Mmmmmmmm

Chez Fonfon on Birmingham's 5 Points South area is one of my favorite places to dine in Birmingham. It has a casual French ambiance that I love and their desserts are on display so you can think about them throughout your meal and when your waiter asks, "Dessert?" You scream, "YES!" The coconut cake is my most favorite but the tarte au citron, with its gorgeous meringue runs a close second. Each one, an edible work of art.

Chez Fonfon

2007 11th Avenue South

HUMANS OF BIRMINGHAM I - Samford University

If you follow me on Facebook , you know that I have fallen in love with Brandon Stanton, the photographer behind the wildly successful HUMANS OF NEW  YORK. He started out doing street in several cities but when he landed in NYC, he stayed and now his FB page and blog have blown off the charts. His book by the same name came out this week and when I got mine in the mail I read it from cover to cover. He has that fabulous way of connecting to strangers and I'll tell you, it's contagious. I'm not starting a new blog, heaven knows I can't keep up the two I have, but I"m up for a good challenge and Brandon's inspired me. I love his way of asking questions and interacting so......yesterday at Samford University I was out shooting with some students and found my first HOB ( Humans of Birmingham). I will never be as good as my new friend Brandon Stanton, but he is my new inspiration and I will share from time to time right here for you!

"What are you majoring in "

"Religion"

"What will you do with that degree?"

"I hope to do counseling or social work."

Boys Will Be Boys

Spitting contest.  

Frank Fleming's storytellure sculpture fountain, Five Points South

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!

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!

Up On The Roof

Forgive me for the corny title. Sometimes I just can't help myself. Yesterday I was in 5 Points South to meet friends for lunch. I grabbed my camera for a quick walkabout. I spotted these workers high atop Highland United Methodist Church. I have just a titch of acrophobia so I was pretty fascinated that anyone would work up there perched on those slippery tiles. This worker spotted me so I waved. He waved right back. You'll be happy to know that they were tethered in some fashion. Risky business regardless.

If you're humming Up On the Roof, here's the Drifters to sing it with you!

Please excuse the wonky angle in the top photo. I straightened it all I could. I don't know what I was doing, and this was BEFORE my wine with lunch!!

Chef Mark

Last week I ducked into Chez Fonfon before they opened, to see if I could prowl around for more photos. You know from past posts that this is a favorite haunt of mine. Who did I see, smiling at me through the window of the kitchen? Why Chef Mark! Someone for my 100 Strangers you ask?? Heavens no, I taught Mark in third grade! I know Mark's whole family and loved his sweet Momma to pieces. What a thrill to see him again, and I'm looking forward to having dinner there real soon and letting him whip up something special! You're never too old to brown nose your teacher are you??

BLOG WORD A DAY

Today begins a new feature here at BADP. I just finished reading Who Let the Blogs Out, by Biz Stone. A fascinating read that chronicles the history of blogging and gives a lot of helpful tips if you are more computer savvy than I. Biz was nice enough to include a glossary in the back. I thought I'd give you a word a day for a while. I think even the more seasoned bloggers, as well as many of my non-blogging readers will enjoy them. We'll start with the basics and work our way down.

blog

Noun. A personal website that provides updated headlines and news articles of other sites that are of interest to the user, also may include journal entries, commentaries, and recommendations compiled by the user; also written weblog, Web log. Verb. To compose and publish a blog entry.

Have a Seat- Table/Chair Series III

#3 in my  *"Table and Chairs Series" this week can be found at Chez Fonfon French bistro in Birmingham's Five Points South area.  We spent several days here  last September when my friends flew off to La Bonne Etoile and I was suffering major French envy.  

* Merci Kim at Seattle DP for the idea of making this week's offerings into an ongoing series.

SKY WATCH FRIDAY - Red Tiles, Blue Sky

Highlands Methodist Church is probably one of the most photographed churches in Birmingham and rightfully so. Overlooking the famous fountain in 5 Points South, it's one of Birmingham's oldest churches.  Built in the Spanish Renaissance Revival style,  it is just as striking today as it was when it was built 99 years ago.  

For all the Skywatch Friday participants, click Skywatch Friday on the sidebar.

Waiting

These waiters at Chez Fonfon, on Birmingham's 5 Points District, were enjoying the calm before the storm. I caught them right before the evening crowd began to gather.  Chez Fonfon is one of Chef Frank Stitt's fine restaurants here in Birmingham.  Check one of my earlier posts for a photo of their outdoor dining area.