CULTURE
The Birmingham Museum of Art. (205-254-2566) With 180,000 square feet, it's the largest municipal art museum in the South. It houses extensive collections of American, European, Asian, African and contemporary works. Nearly the entire hall of the second floor is devoted to European art from the early Renaissance to the Impressionist period.
FOOD
There's plenty or restaurants in and around the Birmingham area. But here's some of our favorites:
- Highlands Bar & Grill. (205-939-1400) The Grilled Carolina Quail with Black-Eyed Pea Salad ($8.95) epitomizes chef-owner Frank Stitt's commitment to regional ingredients and local palates. So does his Hickory Grilled Duck Breast with Bourbon, Molasses and Dried Fig Sauce on Cheddar Grits ($16.50). Highlands is noisy, trendy and jammed almost every night. But the service and the food are superlative.
- Cafe Bottega. (205-933-2001) The Mediterranean-inspired offerings include pizza, hummus, pasta and salads. Moderately priced.
- Dreamland BBQ (205-933-2133) at 1427 14th Ave. South is known for it's ribs.
MUSIC
The hippest, liveliest strip in Birmingham is 20th Street South, the locus of social life for University of Alabama collegians, Gen Xers and other assorted rock'n'rollers. While the rest of the city sleeps, 20th Street is abuzz with live music and bar hopping. Some of the more popular music clubs are:- Zydeco, (205-933-1032)
- Five Points South Music Hall (205-205-322-2263)
- The Mill (205-939-3001).