Birmingham Restaurant Review - Ovenbird

After my graduation our family took us out to eat. Dinner was my pick, so I chose a new restaurant who's Instagram photos had me drooling. And since it was a celebration, it was a little more upscale than we normally eat, and I loved every bite. The restaurant is tucked away in the garden corner of Pepper Place.

Ovenbird specializes in tapas (small plates to share)  and dishes that are cooked over an open fire, inspired by South American cooking. It is owned by Chris Hastings - one of Birmingham's most well known chefs at the Hot and Hot Fish Club. This seems to be a restaurant he can express his talents in a more modern way, but still clings to Southern cuisine. Everything was incredibly flavorful, and as delicious as it was beautifully presented. The live fire cooking style and the spices used in most of the dishes, even down to the simplest carrots, gave everything a deep and smokey flavor. I'll let the pictures do the talking:

Deviled eggs with romesco (pepper sauce)

Beef fat candle (basically the drippings from the best beef roast your grandmama could ever make.)

 (Alabama Shrimp and Clams)

(Grilled Octopus - Jesse's pick)

(Pork belly with Swiss chard and and zucchini)

(Beef Shoulder with sweet potato)

(Roasted Chicken)

(the best carrots I've ever eaten)

(Burnt Espresso Cream)

It was so nice to share this meal with our parents- although I think the menu and restaurant style was a little intimidating to them. :) There were a couple more dishes on the table that I didn't photograph, including my own dinner (!!!) which was Rockfish and summer vegetables in a delicious broth. Every bite of everyone's meal was delicious (and yes, I tried them all).

We would definitely go back here! Their menu changes with the season and what is fresh that week, so I'm sure there is always something new to try. 

Overall Rating: