmet’ Lauds ‘America’s Best Farm-to-Table Restaurants’

Gourmet magazine’s October 2007 issue features a guide to “America’s Best Farm-to-Table Restaurants.” gourmet.com:
RESTAURANTS WITH FARM CONNECTIONS: 2nd Street Bistro, Livingston, MT; Amherst Chinese Food, Amherst, MA; Blackberry Farm, Walland, TN; Crook’s Corner, Chapel Hill, NC; Eve, Alexandria, VA; La Provence, Lacombe, LA; Lantern, Chapel Hill, NC; Pacific’O and I’o, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii; Tree House [...]

‘Idol’s Hicks, Studdard To Open Clubs

IN THE NEWS: Former “American Idol” winners Taylor Hicks and Ruben Studdard are opening nightclubs in a planned downtown Birmingham entertainment district, the Birmingham News reports. Hicks, a Hoover native and 2006 winner of the Fox television singing competition, is among nine new tenants announced by John Elkington of Performa Entertainment Real Estate during a [...]

Another Cajun Steamer Opens in Trussville

IN THE NEWS: The Birmingham News’ Susan Swagler reviews Baha Burgers (3439 Colonnade Parkway, 969-7998), while Bob Carlton visits The Baskits (813 Green Springs Highway, Homewood. 916-0401), and Lynn Grisard Fullman considers a road trip to Original Oyster House (Alabama 59, Bayou Shopping Center, Gulf Shores, 251-948-2445. www.originaloysterhouse.com) and chats with Robert L. Burton Jr., [...]

New Book Features Century-Old Bright Star

IN THE NEWS: Birmingham magazine’s Jan Walsh features The Bright Star (309 19th St. N., Bessemer, 426-1861, thebrightstar.com) as it celebrates its 100th anniversary. bhammag.com … The Birmingham News’ Tom Gaskin reviews Cafe Ramona (5510 U.S. 280 East, 995-3980), while Jo Ellen O’Hara reports on the scheduled Sept. 12 book signing by Bright Star restaurant [...]

Bagel Chain Makes Birmingham Plans

IN THE NEWS: The Colorado-based Einstein Bros. Bagels (einsteinbros.com) plans to bring its quick-casual restaurant concept to Birmingham, the Birmingham Business Journal reports. birmingham.bizjournals.com … The Birmingham News‘ Lynn Grisard Fullman reviews the old-fashioned soda shop Gilchrist (2805 Cahaba Road, Mountain Brook Village, 871-2181.). … Jo Ellen O’Hara reports that The Grape in Five Points [...]

Bogue’s Opens 2nd Location in Homewood

IN THE NEWS: Birmingham Weekly’s Brooke Michael Bell reports that Bogue’s, one of Birmingham’s best breakfast spots, has opened a second location in Homewood in the old Florida Grill on West Oxmoor Road. … And she reports that Five Guys Burgers and Fries (www.fiveguys.com) is now open next to Cocina Superior at Brookwood Mall. bhamweekly.com [...]

Baskin-Robbins Returning After 5 Years

IN THE NEWS: The Birmingham News‘ Roy Williams reports that Baskin-Robbins, the world’s largest ice-cream chain, which left the area in 2002, aims to open 40 locations in Birmingham and 88 across Alabama. The stores will be operated by 14 new franchisees, said Charlotte Cavaretta, a spokeswoman for the Canton, Mass.-based chain, which has 5,600 [...]

Lou’s Pub Celebrates 20 Years in Business

IN THE NEWS: Birmingham Weekly blogs the news that Lou’s Pub celebrated 20 years of business on Aug. 1. A split pub and package store, it was one of three such liquor licenses grandfathered under the law. Esquire magazine has recognized it as one of the best bars in America. bhamweekly.com … The Birmingham News‘ [...]

Suit Dropped Over Full Moon Bar-B-Q

IN THE NEWS: Investors in Full Moon Bar-B-Q’s first and only out-of-state location have voluntarily dismissed their complaint against the Birmingham, Ala.-based restaurant’s owners, brothers Joseph A. Maluff and David M. Maluff and their company Maluff Foods LLC, the Birmingham Business Journal reports. The group of investors had filed a complaint against the Maluffs in [...]