It is most likely the best that Birmingham has to offer.  Being from the NY area, I'm a bit biased on this kind of food (higher end gourmet).  I found the service to be excellent, appetizers were good but the entrees don't  seem to overly excite anyone.  That said, the prices weren't outrageous, which was appreciated.
Review Source:Read about this gem on Yelp and Chowhound, and based on the reviews, I was excited to eat here after a long and successful week of meetings at NASA Marshall in Huntsville.
It turned into a celebration on two counts - not only was the week great, but I survived a passing tornado on my way down from Huntsville by hunkering down in a McDonald's bathroom with a plastic tray over my head as protection from debris. I realize that a McDonald's isn't exactly a bomb shelter, but I dare you to find a better alternative when your phone and the radio are blowing-up with warnings and you need to get off the freeway! Â That's the closest I've come to a McDonald's in ages! LOL!
Anyway, this isn't about a weather report, rather a fine-dining experience...and it was! Â Highlands is a classy but welcoming James Beard winner several times over. Â On the server's recommendation, I went with the house parmesan grits which were more like a light steamed pudding than traditional grits and were delicious. Â My dinner choice was beef cheeks which were much the consistency of short ribs. Â The dish was sauced with a delicate and memorable red wine gravy, and the meat was nestled in a pile of steamed whole baby carrots, potatoes, onions and other garden-fresh veggies.
Service was a little off-putting as the server explained to me what it meant to be a James Beard winning restaurant...I think I know Jose Andres' and Michel Richard's menus well enough to understand the concept. Â However, his service was excellent and he gave me extra corn muffins for the road!
I'd love to go back to Highlands - it was a rewarding, relaxing meal in a lovely setting.
Great food, ambience, and service.
Place is very nice and a bit upscale in style.
Drink selection is very good, especially the wine list.
Service is professional, great suggestions and description of the different meals.
Food is made with very attention on details. I had the best lamb ever.
Strongly recommended
One of the best dining experiences in Birmingham. Â I have been several times and each was excellent.
The staff is courteous ,knowledgeable, and friendly. Â The wine list is great. Â The food is always a high quality. Â Tuna tare tare is something I pretty much order whenever I see it on a menu and it was the freshest I have had in a long time. Â My perfect rare-med steak was mouthwatering.
All of Chef Stitt's places are top notch.
Went back here for my 9th anniversary.
Holy crap. Â Nine years. Â How did that happen? Â
I think back to when I first met my wife.  We were both high school band nerds, it was the mid-nineties; she was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen.  She wore clothes from the Handmaiden  (a cool home-made dress shop on UT's campus), tall, leggy, long apple-juice colored hair, and Jewish?  Whaaaat?
I was a senior, she was a sophomore, I used to take her and her friends home from school in my VW Van. Â Somehow I mustered up the courage to ask her to prom. Â Easily the best prom I went to, and I was hands-down the luckiest guy in the Tennessee Theater that night.
It is 17 years later. Â We ended up together, have had two beautiful children and wait til she sees what have planned for anniversary 10. Â And she still is the smartest, most beautiful woman I know.
A fantastic summer meal here, my old man made the reservation and made sure we had Gorin, he took care of us like no other. Â All I clearly remember was I had a strawberry seasonal cocktail that had a shrub (a fruity gastrique), Abby had an Orange Thing, and we ended up getting each other the EXACT SAME ANNIVERSARY CARD. Â Again, nerd alert.
Food was exquisite. Â Pretty sure I had the Beef Carpaccio, and she had the baked grits souffle (minus meats). Â Entree was excellent, we opted for dessert and coffee, and it was a night that I wished would never end.
But eventually it did, but in a way, it hasn't...
Highlands Bar & Grill.... I don't think food gets any better than this! Â This was an out-of-this-world fantastic meal experience!!
My friend and I had reservations for 8:45. Â We arrived at 8:30 and sat at the bar until our table was ready at exactly 8:44! Â
The attentive service we received was top-of-the-line. Â It was almost as if the server was there only for us (and the restaurant was full). Â He explained each menu item fully and went above and beyond in answering the questions we had.
In looking at the menu my friend and I both decided to step outside of our comfort zone because nothing really stood out to either of us - PLEASE DO NOT LET THIS STOP YOU FROM DINING AT THIS RESTAURANT!!
I decided on the braised short rib with mashed potatoes, carrots and brussel sprouts. Â My friend dined on the grilled New Zealand venison over a bed of collards.
Let me just say my rib was so fork tender... I never needed my knife. Â The brussel sprouts were hands down the best I have ever tasted too!
My friends venison (something I am not typically a fan of) was absolutely delicious!! Â I wouldn't hesitate to order this on my next dining experience at Highlands.
We shared a grit cake... and I know you probably think "it's a grit cake... it can't be that different or that much better than any other place," but let me tell you - DO NOT pass this dish up!! Â The grit cake alone is worth returning to the restaurant for!! Â
It is true, as my friend noted in his review, the dessert was somewhat lacking... but I cannot fault the restaurant for this. Â Not after the meal that preceded the dessert.
Since moving to Birmingham I have been looking for that "it"restaurant, and I am happy to say, I've found it!
This is definitely one of the best restaurants I've ever dined in.  The service was impeccable - friendly and courteous.  The waiter was very eloquent at explaining the nuances of all the menu options that we inquired about.  I ordered the grilled venison, which was seasoned deliciously and lay on a bed of collards.  My friend ordered the braised beef short rib which was so tender and scrumptious.  We shared the baked (ham and mushroom) grits - which was one of the two best grit entrées I've ever had.  (The other is the truffle grits at La Mongerie in Atlanta.)  Those mushrooms in those grits... Wow.
I almost hate to even mention the one disappointment... We were so sure that the dessert would be unbelievable due to the high quality of all that preceded it. Â However, we were disappointed by the apple crostada. Â It just didn't taste like it had been freshly made. I'd take the apple crostada at Maggiano's any day... But back to the pleasant stuff.
When we looked in from the outside, we feared that our attire was not up to par. But we walked in anyway, and they didn't seem to judge us at all. They just graciously welcomed us like we were guests of honor.
This is one case where I'm sooooo glad that I didn't look at the menu first. Â The options didn't seem like anything I was interested in and the cost was more than slightly prohibitive... but the food gods influenced me to not look at the menu first this time and they blessed me with one of the best restaurant meals of my life. Â This word may not fit the classiness and impressive service of this restaurant but.... YUM!!!
The only reason this got 4 stars was that the prices were too high for the plate. At those prices, I expect full gourmet, and it's simply not gourmet. Either go gourmet, or bring down the prices.
However, the bar gets 5 stars. The martinis are fantastic, especially the Orange Thing. They come with the shaker so you get 2 drinks for one (perfect for a date).
Reduce your food prices a little and I'll add a star.
My husband took me here because I kept hearing all of Birmingham talk about it. The food was tasty. To call it gourmet is stretching it. I know about the 2002 article but it is 2012. Â In 2.5 hours you can be in Altanta. and taste gourmet. If you have not been out of Birmingham as I now know many Birmingham natives haven't you have nothing with which to compare it. Â Go somewhere break the glass!
I would suggest the owners hire window washers ASAP. Dusty streaked windows don't add to ambiance.
Please teach your waiters the proper way to pour wine from a carafe.  It is not sanitary to use bare hands and fingers to wipe up the wine if it runs down the bottle after you pour a glass. We watched a waiter fill 5 glasses and use his hand and fingers to wipe the dripping  wine  back up to the bottle lip each time.  Hey guy how about sticking your finger in the carafe!!
Oh and also as you get those windows clear, check your drinking glasses. Â They were murky.
I gave it 3 stars instead of 2 because the food was pleasant the room was quiet and intimate.
Birmingham has far more good restaurants than a city of its size should. The reason for that is Frank Stitt. Before he opened Highlands in 1980 or so, there was no "fine dining" in Birmingham. You ate at your country club or went to Morrison's Cafeteria. Frank was a revelation, a native son returning home with knowledge of the world he learned from Alice Waters, Richard Olney and other famous chefs.
Noted foodie and NY Times writer R.W. "Johnny" Apple, Jr. wrote in 2002 that Highlands was the 5th best restaurant in the world! I knew Frank had gotten famous when a friend in Los Angeles told me she could now order baked grits in L.A.. I suspect that most of the good chefs in Birmingham have trained with Frank, and that this is the reason that we now have so many good restaurants here. But Highlands is the mac daddy of them all, if I may use that term of a restaurant.
Frank and his wife, Pardis, make you feel at home, and offer the best wine cellar in Birmingham as well as the best food. Don't worry about the price; it's not really more expensive than eating at one of those insipid "upscale" chain restaurants. Bon appétit!
This is an outstanding restaurant, distinguished even among the best you'll find anywhere. Our dining experience was superior. the food was of the highest quality, the service impeccably professional, and yet nothing felt stuffy or elitist. There was exquisite attention to detail and comfort, and we left knowing we had enjoyed truly a five-star experience. A few details follow.
The menu features the freshest ingredients and is quite diverse. We started our dinner with a dozen oysters, the best (saltiest) from Prince Edward Island, others quite tasty but a little larger and slightly less succulent from the Florida Gulf. The shaved horseradish offered with cocktail sauce was delicious. Baked grits, as others have declared, are wonderful, looking rather like a jello mold but having a very refined flavor. Wonderful! We kept to a seafood evening for the most part, adding appetizer-sized lightly fried clams, lobsters and shrimp and then sharing a red snapper entree, adorned with heavenly Lowcountry boil ingredients including some tangy sausage that beautifully complimented the fish. Our salads were simply and creatively made and we loved them. Desserts included the Chilton County Peach Cobbler with a fine crunchy crust and sweet peaches inside, and chocolate rum ice cream with chocolate rum sauce. Yum.
A note about the bar. The Highlands martini, made with Bombay gin, is first-rate, and we also loved the blueberry soda/fruit mix (delightful for those who don't care for alcoholic beverages). The wine list is a good one and includes a generous selection of lower priced wines, something you don't always find in upscale restaurants like this one.
The service? Among the best we've ever enjoyed. Knowledgeable, unobtrusive et always alert, friendly but never overbearing (nothing of this "Hi, I'm your server David" Â we detest). We were very impressed and pleased.
Prices are perhaps a bit higher than you might expect for Birmingham, but then Birmingham has more good restaurants than you might expect. And compared to many fine Manhattan restaurants -- to which this one compares quite favorably -- Â the prices are most reasonable.
Dining here was a joy. We give it our highest endorsement and urge you to visit.
Attentive and knowledgeable service helped us make informed dinner selections.
Wonderful attention to local foods and detail in preparation. Â Something as simple as a tomato salad is elevated to great heights - I was thrilled I ordered it.
All four at our table ordered different dishes and shared. Â Everything was a delight. Â
Cannot wait to return and do it again.
Highlands Bar and Grill is housed in a pretty stone-front building on a quiet street in downtown Birmingham. Â The restaurant was bustling the night that we had dinner and we had to stand in the packed bar for about 20 minutes, even though we had a reservation. The inconvenience faded from memory after we were seated, however, and got to focus on the delicious meal ahead.
We tried Mackerel Escabeshe ($10), lightly pickled slices of mackeral seasoned with fresh coriander and accompanied by assorted pickled vegetables. Â Rather than overpower the (strong) flavors of the fish with pickling, the kitchen kept this dish light and fresh.
A plate of Snow's Bend Tomato Salad ($14) was a nice array of Sun Gold tomatoes, goat cheese and Nicoise olives. Â
Braised Beef Cheek with Gnocchi ($14) was a rich explosion of flavors. Â The reduced sauce offered big meat and herbal flavors and the gnocchi was just the right accompaniment to bring the entire dish together.
Duck-Two Ways ($29) was a nicely seared, medium rare breast and a braised duck leg with the meat falling off the bone. Â I'm a fan of duck confit, but this leg was an excellent alternative with more natural duck flavors. Â Also on the plate was a caramelized peach, spoonbread and sugar snap peas. Â
Prime NY Strip Au Poivre ($30) was nicely seasoned and came medium rare, as requested, and was served with very nice brandy-peppercorn sauce. Â Potatoes and Swiss chard rounded out the dish.
Fudge Farms Pork Confit and House Made Sausage ($30) was the star of the evening, with the fork-tender pork bringing a smile to everyone at the table who tried it. Â The sausage was savory and spicy, the rattlesnake beans were crisp, pink-eyed peas were smokey and the new potatoes were nicely seasoned.
We shared a bottle of 2009 Vincent Girardin Maranges "La Fuissiere" 1er Cru ($58; ranging from about $20-$30 retail), a soft, earthy wine with nice cherry flavors.
Service was friendly and very professional. Â Valet parking is available and was certainly needed on the night that we went to Highlands. Â
There is a reason that this restaurant has so many fans. Â If you haven't tried it yet, you should.
For such a small city Birmingham has so many great restaurants, and this is one of them. As I said in an earlier review, "why eat in Atlanta when you can drive a couple of hours to Birmingham?'
Service here is top notch, the atmosphere is classy and comfortable at the same time. And the food....!
Starting with the perfect Apalachicola oysters I moved to a veal entree that included medallions and sweetbreads.... I was in heaven. Thank God for my gout medicine or I wouldn't have been able to walk for a week.
Highland as well as Bodega and Hot and Hot will always be high on my list . I only regret that I'm not in town enough to try the impossible of ranking them.
3.25 stars. Â From the outset, I want to point out that my review is simply limited to drinks. Â I hear that the cuisine at Highlands is exquisite, and it is doubtful that all of these reviews are inaccurate. Â However, the Highlands is equal parts bar and grill so I will say that i was a bit dismayed that given the pomp and circumstance associated with this particular destination, I was moderately let down with the drinks. Â
I ordered a number of the crafted cocktails at the bar, and I have to say that based on my visits to several high end bars in Birmingham, I think the city itself is just behind the curve when it comes to mixology. Â I wasn't really impressed with the selection of liquors behind the bar. Â Also, I was hoping to see a few more beers on draft given that the restaurant's home page gave me the impression that there would be something a bit more palate pleasing than Avondale products and Stella Artois. Â
Having said all that, there are quite a few merits for Highlands even as a bar scene. Â First and foremost, much like sister restaurant Bottega, the clientele is often incredibly photogenic (well, at least the girls - the guys are pretty much grizzled old men). Â Second, the actual bar and restaurant itself sport subtle accoutrements that give an almost regal feel to the place. Â Third, the drinks themselves are quite generous. Â Expect an extraordinarily full sidecar. Â Indeed, given the amount of alcohol I received, the Highlands wasn't really expensive. Â Fourth, they do make a mean martini. Â
Overall, I'd like to come back and try Highlands for their food. Â However, if you get there late like I did and the kitchen is closed, then you are probably not going to get the real experience.
Found myself in Birmingham on business, and a "native" suggested Highlands. I had heard of Frank Stitt, and was excited to give it a whirl. If you get the chance to eat here do whatever it takes to make it happen!
Started with the Grits, Country Ham, and Mushroom app and it was amazing. Next up was the Black Grouper, grilled to perfection and served over a root vegetable puree with Black Truffle and Mushroom relish. The main dish was crazy good!
"Frank's Favorite Cake" for dessert was excellent.
The service was attentive but not overbearing, and they had good knowledge of the menu even though I was seated at the bar. (Most times I eat at the bar they send a waiter over to explain the dishes, but not here)
It was a great dining experience, and exceeded my high expectations...
We stopped in Birmingham exclusively to eat at Highlands Bar and Grill, which has been popping up on Best Of lists for decades.
Some of the waitstaff have been there since the James Beard award-winning chef opened the restaurant in the '80s.
On to the food: the chef was featured in Saveur in an article on oysters, so these are a can't miss. As other reviews indicate, non-menu variations or even concoctions happen here. I got a sampler of the oysters, and highly recommend the Beau Soleils.
We split three appetizers: the baked grits, crab claws, and pork belly. The crab claws stole the show -- enormous. The wait staff said we are in the prime month for these to be huge and meaty.
I ordered off the slim wine by the glass list (the bottle list was huge), and it was not very impressive. A predecessor to Pinot grigio simply evoked less tartness. The malbec was all cherries with a hint of evergreen. The veltliner was less honey and more mineral -- the best of the three I had.
If you are ever in Birmingham, do not miss going to Highlands... Last night we dined on amazing raw oysters from the east coast and southern fare. Instead of ordering entrees , we shared a combination of appetizers. Local tomatoes, grilled figs, peaches, goat cheese, squash blossoms... It was all there!
Superb service... excellent drinks...If I were to choose anyplace to dine for my last meal, It would be here!
Prepare for the best meal of your life.
No, seriously. Who knew that such amazing, well-thought out food existed in Birmingham? I certainly didn't until I forced my family to dine at Highlands for my high school graduation way back when. My now-husband certainly didn't know until I suggested Highlands to celebrate our engagement. Now every time we go to visit my family in Birmingham, I know where we will end up to eat eventually.
The baked grits appetizer is always on the menu and is to die for. Do not go to Highlands without trying it! It converted my grits hating husband into a grits fanatic.
After mentioned to our waiter during a conversation that I loved vegetables but wasn't vegetarian, he offered to let the chef make me a special off the menu vegetable tasting plate. Of course I accepted and it surpassed any meat centered entree I have ever tasted. The waiters are always very friendly and willing to take the time to get you what you really want, whether it is on or off the menu.
Every dessert I have tasted at Highlands is amazing. It really is a dining experience that you must have if you are in Birmingham.
No shit 5 Star spot.
There is no going-wrong here.
Living in Scottsdale / Phoenix I found the:
* Â Pricing on par for an upscale "I don't shive a git" dinner.
* Â Service was close to perfection without being obtrusive and over-clearing.
* Â Quality was superb as long as you are ready to have a great dinner and embrace the whole hog concept.
Highlands exceeded my expectations on 2 dinings. Â One for a full dinner and once on another night for just drinks and desssssert which I could have eaten many times over.
Thanks.
The food here is a delicious take on Southern cuisine. Â The place has a more formal dining room seperate from a slightly more casual and festive bar area. Â Plan on making reservations for the main dining room.
I come to Highland's often. The food is consistently great. Â Some of the highlights are the perfectly prepared seafood dishes, unique cocktails, and the Guadelupe's oyster and shrimp appetizer special. Â Be sure to save room for some dessert as well.
The staff here makes the place really stand out. Â I have never had mediocre service here, nor have I ever felt like I was being given the "up-down" by any member of the staff. Â David, who handles the front of the house, is always engaging and helpful. Â The place is somewhat dressy and even formal when your occasion calls, but the staff seems to lack the self-righteous arrogance that some lesser restaurants seem to dole out. Â Highland's is comfortable in its own skin, and the staff seems happy to be there and serve you. You will enjoy your dining experience. Â After a few repeat visits, you will feel right at home.
I have to give this place a 4 star for a couple of reasons.
Although the "Bar and Grill" is a bit misleading, I still enjoyed my dinner rolling solo.
Environment, like I menteioned... "Bar and Grill" I would lean more towards Grill conisidering the coat and tie factor. Very upscale enviromnent with a classy feel. The bar... they had one and it was nice and all but the Highlands Grill would suffice.
As for the staff, friendly and knowledgeable about the food and beverage, mucho kudos on the staff.
Food: while I'm not from the South, if this is your every day grits... count me in! Delicious!!! I've had grits before and they were nothing like this. Dinner, my entree was delicious but I was too full from my appetizer being as delightful as it was to finish the main dish. I had veal that was cooked nicely and the pears / carrots / sweet potatoes and garnsih were all well prepared.
Overall my only concern, along with the guy next to me who bailed after 1 beer, was the perception of "Bar and Grill".
I would definately come back with my wife.
Cheers,
O
This is mysecon review at this place. I have been a weekly regular here for the past 6 months and it still keeps I'm bringing me back. The food is always great but that alone does not make a restaurant a usual hang out spot. Â At Highland, its the service.
From the friendly Front of the house, David, to my favorite bartender, Tina, this place offers me a sense of home with a well cook meal. What else do you need? I go here almost every week and I am still not bored of this place. Â
If you feel like having a great meal but I. A casual setting, go to the bar side of the Highland and ask for Tina as your waitress/bartender. You have to sit at the bar! You will have an amazing time. Great food and great friendly service.
You're missing out if you don't dine at Highlands when in BHM. Fabulous food; great atmosphere; almost perfect service.
Carpacio was fabulous. Â Venison was cooked to perfection. Â (You know you're at a good restaurant if they do NOT ask you how you want your meat cooked and the meat doesn't come out well-done!) Â Venison was tender, juicy, nice and pink, with just enough blood oozing out. Â *DROOOL* Â
I'll have to save room for dessert next time.
Little did I know when I arrived in Birmingham how much that city features amazing restaurants, and during my stay none of my visits epitomized this more than my visit to Highlands, which was not only the best meal I had in the city, but one of the best meals I've ever had.
Reservations are definitely a good idea if you're looking for a table, though I after calling ahead to confirm, I was able to easily score a seat at the bar. I was dressed a little less formally, too, so it serves as an easy way to score some great food even if you didn't pack your jacket.
Before the meal began I was given some complimentary fresh, sourdough, wheat, and corn breads, that latter of which was a little heavy on salt, but otherwise were great - you can't beat fresh bread.
Speaking of fresh breads, my meal consisted of lamb sweetbreads, perfectly fried and wonderful tender with a hint of gaminess that worked well with the meatiness of chantrelle mushrooms, the earthiness of shaved truffles, and the sweetness of cooked apples. Served over a bed of creamy grits, it was Southern cooking, but a world of difference from the fried green tomatoes and fried chicken that many consider when they think of traditional Southern cuisine.
I'm not traditionally a restaurant dessert kind of guy, but there was a woman eating a delicious-looking peanut butter chocolate pie that I wanted inside me... until I saw the sweet potato pie on the menu. It's served as a little tart, and with a scoop of bourbon ice cream, it was another excellent slice of traditional Southern cooking with a gourmet flair.
It was almost pointless detailing my meal, as the rotating menu ensures it will probably not been seen again for a while, but it goes to show how advanced Birmingham can be with regards to its restaurants. I loved eating in Birmingham, especially in Five Points, and it's largely in part thanks to the wonderful meal I had at Highlands.
I was in town for business with a co-worker and I picked this place for dinner since I like fine dining.
They have valet, who opened the door for me and apparently it is tip-based. Â We quickly walked in out of the rain and it was quite nice but not very large. Â The mirror covering most of the back wall made the place seem bigger though. Â The host politely smiled at us and sat us immediately. Â We were poured water and our server came by to greet us, then place a basket of bread and sweetly delicious corn muffins on our table. Â
Here is where I have my only gripe - the server. Â My "date" ordered a Manhattan and I decided on a dirty martini. Â Now, I understand that I look young for my age (I am almost 30!) but our server asked for my ID. Â I was a bit indignant as this was a nice place and commented on how he didn't ask my dining partner, who is more than 2 years younger than me. Â He said that he was just being polite in asking me first but that did not seem true (and a bit racist). Â I am not sure if the Southern charm/politeness also contributed to the fact that he pretty much talked solely to my DP but not me in a sexist fashion. Â This is where I dock a star and have a bad taste in my mouth for the south.
The food was excellent though and I was surprised to find it in Birmingham of all places. Â The stone ground grits were creamy but the mushrooms gave a wonderful earthiness to it. Â They had a lovely vegetarian plate for my DP and I wanted some Southern cooking so I ordered the braised pork shoulder (in a bourbon sauce, I think) with sweet potato hash and collard greens. Â The pork was absolutely delectable - fatty enough with a chewiness that melted in your mouth. Â The portion size was perfect. Â I thoroughly enjoyed this dish. Â I did ask if they had a Sangiovese by the glass but our server recommended another wine, which was too acidic and had a flat finish. Â Another mark against him.
We had coffee but no dessert. Â The price was very reasonable for the quality and even though I expensed it, I would not have minded paying for the meal at all. Â If I ever find myself in Birmingham again, I will certainly come back.
Was doing some cross ref research for food in Birmingham. I just happened to stumble into their Restaurant Week 2010 event. Basically, several restaurants offer fixed price menus for 2-3 courses. After reading several great reviews about Highlands, I had to give it a try.
Reservations were recommended. But, when I checked OpenTable nothing was available for a week out. So, I rolled the dice and went anyway to see if I could grab a spot at the bar, which also offers full menu service.
Atmosphere was very pleasant, more on the upscale side. Glad I changed out of my shorts and flip-flops. I was prompted greeted and pointed towards the direction of the bar. The bar area was like a big "U" that could hold about 16 people. Plus, there were 3 two-seat tables on the side. First come, first serve. Bar staff was friendly. I like to try local so went with a draft beer called Good People Brown Ale that was kind of like Newcastle.
As an oyster lover, I started with a half dozen from PEI accompanied by homemade cocktail sauce and a yummy champagne vingnette. Then, I opted for the prix fixe menu. First course was local lettuces with pears, Belle Chèvre goat cheese, and honey vinaigrette. For main, I had the braised short ribs with creamy grits and roast vegetables. And finished things off with their homemade Lemon Chess Pie. Everything was delicious.
I'll definitely be back and may opt for the full dining option next time.
Highland's will fulfill any foodie's penchant for impeccable gourmet Southern cuisine. Â Their menu has some wonderful staples but often changes according to the season. Each time you go you will find something new to try. Â
If you are in the Birmingham area and have not yet frequented this institution please stop what you are doing and make a reservation. And do make a reservation now because this place books quickly. Â Although if you are looking to try and pop in without a reservation a great tip is to ask for a seat at their bar. Â Especially if its just for a dinner for two. The staff at the bar are wonderful and you are sure to run into some of Birmingham's most interesting residents. Plus the Highland's Martini is pretty amazing. A must try. Oh and try the Sweet and Salty Cake. And the list could go on forever.
I'm sure that once you go once you will be dieing to go back again. Â If you only have one meal to eat in Birmingham and want to go for some spectacular fine dining make this your go to spot.
The place lives up to the hype. From the moment you walk in the door you are made to feel welcome. Service is attentive and friendly without being too familiar or overbearing, they have a radar for respecting your space. Cuisine is creative and perfectly crafted.
On a recent visit, we say owner Frank Stitt there, which is a great sign as many chefs rest on their laurels. Its great to see that he still puts in the time and oversees the process.
Front of house staff is very professional and accomodating. Great stuff. You will not be dissapointed.
A fantastic restaurant with the perfect blend of southern, modern, Americana cuisine!
The grits with shrimp should not be missed, and are perfectly accompanied by a gravy with Taso ham - YUM! I really enjoyed the cucumber/shrimp salad & have since attempted to create my own version at home... not quite as good :-)
Every entree was fantastic & I should know, as I tried a bite of everything! The sides, beverages, and service were all amazing, and the ambiance was superb!
I cannot remember exactly the desserts we split, but I remember they were warming & wonderful {it may have had to do with the wine!}.
An amazing, upscale dining experience in South Birmingham; already planning my next trip!
Thats right kids, ALA-freakin'-BAMA. Â I was there and it was awesome.
Delicious high-end takes on some classic southern dishes, lovely ambiance. The first room is for your older, more serious crowd. The second has the bar, music is a little louder, brighter artwork...
I had the pork tenderloin - soooo good, a friend had the lambchops, another the flatiron steak, the other had a white fish, and yet another had a dish with scallops. Â All wonderful - I dont think our conversation touched upon anything other than how good the food was and everyone insisted that everyone else try theirs. Â Not hits and misses here, kids.
Apps were good, dessert was too, and this drink called simply The Orange Thing - sounds like sludge, but its not.  Basically its  fresh-squeezed orange juice, and i'm not sure what alcohol. Its good and they give you the shaker with the extra booze - nice bonus.
Waitstaff were great - this guy even knew about where the different oysters came from on the menu, he had all the details. Friendly, attentive but not annoying - just right.
Corking fee is like $10 or $15.
Get a touch dressed-up to go - you know, class it up a little.
Roll Tide! Go Bama!
I was told that this is one of the best restaurants in America by several people and I have to say that upon eating there I have to agree. I've eaten at all of Frank Stitt's restaurants and have been nothing but 100% impressed with his places (I even ate at Watermark in Nashville as I heard the chef there had worked under Stitt).
I enjoy his restaurant so much that whenever I come back to Nashville to visit, I always do the mental arithmetic to see if I can do a make the several hour journey south and back. And sadly, more often than not I can't but that doesn't mean it isn't worth the trip.
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