| It may come as a surprise that some of the best | | | | peppercorn encrusted filet mignon, roasted |
| food that the south can offer is found in | | | | sesame chicken, or broiled scallops with roasted |
| Birmingham, Alabama. Three of the most | | | | tomato beurre blanc and orzo pasta. Appetizers, |
| delectable Birmingham, Alabama restaurants are | | | | sides, and desserts are included in this spectacular |
| McCormick and Schmick's, Fleming's Prime | | | | feast. |
| Steakhouse, and of course Mr.Chen's. Let's take a | | | | Mr. Chen's is located at 1917 Hoover Court, next |
| sneak peak at them. | | | | to Green Valley Drugs (which has an old-fashioned |
| McCormick and Schmick's, 719 Shades Creek | | | | soda fountain). It is Chinese cuisine at its most |
| Pkwy, is one of 80 American restaurants owned | | | | adventurous. Commedian Mike Myers once said, |
| by Bill McCormick and Doug Schmick, whose goal | | | | "My theory is that all of Scottish cuisine is based |
| is to have the nation's best seafood restaurants. | | | | on a dare." He could feel that way about Mr. |
| The menu at each McCormick and Schmick's is | | | | Chen's, but that's a good thing, in the opinion of |
| printed up two times a day to showcase the | | | | many of Mr. Chen's satisfied customers. This |
| freshest seafood available. In addition to fresh | | | | Chinese food isn't Americanized, though you can |
| seafood, they offer aged steaks, salads, pasta, | | | | use regular silverware. On the menu are various |
| and poultry. Dishes are inspired by seasonal | | | | versions of intestines, spicy sliced pork ears, spicy |
| availability of seafood and produce, and also by | | | | basil squid, and stir fry bitter melon with beef. But |
| regional traditions. | | | | you can also get your Chinese favorites like |
| Fleming's Prime Steakhouse is located at 103 | | | | braised beef shanks and Kung Pao chicken. And |
| Summit Blvd. I won't lie about it: Fleming's is | | | | the luncheon menu is decidedly tamer than the |
| expensive. It's the kind of restaurant where you | | | | dinner menu. |
| celebrate milestones like graduation, engagement, | | | | Too often, southern cities suffer from the |
| or retirement. But they do offer occasional | | | | stereotype of being purveyors of all things fried |
| specials like a prime sirloin burger with cheese, | | | | plus sugar-sweetened tea. While those are |
| bacon, lettuce, and tomato for under $10. Their | | | | certainly great culinary traditions in themselves, |
| summer menu offers a complete three course | | | | Birmingham goes way beyond what you might |
| dinner at $35.95 per person, which doesn't include | | | | expect from a mid-sized city in the Deep South |
| tax, tips, or wine. But this prix fixe menu is the | | | | that isn't New Orleans. |
| best of the best, with entrée choices of | | | | |