birmingham

A Mo Pho of a Weekend

May 18, 2015 · 5 Comments

I couldn’t even wait to tell you guys about this place. After working all day on the nursery (crib is up, carpet is in, decorating has begun), we decided we needed a date night bad. We had seen a Vietnamese place pop up in an old sushi place (which we loved), and decided it was worth a try. It’s called Pho Pho, and it’s located downtown in Five Points, next to the old Metro Prime Steakhouse.

We got there sort of early and were the only people there –which was nice, because who likes people anyway? Our waiter was awesome, and B suggested I try my first boba tea. Apparently, these things are also called bubble tea and are really popular everywhere else but Birmingham. I played it safe and got the strawberry one.

I was super obsessed with the cup, and the stuff inside. It really pretty much tasted like strawberry milk – like the most awesome kind of strawberry milk you could ever have – and I will be back to test out some more of their flavors.

For dinner, B ordered some spring rolls as an appetizer — the legit spring rolls, not the fried ones. He got some sushi rolls for his dinner, and I got a delicious noodle bowl, that had the most amazing pork in it. Please see below.

It was honestly the best Vietnamese food I’d had. They are currently working on their liquor license, but don’t have it yet. I need everyone in Bham to go and check them out, because I will be really really sad if they have to close up shop.

I mean, I’ve only gotten to try one boba tea!

I hope everyone had a great weekend !!

Secret Stages – Birmingham

May 4, 2015 · 2 Comments

If you’ve lived in Birmingham for the last four years and are a music lover, there’s no doubt that you’ve heard of Secret Stages. Secret Stages is a two-day music festival that takes place in downtown Birmingham.

All of the venues are within walking distance of each other, making it easy to enjoy different acts and the restaurants and attractions surrounding the stages. Somewhere around 60 bands come to perform — and there is music for everyone’s tastes. Bands come from far and near to take part in this event.

Secret Stages has been releasing sneak peeks of musical acts on their website here.

This song is by far my favorite that they’ve announced so far. It has a very Texas country/Americana sound to it. The lead singers voice is mesmerizing and raspy. The band hails from Little Rock, AR, and their latest album Something to See was released in January of this year. To take a listen to the rest of their album, go to their website. And take a quick listen below.

Secret Stages takes place this year July 31st and August 1st. VIP passes are $50 ($75 at gate), and weekend passes are $25 ($35 at the gate). Make sure to let the secret out!!

Birmingham Eats – Saw’s Juke Joint

April 29, 2015 · 6 Comments

I freaking love BBQ. There is no question about it. People will always be like beef or pork, and I’ll be like, ummm, both? I have no preference when it comes to the meat smoked. I love cows and pigs equally.

Saw’s BBQ was just in the running to be voted best BBQ by Garden and Gun magazine. They unjustly did not win, but that doesn’t stop all of us Alabamians from knowing the truth. Saw’s BBQ is the best. I did a post on the Saws in Homewood awhile back, but I had always wanted to go to Juke Joint just to check it out.

And, it was still delicious. Juke Joint has a separate full bar area, and it has more room than the one in Homewood. I just love driving up to a BBQ place and smelling the smoked meat goodness.

Take a look at the inside:

And then of course the food! I’m a sucker for a good ole pork BBQ sandwich, and I always ask for white BBQ sauce. Their white BBQ sauce is out of this world good. And then of course with a side of collards. Soo good.

B got a mix of the BBQ ribs with potato salad and fried green tomatoes. I am really picky with potato salad (like really picky), but I love theirs! Not too mustardy or mayonnaisey with anything crazy crunchy in it. It’s good! And of course their fried green tomatoes were on par with the rest of the meal.

If you are in Alabama, do yourself a favor and stop by one of the Saw’s locations. I promise you need to try what the rest of us here are already talking about.

City Bee Company

April 24, 2015 · 3 Comments

A few weekends ago, B and I went to Pepper Place Market. Pepper Place is a local farmer’s market that also focuses on local businesses. City Bee is one of them.

City Bee Company practices urban beekeeping. They don’t use any chemicals, making them 100% natural.

I immediately gravitated toward the body butter — they’ve got three different scents, Earth Element, Jasmine & Cypress, and Lavender & Lemongrass. I got the Lavender and Lemongrass, and I slather it on after my shower. It smells so amazing!! B liked the Earth Element scent best, and it was definitely the more “manly” of the three.

I also had to get a jar of the all natural honey, because, why not? I love adding honey to tea and using it to sweeten biscuits. They are currently waiting on their next harvest in July 2015, so the honey and creamed honey should be available in August. The company believes in small batches to ensure quality. But I promise it’s worth the wait!!

Be sure to visit their website and stock up on body butters, hand salves, and lip balms. Also grab a tee while you’re there, and support local Alabama business!!

I wasn’t endorsed or paid to say any of these things; City Bee is just a local company whose products I love. 🙂

Hope y’all have a great weekend!!

Birmingham Eats + Caffeine Fix — Crestwood Coffee Co

April 21, 2015 · 5 Comments

A couple weekends ago, B and I wanted breakfast. We had headed down to Pepper Place Farmer’s Market for their first market of the year, but weren’t really super impressed with their breakfast offerings. Or I was being super picky that day. Yeah, probably that one.

Either way, we were headed toward the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store (which by the way if you have never been in one of these, you should go — we got both our doors for downstairs for a total of $50 bucks), so we wanted something headed that way.

So we searched for something close, and Crestwood Coffee Co popped up, and we were like, why not?! The food from their site sounded delicious and they had coffee.

So in we went. We got a sausage, egg and cheese biscuit (this thing was huge and the biscuit was so good) and a cinnamon bun, and we both got café au laits. Upon further inspection we did find out that they’ve got a bar too. AND they were playing Scooby Doo on their TVs. They’ve got art on the walls and books lined up everywhere.

They’ve got muffins and all sorts of other assorted goodness for lunch, as well. Take for instance yesterday: For lunch they had Jambalaya and pulled pork sandwiches, as well as delicious soups — plus on Tuesdays, they do hot dog Tuesdays. I feel like I need to partake in that.

If you’re looking for a chill local place, this is definitely it. The service was great, the food was great, and my café au lait was delicious!!