Sunday, May 13, 2012

May - Little Savannah Restaurant & Bar

THE CHOW DOWN PICK OF THE MONTH IS...


Little Savannah
Restaurant & Bar
Forest Park
{Next to Silvertron}

3811 Clairmont Avenue
Birmingham, AL
35222

205.591.1119


Tuesday, May 22nd
5:30-Until

Give me a "I want some VITTLES" if you can make it!!
(Let me know by this Friday, the 18th)








Friday, April 20, 2012

BETTOLA: APRIL CHOW DOWN SPOT: The Perfect Pizza, Bettola's Margherita pizza embodies Italy's Neapolitan region.


The Perfect Pizza, Bettola's Margherita pizza embodies Italy's Neapolitan region.

WEB-pizza_bettola_1_cmyk_lb.jpgView full size

James Lewis, chef and owner of Bettola and 2012 James Beard Foundation semi-finalist, strives to serve high-quality ingredients in an upscale, casual atmosphere. “A lot of the other pizzas out there don’t have the same genetic makeup,” Lewis says of Bettola’s Margherita D.O.C. pizza. “What is different about our pizza is that every piece is going to be a more authentic approach to what a Neapolitan pizza is.” 

Many of its ingredients are imported from Naples, including flour for its dough and a high-fat mozzarella cheese. These ingredients date back to the origins of pizza making, and are required for authenticity, Lewis says. The rest of the ingredients, including basil, are found locally.

The pizza cooks in a Neapolitan brick oven. “A lot of thought goes into it, but this is the original way it was supposed to be made,” Lewis says. 

The pizza carries a D.O.C. status, which was defined by the Italian government in 1998 and stands for Donominazione de Origine Controllata. “It tells the consumer that this item is original and authentic based on where it comes from,” Lewis says. “You can go buy cheap mozzarella, cheap flour, cheap tomatoes, but it will never come out the same because you are not using those quality ingredients.”

Friday, April 6, 2012

APRIL: BETTOLA

The CHOW DOWN Pick of the Month is....


Martin Biscuit Building
(Next to Pepper Place)
Birmingham AL 35233
205.731.6499


Thursday, April 26th
5:30-until

Bettola is a casual, upscale Italian restaurant
located near Pepper Place next to Cantina. 
Their menu features affordable options
that are 'oh so yummy'!
The owner/chef, James Lewis was awarded
The Best New Chef of 2011 in Food & Wine Magazine
I bet you can't wait to taste his creations!

They don't take reservations,
so I will get there early to claim some tables outside on that patio.
Hopefully, it will be a pretty day! 

Give me a "MARINARA" if you can join us!

Sunday, March 18, 2012

MARCH: JOHN'S CITY DINER

THE CHOW DOWN PICK OF THE MONTH IS...



112 21st Street North
Downtown Bham

205.322.6014

THURSDAY, MARCH 22ND
5:30-UNTIL


Hey Girls!
Happy LATE St. Patty's Day.  I hope you all found your pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, or at least drank a green beer... or consumed something green!! 

Sorry for the late notice this month.  March has tried to sneak right on by... and I think the pollen is finally getting to me!  We all have a lot going on.  So, I understand if you can't make it, but try if you can!

I have a list of prospective restaurants to try for Chow Down, and I am just going down my list.  Next month, I think we are going to try Crestline Tavern, and sit outside if the pollen isn't too bad.  If you ever have a suggestion, especially for a new or unique place, feel free to offer up your idea! 

See yall this week!!

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

FEBRUARY: VINO

THE CHOW DOWN PICK OF THE MONTH IS...


1930 CAHABA ROAD
MOUNTAIN BROOK, AL
35223
205.870.8404
(located in English Village)


*TUESDAY IS WINE NIGHT*

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21ST
5:00PM-UNTIL

I will have to call ahead with reservations, so...
GIVE ME A 'VINO' IF YOU CAN MAKE IT!
SEE YALL TUESDAY!


Tuesday, January 10, 2012

JANUARY: BOTTEGA

It's time to get Chow Down back up and runnin'!!

Unless someone opposes,
let's stick to having our monthly dinner 
during the 3rd week of every month.  
We can leave the day to be flexible,
as specials and happy hours change with
every restaurant.

I hope you can all make it to dinner,
and look forward to starting another year
of dining with friends!


THE CHOW DOWN PICK
OF THE MONTH IS.....




BOTTEGA CAFE
2240 HIGHLAND AVENUE SOUTH
BIRMINGHAM, AL
35205
205.939.1000

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19TH
5:30-'TIL

http://www.bottegarestaurant.com/

The Cafe is the more casual than the Restaurant side,
for those of you have haven't been here yet.
Just walk into the doors on the right side of building.
They don't take reservations for the Cafe,
but they said I could call ahead with a head count.

LET ME HEAR YOU SAY, CIAO IF YOU CAN MAKE IT!! 

Friday, October 7, 2011

OCTOBER: Chuck's Fish

October Chow Down Pick:



WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19TH
5:00-UNTIL


5426 Hwy 280 E
(next to The Grey Bar...serving drinks to non-pregnant women)
205.995.0495



$2 OFF wine by the glass
1/2 OFF bottles of wine


Bread Pudding is amazing!  The best I've had.  If you don't choose to get it, I'll force you!
Other yummy items:
Fried Green Tomatoes
Uptown Shrimp
Sushi
EVERYTHING!


Say AY if you can make it!!