The Birmingham Restaurant Raider: September 2017

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Breakin' Bread 2017

It's that time of year again! On Sunday September 24, 2017 Sloss Furnaces in Birmingham will be the site of the annual Breakin' Bread Food, Wine & Beer Fest featuring the restaurants that make up Birmingham Originals.

Here's the 411:

Breakin’ Bread, hosted by Birmingham Originals, is happening this Sunday, Sept. 24 at Sloss Furnaces from 1 to 5 p.m.! Breakin’ Bread will feature tastings of signature dishes from 32 Birmingham Originals member restaurants with proceeds benefiting Jones Valley Teaching Farm’s Woodlawn High School Urban Farm project. Wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages will be available while guests enjoy an afternoon of celebrating our city’s food culture, musical entertainment and cooking demonstrations. Tickets are available now at www.breakinbreadbham.com - general admission tickets are $35 and VIP tickets are $99.

SAVE THE DATE

WHAT: 15^th Annual Breakin’ Bread presented by Birmingham Originals

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017 from 1 to 5 p.m.

WHERE: Sloss Furnaces – 20 32^nd St. N., Birmingham, AL 35222

TICKETS: General admission tickets are $35 and for you big wigs, the VIP tickets are $99.

CHILDREN'S TICKETS: 12 & under are free.

Purchase at www.breakinbreadbham.com.

The Birmingham Originals consists of a group of independent restaurants in the Birmingham area whose mission is to bring awareness of the unique restaurant culture in Birmingham, AL. On Sunday attendees will get to try unlimited samples prepared by all of the following:

Since 2002, Birmingham Originals has donated more than $125,000 to local charities in the Birmingham area benefiting children and families.

So grab the kids, grab some chairs & blankets and let's go raise some money!

Sloss Furnace

20 32nd Street North
Birmingham, AL 35222

1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Don't drive. Get a LYFT & save $5.00 https://www.lyft.com/invite/RAIDBHAM2017

Follow the action on social media.

https://www.facebook.com/BirminghamOriginals/

https://twitter.com/BHAMOriginals

https://www.instagram.com/bhamoriginals/

Want to know what to expect? Check out these pix from a previous event: PIX
Thanks for reading & sharing this story!

~The Birmingham Restaurant Raider
Anonymously Raiding a Restaurant Near You!
#RaidBham

Friday, September 8, 2017

EVENT: The 2017 Signature Chef's Auction

The Birmingham Restaurant Raider is proud to be the exclusive on-line media partner for the

22nd Annual Birmingham Signature Chefs Auction benefiting the March Of Dimes.

On Thursday September 21st, some of the most famous Alabama culinary icons will convene at the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Mountain Brook. This event will allow chefs to showcase culinary masterpieces for an audience of over 250 business industry leaders, local philanthropists and many socially responsible corporations while supporting a critical cause. The sponsors list includes local "community-minded" companies who have joined together to help give every baby a fighting chance.

The impressive list of chefs includes:

Ashley McMakin & Chef Chris Murchison -Ashley Mac's
Ryan Zargo - Bellini's Ristorante
Jeremy Downey - Bistro V
Chris Dupont - Cafe' Dupont
Jorge & Alex Castro - Cantina!
Kirk Gilbert - Executive Chef at The Grand Bohemian Hotel (Habitat Feed & Social)
Chris Hastings- Oven Bird
Andrea Griffith- Pursell Farms
Sean Butler- Revolve Kitchen & Brew
Ben Vaughn- Root To Tail
Rob McDaniel- Springhouse
Bernard Tamburello - Moss Rock Tacos & Vecchia
Becky Rabiee- Vino

In addition to all of the exquisite food samplings, there will be a silent auction beginning at 6:00 p.m.
For more information on The Signature Chefs Auction, visit www.signaturechefs.org/birmingham

Purchase: TABLE/TIX

SAVE THE DATE!
2017 Birmingham Signature Chefs Auction
Thursday, September 21, 2017
Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Premature birth is the #1 killer of babies. Help the March of Dimes make a difference!

Can't make it to the event?
DONATE: https://www.marchofdimes.org/giving/support-general.aspx

Thanks for reading & sharing!
~The Birmingham Restaurant Raider
Media Partner
"Anonymously Raiding A Restaurant Near You"

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

REVIEW: Avondale Common House & Distillery

What goes with an amazing day & amazing weather? Amazing food & amazing atmosphere. On this particular day, I ventured out to a spot in Avondale that has been buzzing for quite sometime. I have to be honest, I have received mixed reviews about Avondale Common House & Distillery. Some good and some not so good. You know me.... I have a "see for yourself" attitude. My hungry lunch date and I ventured out to this new spot and we were both met with impressive "everything".

Avondale Common House is located on the same block with Avondale Brewery, one of my faves & one of Birmingham's most popular outdoor venues.

We were greeted promptly upon arrival by their friendly hostess and opted for a comfortable table on the patio. Our server, Tyler, arrived shortly with 2 glasses of ice cold "city punch" in hand. (That's water, H2o,.... You get the picture)

He was very knowledgeable of the menu and was able to recommend excellent choices for us pretty quickly.

My date decided upon the Southern Fried Boneless Chicken Breast entree' : A moist & tender GENEROUS sized chicken breast, accompanied by an order of their IPA braised collards, smoked mashed potatoes and "sawmill" gravy. Folks, this was a darn good entree'. Even though it wasn't mine, I still managed to scarf down a small portion. The greens are kinda hidden on this picture, but believe me they're there.

Yummmmm!

I had a hankering for seafood so I opted for the Common House Shrimp & Grits: succulent, blackened shrimp, Andouille sausage, Cheesy cheese grits, peppers, onions and scallions. Amazing flavor. Amazing presentation.

Avondale Common House & Distillery also features an impressive variety of appetizers, sandwiches, salads & unique desserts not to mention great home made side dishes.

Their prices are not too bad either. Entree's range from $12-$20 dollars.

Overall, I was impressed with everything from "Greet to Eat"! Despite the mixed reviews, my experience was superb.
I plan to return very soon to try other dishes.

Thanks for reading & sharing,
~The Birmingham Restaurant Raider

"Anonymously Raiding A Restaurant Near You"
#RaidBham

Avondale Common House & Distillery
4100 3rd Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35222
(205)703-9895
http://avondalecommonhouse.com/
https://www.facebook.com/avondalecommhouse/

3rd Annual "Graze Birmingham" Farm-To-Fork Dinner

For the 3rd year in a row, Avondale Brewing Co. will host (ASAN) Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network's GRAZE: Birmingham event on Sunday, September 17th from 5pm to 8pm in their backyard.

The freshest and finest Alabama eats will be served, picnic style, created by 17 "pairs" of local farmers and Birmingham chefs!! Y'all come and enjoy these unique tastings, live music, specialty drinks and more!!
There will be a WIDE variety of local farmer's, restaurants and other businesses on hand with flavorful dishes for your grazing pleasure.

TICKETS: Visit http://asanonline.org/graze/ for more information and to purchase tickets.** Buy your ticket by Thursday, September 7th and get an extra drink ticket (2 drinksinstead of 1)!

Sponsorship packages are available. Call (256) 743-0742.

Event proceeds will support rural farmers who use healthy farming methods.

According to their website, "ASAN has provided farmer-led training, resources, and a community of support for a growing number of sustainable farmers throughout Alabama. Our members are farmers, educators, business owners, and advocates who share a commitment to a food system that is dynamic, nurturing, just, and sovereign at all levels."

Can't make it to this graze-a-thon? Consider contributing to the ASAN or become a member. Membership includes:

ASAN bumper sticker
Access to member-only dinners
Discounted registration rates for the ASAN Food & Farm Forum(s) and other paid ASAN events throughout the year

Basic membership is available starting at: $25 for individual membership, $50 for farm/household membership, and $200 for business/organization membership.

It's for a good cause!

Thanks for reading & sharing!
~The Birmingham Restaurant Raider
Media Partner for GRAZE Birmingham 2017

"Anonymously Raiding A Restaurant Near You"
#RaidBham
Don't drive. Get a LYFT https://www.lyft.com/invite/RAIDBHAM2017

Save The Date
Avondale Brewing Company
201 41st St S
Birmingham, AL 35222
9/17/17 5 p.m.-8 p.m.
(Rain or Shine)