Chez Fonfon is a quintessential French restaurant adorned with vintage decor that offers a court for the traditional game of boules. Established by Frank Stitt and his wife, Pardis, who serves as the executive chef, the restaurant ensures an authentic taste of French cuisine. Situated in the lively Five Points South neighborhood, this bustling eatery effortlessly evokes the ambiance of Paris, Lyon, or Nice. Explore a variety of French delights such as moules et frites, steak tartare, escargots, sautéed trout, and house-made charcuterie. Pair your meal with an exceptional selection of French wines, and conclude with delectable desserts like coconut cake or strawberries with cream. Serving lunch and dinner Tuesday through Friday, with dinner on Saturdays, Chez Fonfon also offers the opportunity to enjoy a game of boules in the courtyard, enhancing your experience. Catering to various dietary preferences, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, the restaurant also provides gift certificates and complimentary street parking. Chez Fonfon comes highly recommended, particularly for vegetarians.
UNIQUE FACTS:
• Dine in
• Takeout
• Outdoor Seating
• Takes Reservation.
3 Best French Restaurants in Birmingham, AL
Expert recommended Top 3 French Restaurants in Birmingham, Alabama. All of our french cuisine actually face a rigorous 50-Point Inspection, which includes customer reviews, history, complaints, ratings, satisfaction, trust, cost and general excellence.
CHEZ FONFON REVIEWS
Excellent experience at Chez Fonton. I was in town for work and was surprised to see a restaurant so packed on a Wednesday night. I sat at the bar and the service was fantastic. The bartender recommended an excellent port pairing with my dessert and had me try it as well. The burger with the aioli was excellent and so was their chocolate pots de creme. Would highly recommend eating here and I recommend it to everyone I know visiting Birmingham.
Lunch did not disappoint! I had the mushroom soup appetizer, which was served hot (unlike the lukewarm soup in many restaurants) and tasted divine! For lunch I enjoyed the Highlands crab cake, roasted potatoes and haricots. Tastiest crab I've had in years! For dessert, I debated between several options that were too pretty to eat, but opted for the Basque Cake. All in all, exceptional meal and service. Chef Stitt's table side visit was the cherry on top!
Amazing food and service. The appetizers (escargot and chicken liver mousse) were perfect. I wish we would have taken a picture of our entrees but we ate them as soon as they got to the table! My husband ordered the coq au vin which was delicious and I had the mussels which were also incredible. Next time we are definitely getting dessert.
Help others: Click Here to send review or send us your review to reviews@threebestrated.com. Negative and positive review will be used for rating. Make a difference.
Bistro Two Eighteen brings French-inspired bistro cuisine, including specialties like duck confit, within a cozy brick-walled setting, exuding warmth and intimacy. Situated in the heart of Downtown Birmingham's Financial and Theater District, Tom conceived Bistro Two Eighteen with a vision that melds French culinary traditions with the contemporary American bistro concept. Embracing the historical essence of the building, the restaurant showcases an elegant, minimalist interior design. Their menu boasts a range of delectable options, from roasted chicken and stuffed crepes to salad entrees, gumbo, steak with fries, and bread pudding. Providing a refined dining experience in a laid-back ambiance, Bistro Two Eighteen offers a comprehensive bar menu and invites patrons to enter the main dining room through French doors, where they can savor French classics paired with locally sourced craft beers and wines that vary with the seasons. Guests can unwind with a glass of wine or craft cocktail in the upscale, casual bar area. With convenient parking, reservation availability, and wheelchair accessibility, Bistro Two Eighteen caters to diverse dietary preferences, priding itself on its vegetarian-friendly options and a range of vegan and gluten-free offerings. Standout dishes like the Pork Belly Appetizer, Crab Cake, and Duck Confit come highly recommended.
UNIQUE FACTS:
• Dine in
• Takeout
• Takes Reservation.
Specialty:
$Price:
Pommes Frites $11
Duck Rillettes$17
Maryland Style Crab Cakes $22
Oysters Rockefeller $19
House Cured Pork Belly $18
Charred Spanish Octopus$19
Chile Honey Glazed Crispy Brussels $16
Soup and Salad Starts from $15
Specialities Starts from $29
Contact:
Working Hours:
Fri & Sat: 4:30pm - 10pm
Mon & Sun: Closed
TBR® Inspection Report:
BISTRO TWO EIGHTEEN REVIEWS
Absolutely loved this place. We were in town for one night and picked this as our spot. And what a great pick it was! The roasted beet salad really set the stage with the deliciously sourced beets, fresh local arugula, and an amazing strawberry mustard vinaigrette. Following that, my wife had the incredible pan seared gulf red grouper with a perfect mignonette, and I went with the shrimp and vegetable risotto. Hands down the best risotto I’ve ever had. And finally, I’d be leaving out an important feature of the evening if I didn’t mention this wine that the Som helped us to choose. This Fixin Clos Marion was a delightful French pinot, and we haven’t stopped talking about how much we loved it - and how well it complemented these menu choices. This wine really put a bow on the whole dining experience.
Absolutely fabulous! It was our 29th wedding anniversary. We were given a VIP table. A toasting glass of bubbly. And a personal writen not from the chef. The food was exquisitely prepared and presented. Overall, one of the most pleasurable experiences I have had. I would highly recommend them for special occasions and just when you want to treat yourself.
First time here after receiving some great recommendations! Friends were right! This place was fantastic!! Interacted with the hostesses, bartender, gm and our waitress Sarah (Sara, perhaps). Great evening, wonderful food, terrific service!
Help others: Click Here to send review or send us your review to reviews@threebestrated.com. Negative and positive review will be used for rating. Make a difference.
Chez Lulu offers a charming and diverse French café experience, specializing in authentic French bread, tarts, soups, salads, and sandwiches. Their menu showcases simple yet flavorful dishes crafted from fresh ingredients, including standout offerings like Caramel Bourbon Cheesecake, Mediterranean Sampler, Goat in The Orchard, and House Side Salad. A must-try is their Butterflake Rolls, a beloved southern classic introduced by Robert Pickens, a baker from the old Waite's Bakery. This versatile yeast roll dough also forms the basis for their Hot Dog Buns, Hamburger Buns, and Hoagie Rolls. Their 100% whole wheat sandwich bread also promises a hearty and satisfying taste, ideal for toasting. To taste North African cuisine, delve into the exquisite flavors of bulled lamb rolled in soft flatbread, accompanied by a flavorful ratatouille and spicy harissa. Outdoor seating is also available at Chez Lulu, enhancing the delightful dining experience.
UNIQUE FACTS:
• Dine in
• Takeout
• Outdoor Seating
• Curbide Pickup
• Takes Reservation.
Specialty:
$Price:
Pizzas Starts from $18.40
Appetizers Starts from $8.05
Combinations Starts from $10.35
Main Course Starts from $16.10
Salads Starts from $9.20
Cold Drinks Starts from $2.30
Hot Drinks Starts from $2.30
Desserts Starts from $2.88
Contact:
Working Hours:
Mon-Wed: Closed
TBR® Inspection Report:
CHEZ LULU REVIEWS
So delighted to find this little taste of Paris! We got the Smoked Salmon Board, Tarragon Chicken Salad, Garlic soup, and a Madame Lulu cocktail to drink. Everything was outstanding. Quiet and cozy if you get there early, loud and lively if you get there late. Can't wait to tell my friends about this place.
So so so good!! The food was delicious, fresh and high quality. The atmosphere was so cozy and comforting. I was impressed with the quality of the affogato. Highly highly recommend.
I am a very picky eater, but the food here is just 10/10. Very unique authentic atmosphere.
Help others: Click Here to send review or send us your review to reviews@threebestrated.com. Negative and positive review will be used for rating. Make a difference.