Apr 2013

Saw’s Soul Kitchen – Birmingham

Saw's Soul Kitchen - Avondale - Birmingham

The Astronomer has become quite the foodist these days and I gotta say, I could not be prouder. He points his barber to the best Thai spots in Hollywood and his fellow physicists to the choicest food finds near campus. In addition to mastering the local food scene here in L.A., The Astronomer has become an expert on the culinary developments in his adopted hometown of Birmingham. During our trip down South for the holidays, Saw’s Soul Kitchen was high on his list of new spots to try.

Saw's Soul Kitchen - Avondale - Birmingham

Mike Wilson, a Johnson & Wales grad and former Cooking Light test kitchen cook, opened Saw’s Soul Kitchen last May following the success of his first restaurant Saw’s BBQ. Brandon Cain, the former chef de cuisine at swanky seafood joint Ocean, is Soul Kitchen’s executive chef and part-owner. The vibe here is similar to its sister restaurant—laid back, lived in, and full of piggy paraphernalia.

Saw's Soul Kitchen - Avondale - Birmingham

The Astronomer and I arrived during the peak of the lunchtime rush and took our place in the long line snaking through the dining room. Once we reached the cash register, orders were finalized, placed, and paid for. A table opened up as soon as the food was ready—I love it when that happens.

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Apr 2013

Steel City Pops – Birmingham

Steel City Pops - Birmingham

While visiting Birmingham this past winter, The Astronomer and I were tipped off to a sweets shop specializing in gourmet Mexican paletas (popsicles). I’ve come to expect really terrific soul food, fine dining, and of course, barbecue in this town, but never considered anything like Steel City Pops.

Steel City Pops - Birmingham

Inspired by Nashville’s Las Paletas, Jim Watkins opened Steel City Pops last May in a Homewood strip mall that fittingly includes a gourmet taqueria. Steel City Pops recently opened a second location at The Summit (a magnificent and enormous suburban shopping complex) and have a third location planned in Tuscaloosa. I love that paletas are taking over ‘Bama.

Steel City Pops - Birmingham

Since we visited the shop during the Christmas holiday, many of the flavors were inspired by the season. Steel City Pops makes paletas de aguas (water-and-juice-based pops), as well as paletas de crema (milk- or cream-based pops). We selected one of each on our first visit.

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Apr 2013

{swoon} Xiao Long Bao at Shanghai Dumpling Shop

Dumpling Shop – Millbrae

I eat dumplings like they’re going out of style, so it takes a really stupendous specimen to make me swoon. While I was visiting my family in the greater Bay Area over President’s Day weekend, Aunt Thao, Uncle Brian, and Cousins Megan and Madison introduced me to their favorite soup dumpling purveyor: Shanghai Dumpling Shop in Millbrae. And my lord, I swooned!

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