Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Redmont Hotel
HISTORIC HOTEL$$$
( 205-324-2101; 2101 5th Ave N; r/ste from $89/129; )
A historic hotel built in 1925,
the piano and chandelier in the lobby lend a certain historical, old-world feel and all de-
luxe rooms are just renovated giving it modern edge. The spacious rooftop bar doesn't
hurt, either. It's walking distance to the civil rights sights.
Hotel Highland
HOTEL$$$
( 205-271-5800;
www.thehotelhighland.com
; 1023 20th St S; r from $129; )
Nuzzled right up next to the lively Five Points district, this colorful, slightly trippy, mod-
ern hotel manages to be very comfortable and a good deal. The rooms are thankfully a bit
less bright and funky than the lobby.
Eating & Drinking
For such a small Southern city, student-tilted Birmingham has a wide variety of eateries
and cafes, and plenty of free live music on weekends.
Garage Café
CAFE$
(
www.garagecafe.us
; 2304 10th Ter S; sandwiches $7; 3pm-midnight Sun-Mon, 11am-2am Tue-
Sat)
By day it's a great soup and create-your-own-sandwich spot; by night eclectic
crowds knock back myriad beer choices while tapping their toes to live music in a court-
yard full of junk, antiques, ceramic statues
and
the kitchen sink.
Hot & Hot Fish Club
SEAFOOD$$$
$$$
( 205-933-5474;
www.hotandhotfishclub.com
;
2180 11th Court South; mains $29-36;
5:30-10:30pm Tue-Sat)
This crazy-awesome Southside Birmingham restaurant - one of the
South's best - will bring you to your knees hollerin' gastro-hallelujah's! Chef Chris
Hastings was a James Beard Best Chef in the South finalist three years in a row - his
daily-changing seasonal menu (including cocktails) is a knockout.
Bottega
ITALIAN$$$
$$$
( 205-939-1000;
www.bottegarestaurant.com
; 2240 Highland Ave S; lunch mains $13-19, dinner
$25-42; )
Enjoy a spot of Birmingham posh at this fine Italian bistro in the Highlands.
It impresses with creative pizzas like fried oyster and pancetta or the Persian piadine with
watercress, mint, dill, walnuts and raddish. It also does a nice pasta with pork meatballs
and a popular hanger steak. Not to mention a pan-roasted venison.
Bottletree Cafe
BAR
