The Hot and Hot Fish Club, Birmingham
As you already know, I was treated to all sorts of amazing food while attending Food Blog South a couple of weeks ago. What I haven’t yet shared with you was my equally amazing dinner at one of Birmingham’s best restaurants, Hot and Hot Fish Club.
I’ll start with some advice for any of you that ever want to eat there: make reservations early. Early in two ways–well in advance AND for an early seating. For the first time in history, I didn’t do a good job in planning ahead. It wasn’t until three days before the conference was to begin that I realized there wasn’t a scheduled dinner for the group on Saturday night. As soon as I discovered this, I began checking the top spots, including Frank Stitt’s Highland Grill and Bottega.
What I found was exactly what I expected, table openings so early that we’d still be in our sessions, or so late that I might risk falling asleep in my plate. Hot and Hot happened to have the earliest of the late options, with an opening at 8:30. Needless to say, I grabbed it.
Hot and Hot’s Gingered Grapefruit Martini
Wild Ginger infused syrup muddled with a splash of fresh squeezed ruby red grapefruit juice and Belvedere Grapefruit Vodka
Now I’ll explain why an earlier reservation is better….
Hot and Hot is a farm to table restaurant that uses seasonal ingredients. They have a fresh new menu every day. While I love and embrace this, the unfortunate aspect of the concept is that they run out of dishes as the night progresses. So, in this case, three of the dishes I was interested in ordering were already sold out. Bummer.
Cheese plate: four sensational cheeses, toasted nuts, sesame brittle, Red Mountain honey, and pomegranate
However, that is not to say that I was in any way disappointed with any aspect of my meal. From the cocktail to the cheese plate, to my duck entree, all was fantastic. The atmosphere of the room was warm and inviting, and dinner conversation with my companions Nicki and Lucy made the experience even more enjoyable.
Hangtown Fry: Chef’s Garden Root Spinach with Fried Apalachicola Oysters, Owl’s Hollow Eggs, and Applewood Smoked Bacon
Nicki chose to make a meal of a couple of their appetizers, the Hangtown Fry and the Roasted Quail. Lucy and I apparently have the same taste in food, as we opted to share the cheese plate and both ordered the Roasted duck as our main course.
Roasted Duck and Crispy Confit with Grit Pave, Sorghum, Beets, Kumquats, and Cipollini Onions
The plate of duck was like a work of art, almost too pretty to eat! I wish the room hadn’t been so dark so this picture could display the colors accurately. The yellows and pinks were simply gorgeous.
Whole Roasted Country Farms Quail with Snow’s Bend Purple Collard Greens and Butternut Squash
If you’re ever in Birmingham, please make it a point to visit Hot and Hot. Just remember– plan ahead and go early!
Hot & Hot Fish Club
2180 11th Court South
Birmingham, AL 35205
205.933.5474
Hours
Tuesday – Saturday: 5:30 until 10:30 p.m
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Todd — February 3, 2011 @ 7:17 am
I’ll definitely stop there next time I’m in Birmingham!
Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking — February 3, 2011 @ 9:02 am
This looks so good. My husband really likes quail. When we go to Birrmingham we have a few places that we always like to go there and eat but I am sure that when I tell him about this place he will make sure we check it out. Thanks for stopping by my blog again I really appreciate it!
Beth replied: — February 3rd, 2011 @ 1:51 pm
What are some of your Birmingham favorites? I’d like to go back again soon for a weekend of eating when I don’t have an event to attend…
Laurel — February 3, 2011 @ 9:46 am
it all looks fantastic. esp the duck.
Tabitha — February 3, 2011 @ 10:00 am
Oh wow Beth that looks amazing. It surprises me how many good restaurants there are in Birmimgham!
Beth replied: — February 3rd, 2011 @ 1:51 pm
I know! It had been years since I’d been down there, but I’d love to go back again for a long weekend and just eat, eat, eat!
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Alison @ Ingredients, Inc. — February 3, 2011 @ 11:03 am
Hot and Hot is such a great restaurant in Birmingham. I am so glad you posted this! Hope you are staying warm and to see you soon
Ginny Drews — February 3, 2011 @ 11:10 am
I can’t wait to go there and try it, it all looks so yummy!
Beth replied: — February 3rd, 2011 @ 1:50 pm
I’ve heard that their summer menus are even better because of all the fresh produce available. Apparently they do a tomato salad that is to-die-for!
StyleBlueprint — February 3, 2011 @ 11:39 am
LOVE Hot and Hot! B’ham has great restaurants. I used to be jealous, but now I think Nashville has caught up… :-)
-Liza
Beth replied: — February 3rd, 2011 @ 1:49 pm
I agree Liza! The Nashville dining scene just keeps getting better and better :-)
ErinsFoodFiles — February 3, 2011 @ 7:32 pm
How interesting that the drink you ordered had grapefruit & ginger. The first drink I had at Tavern, which was also my favorite, had grapefruit juice & candied ginger. Is that a traditional flavor pairing, or something new? Either way, it was superb!
lucy — February 8, 2011 @ 12:20 pm
What a wonderful meal and great companions! Can’t wait to go back…
Beth replied: — February 8th, 2011 @ 4:18 pm
Yes, awesome company and conversation :-)
Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking — February 8, 2011 @ 1:07 pm
Michael’s is one of the places that we like to go. My father-law found it back I think in like 1969 or 1970.We were really Blessed to eat at the original location which I think closed in the early ninety’s.The food is really good and a lot of famous people have eaten there over the years,The comedian Bob Hope ate there and they named a barbecue dish after him called the Bob Hope Special. They now have two newer locations but have incorporated the old photos that were on the wall of the original location.Here is the link to their site. http://www.eatatmichaels.com/ If you have never been there I think you will like it.
Beth replied: — February 8th, 2011 @ 4:17 pm
Thanks for the tip Alicia!
Jeremy — February 14, 2011 @ 9:45 am
Highlands Bar and Grill has been up for James Beard Best Restaurant (nationally) for the last two years. It’s pretty fantastic.
FWIW, Hot and Hot has been up for best restaurant regional (south) at the James Beard awards the last two years as well.
There was also a NYTimes article about 36 hours in Birmingham and where to eat: http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/04/19/travel/19hours.html
Beth replied: — February 14th, 2011 @ 11:31 am
Great NYT article- thanks for sharing. On my next visit to Birmingham, I hope to plan ahead and get into Highlands Bar and Grill!
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