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# Highlands Bar & Grill: A Culinary Gem in Birmingham, AL

Highlands Bar & Grill, a renowned restaurant located at 2011 11th Ave S, Birmingham, AL, is celebrated for its exceptional Southern and French cuisine. Since its opening in 1982, this establishment has become a staple for both locals and visitors seeking a memorable dining experience. With a focus on high-quality ingredients and innovative dishes, Highlands Bar & Grill has earned its place as one of the top dining destinations in the United States.

## History
Highlands Bar & Grill was established in 1982 by Chef Frank Stitt, who sought to create a restaurant that showcased the best of Southern cuisine with a French twist. The restaurant quickly gained recognition for its commitment to quality and sustainability, pioneering practices that were ahead of their time in Alabama. Stitt's culinary journey included training in San Francisco and France, which influenced the menu's unique blend of flavors. Over the years, Highlands has received numerous accolades, including recognition from the James Beard Foundation, solidifying its status as a culinary landmark in Birmingham.

Key milestones in its history include:
- **1982**: Opening of Highlands Bar & Grill.
- **1990s**: Gaining national recognition and awards.
- **2000s**: Continued innovation in Southern cuisine and sustainable practices.
- **2010s**: Chef Frank Stitt becomes a prominent figure in the culinary community, influencing many chefs.

The restaurant has played a significant role in Birmingham's cultural landscape, contributing to the city's culinary renaissance and attracting food enthusiasts from across the country.

## Community
Highlands Bar & Grill is deeply involved in the Birmingham community, often partnering with local farms and producers to source fresh ingredients. This commitment to sustainability not only supports local agriculture but also enhances the quality of the dishes served. The restaurant participates in various local events and initiatives, promoting culinary education and appreciation.

Notable partnerships and events include:
- Collaborations with local farmers for seasonal ingredients.
- Participation in Birmingham's food festivals and charity events.
- Hosting culinary workshops and tastings to engage the community.

The restaurant's dedication to community involvement is reflected in its warm atmosphere and the friendly service provided by its staff, many of whom have been with the restaurant for years.

## Offerings
Highlands Bar & Grill offers a diverse menu that showcases the best of Southern and French cuisine. Diners can expect a range of dishes that highlight seasonal ingredients and traditional cooking techniques. The restaurant is known for its signature items, such as:
- **Baked Grits**: A must-try dish that has been a staple since the restaurant's inception.
- **Heirloom Tomato Salad**: A favorite among patrons, celebrated for its simplicity and flavor.
- **Seafood Medley**: A delightful combination of fresh seafood, showcasing the chef's expertise.
- **Desserts by Dolester Miles**: Renowned for her pastries, including the famous coconut cake and opera cake.

In addition to its a la carte offerings, Highlands also provides special dining packages for events and celebrations, allowing for customization to suit various occasions.

## Pros and Cons
Highlands Bar & Grill is widely regarded for its exceptional food and service, but like any establishment, it has its strengths and weaknesses.

**Strengths:**
- High-quality, innovative dishes that highlight local ingredients.
- Attentive and knowledgeable staff providing excellent service.
- A warm and inviting atmosphere that enhances the dining experience.

**Weaknesses:**
- Some diners have reported inconsistencies in service during peak hours.
- Prices can be on the higher side, which may deter some guests.
- Limited availability of certain popular dishes during busy times.

Overall, Highlands Bar & Grill is celebrated for its culinary excellence, making it a top choice for special occasions and casual dining alike.

## Location & Nearby
Highlands Bar & Grill is situated in the vibrant city of Birmingham, specifically in the Southside neighborhood. This area is known for its rich history and cultural diversity, making it an attractive destination for both locals and tourists. The restaurant's location is convenient, with easy access to various attractions, including:
- The Birmingham Museum of Art
- The Civil Rights Institute
- Local parks and outdoor spaces

Visitors to the area can enjoy a mix of cultural experiences, shopping, and dining, making it a perfect spot to explore before or after a meal at Highlands.

## Visit Highlands Bar & Grill Today
If you're looking for an unforgettable dining experience in Birmingham, AL, Highlands Bar & Grill is a must-visit. With its rich history, commitment to community, and exceptional culinary offerings, this restaurant promises a meal that is both satisfying and memorable. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging in a night out, Highlands Bar & Grill invites you to savor the flavors of the South with a French twist. Make your reservation today and discover why this restaurant is celebrated as one of the best in the country!

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Always an excellent "special occasion" experience and feel even if it's just a random evening! Consistently excellent food and service is top tier. Courteous staff and you feel very appreciated as a patron.

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I so wish Highlands would reopen to the public! You know you can judge a restaurant by how they do the simple things and the best dish I've ever put in my mouth in my 58 years was their heirloom tomato salad! It's been years since I've had it and I can still remember how it tasted. Sliced heirloom tomatoes, a little salt and pepper, and a drizzle of a vinaigrette of some sort. My mouth waters just thinking about it! I've eaten at many James Beard award winning places in my time, all across the US, and I will still always go back to that dish when someone asks me my favorite. Until it reopens (please reopen, please reopen ), I'll continue to eat at Chez FonFon's next door!

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If there is a restaurant that is a Birmingham institution among the wealthier crowd, there is literally only one name that locals would bring up, and it is undoubtedly Highlands. Not that there aren't other nice restaurants, but this spot has proven itself over time and is ran by a chef that most Alabamians are quite proud of. Opened in 1982, Highland's is a place that put Birmingham on the map in a positive way at a time when the post industrial iron period was about to wind down and transform the city. Frank formalized his cooking techniques by working in kitchens of San Francisco and France, creating a medley of American Southern and French cuisine that is difficult to find elsewhere. It was not a time when it was common to see a chef from Alabama going to study cooking in Europe, thus the story was already an anomaly. Frank Stitt was trying to pioneer sustainable agriculture and farming well before anybody in Alabama knew what in the world that actually meant or for that matter, cared. One of the signature items is the baked grits that has been around since the restaurant opened. It's a tasty grits preparation and without a doubt, something to try. The pheasant was spectacular, fairly lean and with a crispy delicious skin, served with grits and green beans. Pastries here are created by Dolester Miles, who has been in the job for well over 30 years. The opera cake is absolutely spectacular, gentle and complexly layered. The basque cake is peachy and moist, with a crispy delicious exterior and Chantilly cream. Not only are these likely the best desserts to discover in Alabama, but may be some of the best to be found in America. The attentiveness got derail was clearly evident. As far as service, generally fine, but not particularly attentive. The waitress did not seem in much of a mood to welcome people to the establishment. Many items on the menu were running out by 8:30pm on a Saturday night. Nobody was particularly impressed with the flounder that got substituted for the grouper. And then there are other questions, why would you run out of grits? They know they are always filled to capacity and ingredients to make grits are not immediately perishable. Highland's has by this point in Birmingham's history become a classic. It's evident that most people here have been around for decades working at their jobs and serving the rich crowds of Mountain Brook. It's a place of great food and shows many combinations of ingredients that are nearly impossible to find elsewhere, let alone be executed this well.

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Highlands is not simply going to dinner, it's a dining experience. Will B had given me a heads up that we had reservations here so I did a little investigating. After finding out more about Chef Frank Stitt and his ties to Charlestons Sean Brock, I knew I was in for a memorable meal. I'd say the most memorable dish was that Grilled Pork Belly with watermelon. It was such a unique take on this common southern staple. I couldn't get enough of it. Another favorite was the Stone Ground Baked Grits. The texture of the grit cake was great and the saltiness of the prosciutto paired perfectly with it. For entree's, I got a taste of the Veal and the Grass Fed Ribeye but my entree was the Seafood Medley. I loved the mix of prawns, lobster, and scallops. I expected my seafood dish to be a little lighter than my cohorts veal and steak but I do wish there was a little more on my plate. Mostly I'm being greedy because it was delicious and I wanted more. We finished up with profiteroles which were a different take compared to what I'm used to. While I expected one dark and one white coated pastry, I was pleasantly surprised by the three small rolls stuffed with ice cream and drizzled with a light chocolate sauce. A perfectly sweet ending for the three of us. We sat in the bar area which has a little bit more of a casual vibe but we still felt like we were being served at a fine dining restaurant. Our table was in a high traffic area but our server was so on top of things we quickly forgot about it. Overall it was an excellent dinner.

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I've eaten at my fair share of James Beard Award winning restaurants, but Highlands stood out for its total lack of pretension paired with impeccable service and beautifully prepared food. My husband and I booked a last-minute trip to Birmingham and were able to call to snag a reservation for a table in the bar, which was dark, cozy and - frankly - felt more intimate than the dining room. Our waiter was a consummate professional and Pardis Stitt offered true Southern hospitality, warmly greeting diners as if we were all her dear friends. The menu changes frequently, but rest assured that you really can't go wrong. While every dish was delicious, the one must from our meal was their ever-present baked grits. It's always on the menu for good reason: it is pure comfort on a plate with the salty ham and earthy, buttery mushrooms surrounding the fluffy-on-the-inside, crispy-on-the-outside grit cake. For a perfect rendition of a classic, the Bois d'Arc Farm salad was another winner - stilton, pears, and bacon, oh my! I thoroughly enjoyed my tile fish that followed while my spouse nearly licked his pork chop plate clean. We were comfortably full, but couldn't resist the classic coconut cake, which was a sweet finish to a memorable meal. Thank you for a warm Alabama welcome, Highlands.

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I'm not going to write anything that hasn't been written before. This place is hands down one of the best spots in the country. Pretty much anything you'll order is amazing. The only piece of advice that one could get is save room for dessert. You will not be disappointed.

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I made a reservation here weeks in advance because I heard great things about it and it was voted the best restaurant in the country so I wanted to see what all the bus was about. Frank stits definitely knows how to cook. Food Here is what we got: Fried green tomatoes Squash soup Lamb chops Red snapper Peach crisp Cappuccino Everything was cooked very well. It was a very tasty meal. I think we both enjoyed it a lot. Service All of the wait staff were very attentive and excellent. Parking there is street parking and it's free. They also have valet which is a fee. Price a bit on the high side but given the quantity and quality of food I won't complain about it too much. Ambiance The place was very clean had very nice decor and the bathrooms were clean. Seating arrangement was fine tables are a little bit too close together. overall excellent meal I can see why it was voted the best restaurant in the country. I can't say enough great things about it if I was here again I would come back all the time!

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I'm in town only for Wednesday night, so I called and was 1) put on the waitlist and 2) told that sitting at the bar would be just as good as eating in the restaurant. We ended up with option #2 and had our dinner there! So, my party of 3 arrived at 5pm and claimed one of the 3 table tops at the bar. I had the venison ($36) and my friends had the steak ($30) and red snapper ($33). We shared the grits ($16) as a starter because we were told that it is a must because it is the ONLY thing on the menu that's long-standing. When our food arrived, we were each disappointed by our meals. In general, the temperature of all of our dishes were all lukewarm. The grit cake was cool and had no flavor. The sauce was good, but other than that, the grit cake was COMPLETELY bland. The venison, the steak, and the baked potato accompanying the the steak were also cold. They had clearly been sitting out for awhile. Both cuts of meat also lacked seasoning. Not even a sprinkle of salt! The only piece of food that was warm was the snapper, but my friend complained that it also lacked seasoning. All in all, we were super disappointed by "the #1 restaurant in the country." It didn't really come close, and it was incredibly expensive for what you can get in the area.

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There's a reason why there's a hype surrounding this place - while the food is pricier here, I love that the dining experience here is uniquely unpretentious and inviting. Case in point: I saw Frank Stitt pass by while we were waiting at the bar, and he smiled and said hello. Service/Atmosphere: Most recently, I took my family here and they absolutely loved the dining experience. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable - don't be afraid to ask your server for recommendations here. Food/Drink: We tried a seafood salad and the stoneground baked grits as appetizers. For entrees we had the red snapper, salmon, and steak. It's hard to recommend a particular dish since they change the menu daily, but we thought both meat and fish options were great. Of particular note was a seafood salad we ordered which was colorful, bright, and absolutely delectable. By dessert, we were pretty stuffed, but we shared the apple fritters with ice cream and Ms. Dol Miles' famous coconut cake! Everything was delicious. I definitely hope to be back soon. Tips: - Definitely order a bottle for the table. In most cases, it's actually a better deal if at least 2 people are going to be having a glass :) - Make reservations about a month in advance! - If you can't snag a res, try finding a seat at the bar. It's quite cozy, and would be great if you're a small party. - They actually have great nonalcoholic beverage options if someone in your party is under 21 or doesn't drink. I had a lemonade that was delicious - it really tasted just like a cocktail without the alcohol.

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Best food and service in Birmingham. Service is fantastic. When you want to impress that's the place to go.

Experience Birmingham's Highlands Bar & Grill for innovative Southern cuisine and warm Southern hospitality. Book your table now for a memorable tasting adventure.

Highlands Bar & Grill in Birmingham: Top Fine Dining Experience

Birmingham

Highlands Bar & Grill

Alabama

Discover Highlands Bar & Grill in Birmingham, AL. Enjoy exquisite Southern cuisine, a cozy atmosphere, and exceptional service. Book your table now!

Highlands Bar & Grill Menu Overview

Signature Dishes

Beverages and Pairings

Dietary Options

Chef Recommendations

Experience the Menu at Highlands Bar & Grill

The Market Café

Garage Cafe

Shawarma Time