Grilled Swordfish Grilled Swordfish

Juicy grilled swordfish, with a hint of lemon and herbs, served with fresh seasonal vegetables.

Palette

Palette

816 Folsom St, San Francisco, United States

Beer • Wine • Full • Seafood


"Pretty disappointing experience given the reviews where some people said it's Michelin star worthy.. The waiter seemed new or less experienced about the menu because he didn't recommend that many dishes, just said what was popular. He was nice but not very present after receiving our food. Also he said to order everything at once for better pacing. The entrees took about 15-20 minutes to come out so I don't think the pacing is accurate. He also said to order 3-4 bites/appetizers for 2 people.. 2 was definitely enough and the entrees are pretty big. I appreciated the sommelier who served a drink that wasn't wine and the gentleman that brought our food. After entrees it took another 15 minutes to be asked about dessert.. He didn't even bring the menu so we passed. He also said something was coming but it was 2 small sugary candies, nothing for the boyfriend's birthday though I was told he would get an eclair. I guess telling them in advance and marking on OpenTable it's a birthday doesn't matter and the waiter didn't ask if we were celebrating anything. I understand this may be asking a lot but for this calibur of restaurant, it should be better. About the food.. the oven fired oysters were just lukewarm. The waiter said that was to melt the compound butter but we didn't experience low temperature of oven oysters at places like Hog Island. Flavor was great otherwise. The polenta was delicious and our favorite. Very flavorful and a great portion size. The duck and pork andouille entree was okay. It didn't look like a dish for the calibur of the restaurant or what they are trying to be. The halibut had great flavors but it was too dry. Pretty sad. Wouldn't come back nor recommend for a birthday/dinner. The bar inside was very bustling so maybe you should check that out instead if you're inclined. Appetizers are around $15-20, entrees $30~each. Cocktails $15~. Corkage is $40.. Not worth it."

Highlands Bar Grill

Highlands Bar Grill

2011 11th Avenue SouthAL 35205, Birmingham, United States

Grill • Seafood • European • Bar/Lounge


"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."