I’ll confess that I’m a bit of a picky eater. Not so much so in the foods that I eat because I like a good range of things. But when it comes down to quality, I hate spending money on a meal out I could make better at home.
I love the idea of eating out. I love trying new foods and finding new places. And for me, I truly enjoy spending that time with friends. It makes it the best part. So, when I had the opportunity to grab dinner in Birmingham last week with one of my closest friends, I was thrilled! We are both foodies at heart and she had tons of choices for me to pick from.
Vino, a restaurant found in one of my favorite Mountain Brook nooks, very quickly won over my heart. Unlike many places I’ve been, it’s half food establishment and half art gallery. The gallery side features more of a bar type set up while Vino is a full service restaurant.
You can opt for indoor or outdoor seating. We chose to sit outdoors and enjoy the beautiful weather. One thing to note is that it seemed like there was way more outdoor seating than indoor. I’m not sure how they accommodate that for rainy weather so if you choose to eat there be prepared.
We ate there on a Wednesday around 6pm and were immediately seated. Our waiter was knowledgable of the menu and did a wonderful job making suggestions and working with my million questions.
One thing he recommended was the bang bang cauliflower. I’ve checked both the gallery menu and Vino’s menu and it doesn’t seem to feature on either. But I’d highly recommend it. It’s a flash fried cauliflower with a light coating and a sweet chili sauce. I can’t say enough good things. I will note that I’ve been told some find it too spicy. My spice tolerance isn’t crazy and I didn’t seem to have a problem.
For our actual meals, I ordered a pasta dish and L ordered the kale salad with salmon. I’m not too big on ordering pasta out. It falls in the category of things I can normally make better at home. But I really enjoyed my dish and so did my mom when I brought her the leftovers. I did have to send my plate back originally because I didn’t realize they put cheese on the dish. However, our waiter was truly helpful and made it happen quickly.
Now, if you’ve read all of this and you’re looking for my restaurant break down, I’ve got you covered. Let’s begin.
Who can eat there? With a few adjustments, I think their menu accommodates most. If you’re strictly plant based, the appetizers and salads will be more suited to you. If you indulge in fish or any other meats, there are plenty of options. And if you’re gluten free, there are tons of choices available. But as always, I would make sure you ask about any sauces they use.
What’s the price? I’d say this was a medium priced range restaurant. You’ll pay $8-$10 for appetizers and salads. And meals are $15 or more. We split a bottle of prosecco and it was definitely more cost efficient.
What’s the seating like? Some indoor and some outdoor. But some of the indoor is for the gallery bar and doesn’t have a full food menu.
What’s the parking like? There’s not a lot of designated parking for just the restaurant. But it’s located in a shopping area and there’s lots of random parking around. You may end up having to walk a little bit nothing crazy.
Do they take reservations? Yes, they do but I’m not sure if there are limits.
Can I find the menu online? Yep! You’ll find it right here.
Would I go back? Absolutely. The meal was wonderful and it was a beautiful place to eat dinner. It would be a great place to go and split a bunch of dishes with friends or just grab a drink.
So, if you’re looking for your next spot to try out or need a recommendation for dinner when you pass through town, I’d highly recommend it. It’s the perfect spot for a date night or just to spend time with friends. And if you go, let me know what you think.
