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Reviews & Tips

  • 0

    While I frequently daydream of their cocktails, the food at Hot & Hot leaves something to be desired. I've dined here twice, and from both visits, I remember nothing of my meal... so, for me, the food was pretty forgetable. Cocktails, however, are outstanding. I'd go for drinks at the bar and then eat dinner elsewhere, but since the place is so busy usually, its not really worth it.

    My younger brother is a college freshman who is a body building and eating machine... Let's just say an entree at Hot & Hot was a joke to him. Very, very little food for the price you pay. He had to go eat Subway afterwards just to feel satisfied.

    Ambiance and service were good, but still not enough to make me want to return a third time.

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  • 0

    The best meal in Birmingham & that is saying a lot. Chef Hasting's is outstanding. The appetizers of fresh tomatoes in a tower & another with blue crab stuffed squash blossoms were terrific. The entres included his take on " chicken fried steak" was almost whimsical. We also had Duck, an incredibly presented shrimp/ tomatoe salad dish. The desserts included gelato, smooth & tasty & the chocolate soufflé were excellent.
    The atmosphere was very warm & the place was buzzing on a Wednesday evening. The wait staff were very knowledgeable & very helpful.
    Overall a seriously fabulous meal.

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  • 0

    Awesome place, so far the best high end restaurant that I have tried in Birmingham. Get the Tomato Salad especially when tomatoes are in season. Fish is their specialty but any game that they have on the menu is great as well. Prices are fair for the quality of food and drinks they serve.

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  • 0

    You definitely need to make reservations at least a week in advance, allow yourself a minimum of 2 hours for dinner and budget $100/person.  

    Dine 1 (2011): We sat at the Chef's Counter.  While it was interesting to watch them prepare the various dishes, I don't recommend sitting at the counter if you wear contacts or if you are 5 feet tall.  I don't remember what I ordered but it was a cold dish.  I wasn't impressed.  I enjoyed the other parties warm dish and wish I had ordered it instead.  

    Dine 2 (2012): Appetizer: Tomato salad which is enough for 2.  Entree: a mixture of seafood.  (Sorry, I don't remember the fancy name.)  It was delicious!

    Dine 3 (3/14/2013): They brought us a sample of their dessert.  I ordered the steak and bone marrow.  The other party ordered the gumbo and a fish entree.  We both thought the entire meal was awesome!

    I have always enjoyed the complimentary assortment of bread and their homemade butter.  Each time the service has been great.  I will be returning.

    Did I mention that the menu changes daily?

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  • 0

    I recently went on a work trip to Birmingham, where I got to explore (culinarily speaking) a city that's not familiar to me. I've driven through Birmingham on several occasions (as Birmingham sits in between Memphis and my hometown Anderson, South Carolina, depending on which route is taken), but my dining experiences have generally been limited to fast food options along the highway.

    It took a lot of arm twisting from me and the front desk manager at the Birmingham Embassy Suites, but I was able to convince my colleagues that we should dine at Hot and Hot Fish Club, a popular fine-dining restaurant that has received tons of acclaim from folks like the James Beard Foundation.

    The food was obviously very fresh, and the plating was extremely whimsical. The spring vegetable salad was almost like a beautiful painting. Every time I ran my fork across the plate, I scooped up different flavors and textures. No one bite was the same, and the salad was light, refreshing and satisfying all at the same time.

    I think my traveling companions were also very impressed with the quality of the food. While the price point is a little higher than I would spend on an average evening out, if I were a Birmingham resident, I would definitely put Hot and Hot on my special occasion go-to list.

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  • 0

    I travel to Birmingham every other month for business and I was thrilled to dine at the famed Hot and Hot. Loved the open kitchen set up and the constantly evolving farm fresh menu. Didn't love the super uncomfortable chairs - maybe it was the long day of meetings but with $30 entrees I want to be able to relax and be comfortable. The cuisine was innovative and unique- I dinner coveted several items.  I ended up with the snapper with white chocolate- perhaps one of the most complex and well- sauced dishes I have tasted. A co-worker said the gumbo appetizer was good enough to bathe in. The long wait for our entrees left a bad taste in my mouth. I recognize that quality and made to order take time but we ended up with over a three hour meal for four diners.

    Wines were thoughtfully chosen and the stand out for me was dessert. Indulge.

    Try the whiskey gelato or the chocolate souffle or the doughnuts. It was certainly worth the wait.

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  • 0

    Upon arrival...we were seated at a table for four that was literally jammed into the greeting podium.....the seating was uncomfortable and the acoustics particularly good when other people arrived for their reservations.... needless to say, not a good environment....Our reservations were early and we were told several weeks in advance that there were no reservations available after 6:15..... although at seven I noticed MANY empty seats in the dining room.... probably 50% full.

    The waiter seemed particularly "full of himself", with not an empathetic tone in his voice, body language or demeanor.....you can be smart and not an ass at the same time...it is possible......

    The food came.....I ordered the simplest entree on the menu and I thought it was excruciatingly  bland......the accompanying  vegetables were tasteless....
    My date's fish was equally bland and somewhat dry.....
    the wine was passable (but expensive)......

    I think this is an extremely OVER RATED restaurant
    I have cooked better fish at home......

    for the person who is "shaming" patrons for telling the truth about this place....shame on you!

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  • 0

    Shame on anyone that wrote a review that caused me to second guess celebrating our anniversary here.

    I've been in Birmingham since undergrad and have been dying to go to Hot and Hot. However,  it is the most expensive place in town and I could never justify an occasion worth spending so much on. Over the years, I have visited most of the finer places in town (all of Stitt's included), but Hot and Hot remained on a pedestal that I couldn't quite reach.  

    (Flash forward almost a decade later) My husband and I were ready to celebrate our first anniversary. He made reservations at the Chef Table and we were set. I love food. I mean, really... love food. I'm young, but I'm snooty about food. If I can make it better, I refuse to go out and pay for it. I cook, I study food, I dream about food, and I when I travel, my experience is about food. I like to think I have high standards. So, I always read about food -- and choose my restaurants very carefully. Always. After reading so many negative reviews about Hot & Hot recently, I second guessed our decision. I had been studying the menu for weeks leading up to our night, I had consulted friends, old professors, doctors (literally everyone) about where we should go. I had almost changed our reservation to Highlands. In the end, I stuck with my guns and stuck with Hot and Hot.

    We arrived at 7:20 for our 7:30 reservation. We headed to the bar to get a drink, but our table was ready before we could place an order. We sat at the Chef's table and were immediately met by our friendly and helpful waiter. We ordered the cocktails we had planned on getting at the bar and sipped them as we oohed and ahhed at the orchestrated events of the kitchen.

    We ordered the Foie Gras Brulee with strawberries and the charcuterie platter. As with our entree, we both had our decision narrowed down to 2-3 choices and our waiter was very helpful with suggesting which item to go with. He also paired wines with our food very well. The foie gras brulee was such a creative and tasty combination. The charcuterie platter may have been the best I have ever had in my life. The assortment was spectacular. We ordered the lamb with gnocchi and the scallops. My mouth is drooling as I just think about our entrees. We both agreed that the gnocchi was the best we had ever had. The scallops were perfectly cooked and paired with sauces and sides that added a different dimension to every bite. I had hesitated to order the scallops because I felt that the perfect scallop was seared, rare, and lightly seasoned, but after seeing the scallops leave the kitchen...  I couldn't resist -- needless to say, my mind is changed. At this point, we were stuffed. I even had to give the last half of my scallop (which were so big that I cut them into 4-6 pieces each) to my husband to finish. Of course his plate only had a handful of gnocchi - but he ordered lamb, not gnocchi, right?

    If I hadn't heard such good things about the souffle and the doughnuts, we would have passed. We ordered a glass of port as we worked on getting some room in our stomachs. Watching the doughnuts being made added a level of appreciation to the dish. As with almost everything we watched, the level of intricacy and detail put into the dish was amazing. After frying, the doughnuts endured about 5-10 more steps of stuffing, drizzling, topping, etc before the plating was complete. It almost seemed as though every dish that came out of the kitchen had a different touch added by 3-5 individuals in the kitchen. (I'll be honest - the souffle wasn't life changing, but it was still a fun and tasty desert.)

    We left Hot & Hot in food heaven. Weeks later, it's a meal that still comes up in conversation. If you want a 20 oz ribeye, a dinner plate size salad, or portions that should require a doggie bag... this is not your place. My husband noted on how cozy the atmosphere felt - I guess in that regard, it did feel less formal and "fancy" than Highlands. The wait staff that I have encountered at the Stitt restaurants have been more attentive and detailed - your napkin will be folded and your chair will be tucked in any time you step away from the table. This was not the case at Hot and Hot, but I didn't mind. We got brisk service, a friendly guy, and great suggestions. If you want the classics done perfectly, go to another place in town. If you're in search of freshness, creativity, and unique food that you likely won't find anywhere else -- this is your place. Since leaving, my mind has been racing to combine new flavors at home and simultaneously giving up because I know that I can't replicate what we had.

    So, open your mind, your palate, and your wallet (it cost just under $300 for the two of us after tip) and visit Hot and Hot.

    Applause to Hasting's - I see why he won the James Beard award.

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  • 0

    To my utter surprise I seemed to have yet written a review about this not only local but regionally and nationally acclaimed gem "Hot and Hot Fish Club".  I have been enjoying Hot and Hot for nearly a decade now and each time I have the occasion to dine here I am continually impressed. Their farm to table philosophy and commitment to seasonal and regional ingredients is inspiring.  The menu's offerings feels at once familiar and unexpected. The ambiance creates a wonderful intimacy particularly felt with a seat at the chef''s counter. While seated at the chef's counter you are immersed in what is part entertainment, part education and part temptation to over indulge in all their spectacular offerings. I've also always seemed to meet the most interesting people while seated at the counter everyone from Chris Hastings himself to his wonderful staff to food critics and magazine editors.
    If I had a small criticism it would be that sometimes the restaurant is a little too intimate. The tables and space itself aren't the largest but that's not really what coming here is all about. The food is what continually keeps Hot and Hot in the spot light. Try it out, talk to your server, learn more about the food you eat and help encourage other restaurants to follow Hot and Hot's farm to table philosophy.

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  • 0

    Terrible service, sub par food.
    It was my moms 82nd birthday and a party of 12 was coming from different parts of the world and different states. So two months before, we tried the Resto and really enjoyed the food.  We made our reservations for 8 pm.  After numerous and frustrating follow ups, we were finally seated at 930 pm.  The gave us some complimentary appetizers but the food was not at all up to par.  The steak didn't taste like the one we ordered months ago which was supposed to be smoke.  The food obviously was prepared sloppy and the whole place was just  disorganized.  I will never go there to celebrate big parties. V

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  • 0

    This food was amazing and the service was top-notch. The chef came out to personally check on my group. Can't wait to go back.

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  • 0

    Well I'm not sure where to start. The staff seemed slightly self absorbed; not really rude, but aloof.  Lots information imparted about where the food came from and all the "exclusive" sources. "Our hearts of palm is flown in next day air and hand cut by a little old man in Hawaii" kind of thing. I guess all that is kind of neat, but I would rather all the "bragging" take place on the plate. I think when the description of the dish is a paragraph long your antenna should go up. Now was the food good?  Yea it was good, not super fantastic, but good. I liked the space, we had fun despite the staff. Will I go back......maybe....probably.

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  • 0

    My first time to dine at Hot and Hot.  The oysters appetizer served with a champagne  mignonette was very good.  I was impressed with the presentation of my entrée but not that impressed with the food itself. The waiter was somewhat rude which made my experience just ok.

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  • 0

    We regularly dine at fine dining restaurants in Birmingham.  It had been a while since we dined at Hot and Hot, so we decided to go for my husband's birthday.  We had reservations for 7:30pm, but had to wait quite a while to be seated. The restaurant was so crowded and cramped, there was no where to stand and enjoy a drink while waiting.  The bar was full and we seemed to be in the way of the servers no matter where we stood. I went to the bar to order a glass of wine while we waited.  It took forever for a bartender to even look up to acknowledge me.  There was no one else waiting for a drink and they could have at least looked up and said they would be right with me.  Very irritated about that.  When we were finally called to be seated, they escorted us to our table of 4 which only had 3 chairs!  My husband and our friend had to awkwardly stand in the cramped dining room for 5 minutes waiting on a chair!  Why would they seat us with a chair missing?  These were all not good ways to start the evening!  The entrees were very good, but were very small portions for $40 a plate.  Dessert was uninspiring and lacked flavor. Atmosphere was stuffy and unwelcoming.  We are big proponents of local restaurants who use organic and locally grown/raised ingredients, but were very disappointed in this visit.  So many other great restaurants to choose from who offer a variety of quality dishes at lower price points.

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  • 0

    Chef Hastings. Need I say more.

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  • 0

    Food was good, but by no means worth $40 a plate.  Stuffy environment.
    Expected better.

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  • 0

    I encourage everyone to try Hot and Hot. It is beyond delicious and the atmosphere was truly inviting. All the dishes were creative and seemed to melt in your mouth. The wine selection was perfect for the dishes they offer. It is a wonderful place to dine! Please try Hot and Hot, you will NOT regret it.

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  • 0

    Such a disappointment. This is my favorite Birmingham restaurant and it was just not good last night. Service was terrible. Took 40 minutes to get our cocktails after being seated. Food was completely forgettable. Mine was overdone and was missing the marrow which was the only reason I ordered the entree I did. I've had so many incredible evenings at Hot & Hot that this was heartbreaking . . . especially as I was "showing it off" to out-of-town friends. I guess this is really just a Stitt city when it comes right down to it. Sad.

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  • 0

    Recent James Beard winner ... congrats! Was here two years ago and was blown away by the vibe, the aggressive recipes and the service.

    Bravo.  One of the finest joints where I've had the pleasure to dine.  Chef's table for the win!

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  • 0

    Best fine-dining in the Ham. Will return as soon as I have the cash!

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  • 0

    After giving this restaurant three chances to redeem itself, I am ready to write a conclusive review about this place. To sum it up, you have to pay me to eat at this place again!

    There were some good and bad moments but after the way my party was treated last Saturday, I refuse to further dine at this poorly run local fine dining.

    Christ Hasting may have won an Iron Chef episode, but he failed at successfully managing this place. Maybe ego has gotten the best out of him. Also, the chef doesn't project much humility when the first thing that you see when entering the restaurant is his gigantic self portrait. The image is so large an overly imposing that the restaurant feels more like a cheaply curated art museum.

    Also, every time I visit this place, we are often seated 40 minutes after our reservation. The host, of course, apologizes profusely and offer us a half glass of extremely sweet cocktail that totally numbs your palate. It's OK to seat us late once and blame it on the party before us that refuses to leave, however, this is my third visit and every time that I try to eat here, I am always seated very late.  This is just poor management.

    The food is good but not great.  I have never left this place remembering what I ate. Among the three times that I ate there, I once had to return the plate to the kitchen because the fish is overly salted. Our waiting staff agrees that my plate is unbearably salty and offered an apology because this mistake is a rarity.

    The rest of the food here are good, but at $40 a plate, you expect perfect execution. Sadly, some plates are and some plates aren't. There seem to be inconsistency in the cooking ability of their kitchen staffs.

    The only high point about this place is the bar. The bartenders are superb! They make their own bitters, etc. They are lovely to talk to and are always overworked!

    Overall, this fine dining offers inconsistently good food at very high price. So, take your chance and let's hope your $40 plate are executed by one of the better cooks in the restaurants.

    Chris Hasting sure has skill at cooking, but displays poor restaurant management skill. Birmingham deserves better than this.

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  • 0

    Hot & Hot Fish Club is by far my favorite restaurant in Birmingham! The food is always fresh, flavorful and utterly mouth watering.  I highly recommend returning often as the menu changes regularly based on what's local and in season.

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  • 0

    Hot and Hot Fish Club is worthy of all the adulation. For context, over the last 10 years, I have lived in major markets on both coasts and two different states in the Midwest. My meal here was on par with some of the best I have had anywhere I have lived or vacationed.

    Iron Chef winner Chris Hastings spent a tremendous amount of time at our table of six. He certainly has a high opinion of himself, but admittedly it is warranted. Over the course of a two hour meal, Hastings must have stopped by our table three times.

    Order the scallops and the friend okra. But really, order anything because everything was awesome. The only hiccup we encountered was the service (20 minutes for a beer!). Nevertheless, I would do a beeline here the next time I am in town.

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  • 0

    Chef Hastings!!

    Before I get into this review, I would like to thank Russ M. and Whitney B. for the friendly Yelp suggestion.  Talk about Southern hospitality.    For any outsiders on vacation or foodies in general that live around Birmingham, I recommend reading their pages because they definitely know good food.  Thank you both again.

    Back to the review.

    Oh Chef Hastings although I think you are a giant narcissist, you make amazing food.  By the way, a big *eye roll* to your giant picture placed right in the front entrance.  Who are you, Julius Caesar?  

    The Service:
    I absolutely LOVED our waiter.  He was witty, funny, and he knew what he was talking about.  He was super knowledgeable with all of the wines they had in stock and he did a fabulous job wine pairing our order.

    The Ambiance:
    Other than that obnoxious photo, the place was very mellow and calm.  I love the simple colors and the classic feel to the room.  

    The food:
    The tomato soup (it's currently not on the menu):  It was surprising hearty and well presented.  The bowl came piping hot with all of the vegetables nicely decorated.  Our waiter poured the tomato soup into my bowl after being placed in front of me.

    Simple Grilled Fish, Red Snapper with Heirloom Tomato, Avocado, Grilled Vidalia Onions and Basil-Lime Vinaigrette $38:
    Yes, doesn't just reading the menu's description make your mouth water?  It was heavenly.  It was served in such an impressive presentation and the ingredients blended in harmony.  It sauce was outstanding and the fish was good to the last bite.  I highly recommend this order.

    We couldn't decide on dessert so my friends and I ordered a couple:

    Hot and Hot Doughnuts, Blueberry Jam Filling, Rosemary Creme Anglaise, Lemon Curd and Crystallized Blueberries $9:
    Hands down the best out of our order.  It was very filling, we couldn't even stand up after.  I HIGHLY recommended trying it.  

    Elton's Chocolate Souffle with Creme Anglais and Whipped Creme $9:
    I'm not really a chocolate fan in general.  It was a little too rich for my taste but my friends managed to consume the entire plate, whipped creme and all.

    Vanilla Panna Cotta with jam and condensed milk foam $9
    Panna Cotta (to me) is such a simple dessert.  Although I had better in other places, it was still delicious.

    Overall, the presentation and the food here is amazing.  I highly recommended visiting this place.  The service is really prompt and knowledgeable with their ingredients as well as their wine, something that is rare these days.  Also, I apologize that my party arrived 15 minutes before closing and stayed rather late.  I hate being the last ones in the restaurant.  Sorry staff.

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  • 0

    After hearing that the owner / chef here won an award or two, we finally tried it (we are loyal Highlands / Bottega / Gian Marcos patrons).  The food was simplistic, bland, overcooked and sophomoric.  Apparently "Southern Style" here means plain and unsalted.  I've had better fish at chain restaurants.  The bar is a joke.  The service very average.  For the princely sums that they are asking here, they should be appalled.  We've eaten at the finest restaurants all over the world and Hot & Hot doesn't even show up on the radar.  If the owners are reading this, I'd be pleased to provide more detail.  If you are looking for a nice night out in Birmingham, try Bottega or Highlands next store.  If it is fish you are after, try any of the Fish Market locations for a fraction of the price.

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  • 0

    This is not a review of the food, but of the customer service.  I wanted to make a reservation for my anniversary ,so  I called for a reservation about  a week in advance.
    I was told nothing was available and" didn't I know better than to call without more notice".  The person on the phone was very rude.  Needless to say I easily made reservations for another restaurant.

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  • 0

    Ok. So first of all, let me apologize to all my Birmingham apologists. I too have a deep love for Birmingham and am thrilled any time anything or anyone associated with this city gains even modest success or mention in the deep recesses of some once famous newspaper. Our local hero pool is not very deep, so like all the rest of you, I cheer all success stories.

    On Saturday night I went with two friends to Hot and Hot for about the 6th or 7th time. Each time there have been small miscues in service and food, but nothing major.

    Well, on Saturday night we arrived early to have drinks. 25 minutes after our reservation time, a member of my party told the hostess that we had been there since thirty minutes prior to the reservation and it was now well after our reservation time. The response was an extremely hatefully toned "well I can't help when you got here". Not, I'll check, thanks for being patient, nothing.

    After being seated 45 minutes after our reservation time, the manager came over and apologized for our delay. Our party of three received an appetizer with two very salty shrimp and half-sized cocktails that we did not ask for compliments of the house. From that point on, it was obvious that we were branded as bad customers. Our server barely spoke to us, and we were largely avoided. I figure the hostess is also someone's girlfriend or something, because we were treated terribly (whispering and pointing toward us included).

    My meal was a Halibut that was well cooked, but flavorless. The complimenting sides were also bland.

    I have never experienced such a hostile reaction or treatment in any restaurant, even the Wendy's on 280, which is another service train wreck, so obviously my life is not bad. However, Hot and Hot could match its lofty image of itself (high prices and chef's life-sized portrait on the wall) with some lessons in service. I rescind my previous 4 star review.

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  • 0

    I had an excellent fine dining experience at Hot and Hot Fish Club.  I love this restaurant, and the food was extremely fresh and delicious.  Each dish is beautiful, innovative (homemade cherry cola, watermelon margarita, fig and lavender desserts, stuffed rabbit), and impeccable.  I love the localness of the food, and how the servers know every detail of the ever-changing menu and speak with poetic narration as they make suggestions.  The little touches like lit candles near the restroom and individual Bodum French Presses for a cup of decaf coffee make the experience.

    I had the hot tomato salad with the richest red heirloom tomatoes (it better be for $8 for half a tomato, right?!); I had the steak and the salmon - both fresh and beautifully decorated; I had the cherry cola ice cream and another chocolate dessert.  I love how most of the dishes were decorated with micro greens and balsamic.  Most of entrees were $30 with a few items priced at $45, and the desserts were $9 and drinks $8.  Most of the tables were filled with small business groups or couples on dates.  I did not see any small children in the restaurant, and the atmosphere was cozy yet elegant.

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  • 0

    Why eat in Atlanta when you can drive for 2 hours and eat here! This restaurant is great. A charming spot nicely decorated, splendid service and an interesting menu excellently executed.

    I brought a group of seven to the place at the suggestion of one of my clients from Birmingham. It was truly a worthwhile experience. I had the crispy sweetbreads on grits as an appetizer. Crispy as advertised and garnished with a sauteed ramp.... when was the last time you had ramps in a restaurant...or anywhere for that matter? This is a good example of the ends that Chris Hastings will go to to tease and entertain your palate.

    As a main course I had the short rib and veal liver. Both perfectly done... the short rib melting off of the bone and the veal liver lightly seared.

    Good wine list.... nice place... worth a drive from Atlanta to another capitol of fine eating in the South.

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  • 0

    Had been hearing about this place for over a decade and was very happy to try it out.

    As a note, this review should have been a 5, and when I get a chance to go back there I will update my review, but two things happened that knocked down the experience.

    We went there for New Year's Eve, which I was a little bit concerned about as I feared we would be limited on menu options.  Turns out that their NYE menu still left quite a few options for a 5 course meal.

    For the starter, we had some smoked trout fritters with apples and picked vegetables with a truffle macaroon stuffed with foie gras.  And how can you top a truffled meat cookie, you ask?  We also had a few cocktails from their nice cocktail menu.  I had the 'Shotgun Shell' which was a bourbon/honey cockail with muddled kiwi.  Perfect combo of tart and bourbony sweetness.  My wife, who is preggers, got a virgin 'Gingered Grapefruit Martini', which was a grapefruit cocktail with ginger syrup - great, but they still charged her $12, which was kind of dumb.  

    For the second course, I opted for the lobster bisque with truffle flan, because you can never have too much truffle.  They served the bisque over the flan, so with each scoop of the spoon you got a delicious flan bite with lobster richness.  My dad got the pork trotter which was fantastic and full of character.

    For the third course, I got what essentially was shellfish three ways, with crab, oysters, and lobster, served almost in a cirtusy ceviche fashion.  My dad got the squab which was bursting with flavor and reminds me I need to make Cornish hens more often.  And his wife had the mushroom risotto with roasted bone marrow and parmesan - the clear winner of that round.

    For the fourth course, we asked the server for a wine recommendation and he picked a great white to pair with the triggerfish 'ham' my dad and I had chosen.  The server, by the way did an excellent job of serving, being personable, provided great recommendations throughout the meal and displayed a very competent knowledge of wines.  The triggerfish was great and was very flavorful.  My dad's wife got the steak with egg and parmesan - cooked to perfection.  My wife got three bowls of side vegetables.  And this is the first of the problems we had with the meal.

    My wife is a life-long vegetarian.  We had called a few weeks in advance to make reservations and notified them that we would have a vegetarian with us and asked them if they could accommodate her.  They said that it would be no problem and that they would have something special for her.  Typically, it has been my experience over the years that fine restaurants ask a few questions to determine what the patron prefers.  They did not this time.  For my wife's first course, they served her a nugget of cheese, second course was the listed salad, third course was a pile of egg noodles and the fourth course was three bowls of side vegetables.  All for $75.  Really disappointing, especially considering we had given advance notice and they said something about it as she sat down.

    As dessert was served, the second downer happened.  We ordered coffee plus tea and it took over twenty minutes to get it.  To be fair, it was New Years, and that just happened to coincide with the later seating, so the restaurant was overwhelmed.  But we tried to snag our waiter multiple times and kept getting passed over.  He claimed that his assistant had dropped the ball and gave it to us on the house.  It was just such a sharp contrast to the excellent service we had gotten prior to that point.

    I would look forward to trying a meal here on a regular night, for a do-over, as this place has a lot of potential.

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  • 0

    Love love love this place. They really pay extra attention to the details to everything, the food, service, diners, etc.

    The meal started off with a complimentary fried oyster, great start to a meal. For appetizers, we had the baked oysters which was melt in your mouth heaven. Mmm. I couldn't resist the shrimp and grits. And when it arrived, there was not a single regret in my order. I think I ate every grain of grit on my plate. So yummy. As a plus, the chef came out to say hello to us and somehow knew it was our first time there. He was so sweet and charming.

    Can't wait to go back again. But remember, you should call ahead to make reservations. There is only one table for 2 or the bar open for walk-ins, all other tables are reservations only.

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  • 0

    No, this is not a seafood house where the waiters wear pirate hats, although the fish and seafood are a strong point of the menu. The name is taken from a epicurean gentleman's club that chef Chris Hastings great-great grandfather was a member of. Opened for the past 15 years Hot & Hot has made out with some great accolades: Bon Appetit's "Top Neighborhood Restaurant" Wine Spectators "Award of Excellence" Food Network "Best of Show" and one of the five finalist for "Best Chef in the South" by the James Beard Foundation. Menu changes daily to what comes in the backdoor, including organic local produce, farm raised meats, hand crafted Artisanal cheeses, and wild caught American shrimp and seafood that is flown in daily. Has a bistro kind of feel and a huge bar that incircles the prepping area for a great time watching the cooks at work. My top pick for Birmingham.
    pictures on my blog

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    I have been to Hot and Hot Fish Club twice in my life,(both in 2010) and both were some of the most memorable dining experiences I have ever had.

    I have been to over 40 countries and almost every U.S. State and have to tell you...this is one of my favorite restaurants in the world.

    The first trip was a press trip where we sampled a little bit of everything; stacked tomato salad, fish and the most delectable shrimp with grits I have ever tasted.

    On my second trip back to Birmingham we went back to the Hot and Hot Fish Club.  Chris and Idie Hastings' really run a  world-class joint in B'ham. Classy yet casual, and AMAZING food.  For starters we had an appetizer plate with head cheese, foie gras and pate. Quail with a delectable oyster stuffing followed, along with the creamiest shrimp and grits and a bouillebase. If it is in season, you MUST try the tomato salad. Perfect layers of tomatoes, including a fried green, drizzled with olive oil.

    Another item I love there is the Earl Grey vodka tea. My tea will never be the same.

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    I save 5 stars for rare events.  When Chris Hastings introduced himself to me at the bar because I was the only face he didn't recognize; I knew I couldn't be in New York.  I was surprised to stumble across his book in our puny NJ library.  His story intrigued me, so I checked out his restaurant.  Yep, it's pricey.  But NJ chefs are getting obliterated in this economy and Mr. Hastings had the forsight to operate where he could succeed.

    Go.

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    I'm going to be the contrarian here. I think this is the emperor's new clothes of restaurants. The emperor is not naked, but he's very scantily, if expensively, dressed. It cost more than $75 per person for dinner (one drink each for two people, appetizers, main courses, desserts) and I left hungry.

    This is a very pretty restaurant. The service is all Southern charm and attentiveness. The food was arranged artistically. But dining should be about more than presentation. The portions were minute. Where were the beets in the beet salad? When it says, 'pumpkin puree' on the menu, there should be more than a dribble on the plate. Any chef should be ashamed to send out two dollops of BBQ pork on (cold) arepas and call it a main course ($22). And the slaw should be more than a single shred on top. I felt like a judge on "Next Iron Chef," taking a wee tasting of each dish. Even my drink, Bailey's on the Rocks, was in the smallest rocks glass I've ever seen.

    What we did get to eat, especially the smoked trout soup and the desserts, was delicious. If the portions were more generous, this restaurant would get two more stars.

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    We sat at the kitchen table and loved it. It was so much fun to interact with the chef's, see your food, and talk to other foodies sitting at the bar. We really enjoyed that seat.

    The first time we went was in the summer and the food was spectacular. I was impressed by the use of local and incredibly fresh vegetables. I had THE Hot and hot tomato salad to start. I am not sure if I have ever had a finer thing. I had a great steak for my entree and great doughnuts for dessert. My wife had a wonderful chicken dish with roasted potatoes for her main course.

    The service was spot on. Not pushy. Very helpful. It was also very nice that Hastings was there. I like it when the executive chef actually makes an appearance.

    We returned for a second visit in the winter. The menu literally resembled the weather. Dark and muddled. For a place that relies so much on fresh, it must be difficult in the winter months. We enjoyed our meal though, it was not a spectacular vent like it was in the summer months.

    I love Hot and Hot. It will probably be my last meal in Birmingham granted it is in the summer.

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    I am the 7th reviewer and I am so lucky that I checked Yelp tonight when we landed in BHM.  Yes, the reviews are correct - it IS as good as everyone says.  At 6:20, I called for reservations and told her we would be there in 10 minutes.  By the time we arrived, the place was packed and no more reservations were being taken for that evening (and this is a Tuesday!)

    This place is what Yelp is all about for me: a small, unique, local place with great food and great service without having to pay $100 per person just to feel good about the meal.  Any place that serves their salt and pepper open for the pinching from a sea-shell is a good place for me! :)

    We had fried green tomatoes with crawfish topping and the field greens salad with ham and parmesan for apps.  Dinner was the trio of pork, grilled swordfish and bay scallops (there were three of us).  All were superb and unique.

    Service was attentive, not pushy, and helpful with suggestions.  We were chosing a  $40 bottle of wine and he did not flinch at the fact that we were not looking at the "reserve" list.  (The economy...)

    My final comment here is that if I were in a party of one or two people, I would have no problem sitting at the stools around the kitchen.  The chefs are masterful!

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    The olny reason I give this place 5 stars is that there is not room for 10+ stars. Hot and Hot is the best resturant in Birmingham and maybe in the whole world! Chris Hastings always provides a fresh menu with high end food without appearing to be "trying too hard". This place is the real deal. You can always find Shrimp and Grits on the menu,an outstanding dish. The tomato salad is served seasonally and is a real treat.
    Last week, I had one if the best Grouper entrees ever!
    We always sit at the Chef's counter where we can watch all of the kitchen action. Do not miss the French Pressed coffee after dinner.

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    This is one of my favorite Birmingham restaurants.

    I love the cheese plate, tomato salad (seasonal), chocolate souffle, and I've loved every entree I've had here. They emphasize fresh, seasonal produce from local organic farms, and the menu is always changing.

    For dinner, I like sitting at the chef's counter and watching all the action. The ambience is warm and comfortable, not too stiff or formal.

    Hot and hot is also a great place to grab a drink. There are yummy cocktails at the bar, and you can snack on boiled peanuts or pickled okra.

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  • 0

    One of my top meals ever.*

    Started with a glass of Prosecco and appetizers of:
    a) Corn Bisque with Lump Crabmeat
    b)Hot and Hot Tomato Salad with Apple Smoked Bacon, Fresh Peas, Corn, Fried Okra and Chive Aioli -- The signature "Hot and Hot" tomato salad could have been an entree. It was large. It was terrific. Didn't know how that could be topped until the entree of scallops arrived. Oh my!

    Entrees:
    a) Hot and Hot Shrimp and Grits with Country Ham, Tomatoes, Fresh Thyme and Ver Jus
    b) Pan Seared Day Boat Scallops on Sweet Corn Succotash with Cole Slaw and Cracklin' Cornbread -- unbelievable.

    I am sorry to say we were so full, that we only had a taste of the Peach Cobbler.

    This place is a must. Get your reservation early.

    * Top includes: Citronelle (DC), Bouchon (LV), Upperline (NO), Magnolias and Charleston Grill (Charleston), Bonsoir Clara (Brussels),

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