Ironwood Kitchen & Cocktails Enters Bold New Era with Fresh Chef and Concept

 

On June 6th, Ironwood Kitchen & Cocktails hosted a media night to unveil a variety of new menu items and cocktails created by Executive Chef, Kirstyn Bielawa. Anytime I'm asked to recommend a restaurant for date night or an elevated experience, this spot is always in my top 3. From their brunch to the patio, they always offer an elevated experience. 

Upon arrival we were escorted to the patio for a nice reception. Servers offered up the gulf oysters and shrimp cocktail appetizers. We opted for the Vodka Vulcan cocktail, the Emblem white wine & the Copain Les Voisins red for starters. 

At our seated dinner, we were presented with a special curated menu. From their salad menu: The Warm Smoked Ricotta & Mushroom Salad. 

Warm Smoked Ricotta & Mushroom Salad

The creamy ricotta was delightful and left me wanting more. It includes, snap beans, fava beans and a hint of lemon. *The smoked ricotta actually paired very well with the focaccia bread.  

Next, we tried the Little Gem Salad: A crisp, garden salad containing fresh greens with spring onions, thinly sliced radishes, herbs, mint and a Lemon Crème Fraiche Herb Vinaigrette dressing.

Little Gem

The insanely delicious Focaccia Breadboard of the Day was a generous mound of warm, fresh bread seasoned with authentic Italian parmigiana, fresh thyme and oregano. 

 

Focaccia Breadboard 

Our second course consisted of the sliced, perfectly cooked Bison Strip w/ a side of delicious, melt in your mouth potatoes.

Bison Strip

Option #2 was the delicious Roast Farmed Scottish Salmon. This was served on a bed of pea puree', roasted tomatoes, fava beans, radish & tarragon butter. This fish was fresh, flaky and definitely one of the better seafood dishes that I've had in Birmingham. 

Salmon

The side of sauteed greens served with mushroom conserva was a great addition to the 2nd course sampler. Served in a small skillet, it is definitely a dish that I will request on my next visit. 10 out of 10. 

Sauteed Greens

I'm sure you're wondering if we saved room for dessert. Well not really, but with the choices we were presented, we made room! 

Behold! The Layers of Chocolate: A generous chunk of chocolate cake with a soft, mousse-like topping served with a dollop of Espresso Ice Cream.  The Rhubarb Tart: A sweet little tart bursting with fruit flavors, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. What an ending to an already fabulous menu.  

Layers Of Chocolate 

Rhubarb Tart

Ironwood is inspired by Birmingham’s industrial heritage, this transformation features a curated menu rooted in elevated Southern comfort cuisine, open-fire cooking, seasonal craft cocktails and a renewed commitment to exceptional hospitality.

 

Ironwood pays homage to Homewood’s legacy of craftsmanship, where fire and iron once drew makers to the area. The restaurant celebrates this stoic heritage and spirit of independence with a culinary journey that is flame-forged, blending bold flavors with timeless regional classics. The provisions include fresh seafood, expertly grilled meats and seasonal vegetables, reflecting a balance of tradition and modernity, crafted for a new generation of Homewood originals. Menu highlights include cast iron appetizers featuring meats such as Lamb Lollipops and Pork Belly, house made pasta, and entrees such as Bison Strip Steak, Beer Brined Chicken and Pork Ribeye.

 

“This new chapter of Ironwood is set to reinvent what contemporary dining in Homewood can be,” said Danny Hiatt, general manager of The Valley Hotel. “This innovative concept celebrates our Southern hospitality roots and cultivates a sophisticated place of craft that fuels a fresh and community centered atmosphere.”

 

The restaurant’s new direction includes an elevated beverage program and craft bar experience, showcasing an array of local brews, craft cocktails like the Red Mountain Ryetai and a new non-alcoholic cocktail menu. Guests can enjoy dining on Ironwood’s airy and inviting outdoor patio, complete with firepits, which provides the perfect setting for al fresco dining just in time for summer.

 

Red Mountain RyeTai

 

Kirstyn Bielawa is a renowned chef who brings over two decades of culinary expertise to Ironwood. She previously served as executive sous chef at 1799 Kitchen & Bar Room at The Harpeth Hotel in Franklin, Tennessee. With roots in California and a deep appreciation for Southern flavors, her cooking style appreciates seasonal ingredients, elevated comfort food and a spirit of mentorship in the kitchen.

Lamb Chops

 

“It’s an incredible honor to join and lead the Ironwood team as Valor Hospitality and SAVOR’s first female executive chef,” Bielawa said. “This relaunch is about more than just introducing a new menu — it’s about rekindling a sense of comfort, connection and community. Rooted in the rich traditions of Southern cuisine and brought to life through open-fired cooking, every dish is crafted with purpose and heart. We’re pairing bold flavors with a deeply personal commitment to hospitality, and we can’t wait for the community to experience what we’ve created.” For more information about Ironwood Kitchen & Cocktails or to make a reservation, visit https://www.ironwoodrestaurant.com/

About The Valley Hotel
The Valley Hotel, a Curio Collection hotel by Hilton™, is a 129-room luxury hotel, located in Homewood, a bucolic neighborhood known for its picturesque tree-filled landscape and charming shops, restaurants, bars and galleries. Blending Southern charm and modern lifestyle touches, The Valley Hotel offers an extension of home and a welcoming place to gather with friends and family. Hotel guests and locals can dine at Ironwood Kitchen & Cocktails, an upscale, chef-driven restaurant and bar, and the property’s signature café, The Valley Coffee Co. The Valley Hotel offers more than 7,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space. For more information, visit valleyhotelbirmingham.com.

New Features At DeVinci's Pizza & Italian Restaurant

 

I recently had the pleasure of trying some new features at the famous De Vinci's Pizza & Italian Restaurant in Homewood, Alabama. Although I would normally get one of their signature dishes, The Mona Lisa or The Meatball De Vinci, I was introduced to a few GREAT new featured dishes that are sure to become crowd faves in no time. 

I started out with the Bruschetta Mozzarella, a new featured appetizer. One of the most amazing things about this traditional Italian bruschetta, it can be a small plate meal or a shared appetizer for a group. Topped with fresh tomatoes, melt in your mouth mozzarella, fresh basil oh and.....the drizzle of tasty balsamic reduction makes this a flavorful winner in my book. 

The Caprese Flatbread is definitely one that I'd highly recommend. It's a simple take on Caprese. Thin crust dough, a flavorful marinara sauce, cheese, fresh basil, cherry tomatoes and more of that tasty balsamic drizzle (for shizzle). 

De Vinci's is well known for their hearty sized entrees and the Creamy Lemon Penne pasta dish did not disappoint.  

A generous helping of penne pasta, with a dash of lemon zest, garlic cream sauce, fresh basil and fresh parmesan cheese. I added shrimp, but mushrooms and chicken are also optional. I would give this a five-star rating. Paired with a glass of Italian Zenato Pino Grigio, this was definitely THE highlight of the night. I'm hoping to see this become a permanent menu item. Run.... don't walk to get this dish! ★★★★★ 

 

The 2nd entree was a penne pasta with their zesty House Vodka sauce, topped with fresh basil and freshly shaved parmesan cheese. Ever have one of those dishes so good that you have to close your eyes after the first bite? This is that one of those dishes. All entrees are served with a side of their signature hot, buttered garlic bread. 

"Did you save room for dessert?" That famous question that we've all been asked just when we talk about how unbelievably stuffed we are. YES! Yes, I have room. Thankfully, I had only had small portions of all of the previous dishes, so I did have room. 

Their Italian Tri-Colored Almond Cake is a sweet ending to any meal. Three layers of cake with a thin layer of maraschino cherry sauce between each layer and a thin layer of chocolate frosting. A sweet ending indeed! 

De Vinci's does a tremendous amount of take-out business and can be found on several delivery apps. However, if you are looking for a nice date night spot or looking to impress someone with great Italian food, their menu is one that has something for every appetite. 

For more information about De Vinci's Pizza and Italian Restaurant, visit 

https://devincispizza.com

2707 18th Street South

Homewood, AL 35209

Thanks for reading & sharing! 

The Birmingham Restaurant Raider

Est.2009

https://birminghamrestaurantraider.blogspot.com/

Comfort Food At Jo Jo's On Broadway

I'm willing to bet that we definitely have MORE chilly weather coming to the Birmingham area. One day it's spring... one day it's winter. You just never know. One thing that IS consistent is the reputation for Jo Jo's On Broadway. 
The last several years have been good to this establishment. From the Homewood locals, to the metro Birminghamians, everyone I've mentioned Jo Jo's to had nothing but positive things to say. We took the time to head over for dinner recently and this is the 411. 


Atmosphere: Entirely not what I expected. I was expecting an uptight, snooty environment and they were just the opposite. We are greeted with genuine smiles and warmth. It's not a huge space, but just the right size so that patrons don't feel like just a "table number". 

Staff: Amazing! An attentive staff is a winner in my book. Our server, Lauren was on point during the entire visit. 

What we had: I had the Jo Jo Burger: A fresh ground Black Angus patty cooked to order w/ Jo Jo sauce, lettuce, tomato, pickle, & red onion on a butter brioche bun. I added a side of fries. The burger was cooked medium and was very flavorful and pleasing. The fried were incredibly well seasoned. 
My dinner mate had a generous helping of their homemade chili with a hot-off- the- griddle grilled cheese sandwich. Just the right meal for a chilly night. 

Overall Experience: This was a great stop for us. The service and the food combined with location were all great. I look forward to the next visit

For more information about Jo Jo's on Broadway or to find out about their "daily specials" visit their website at http://jojosonbroadway.com/

Jo Jo's On Broadway
903 Broadway Suite 105 
Homewood AL 35209
(205) 877-8058 


Thanks for reading & sharing! 
The Birmingham Restaurant Raider
Est. 2009 
https://birminghamrestaurantraider.blogspot.com/
"Anonymously Raiding A Restaurant Near You"

Bartaco "Deliciously Folded"

OK, so I've tried numerous times to get into this place and the parking lot has always been a mad house. I figured it MUST be a great place to eat. This is the only Alabama location. The buzz surrounding Bartaco raised my level of curiosity some time ago. Known for their amazingly priced tacos and menu variety, this restaurant is so popular that I'm already anxious to return. I recently stopped in with a friend to try the food that literally everyone has been talking about.

Atmosphere:Just inside the door, there was a hostess who greeted us right away. We were seated near the door in a comfortable booth. Very nice atmosphere. This location is extremely bright and inviting with lots of seating and large enough for a modest to somewhat large crowd. Parking was a little bit of a challenge, but we were able to get in. 

The Kids Beef & Chicken Tacos ( Pretty good sized )

Quesadilla from the kids menu

Tuna taco on a lettuce shell w/ slaw

Rock Shrimp, Chicken & Baja Fish Tacos.

What we had: The prices are so reasonable, it was hard to get only a few items so we decided to make ourselves a buffet: A large guacamole dip, 1 kids chicken taco,1 kids beef taco,  1 kids chicken quesadilla, 1 baja fish taco, 1 chicken taco, 1 rock shrimp taco, 1 kids version of the mojito and 1 seared tuna taco. 
Literally EVERYTHING was scrumptious! The flavor of the guacamole was amazing. It's served with large flat fried tortilla shells. The virgin mojito was just the right thing to top it all off. There are also specialty sauces at each table.

The Guacamole Dip

Cocktail Happy Hour Menu

Staff: Our server was friendly as she explained the unique concept. She was very attentive and had a great personality. We were not at all disappointed with the quality of service. 

Prices: Most of the tacos and kids menu items were only a few dollars each. All menu items range from $2.50 just about $9.50. 

Overall experience: Bartaco did not disappoint. Outside of the crowded parking lot, the experience was outstanding. The service & the food combined with the prices will definitely attract repeat customers. 

For more information on Bartaco & their other menu items, visit their website at https://bartaco.com

Bartaco
1017 Oxmoor Road
Homewood, AL 35209
(205) 875-8226 

Thanks for reading & sharing! 
~The Birmingham Restaurant Raider
 Est 2009

"Anonymously Raiding A Restaurant Near You" 
http://birminghamrestaurantraider.blogspot.com/ 
 
 

SoHo Social - "The Place You've Been Waiting For"

Prior to opening day I was invited to stop by to get a first hand look at one of the most anticipated restaurants ever to hit the city. SoHo Social is the newest addition to a family of independent restaurants owned and operated by Dave Horn, a local restaurant guru. If you've been to Mudtown or The Ridge, then you will love SoHo Social.

Atmosphere: You know how good it feels when someone tells you to "make yourself at home?" Well this is one of those places. One side of the restaurant features table & booth seating along with a nice sized bar. The other side, which will be my favorite side, features comfortable couch seating, televisions and bistro tables. I wonder if they will allow blankets 😥 ???

The Food: This is one of the most diverse menus I've seen in a while. They have about 9 appetizing appetizers. I selected the Queso dip with a basket of their house made tortillas. SoHo was fortunate enough to hire someone with tortilla making experience. What a lucky break! Although I selected chips, you can opt for tots, fries or sweet potato fries with your queso.
My entree' consisted of the Green Gobbler- a turkey burger topped with salsa verde, crumbled cotija cheese, thinly sliced radish & red onion on a delicious, soft brioche roll. The side dishes were VERY hard to choose from. I had the perfectly seasoned Conecuh Collards, made with local Conecuh sausage and the Southern Street Corn. Two items that I predict with me a gigantic hit.  I also opted  for the Valley Veneno from the cocktail menu. After I was completely stuffed, my server, Kayla, forced me have their featured dessert, two fluffy, delicious, soft chocolate chip cookies with vanilla ice cream between them. These cookies are everything dreams are made of! The cookies are a supplied by a new local company called Cookie Fix. I had the pleasure to meet, Amy Jason, the lovely owner of Cookie Fix. They have an outstanding product as well.

The staff: The staff seemed to all be very customer oriented and helpful. If they continue to maintain quality service standards, this place is sure to develop a reputation that will put them at the top of the "go-to" list when it comes to restaurants & bars.

My overall experience: I cannot wait to return to SoHo Social. They exceeded my expectations during this visit and I encourage everyone to stop by on their opening day, 2/21/17. The fact that they utilize several local suppliers, their service and menu make them a winner in my book.

For more information about SoHo Social
visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/sohosocialhomewood/
Follow them on Twitter @SoHoSocialAL
Don't forget your Cookie Fix! Visit https://www.facebook.com/CookieFixHomewood/

SoHo Social is located at

1830 29th Ave S, Ste 160

Homewood, Alabama 35209

Get a LYFT to SoHo Social https://www.lyft.com/invite/RAIDBHAM2017

Thanks for reading & sharing! 

~The Birmingham Restaurant Raider

"Shhhhh! Anonymously Raiding A Restaurant Near You"

The Queso

Wall of Beers

Valley Veneno Cocktail

The Snapper (catch of the day) Picture courtesy of stranger next to me =)

Green Gobbler w/ Conecuh Collards & Southern Street Corn

Local Stuff (1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Dessert feat. cookies from Cookie Fix

Buy a gift card while you're there!