A Birmingham MUST HAVE

You can take this tip to the bank. When visiting Birmingham, you must dine at Chez Fonfon in 5 Points South. Save room for dessert because that coconut cake in the center is absolutely sublime. When it's served with crème anglaise drizzled over it, you will thank me. Chez Fonfon is just one of Chef Frank Stitt's four wonderful restaurants in the Birmingham area.

5

Mid October and we're still enjoying outside dining here in Birmingham. 5 Restaurant in Lakeview even flung open their door to welcome patrons.

Meet Tracy

Tracy's in Crestline is a hot spot for a meat and three, not to mention a mighty delicious cheeseburger. I visit quite often, and Tracy's smiling face from the kitchen is always welcome.

I will be teaching my photography classes at Vestavia Hills United Methodist's Conservatory of the Arts again this fall. If you have working knowledge of your digital camera, join us for a fun way to learn to take better photographs of your friends, family as well as travel photos. 

UFO Spotting

At P.F.Chang's

Boules Out Back

Chez Fonfon has a nice boules court in the back.  This is similar to pétanque but I'm correct, boules is played with clay balls and pétanque with metal balls. A fun way to pass the time while dining outside.  This day, a cooperative waiter showed me his style!

Euro Birmingham - Chez Lulu

Chez Lulu in Mt. Brook's English Village is a little French café, but I was getting Italian and Spanish vibes there as well!

The Waiter

This is one of my favorite waiters at Chez Fonfon in Five Points South. He's worked there for a long time,  and is always so kind to let me snap his photo!

Bon Appétit!

The chef at Chez Lulu in English Village seemed like the perfect person to wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Boules Rules

Out back at Chez Fonfon, on Birmingham's Five Points neighborhood, you'll find a boules court.  The rules were too good to pass up as I had a delightful lunch outside with friends last week.

Boules is a game played on France, similar to pétanque and bocce, which is played in Italy.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Well actually it was Cobb Lane on Birmingham's southside. This charming place was where ladies lunched for many , many years. Started in 1948 by Virginia Cobb, it closed in 2009.  I know many of my Birmingham readers remember this place well and have fond memories of some delicious meals there.

Guess Where I Had Lunch Yesterday?

Paris you say? Well I wish, but I did the next best thing....déjeuner à Chez Fonfon, Five Points South right here in Birmingham.  I had the pleasure of lunching with Jett Gibson Brooks. Jett is in town from Tacoma to attend the Shades Valley High School Reunion this weekend.  We have connected through Facebook and had a lovely day together. 

After Dark

Patrons enjoying the evening, outside at Avo in Mt. Brook Village.

Calories?? Worth It.

My friends Mary and Phil are here visiting from Cincinnati and last night we had a delicious dinner at Chez Fon Fon.  Mary fondly remembered the coconut cake from another trip, and Phil opted for the Tart Citron. We shared the calories and didn't regret a one!

If You're Lucky Enough...

to get to here for lunch or dinner, I hope it's open!  Chef Frank Stitt's flagship restaurant,  Highlands Bar & Grill   at Five Points South, after hours.

Euro Birmingham - Les Chaises

I love it when Birmingham and Paris collide.  Chez Fonfon is one of those places.
Located at Five Points South,  for me it's like a quick trip to the other city j'adore!

Service With a Smile

For me a night out for dinner at Little Savannah Restaurant in Forest Park,  is a huge treat.  The food is always fabulous,  but having my friend Derrick as our waiter makes it even more special.  Always friendly and knowledgeable, he makes the whole dining experience par excellence!

Dining Alfresco

at Vino in English Village is a great new place to try. This upscale restaurant and wine bar is owned by veteran Birmingham restauranteur Al Rabiee.  I had the pleasure of chatting with him not long ago and taking some photographs. When I left he brought me a bag of his wife's DIVINE apple fritters. Try them!

Lately our weather has been so mild I'm sure they've had the fire pit blazing and patrons have enjoyed their lovely outside seating.

A Taste of France

You know where we are......Chez Fonfon on Birmingham's southside.  We've been here before, but I had lunch there again last week and couldn't resist a quick camera shoot before my friends arrived. Today, the view from the back hallway, looking into the dining room.  I have some outside shots I will share soon.

And merci beaucoup to Chef Mark ( a dear former student) who sent out a delicious appetizer of moules with a wonderful buttery crumb topping!

The Waiter

It's no secret that Chez Fonfon in  Five Points is one of my favorite places to dine.  I"ll bet can see why.  This is about as close to Paris as I can get in Birmingham. Even the waiters look familiar!

This weekend my Paris amie Mary Gilbert is coming in from Cincinnati and NYC blogger Daryl Edlestein is  flying in from the Big Apple. Mary has requested an encore of Chez Fonfon's marvelous coconut cake. It's at the top of our To Do list!

Blue Door

Some of you might look at this great blue door and think I've high tailed it off to the south of France ( I wish!) or Italy, but many of my Birmingham area readers know exactly where this is.  I lunched at Chez Fonfon in 5 Points last week with some dear high school friends.  I snuck out in the back for a few quick shots.  When the weather is nice, you can dine there and watch or play a game of boules/pétanque if you like!