FOOD!

So, my hobbies include spending time with my wife and kids, fishing, cars, and cooking. So, as an aspiring chef and author, I have always wanted to share a few "hot spots" with my friends. Let the journey begin.
     Firebirds.
Food is something that should be enjoyed. Time with someone special should feel special. On a weekday I asked my wife to go out with me. I was excited that she said yes until I realized she was leading our church youth group in a fast. She was doing without fried foods. We were to her surprise to do what we have only talked about for years. We were to do a progressive meal. Appetizers at one place, salads and soup at another, main course another, then on to dessert. We would have been to four different places in one evening and had a wonderful experience. However, her favorite appetizer is fried. So, I opted to try Firebirds again.
     We were first introduced by some friends to this place. Living close to Birmingham in Alabama makes a great opportunity to be introduced to a lot of new eateries. The first time I remembered was really nice, but the food I remembered even nicer.
     Our second trip, just last evening, was no disappointment. The food was wonderful. I will break it down for you. If you want a great appetizer, they have them. Crab Cakes, Seared Ahi Tuna, Ranch Battered Onion Rings, and might I add I love the tuna. This particular evening we just went to the main entrees with one exception. If you love salad, you will more than love theirs. I have eaten two salads from this place and both times it has been memorable. Mixed Greens, Tomatoes, Pecans, and their very own dressing lightly dressed as should be, makes a very memorable experience. Let's just say this, "If you love salad, the first time you eat one from Firebirds, no other salad will be the same." So far, the best two salads I have "EVER" eaten were from there. So, add the 4.50 to your entree, or just pay the 7 menu price, but if you like salad, you have to try one while you are there.
     Steaks. Well, they have several fish options which I will definitely try the next time. Rachel took the ribeye and I opted for the Top Sirloin. Their steaks are never the best "we" have eaten, but even after a re-fire on th eribeye we were not disappointed. I must say however, I am not certain hers was a ribeye. She orders medium and when arrivin to the table was rare. Let me say this however, if your waiter/waitress foes not wait at the table while you cut into your steak to make sure you are happy, I will be surprised. The potato side was good enough Rachel was asking me how they cook theirs. So, yes, the Baked Potato option which to me is just too normal, is even abnormal here.
     "The ribeye is a great option. A ribeye has great marbling with fat content which adds to the juiciness and flavor. The top sirloin is very lean, no fat, but very thick at almost two inches and looks like a overgrown fillet. At medium, it is wonderful, especially the well seasoned sides all around the steak which I save for last. The baked Potato is wonderfully creamy, cooked slow and dusted in coarse salt, loaded, or any other way you prefer. The port mushrooms are wonderful with a creamy, tangy, almost like brown gravy, port wine sauce covering button mushrooms and they give you a casserole dish overflowing with them. Mixed green salad, well, words cannot describe it. (See above) The salad is almost perfect, I am waiting to eat that one, but this one so far is the bar-raiser. It has a mix of FRESH greens, tomatoes, pecans, jicama, and the most wonderful dressing that when combined is just simply amazing as a combination. It screams FRESH. Let's just say it is so far, the best. The mixture of it all is a masterpiece." 
     You can check out their menu on their website and I just say to you, if you are at the Galleria in Birmingham, you are close by to some of the most amazing places to eat in Alabama. 
Be blessed, and when it comes to food and service, Expect the best. 
Shane Coppock