First time in and had lunch. Staff was very friendly. The hostess, Mary was very engaging and made you feel right at home. I sat at the bar and Kyle was excellent. Had the B&B tarragon chicken salad with duck bacon and tomato jam. It was a really solid dish. When I see tarragon, I'm a little hesitate, because if it's over done its horrible. This was perfect, the use of the herb really enhanced the sandwich and didn't dominate. I'll definitely be back and recommend.
(4)
Nishy P.
So we went back for brunch and our dishes were really good. I had the smoked salmon Benedict, he had the burger and our child had the kiddie eggs breakfast which she devoured. The service again was top-notch. Do check this place out.
(4)
Amy C.
I wandered in for lunch today and loved it. I had waited a while because was I have my own business, I know that it takes a min to work out the kinks when opening, and I have no life anymore so getting out of the office for lunch is the only way I get to hide, ever. That being said, my lunches being relaxing and well serviced and yummy are important as they are now the only joy I have .. Lol. So let me address a few things that have come up in the negative reviews on this place: 1) I was greeted promptly and kindly by the front podium girl, and the Bartender Kyle. He was informative about the menu, encouraging and patient with my questions, and had a genuine interest in my thoughts on my experience there today. 2) I HATE tomato soup in my very soul.. However, Kyle convinced me to try theirs after telling me a story about him, and a chef, and some other Sh%$t but I was starving and trying not to stab anyone at that point so I said to go for it. I loved it. Now that I am fed I remember Kyles point being: Don't have a good chef cook you something you love..he would have to work really hard to mess that up. The difficulty is when they make you love something you hate.. AKA Tomato Soup. Word, Kyle. 3) The spinach pillows were awesome ( don't know if that is the real name or not ) 4) My soup and appetizer came to $12. Thats not bad for B'ham people.. IDK what these cranky people are talking about.. 5) My service was prompt, polite, and I felt engaged and valued when I left. And the bartender didn't bug me when I wanted to shove my face in my Kindle and ignore everyone. 6) I don't mind paying $5 for Bread when it is fresh.. and honestly, with 80% of B'ham being gluten phobic is it really that big of a deal? Good job Bird & Bread. Unfortunately for you, I will be the little nerd with her Kindle hiding at your bar at lunch a few times a week now.
(4)
Stephanie A.
I was a little skeptical when a friend suggested we ear here. Nothing stood out to me as sounding "delicious", but I'm always up for trying something new and so glad I did. We had a party of 6 and ordered 3 different appetizers; the beets and ricotta (which I was not fond of), the spinach and artichoke wrap (phenom) and the mini brisket sliders (also yummy). For my main course I ordered the rotisserie chicken which was absolutely delicious, and choose mac and cheese as my side.....so good! I read some reviews that the bread basket was nothing special; I'm not really sure what bread those people got, because ours was awesome. It had like 5 different types of bread and the mini cornbread muffins were like little pieces of heaven in my mouth! The owner was so friendly, he even gave us a mini tour :) I highly recommend this place!
(5)
Suzanne L.
I'm afraid despite its cute name and hip vibe, The Bird & The Bread does not deliver the high caliber food that is led to be believed by the description on the menu and the exorbitant prices. My friend and I, dazzled by the promising description of many of the items listed on the menu, decided to try out a number of them. Aside from my entree of grilled salmon, which unfortunately for her, I got separately, nothing was what it seemed. The manchego cheese appetizer was presented beautifully but tasted tart and sour. The ricotta cheese appetizer was hard and flavorless (if I hadn't known better, I would have thought it was brie from the grocery store). The wedge salad was surprisingly my biggest disappointment. A usually universally pleasing salad dish came out as medium quality iceberg lettuce topped with a small handful of yet more flavorless cheese, and then some deep fried potato crisps that seemed best suited to the palette of a stubborn 6-year old who hates salads. Furthermore, there was no relying on the dressing to, well, "dress" up the poorly assembled concoction, because it was as tasteless and sour as the cheese earlier. The waitress was good enough to bring us some sherry vinaigrette, but perhaps she nor anyone working the kitchen failed to notice that it came out chunky. Yes, a chunky vinaigrette if you've ever seen one. Next came the entrees, one of which was fantastic and one which was plain bad. My friend drew the short straw on this one, having to contend with a skirt steak that to the eye was presented beautifully but to the taste buds was meaty and flavorless. It was topped with some kind of marrow butter which did little more then top off a bite of bad heavy meat with an unneeded burst of rich butter. My entree, on the other hand, was great. I had the salmon, cooked rare, which was a gamble I was willing to take in the beginning before I realized the food was not all it was cracked up to be, but which did in fact pay off. The good news ends there though, as my root vegetable and mushroom sides were over-sauced and barely discernible. So in conclusion with the food, I am perplexed that the menu notes everything is made "from scratch" in-house given that most of what we tasted was the furthest thing from fresh and in no way justified the 5-star prices they fetched. That said, there were some other problems, which compared to the poor quality food, seem minor in retrospect. One would be that having a reservation, as we did, only got us seated at a high top table with round bar stools. We asked to sit instead at a nearby empty table with real chairs but were told it was "reserved". Oh. Well not sure why our reservation wasn't considered "reserved" but we figured at least we should be able to get some stools with backs on them so we could relax and enjoy our dinner. No can do, all of the stools with backs were "reserved" for some other future mystery customers as well. To add salt to our wound, the table we initially asked to sit at remained vacant for 3/4 of the time we were even at the restaurant. So why the two star rating? Mostly because of the open floor plan, the spacious bar area, and the excellent wine by the glass selection. My recommendation would therefore be at most to go there for a drink before you go off to a better restaurant to actually eat.
(2)
Grace I.
Went to bird and bread on Friday night. Matt recommended our entire meal and loved all of his recommendations, especially the kale and quinoa salad and the rope sausage. Service was great, loved the atmosphere and food. Fun place to go.
(5)
Amy S.
This was my first time trying out this place. My friend was in town from NY and put me in charge of picking the restaurant. I have several tried and true favorite spots but decided to try this place because I've been wanting to try it. We arrived about 20 minutes prior to our reservation and got seats at the bar right away. The bartender was friendly and promptly served us our wine. The wine did not disappoint. When our table was ready we were seated at a tall two-top with bar stools that did not have backs. I personally prefer chairs with backs and did not even think that would be an issue or I would have requested it at the time of the reservation. We asked to switch tables or else have chairs with backs and were told that wasn't possible because everything else was reserved. Yet there were empty tables everywhere. Ok. We could have just stayed seated at the bar and eaten there then. We asked the server for recommendations as this was our first time eating there. She recommended the beets and ricotta and the salmon, among other things. We started off with the manchego cheese and nuts. Not bad but nothing special, just some sliced cheese and a bowl of nuts. Next, we ordered the beets and ricotta and the wedge salad. We asked if the wedge salad could be split in the kitchen as these are typically hard to cut without everything falling apart. The server seemed skeptical that this request could be accommodated but said she would check. Ultimately they did split the wedge salad on two plates and brought the beets and ricotta on a separate plate for us to split ourselves but there was no room on our plates next to the wedge so we had to then ask for two more plates. No big deal. Then, the dressing. It was very garlicky/oniony/overpowering and seemed odd to be paired with the crumbled blue cheese. We asked what other options there were. A sherry vinaigrette was suggested so we both tried that. Although it was supposed to be a vinaigrette, it was chunky, which was odd. And again the taste was overwhelming. I boxed my salad and ate it with my own dressing when I got home. Then, the main course. I ordered the grilled paddle bone steak with fries and root vegetables. My friend ordered the salmon upon the recommendation of the server. My friend really enjoyed her salmon dish. At first when I got my steak it came without the root vegetables and the server went back and got them. The vegetables were actually delicious. The steak, however, was awful. It was very gamey/meaty tasting and the texture was slimy. It had no seasoning and came with a butter compote on top. I asked if there was any type of sauce for it, thinking that would maybe make it taste better. I was told there really wasn't anything, except maybe some au jus. After being brought the au jus, the table next to us was served the same steak, and I noticed that theirs was drizzled with what looked like some type of zip sauce which is what I had in mind when I asked for sauce. Our bill was around $150 and that did not include the wine at the bar. I left hungry and ended up throwing out my steak the next day.
(2)
Jake M.
Very good food. Nice atmosphere and friendly staff. Our friends and we wanted to try something new, so I suggested The Bird and The Bread. We were not disappointed. Even our friend that is not very adventuresome, loved the food and the experience. We were seated within seconds of our arriving. The menu was not overly ambitious but with many selections to satisfy everyone's needs. My wife had the short ribs and loved them. I had the duck breast, a little tough, but very well presented and tasty. Our friends had the salmon and pork. They were both very satisfied. I would highly recommend.
(4)
Robert M.
Brunch on Sunday was terrific! The barkeep may have been the best part... The meal was stellar and the drinks, well, see above!
(5)
Gray M.
Located at the spacious site where once stood trendy South Bar, The Bird & The Bread boasts a modest -- yet unique -- culinary menu, a substantial beer/wine/spirits selection, and friendly staff. Think of a larger version of Social Kitchen.
(4)
Michael K.
This is a reaturant for food and drinks with friends. It lives up to the reputation solely on the food quality and drink menu. Outstanding. However the loud atmosphere and close quarter seating is not meant for date night.
(3)
Robin S.
Our meal was good service was not. I will return with hopes of a better night. Good food will bring us back! Let's hope service is better next time.
(3)
Candace A.
Love love love! Excellent food and service in a refreshingly cool atmosphere. I really liked how they redesigned the space. I would highly recommend for anytime of day with any group- great for girls night or date night. Can't wait to go back and try more of the menu!
(5)
Josh H.
Tried B&B again, with similar results. The octopus was great, but that was the highlight. Bartender was not rude, just not nice. He was stand-off-ish, and made us feel like we were intruding on his time. Server didn't understand the beer menu. We'll go back because of proximity, but I sure wish they'd step up their game.
(3)
Kirsten G.
Had a terrible lunch experience here today. Was greeted with a hostess wearing a next to nothing dress that my friend and I found very offensive. We had a waitress that was very unenthused and not very knowledgeable of the menu. I started with the fries, which were delicious, and my friend had the lemon orzo soup. The soup was overpowered with lemon and was not appetizing. For our main dish, we both ordered the Ratatouille wraps - it was the most unflavored, mushy wraps we've ever tasted. Not to mention, it took forever for the small sandwiches to come to the table. We both returned our meals and spoke with a manager, who convinced us to try something else on the menu. After both picking salads, we asked for them to go since it had already been an hour there. After receiving our "togo order" we were handed a check WITH THE SALADS on it. I can't believe they'd make us pay for anything with such an awful experience. Would not go back and would not recommend to others.
Great food!! We had the nuts and cheese, octupus and calamari appetizers and shared the lamb rope entree. Plenty of food for two people. Extensive drink menu and staff are very knowledgable on the beer and wine. Great decor good bar seating will definitely come back to the bird and the bread! The owner is lovely and took the time to show us around and explain the concept!
(5)
Lizz H.
Met up with some old friends here and it was wonderful! There is an excellent wine selection. We shared the cheese bread, octopus, and truffle fries and I would recommend them all. I had the carrot and ginger soup and the kale salad, both were great. Everything we ordered was fresh and delicious.
(5)
Scott T.
We went to the Bird & the Bread on a Friday evening. The restaurant has a neat ambiance. We each ordered a drink. I am not sure whether the bartender had a bad night, but both of our drinks were below par. We ordered the octopus appetizer and nuts and cheese. Both were very tasty. We split the lamb sausage entree and it was very good. The reason we are rating the place 3 stars was the drink quality and the service. Our server was not bad, but either had too many tables or was just not interested in making sure we had a good experience.
(3)
Dawn R.
I really wanted to like this place, I live in Birmingham & want to support new & old placed. But not impressed, not so much the food, but the attitude there. Seems like they don't want you to like them. First off we came for happy hour, no happy hour. Second: I ordered the Halibut fish & chips, no halibut, they have sturgeon? what does that taste like? an unusual substitute. What about cod? No help on that. This is a Friday during lent. Only Sturgeon for fish? So I got the chicken, while it tasted good when it arrived, not salty like others posted. What bothered me about the experience was: We had to share a menu (they did not have enough) at the time it was not even crowded. The menu states 2 sides with the chicken, I ordered my 2 sides, he took the order, shortly later he came back & said they no longer were doing 2 sides, I has to pick one. Seriously? Who does that, takes back what the menu says? You are a start up business, I would think you would just give me 2 sides and change the menus you have, being there is only 10 of them, can't be too hard. Now I did not need two sides, and was very full & took half home, but don't come back and say you are no longer going to honor the menu, AFTER you TOOK my order. Too many other good choices that want my business in Birmingham
(3)
Patty H.
My friend & I had lunch and it was fabulous. I had the lobster roll which was amazing (two lobster rolls) with lots of lobster lightly tossed in a sauce & then each roll topped with a small piece of deep fried cod, & fries which were great. My friend has a small appetite & ordered from the kids menu which is one of the best I have seen anywhere. Everyone was friendly, excellent service. I will definitely return!
(5)
Kim W.
Had a delightful bit of supper. Everything was sumptuous. A brilliant small plate of Octo tentacles and the aromas of a freshly braised hen. Gf. Vg. The birdcage is quaint. The patrons are of a decent caliber.
(5)
Leo Y.
Went there with a party of 5. Was looking forward to it as I live a block away and would love a great new restaurant in Birmingham that isn't a fancy steak house. We wanted to try a variety of things. We had pizza,calamari, tomatoe soup, bean salad, a burger, lamb sausage, whole chicken, Mac and cheese, fries, sweet pptatoes and green beans. We also had a number of drinks. The beer selection was great. The cocktails were tasty but didn't seem to have much alcohol in them. The food was disappointing. Too salty. Ridiculously salty. Everything tasted salty. Not enjoyable salty. I've never drank so much water salty. "Free lunch buffet at a strip-club trying to increase beer sales salty . " If you want to go have a pizza and a beer...it's the safe bet. Sorry. I wanted to love it. I checked out the back private room for a wedding rehearsal dinner next year (it can hold 140-150 but it's long and narrow) and before the food arrived I had planned to make another reservation for the weekend for my moms birthday. Plans changed after a few bites. I live a block from here but I'd rather drive to their quality restaurant in An Arbor.
(2)
Lori Z.
Ordered belvedere w/soda water. It came back brown, tasted like cough syrup. Was afraid to send back, but my friend said something to the bartender. She made another. It tasted awful. Not to mention staff was inattentive from the start .
(2)
Sarah H.
Update: management responded promptly to my unfortunate experience, which I appreciate greatly. Says a lot. Looks like I will be giving The Bird and the Bread another try. Good thing because I would have missed the brown sugar cake dearly.
(3)
Corrie L.
Overpriced drinks, terrible service. Maybe worth another try on a less busy evening. Our server completely ignored us, after only ordering an appetizer. When she finally walked up to the table, she said "finished here?" Umm hello? We hadn't had dinner yet, but yes actually, we are done here. And thanks for not noticing our empty beverages.
(2)
Catie D.
When we arrived, two hostesses and what appeared to be the manager were chatting away and I had a reservation for 5, we were all there, and just waited until they looked up from their conversation to greet us. I told them I had a reservation for 5 and they asked if we were all there - I assumed counting would be a priority for a hostess, but we were all there. I believe our waitress was Katie. She was nice enough, but our drinks took 30 minutes. They came out at the same time as the soup. The waitress explained the manager "was on it" so we assumed that meant our drinks would be comped. It didn't mean squat - the bartender brought out a couple of the wines and explained "I had to open all the bottle of wine, sorry for the delay." I know how long it takes me to open a bottle of wine and my job title isn't "Bartender". Come on. The food was good, but $17 for a salad with 5 pieces of lettuce. Needless to say, we will not be back.
(1)
Mike S.
Well, we can't rate the food since we never got a chance to order. Stopped in the afternoon of the Dream Cruise there were three empty tables on the terrace so we asked to be seated there. They said the tables needed bused and it would only be a few minutes which turned into 20 minutes. Once seated we waited almost a have hour to be waited on with no one acknowledging us. There were plenty of waiters and it was not that busy. No one even made eye contact. After wasting almost an hour we left. On the way out I told the owner why we were leaving. She said Oh no. Happens she spent all the time we were there standing at the hostess stand instead of walking around to understand what's really going on. Looked like a nice menu, but will never know. This ones off my list.
(1)
Elle N.
We went for brunch; perhaps lunch and dinner are better. Not impressed at all.The service was terrible, and the food was mediocre at best. Our waiter never came back to check on us after we received our food. We watched another table sit for 15 mins. before anyone even approached them to take a drink order. Mango mimosas were neither mango-ey, nor had much alcohol - at $10 a pop. I didn't receive part of my order, but since my waiter disappeared like the Flash, there was no way to get that corrected. They did comp my meal due to the error, but I would prefer they train their servers better so they don't need to do this. Having said this, the interior of the restaurant is beautiful, and it also has a lovely outdoor seating area. Overall, disappointed and expected better.
(2)
Mary M.
We hosted an outstanding event in The Elm Room on Friday night! After many challenges with another local establishment, I met with owner, Kristin Jonna with only two weeks to spare. She assured me that she could provide a beautiful party in spite of the short notice and she did just that and more! I worked closely with Event Manager, Shelley Drummond, who exceeded my expectations as she delivered on every promise and shared her own creativity and experience to enhance our plans. The room was spectacular and 58 guests easily moved through the space enjoying cocktails, appetizers and a sit down dinner. The wait staff was efficient, friendly and always accommodating. The three menu choices offered were served piping hot and rated as excellent by all of my guests. The ambiance in the event space was unmatched! I am still receiving calls, texts and emails today from guest sharing their absolute enjoyment of the evening. Thank you to the owners John Jonna, his daughter Kristin, Shelley and all who served so graciously on Friday night. We are customers for life and look forward to returning for dinner very soon. Make room for 58 more as I am certain our guests will be back to enjoy the same!
(5)
Lori L.
Loved this place. Came for happy hour with a pretty large (20+) group of coworkers. At times our server (the bartender?) was a bit slow, but I think this will improve with time. The happy hour specials were a good deal, and the bread was DELICIOUS. I loved the ambiance, and the chef let me take some cookbooks home to try out and bring back. I'm excited to go back for lunch/dinner.
(4)
Elyse G.
The issue with this place is the waitress is also the drink person, bus boy and food server. That is a recipe for disaster.
(3)
Miriam I.
A new addition to the Birmingham restaurant scene. Bird and the Bread bills itself as family-friendly dining, which we question (unless your kids are very sophisticated diners). Impressive roster of beers - both on tap and bottled. We should have learned by now that when you have to ask for an item such as bread, there will be a charge. So it was here, with the $5.00 bread basket. No refills offered, and we were afraid to ask. Service was unbelievably slow: we were in there for nearly 2 hours, much longer than this type of meal should have taken. We commented to the manager who came around to check on us that we were bothered by the long delay, and mentioned that if they were going to keep people waiting so long for their food , they should at least throw in the bread basket for free. She offered to take care of it for us, and then never did. We started by sharing a salad, the "greens and grains." It came swimming in dressing. Diners beware: better be sure to order your dressing on the side. After keeping us waiting for an unacceptably long time before bringing the food, the salad got whisked away before we even had a chance to finish it. To top it off , the busboy, in his rush to remove the salad, dropped the silverware on my co-diner's lap, with nary an apology. And then we sat for 20 to 30 minutes before our entree arrived. So what was the hurry? I had the lamb sausage , which was billed as accompanied by onions and mushrooms. The lamb was quite tasty, as were the oven -browned potatoes. Never did find the mushrooms. Co-diner had the hamburger, which was the latest in a series of high-priced burgers to hit Birmingham. This one was $17, with nothing that would distinguish it or justify the price: neither Kobe, Piedmont, nor any particular notable aspect. Just a burger. For $17. If you are thinking of dining at Bird and the Bread before catching a movie at the Birmingham 8 Theater across the street, you may want to re - think that plan, or at least select a later show time, due to the slow service. No criticism of our server, who was friendly, helpful , and did his best.
(3)
Melody F.
First time at the "bird and the Bread" and the last time. Food is very bland nothing remarkable about the food or place at all. Wait for food was long, even though the place was empty. The pizza my boyfriend ate was very salty, and my salmon was under cooked , tasted like sushi. I had to send it back to the kitchen. Was overall a disappointing experience.
(1)
Tea C.
I came here for a work luncheon and we were seated in the wine barrel room - oddly designed. They were trying to be eclectic and failed. The menu is super limited. Nice staff but scattered. I ordered the lamb sandwich, which was good, but it came with nothing - some seasoned curly fries would have gone well with it. I won't go back - far too expensive to be worth it. And the name of the restaurant leaves a lot to be desired.
(2)
Jennie E.
Loved the ambience and theme of this restaurant. They had a great menu selection and my parents and I all found multiple items to try and really enjoyed our meals, and we have quite an eclectic palette between the three of us. I couldn't sample the pizza, but it looked great. I also appreciated the staffs' knowledge and accommodation of my gluten allergy. The apple cabbage salad is to die for and I also really enjoyed the lamb rope sausage and mussels that I tried. I'm looking forward to their brunch menu and taking advantage of their patio this summer!
(4)
Stephanie T.
Amazing, diverse menu. Really good drink specials too. Heard they have live entertainment on Thursdays. Definitely going back for that!
(5)
michael l.
I love this restaurant. Made me feel like I was dining in New York or Chicago. Deep beer and wine selection. Wonderful Octopus and squid appetizer. Beautiful salads, soups and pizza. Really fun atmosphere. Informed wait staff. A sign of the growing sophistication of restaurants in southeast Michigan. The Jonna family taught this town how to eat and drink. Now they bring it all to a vibrant restaurant. Had dinner for the first time there last night and will be back this week for more
(5)
Judy W.
I highly recommend THE BIRD & THE BREAD to family and friends. We had a wonderful experience with attentive, friendly staff, spoke at length with the knowledgable, enthusiastic sommelier: Kristin J. We loved the fine food, music and fresh atmosphere. Can't wait to go back. I almost never order chicken out, but OH, this chicken dish was GOOD! Judy Williams
(5)
Mim M.
the only positive thing about my experience here was the Bird entree (i guess it does live up to its name) - very juicy and tender chicken. everything else -- from the charcuterie plate to the vegetarian pizza, which tasted like vomit to some extent, to the slow service, to our waitress -- was not good. inside decor of the place is nice though. apparently they are related to vinology and vinotecca, which makes sense, as i also did not like their pizzas there.
(2)
Suzy J.
This is my new favorite lunch spot in Birmingham! A sunny afternoon on the patio cannot be topped. Creative salad entrees plus a fabulous wine selection and great service. Waive to me when you walk by!
(5)
m. f.
Went with the Mrs for Sunday evening dinner. Nice draft beer list... Mix of micros and good imports. We ordered the tom and onion/mushroom soups. Both were really good and almost too hot. Bread came late. Spotty service really should have been better. Also ordered the burger, which I thought was very good. Wife proclaimed it was the best burger ever, but I think that was the salad talking. Decor kind of neat... They did what they could with the old South night club look. Overall really enjoyed it. Great date spot if they can get the service as good as the food.
(4)
B R.
We ate at the bar. Good beer choices. Good service. We ate a burger and mussels. All good. Can't wait for warm weather when their patio opens !
(4)
Sarah B.
Ate dinner here last week and was very pleased with the experience!! Food was delicious! Atmosphere was cool and fun! I recommend this for people who are looking for a new restaurant in downtown birmingham!
(5)
Jan B.
I was really disappointed. I had the greatly recommended 'bird'- over cooked and dry and not that tasty. My husband liked the short rib sliders alright. 3 glasses of wine. No dessert, no appetizer. $160.00. Not very tasty, and certainly not worth $160!
(1)
Kristen F.
Great ambiance and amazing food and cocktails. Ordered the 16 hour beef brisket sliders- HOLY. COW. Will come here repeatedly just for those. I enjoyed the half portion of the rotisserie chicken and it was SO much food- I can't even imagine ordering the full! For $13, I thought it was a great meal. The rest of the menu is definitely at a Birmingham price point- but that was to be expected. My friend had the sea scallops and they were excellent. They have a pretty impressive craft beer menu, and their cocktail menu was very innovative. I can't remember the name, but they have a cocktail with vodka, coconut milk, ginger beer... SO good. Our server was great and very entertaining. They miss a star because being new, they are still working out the kinks. Plenty of tables open when we walked in but the hostess disappeared for several minutes to go find silverware while we stood at the entry waiting to be seated. While our server was great, they could probably step it up just slightly in that department. However, I will be back and I am looking forward to exploring the menu even further.
(4)
Abbey D.
I have now eaten here twice. Once for a business lunch and then for a family dinner(31/2 yr old & infant). Both times the wait staff and management were very welcoming, helpful and timely. The lunch was great and perfect for a meeting as the menu provided several topics to discuss and the atmosphere was not too loud or quiet for business discussions. In terms of dinner with the fam it was great. I noticed they tend to put the families in the back of the restaurant which is great as it's by the pizza ovens and prep station which are gorgeous...my son can't wait to be able to sit at the stools and eat dinner watching them make pizza. The kids menu is not your ordinary chicken tenders and $8 Kraft Mac and Cheese which I love. To top it off they serve each kids meal with a side of fruit salad that was gorgeous! Star fruit, watermelon, berries - not applesauce! Thank you for caring for our kids and giving them a fun experience!! As for our dinners my husband and I both truly enjoyed them. He got the Lamb Rope Sausage which had grilled onions on it...usually that would be a huge issue but he loved them. I had the Ratatouille Strata which was excellent. I'm not a vegetarian but I loved it and have to expect a vegetarian would really appreciate the option. Can't wait to go back!!
(5)
P W.
Good first...great location in downtown Birmingham. Very nice interior--great decor. The beer sampler is a nice idea and worked really well. The selection of wines, beers and drinks is terrific. The fish and chips was a B+ so that's pretty good. The waitress was enthusiastic. Now the not so good...it was loud and hard to hear. Not a big deal unless you are going to talk. The service was mediocre. It took us over 15 mins to get our first drink when it wasn't even crowded! :-( My food was almost cold when it arrived. I asked for it to be reheated. Our waitress was very gracious but it took another 15 minutes to heat it up! By the time it arrived, my husband had finished and so i just had it boxed. It also wasn't very good unfortunately! One oddity is that they give you a board with various menus which can be a tad confusing (they aren't well labeled on the outside and are a bit cumbersome). I'm so sad because it seems like a family run restaurant and I wanted to like it! It was our 20th wedding anniversary and we wanted to try something new. :-( I might go back for lunch to give it another go, but very disappointed!!
(1)
Jeri M.
My experience at The Bird and the Bread was on a friends and family night with a limited menu. They have a wide variety of craft beers so we did several beer flights. The wine selection is one of the best and reasonably priced so we had a carafe of wine. Even with a limited menu we still had many choices. We opted to try some of the "munch" items...Beets & Ricotta (the ricotta was smooth and creamy), Frites & Sauce (my favorite - the sauce was amazing) and Brisket & Brioche (they have elevated the slider!). Each dish was full of flavor and prepared just right. For our main course we had Scottish Salmon and Michigan Lamb Shank - both were excellent choices. We were too full for dessert but I'll save room next time. I look forward to going back now that they are open with a full menu. The environment is open and warm with rustic and industrial details. A wonderful dining experience and great addition to the restaurants in Birmingham.
(5)
Ann W.
While the large and relatively empty patio was oh-so inviting, the simmering heat made dining inside imperative. Indoors, a huge bar dominates the space and wine racks line up on one side of the room. Cute knick knacks sit atop the rack for a nostalgic touch. With bread as part of the restaurant name, I was anticipating a lovely selection on the brunch menu, which there was. For an indulgence, we went with the pastry basket which was filled with an assortment of mini croissants (butter and almond), scones (chocolate) and muffins (carrot). Homemade marmalade and raspberry jam was available, as well as an abundance of fresh berries and melons. I had the delicious Primavera omelette, served with multigrain toast and fingerling potatoes. The omelette featured a medley of thinly sliced eggplant, zucchini, and summer squash and flavored with sun-dried tomato-based tapenade. Service was lovely. Our food and drinks appeared quickly and the entire staff was friendly and attentive.
(4)
Angela L.
9/11/15: UPDATE: I went back for lunch today as I was across the street getting photos taken. I had my 3 yr old daughter AND my Leader Dog for the Blind In training puppy with me, I was somewhat worried they would not allow me in with the pup but the manager was beyond pleasant and let us in. My daughter loved the mini burgers and I had the fried chicken sandwich. The waitress, Jessica, was super nice and very accommodating with my demanding 3 yr old ( pickles, extra cucumbers....she knows what she wants). This place has earned my business for great food and wonderful service. Only disappointment: I couldn't get their Mac and Cheese at lunch!!!
(5)
Kelly K.
I adore this place for their patio overlooking downtown Birmingham. It's the perfect place for happy hour. They have drink & appetizer specials; sliders and fries are the best, but also try the pizza of the day. I've also visited in the evening for a drink and dessert on the patio; the cobbler is amazing!
(4)
Alyssa K.
pretty disappointing dinner experience on a Tue evening consisting of unenthusiastic and lukewarm service, very sadly cooked Octopus/calamari(it was all mushy, not crispy on the outside chewy on the inside), and badly timed chicken which actually tasted pretty good but took an additional 15 min to come out after we had finished everything else. You'd think someone could've at least stopped by to check on us during this long lull and let us know that it was taking a little longer than expected. The best thing about this place was the cornbread muffin but thats hardly a reason to visit a restaurant for dinner.
(2)
Gina D.
Came here for dinner about 6 pm on a Friday night, and we were seated in the patio. Our waitress came over and described the specials of the day, and she did such a good job, my mouth was actually watering afterwards. I decided I had to try the duck soup of the day with escarole and onion. I also decided to order the tomato/basil/mozzarella/olive/cucumber salad special of the day with chicken added. My husband ordered a cup of their tomato basil soup and spicy greens salad with goat cheese, and roasted red grapes, with chicken added. We both enjoyed our soup. When the salads arrived, it appears we only received 1/2 order of the chicken. My salad was brought out without olives. The waitress promptly took care of these issues. The salads were very good. The only disappointment was that the chicken was dry, and not very juicy or tender. I ended my meal with a cappuccino, which was very well done. Creamy and just the right amount of froth.
(4)
Tony H.
I really hate when a place has decent food but the service makes me give it a low rating. It took forever for a waiter to acknowledge our presence, then we ended up with two, maybe three different people helping us (depending on if you count the nice hostess who was picking up the slack of the waiters). There were only 4 couples total in the restaurant, so it wasn't even busy. We waited at least another 15 minutes to place our order. We were informed the kitchen would be closing soon so we felt rushed. The food came out after some time. The apps were good but the fries are ridiculously over salted. In fact, we sent them back. The waiter did not communicate that the kitchen had closed and it was going to be another 15 minutes before they could heat up the fryer and make some more. Basically the fries came out with dessert. The meal was decent but again too salty (we had chicken). The desserts were great, but not worth the poor customer service or price tag to experience.
(2)
Rozalina B.
My boyfriend brought me here for a birthday brunch and the employees at Bird & the Bread were so sweet and helpful, and really made our day so much better! I'm obsessed with the buttermilk biscuits with gravy, so soft and savory. The lamb sausage omelette was very tasty. They serve quality Lavazza coffee here- get a cappuccino! It's pretty on the inside, too. I really look forward to coming back here.
(5)
Lauren H.
I stumbled upon this place and grabbed some after dinner drinks at the bar on a week night. Plus if you check in on yelp right now they offer 50% off a draft! I really enjoyed the atmosphere and looking at the menu and reading reviews makes me want to try their food! The waiter was really nice and accommodating and they had a ton of delicious beers on tap! Ambiance was really nice and chill. They had a wall of bookshelves that looked like a nice old fashioned library with a wall ladder. The bar was kind of curved in the middle of the restaurant and was large enough for a good number of people to actually have a seat. There was an interesting looking private room that looks like it would be a nice place for a large group or private party to be hosted! Can't wait to try the food, I'll update when I do!
(4)
Cristina M.
Had this restaurant bookmarked for some time. Came for dinner on a Tuesday and was seating right away. It was a nice day so we sat in the outdoor area. We ordered the truffle fries and a Spanish Chorrizo soup as our appetizers. The fries were okay. Have had better truffle. The soup was one of their specials and it was very flavorful and rich. For dinner my husband ordered this lamb entree that came with beans. I tried the lamb and it was so soft and delicious. My friend decided to order a seafood pot that came with all kinds of goodies. She was pleased and filled I ordered the salad of the day which came with dried cherries and it was fresh and tasty. To top it off we got the chocolate lava cake and that did it for me. The BEST!!!! I would definitely come back just for that dessert.
(4)
Jon L.
Went here for dinner around 6pm on a Friday, got sat right away in the outdoor patio area. We had the mussels and octopus as appetizers. Octopus was very good, but mussels a little on the small side (but sauce was excellent). For my entree I had the grilled quail with cous cous. I would order it again. Service was very attentive, to the point of almost coming to the table too frequently to clear it before we were done eating. Overall, a good spot that I'll likely return to.
(4)
Kelly O.
I'd call this slightly above average. I'd like to give it a 3.5, however I didn't find it to be deserving of a 4. It was a Friday night and I met a girlfriend for dinner. It was busy, but they take reservations and we were promptly seated. My first feeling was a little bit of uncomfortableness due to the table layout. We were right next to the door and it didn't feel private. The other table were close together, too, and you could easily hear other people & vice versa. Food was okay. I ordered the gnocchi with pesto and added shrimp to that. The shrimp were very tough and the gnocchi was okay. We split a flourless ding dong, which was pretty good. Our waiter was pretty great, but towards the end he kind of disappeared. For the prices, I would expect a little better. I'm starting to notice a Birmingham trend... Let's jack up the price, but not really offer anything special... Let alone good customer service!
(3)
Patty L.
Service was terrible. We waited over 35 minutes to get our food during their happy hour because the waitress had left without telling anyone. So our food say waiting. We also witnessed the hostess filing her nails. The manager did acknowledge the wait and compensated us for the disservice...that was appreciated. There was also a waiter who was picking up the slack for his fellow workers. He even cleaned up after a bartender had dropped a glass after it stood there for 5-10 minutes. Food was ok. Fries were really good.
(2)
Tom S.
To be fair I let this review percolate overnight. With so many good restaurants in Birmingham, the question about The Bird and the Bread is : WHY?? It is actually much more a bar that serves some food than a real restaurant. I ordered the "Signature Dish," the Bird, which is marketed as grilled. When it arrived floating in a sea of broth, you can imagine my surprise. Turns out it's grilled in the morning and then put in the oven in a pan of broth to finish it. Not exactly what I call grilled. So the restaurants self- proclaimed "Signature Dish" is a sham in my opinion. Still it took forever to get that and a pizza out of the kitchen. My wife couldn't finish her pizza , so asked to have it wrapped. Nope. It disappeard never to be seen again. The perfect storm of very marginal food and very slow, confused service. Don't go, unless you are 25 ish and want to hang on the deck in front to drink.
(2)
Mike A.
I dined here for the first time as part of the Free Press Top Ten take over. A set menu was offered for the event. The food was great on its own, but the added experience of having the owners speak briefly on the menu and come around from table to table explain the intricacies of each dish really made the evening. From the chicken liver mousse (The Bird) and the delicately homemade biscuits (The Bread) to the 3 day marinated octupus, the spagaghetti that was hand made and extruded through a chitarra (similar to the bridge of a guitar that holds the strings) to the 48 hour short rib, everything was deliciously delightful. I will definitely be back here for a regularl dining experience. I hope it holds up to this event.
(5)
alina K.
The service, amazing! Our waiter Andrew was so well mannered and catered to all of our needs. Food, great. 2 thumbs up.
(5)
Linda S.
It was my second time at The Bird and the Bread, and also my second time writing a review on Yelp, and I think this place deserves it. Me and my husband stopped there around 7:30. When we walked in we realized that they were busy, their bar seemed to have a big crowd of people drinking and mingling with each other, and the dinning room was busy too. For a moment there we hesitated and debated if we should go in, usually in busy places like this it takes a while to get service. We decided to give it a shot and we made the right choice. We had an amazing dinning experience. The food and the service were excellent. Our meals were uniquely delicious. Our server was very friendly and attentive. These folks rock. During our dinner the floor manager stopped to check on us and make sure that everything was up to our expectations. Sorry did not get her name, but she had a little cute accent. Overall we had a great time and it seems to get better every time we go there. I love The Bird and The bread, they have great food and great service. We will be back soon, keep up the good work.
(5)
Doreen M.
Great service, and on a busy Saturday eve, too. The duck was amazing! My co-diner had stale bread with her bruschetta but it was quickly replaced with fresh bread. A bee buzzing around our table (on the patio) was dealt with several times by different waitstaff with no real success other than us all having a laugh over it. Patio seating is just like that. Sometimes there are bugs and it was actually kind of funny. The manager stopped by and chatted with us. She, and all the staff we encountered - hostesses, server, and other waitstaff, were genuinely friendly and non-snooty. The crowd is pretty froufrou, so if you don't like seeing the ritzy B'ham folk marching around in their wedge heels you might not like this place. It's that casual/upscale vibe and it's expensive, so don't kid yourself. The patio area was loud, but again, it was Saturday night. But as a non-froufrou I loved it. Only thing that will keep me away is knowing I can't really afford it. Will save it for another special occasion.
(5)
Alex P.
This place opened up FAST! Great to see a new buzzing restaurant open in the otherwise empty space. Came in without a reservation on a Tuesday night. We were one of four tables so we had our choice of seating. Opted for a view of the kitchen near the rear of the restaurant. Got super awesome service as the place was pretty empty for a week night and there were plenty of servers. We shared the tomato basil soup, peas and carrots salad and meat/potatoes pizza. Great selection of the menu and plenty to share and take home. Love the vibe at this place. Neat private room - will keep in mind for a cool dinner party spot with friends. Will def. be back to check out the awesome beer/wine list and to explore the menu some more.
(4)
Courtney A.
I recently moved to Michigan last year and this has quickly become one of my favorite (if not my favorite) places. I love the interior decor, but more importantly - their food is wonderful! Some of my favorites are the beets & goat cheese, kale salad and Salmon dinner. The Salmon is probably my favorite Salmon dish I've ever had in a restaurant. Everything I've had here is always packed with flavor and is very, very fresh. This past weekend we had family in from out of town to visit & decided to take them here for Easter Brunch. The menu was great and our service was wonderful. The manager even took the time to show us the event space in the back and really made us feel welcomed. Definitely a must in my book! :)
(5)
William C.
The patio on a nice Summer afternoon is a fantastic place for some cocktails and tasty smart food. the Grilled octopus and calamari was cooked perfectly and the sauce was delicious We also really enjoyed the very fflavorful and crispy Diavolo pizza nice wine list Service was attentive and knowledgable a nice low key destination in an otherwise uptight downtown
(5)
Joe B.
It's been awhile since I've been back to TB&TB but I felt it time to make my return and what I found was pleasantly surprising. Genevieve was our server...if you haven't had the pleasure hopefully you'll have the good fortune soon. She was bubbly and quick witted but friendly and helpful all the way through the night. We started with some Blanton's Bourbon....I'm not sure about you but this is one of those defining treats I've come to appreciate from venues that actually, 1. Know what Blanton's is and, 2. Offer it in their bar. Onto the food though. I saw that they had potato leek soup on the menu and knowing how good a great one can be I had to try theirs. It was a solid vichyssoise but served hot and very nice, especially on a cold night like on this particular evening. Next to arrive their beet salad with homemade ricotta. This dish should be illegal it's so damn good!!! Fresh local beets and their own ricotta that was so smooth and rich it should be considered an aphrodisiac. Order this and share it, or don't...you'll thank me. For the entrees, my guest had the Short Rib sliders, which were also nice but not amazing. The meat was tender and the sauce dolloped on top of the apple slaw was light but not plentiful enough to cut through the buttery bun and the unctuous short rib. Something extra along with the sliders would've made this dish. I had ordered one of the following from Genevieve to bring unbeknownst to me: A) Their "Bird" rotisserie chicken, which was a little too salty the first and only time I'd had it before...but I wanted to try it again. B) Their potpie of the day, which she warned they may have already 86ed from lunch, but she highly recommended it and told me that she was bringing that out if it was still available, or... C) Their Asiago Gnocchi. She came out with a nice bowl of gnocchi in a pesto cream sauce and I was ecstatic until I took my first bite of the gnocchi...then I just totally blissed out on what was THE BEST GNOCCHI I'VE EVER HAD! I shit you not. Now, I've had good gnocchi before. I've made potato gnocchi from scratch. I've even had gnocchi made from someone's great grandmother's recipe, that was smuggled across the ocean, from the old country, on the Titanic, in her pantaloons....but I've never had gnocchi this good, ever. I had to ask Genevieve to tell me their secret. Their housemade ricotta folded and whipped into the potato mixture to lighten it into soft delicate pillows is what makes these ethereal. The sauce was fantastic but the texture of the pasta was A-mazing. This was one of the better meals I've had in Birmingham to date, and I'm glad I got to update my review from a 4 to a 5. I'll be back for the food and the service and the atmosphere because this place has just a warm sense about itself and it's pleasant all around.
(5)
Lee B.
Honestly location is perfect as is the ambiance. Their prices reflect the amount of rent they must pay for such a prime spot however it doesn't warrant for the mediocre food that is served. Service is again mediocre at best. I won't hurry back
(4)
Scott L.
Nice spot! Everything we had was great! Roughly 8 guests in our party and everyone was happy. Very unique food. Great beer and wine selection. Wish I were a little closer...I would be there all the time.
My first time here I came again lunch happy hour time 3-6 T- F well serving staff must have been going through a transition because everyone seems a little confused and unsure about the menu options and the prices. When I came in they said it was half off pizza and sliders for happy hour. Cool! I got the salmon sliders with fresh cut seasoned fries (quite tastey!) Sliders were soo yummy nice and lightly breaded and moist well seasoned with tasty house made aioli and red onion. I need more of these in my life! I will return to try other menu options that sound good. Everything is prepared in house and fresh an added bonus.
(4)
Deborah E.
This restaurant was a great find. I ate a late lunch there, and we sat outdoors. The service was perfect. The food was amazing. Finally an interesting salad in Detroit metro area. I had a shiitake mushroom salad and a quinoa kale salad both shared with my friend. The fried garbanzo beans in the mushroom salad are something I am still craving! The menu looks diverse and there is something there for even traditional food people. But I love the creativity of the menu. Well executed venue.
(4)
Nick M.
I was debating between two and three stars, for various reasons. Let me explain... My girlfriend and I went out for a friend's birthday party. The stars for this place started treading downward very fast in my Yelp-fueled mind ... we showed about 10-15 minutes early and sat at the bar for a quick drink. What do you know, there were three bartenders on a Friday night and NOT ONE acknowledged our existence. Anyone who is not Stevie Wonder would have seen us sitting there, without any beverages, and waiting for someone to greet us. Nope, the bartenders just joked around with one another and stood on the other side of the bar. Maybe they don't like tips? Then everyone showed up and we got a long table. The waiter seemed lackadaisical, like he was half high/half didn't care/half tired. For a table of about 10, it took over 30 minutes JUST TO GET DRINKS. (At that point my GF and I had waited over an hour to drink anything booze-related.) Then, another half hour after our drinks came out, so did our food. Yay... The funny part is that the place is called "The Bird and the Bread," yet no bread is served. When someone asked about bread, the waiter said we had to order it. Yeah, no thanks. Would have probably taken another hour. I started with a Caesar salad that basically comes as half a head of romaine lettuce. In trying to be fancy and sophisticated, it was hard to eat and doused in dressing. Nothing special, especially for $9. I got the Diavolo pizza, which was six slices and I actually ate the whole thing in that sitting (yeah, I was pretty hungry). The pizza is on the spicier side because of the peppers in it. It also comes with three-cheese blend and prosciutto, which is one of the best meats anywhere. It was pretty good overall. Not the best but certainly not the worst. Was the best thing on the menu for the price, too. This place, like many other places in Birmingham, has a pretentious vibe to it. I'm not sure why it took so long to get our drinks, or why we weren't even acknowledged as human beings at the bar, or why it took another 20 minutes post-meals to get the bills -- it seemed like a restaurant predicated on crappy service and obscene prices (I paid $10 for one beer). I heard of it and wanted to give it a try, which I did. But will I ever go back? That seems like a long shot, to say the least.
(2)
Khadija K.
I'm a huge fan of Sunday brunches and restaurants that know how to serve it properly. I've only ever been to TB&TB on Sundays, and it has become one of my favorite brunch spots in the 248, for both the food and the cozy inside. I've tried the shrimp and grits Benedict, the salmon sliders, the honey challah french toast, primavera vegetable, and simple cheese pizza. Every single option was absolutely delicious. Best of all, however, was the apple dessert. I highly recommend it! My only real complaint is that the menu was far too small. I know many restaurants in Birmingham don't have the most extensive menus, but I would appreciate eating here far more if there were a few more options.
(4)
Aaron K.
They have an okay menu. It takes a little while to get service sometimes. The out door patio and the drink menu is why you really come here. If you're looking for an after work drink or a place to enjoy the summer weather this might be a good bet. If you're in a rush and at lunch. Then don't come here. If you have a problem though and you voice it, they will fix it in a moments notice. Their chicken salad sandwich is probably the best one I have had. Ever! Give this place a shot.
(3)
Barbara P.
We chose this restaurant for our special birthday celebration because it was highly recommended by the Detroit Free Press. There are five of us who have birthdays within a two month period and we celebrate annually with a special meal. This one was a disappointment. My husband wanted the rib-eye steak which was the evening's special. It was a 14 ounce steak and was priced at $40.00. Since it was so large he decided to share it with another member of our party. The steak was mostly fat. When he pointed this out to the manager, another steak was promptly served. Unfortunately this one was also most fat. It was not edible. It was served with fries which were good. We were not charged for the steak after the second fiasco. The staff did apologize. The service was spotty. One member of our party ordered a pizza and was served a full ten minutes past the time the rest of us were served. We were not informed of the delay and in fact thought that the order had not been submitted. The $14.00 pizza looked appetizing but was not crisp. My salmon was very good and was attractively plated and served at my request with roasted potatoes which were also good. However, the salmon was priced at $28.00 and did not include anything but bread. The last member of our party had a hamburger which was good. We were disappointed and will not be returning.
(2)
Kim L.
I thought our experience and food here was good, but not a great dining experience. The menu offers a variety of choices, but nothing terribly interesting or different. We were seated promptly just inside the door, not my favorite choice of seating, but ok. The noise level is a bit loud in there because of the high ceilings, so there's a continuous cacophony of people talking which means you need to raise your own voice to converse which I'm sure adds to the noise level. I ordered a Malbec ( $12), my son got a stout. Both were very good. We started with the charcuterie plate ($19) which had 2 cheeses, 3 meats, hard bread slices, and some pickled veggies. We enjoyed all of the offerings. I ordered the duck dish ($30) my son got the lamb shank ($28). I thought my dish was good, but not complex, and there was still a lot of fat on the duck pieces which meant I found myself chewing on fat and trying to figure out how to dispose of it. (nuf said). The leg ballotine was better then the breast. I thought the zucchini pierogi was good. My son thought his lamb tasted more like beef and was disappointed it didn't have a more lamb / gamey flavor. The side of snap peas was pretty blase. We asked for the baquette that comes with the entrees, but realized late in our meal that our waitress had never brought it. Our waitress disappeared for quite a while later in the meal and we had to flag down our hostess to get our check. For the prices it should be better. If I'm going to spend $100+ for 2 for a meal, I want it to be more interesting and taste a bit better.
(3)
Robert K.
I've heard a lot about this place and had to give it a try and I have to say I am very disappointed. I'll start with the positive(s): the atmosphere / decor. My list ends there. Well, we were seated promptly, so I guess we can put that in the plus column. I started with a cocktail, their version of a gin fizz, which was pretty good but definitely not what I was expecting and was served in the wrong kind of glass for the cocktail. For dinner we decided to try 'The bird', a rotisserie chicken that they are known for. It was decent, but at $30, I really didn't find myself that much more wowed over the chicken than I would be with a wal-mart chicken that I took home and doctored up. On the menu it states that 'complimentary baguettes are available upon request", so we decided to order that as well so we would have a chance to try the bread. After a few reminders the waiter finally brought it. It was as good as you would expect for restaurant made bread. When the bill eventually came we saw we were charged $4 for this "complimentary" baguette. When we inquired about this charge we were told by the waiter that we had to specifically request the complimentary baguette "because the chef was very finicky". What? The waiter ended up getting this charged removed, but this is a ridiculous policy. Also, at what restaurant is the chef concerned about things like this? Take a baguette, put it on a plate with some butter, end of task. Move on. In fact, this is an expediter's task. Seeing as there is no bread basket and your restaurant is called "The Bird & The Bread", this is really a no-brainer. Come on guys, you gotta do better than this. If you are looking for a really nice atmosphere at the cost of disappointing service and mediocre food that costs about 40% more than it should, then this is the place for you.
(2)
David A.
I am more of a burgers and fries type of guy myself, but my wife wanted to go here, so off we went. My wife ordered the signature dish which she thought was "diet friendly" it was not, she was angry, I got kind of plastered which my wife didn't like, but the drinks were much better than the duck, or bird, or whatever they called it. My wife said we are never going back :)
(3)
Derek D.
We held a surprise birthday for my sister's 30th this past Saturday and rented out the back room with a full cash bar, food, desserts, and a karaoke DJ. It was a great idea. Fifty of our closest friends enjoyed a night of acceptable humiliation, questionable vocals, and fun. The staff and service was first class, and the venue could not have been more perfect in terms of layout and location. I have had dinner here before on several occassions, and the food is excellent. If you enjoy wine, ask if John the owner is in and he will be happy to match your palate with a complimenting wine of choice. The staff is friendly, the food is great, and the atmosphere is great for any type of occasion - from a simple dinner for two or an elaborate party for 100+ in the back. Enjoy!
(5)
Mike M.
Pro: The food was really good. We started with the cheese bread with creamy dill dip, which was very tasty. We had the Scottish Salmon and the seared sea scallops. Both were excellent and we'd recommend both if you opt to eat here. The wait staff was very friendly and helpful. Con: Could do with a few less tables. The tables in the front are so close together, it was as if we were sitting at the same table with strangers. It was also difficult to get to our seats without bumping into other as they ate. The cramming of the tables also made it difficult for our server to get through with our food. Overall: It would be difficult for me to recommend eating here without mentioning the problem with the excess tables to my friends. I realize you need to maximize space to accommodate as many customers as possible, but it really ruins the atmosphere. I expected a little more from a restaurant in downtown Birmingham.
(3)
Bojan B.
They have good location and nice outdoor seating. Went there on Sunday and I was disappointed with their menu as it was just 7-8 options till 4PM. I asked for something else which was rejected. My post has 4 stars just because the burger I had was so good, I really cannot remember eating such fresh meat recently. Overall, they should work on offering more things for brunch.
I came back here with my family for an early dinner on Mother's Day and everyone, including my 91-year old grandmother was so impressed by the food. We sat out on the large patio and it was a wonderful setting. We had not ordered the bread basket (it is $5) but one was delivered to us on accident. The bread is all house made and delicious, paying for a bread basket is pretty scandalous but if you are down for it this bread is surely worth your 5 bucks, and you get refills. In it there was foccacia, cranberry walnut, some kind of olive bread, a cinnamon bun - all warm and fresh. Thank you to the server that screwed up and delivered it to us! I got the half rotisserie chicken with 'adult' green bean casserole. The chicken was amazing, I normally do not like white meat, but it was all so juicy and the skin had a nice crispy bite to it. The green been casserole was out of this world too - it had big mushrooms in it and crispy onions on top. This is place has definitely earned a spot in my restaurant rotation.
(5)
Nessa F.
Fantastic burger (better than Townhouse)...good drinks. Lovely patio. More like nice bar with food....solid.
(4)
Vickie M.
We have had wonderful meals and service here twice and look forward to coming back to try other delicious menu selections! We started with the duck (absolutely great flavors) and fries (seasoned well) for appetizers. Friends had the full Bird with two sides and became members of the clean plate club. We had lamb, The Braise, and I must say it was even better than lamb dishes we have tried in Greek Town, amazing! (I will say the bread that comes with the lamb was not necessary and too tough to pull apart and eat - unlike the lamb that fell off the bone nicely!) Great selection of beer and wine! Friendly and knowledgeable wait staff - Katie one night and Brian later in the same week - excellent suggestions on pairings and their impeccable service made for a wonderful dining experience! The patio can get a little loud with traffic going by on a main road, yet it was enjoyable to sit outside. We were able to have a quiet conversation inside later in the week while we enjoyed our meals as well. The best of both atmospheres in one place! We look forward to trying the remainder of the appetizers and entires, as this restaurant delivered quality at a decent price, great wait staff and casual, comfortable atmosphere!
(4)
Bill B.
I am always happy to find a very good restaurant but I am really happy when it is across the street from a very good movie theater. Such is the case with The Bird & The Bread, which is just steps from the Birmingham 8. My wife and I decided to try it after seeing a movie. Good choice. If I had to sum up the place in a phrase, it would be this: they care. This was evident from our waiter, who, when I mentioned that I was vegetarian, said that they would be happy to whip up something special in addition to the existing veg choices on the menu; to the food (see next paragraph); to the room, an open, warm-spirited amalgam of restaurant and convivial bar yet welcoming to families; to wanting us to actually fill out feedback card there to the manager / proprietor (?) talking with us afterward. Speaking of food, it was quite good. Again, attention to detail was what distinguished it. Everything is from scratch. The greens and grains salad (good dark greens, farro and amaranth and a nicely balanced raspberry dressing) was the best side salad I have had in some time. My entree was an onion stuffed with quinoa and surrounded by greens, carrots and dense mushrooms in an intense sauce. The onion had that wonderful roasted flavor (usually only available with meat entrees). My wife also enjoyed her rotisserie chicken, done to fine crispness but not dry and accompanied with a subtle potato gratin. All dishes were not only delicious but presented very artistically. I highly recommend you visit The Bird & The Bread, especially before or after a movie.
(5)
Tanya L.
I came here for an impromptu Friday night dinner date with my husband. I had heard wonderful things about it, but husband was skeptical. Both of us ended up really enjoying our meal. I ordered a "fire and fruit"--a drink made of very good tequila, fruit juice, limes and muddled Serrano peppers. It was absolutely excellent, the peppers giving it just the right amount of "zing" (although I did ask them to go light on the peppers). We had warm pretzels with cheese beer sauce and a plate of really good grilled octopus and calamari. For the entry, my husband had Scottish salmon. I tried a bit, and it was excellent, not muddy-tasting at all. I had a "pot de mer,"a seafood concoction with prawns, mussels, clams, andouille sausage and two baguettes for dipping in the broth. It was absolutely excellent. All around a really good meal, with excellent service, in a pretty and pleasant atmosphere (not loud!), costing approximately $100 for two entrees, two appetizers, and two drinks (one with alcohol).
(5)
Michele M.
Love this place! Great wine and drink selection. The picky bites are yummy and they keep the menu fresh. Service is awesome here. They are friendly and personable. A great place to check out!
(4)
Chris H.
Second visit and a much better experience. The first was on the day they changed the menu and the kitchen got backed up. They gave us free desert as a "thank you" and we weren't in a hurry do no harm done. This trip was a birthday celebration. Service was friendly and not intrusive (thanks Amanda). Chicken was delicious and some came home. Lamb sausage rope was good too- my som's first lamb experience. Pizza was good. Free chocolate desert for the birthday girl. We sat outside on the patio. Enjoyed watching the world go by. Noise level was lower there than inside. Beer and wine selections are excellent bill for three was less than $100 before tip. Great value. We will definitely be back.
(4)
John K.
Awesome place. Great menu and great bar staff. Sean introduced a couple of beers to me that were spot on. Mussels were very good as well. Great look and feel to a once challenged space. Kristen and team have it right. New hangout for me. Peace
(5)
Alex J.
The apple dessert is unreal. The apples are warm and the salted caramel ice cream delish. Cool casual spot in Birmingham if you want to relax.
(5)
Heather M.
Things have changed and for the better!!! New chef and an amazing food menu!! So excited for all the great new food!!! I know how hard it is to work at all the kinks in a new place and The Bird and The BreAd is even better then before! New great food... New wines to add to the already wonderful list and some awesome new craft cocktails for the season!!! If you were not excited for your first experience or you already love this place you will be looking forward to your next visit !!! Try it out for your self :)
(5)
dawn v.
This is a tough one. If I had skipped the appetizer, I would've given three stars. On the lunch menu, there are French fries with "alioli and chicken cracklings" for $6. What came out was a handful of fries in a small bucket with a side of ketchup. When I asked the waitress, she returned 5minutes later with a side of alioli. When I asked what chicken cracklings were, she needed another 5 minutes to return with another small alioli with fried crumbs sprinkled on top. $6 is a Lot of money for a handful of fries. And shouldn't the waitress know what the appetizer is supposed to look like instead of me?? She was very nice but I might've been her first day? Total was almost $90 for lunch for 3 people. (1 app, 2 sandwiches and a pizza. No dessert. 2 cocktails) If you're spending $90 for three lunches, it should be memorable, considering they are competing with locals like Social, Townhouse, Toast and Hyde Park. For the money, I'd go to any of those before I'd return here. On the positive, the lobster sandwich is very unique, with a fried slice atop the lobster salad. But the fried piece is very heavily battered. I peeled most of it off. A light Panko-like breading would make more sense, and most lobster tolls would be a little soft. The bread was grilled til stiff. The Mitten Burger is tasty, but again, for the money, you're going to Luxe, RedCoat or Vinsetta. Cocktails were wonderful. I'd give three stars just for those. So maybe this is a drinks before dinner place? But idk, I would just do that at Hyde park, across the street, where the drinks are just as good.
(2)
Tracy K.
Came across this place after having dinner and wanted dessert. The place is very nice and has an upscale kind of vibe. I had the chocolate lava cake. It was very tasty and the cake melts in your mouth. The table next to us order an entree and the portion size is decent but it did not look like they like the food much. Definitely a recommendation for a night cap for dessert and wine.
(3)
Ravi J.
Service was great but food was ok. Bruschetta was ok. Would not recommend burger. Gnocchi was good.
(3)
Julie B.
I had dinner there last night with a friend and her son. The atmosphere was warm and cozy the staff was friendly. It was just a little loud for my taste and the tables were so close together, being clumsy, i was worried i was going to knock something over on someone's table im glad I'm not overweight, i would never have made or through the maze of tables to reach ours in the front corner (yes they put baby in the corner. Lol). Yes we were so close I felt like we were having dinner with The couple next to us, I could hear their conversation clear as day. The food was okay but not spectacular. It had a nice presentation but was a bit bland.
(3)
Libby T.
The Bird & The Bread is a cute neighborhood restaurant that is working out some kinks. We stopped in on Saturday night to a fairly busy restaurant (couples, friends, and families), but were seated immediately. Our server was kind and offered some great suggestions (clearly stating his favorites, not just "everything is good" or "depends on what you like"). We ordered some drinks and the mussels with ham and leeks to start. Drinks were returned in a reasonable amount of time, but it took 1hr and 45 minutes for the mussels to arrive (we ordered an entree 20 minutes in, realizing the kitchen ran a bit slow). Our waiter apologized profusely. When they arrived, they were well done - the mussels high quality, the broth flavorful, and the ham adding an unexpected kind of saltiness to the dish. Which was interesting, but part of a theme that was going to continue. 45 minutes after our mussels were taken away, we received the 1/2 rotisserie chicken and sides of green bean casserole and potato gratin casserole. The sides were welcome adult interpretations of some of my favorite comfort classics, but the chicken was extremely salty. I had been looking forward to getting the pots de creme, but they were out of them that night, so we had instead the cranberry apple cobbler a la mode on recommendation from the waiter, which was phenomenal - firm fruit, crisp topping, and just the right amount of sweet. The prices were reasonable and we were in no rush, so the 3.5 hr dinner we had was fine, but I'd rather not go through 8 water bottles during dinner because of the saltiness of the food, so I'd wait to return until they work out those kinks.
(3)
Danielle D.
I enjoyed a lovely dinner with my nephew on the occasion of his 10th birthday. Our waiter, Spencer, was excellent and answered all his menu questions with seriousness and patience. He took great care of us and definitely helped my nephew feel good. We ordered a pizza and a delicious burger. We both agreed the frites were the best ever. I felt the adult beverage selection was great and I enjoyed my glass of Char immensely. Would for sure go back.
(4)
Adam B.
The food and ambience are superb. The owners are very nice and always around to offer something special and off the menu.
(5)
Genevieve J.
Open for Lunch, Brunch and Dinner. The ambience and decor are Really original and cozy. Makes for a great night out for any occasion. The Two Banquet rooms in the back are gorgeous. The service was great and so was the rotisserie chicken and green bean casserole. The Patio is really nice for Brunch, mango mimosas and salmon bennies (: yummy
(5)
Fatima S.
Pizza was okay but the main dishes were a real let down...kinda greasy and nothing special :(
(2)
Michelle T.
I would really give this a 3 1/2. I went here last night for dinner. It was rather empty, yet the service was slow. The waiter gave good suggestions. I got the $17 (! ) burger, but the portion of fries was huge and it was only $1 to upgrade to truffle fries. Both burger and fries were amazing. Good beer list. They lose points bc my friends had soups and salads and were largely unimpressed. They also lose points for the price-- the most expensive burger I've ever ordered. I would definitely return for the fries.
I am never disappointed here. Came in with some co workers and they absolutely put on a great meal. The management is great. Ive had many things here but i recently had the pot pie. Just like home. I had the breakfast stout on tap. Delicious. The place is gorgeous. Very nice place to take a date.
(5)
Lynette A.
The atmosphere here is great. The staff is very nice and accomendating. The food was good. We had some of the pizza which came out fresh and had tons of flavor. We also had mussels, they were a little undercooked for my taste but great flavor. The lava cake was to die for! The portion was small but perfect for after a big meal. Will definitely be going back to try more dishes.
(4)
U N.
Great service and unique ingredients. The lasagna was deconstructed but the flavours made sense. The pesto gnocchi was amazing as well. Will definitely go again to try other things on the menu.
(4)
Lauren M.
I know what this restaurant was going for, but they fell short. While the decor and ambiance were desirable, the service and food were mediocre at best. This is disappointing since the trendy name and vibe shouldn't be wasted. I was there with 3 others and here is what we enjoyed: tomato basil soup, sweet potatoes, mac & cheese, and cold water. Here are the issues we had: a server didn't come over for ten minutes once we were seated, our water depleted and wasn't filled for 20 minutes and we had to ask, we were served soup with no spoons and one of us had to get up to find a server, the prime rib was terrible, chicken was border line raw, and we were there for 2 hours which is too long in the restaurant biz. I liked my lamb shank, but I was the only one in my party who really liked anything. Our server was sweet, but she was not trained well and disappointed us. I had high hopes for this place, and I am sad to report we won't be going back.
(2)
Keila B.
We visited TB&TB on a Saturday night for BDK's birthday. There were three of us and we had a reservation. The design of the restaurant is very cool. Like the openness and the tile. Not crazy about the high top tables but thankfully they asked if we had a preference and we chose a low top. Our server, Spencer, was great. Knew the menu and was very friendly and just the right amount of chatty. He recommended a few after dinner spots and we even got to talk a little baseball. We started with some cocktails: BDK had the P3 Cosmo but he had them put it in a lowball glass! Haha. Our friend and I both had the Manhattan. They were excellent. Made with Bulleit bourbon and the cherries were out of this world. On to the food! We shared the cheesy bread and it was really good. The best part was the house made dill sauce. I ordered the burger and it was probably one of the best burgers I've ever had. The meat was juicy and very flavorful on its own. The bun was great. They toasted it really well and so it had a nice crunch to it that contrasted well with the burger. The only underwhelming thing about my meal were the truffle fries. The fries themselves were nothing to write home about. They didn't really look house made. I'm a french fry aficionado and these did not live up to expectations. BDK had the gnocchi and said it was really good. Our other companion had the Scottish salmon and he said it was excellent. Overall, this was a great place. BDK said I did a great job picking a place from 600 miles away with very little knowledge of the local dining scene. Yelp was actually very helpful in this. Go eat here!
(4)
Jake D.
A tad pricey.. Food is nothing more than okay. On the contrary, great group setting with and interesting and formal ambience/decor. Service was slow and there weren't more than fifteen people in the restaurant.
(3)
The D.
Mussels were great, too many to finish. My lady friend had the calamari salad. It was very tender light and citrusy. The bartenders seem like nice people but lacked any interest in the guests. Not polite or well mannered. Learn to say thank you and at least pretend you care to serve me a $15 glass of wine.
(3)
Jeffrey A.
Wow...! What can I say that hasn't already been said? The Bird and the Bread is an excellent restaurant. I went with my friend and his mom, and we all enjoyed our meals, the great service, and the wonderful beer and wine list.
(5)
Rita Y.
I was extremely disappointed in the restaurant and the service. I ate the Pom frittes which were not even fully cooked. For my entree I hate the rotisserie chicken and the mac and cheese. Everything was extremely salty to the point where I was almost not even able to eat it. I was also disappointed with the service. My friend and I finished our drinks and the waiter never asked if we wanted another one. Finally for this restaurant being "the bird and the bread" I think it's quite ridiculous you have to pay for the bread. I will not be returning.
(2)
Karina K.
I came here with a couple ladies and my 2 yr old on Sunday around 630, we were promptly greeted and seated without a reservation in the little "bird cage" seating area. We were then promptly greeted by our waitress, and that's about the end of the prompt service. It took us about 2.5 hours or so to get through dinner, hence why I removed a star. However, if you are in the mood to wine and dine and talk in a cool atmosphere... This is your place, as long as you find parking! Appetizers we got the mussels with the lemon sauce, and added the truffle fries... Both were amazing. We also got the calamari and squid appetizer, it was a bit chewy, no one really liked it. For my son, I ordered him a pepperoni pizza, thin crust with basil and fresh cheese, excellent. My girlfriend and I both ordered the lamb shank... It was AWESOME! my son pulled up his chair to share, it was fall off the bone amazing. The sauce was just enough to compliment, paired with roasted baby onions and potatoes. Really, quite excellent and a good size portion. My cousin had the scallops, which she said were great, but it only came with 4, so don't order if you are hungry!! We shared the brown sugar cake dessert, also amazing but very small. Overall, excellent food, just VERY SLOW.
(4)
Hans B.
Well, two stars is a bit low and three a bit high. Seating was prompt and service was excellent. I had read about the $5 bread before going, didn't think paying $5 for great bread was a problem. The problem is that the bread was just okay, not great and not that fresh. I've had much better bread for free. My salmon main course tasted very good but was not hot, my girlfriends meal was excellent. Will I go back? Maybe if I hear that the bread is free or has improved I'd give them another try.
(3)
Kyle R.
Visited the Bird and the Bread three times now for lunch and dinner. I first have to say I really love that there is finally a place in Birmingham where I can go for lunch and a drink without breaking the bank. Most places in Birmingham I spend $30-40 at the absolute minimum. I started with the sun dried tomato basil soup which was nice and hearty ($4.00). Then I ordered the spicy prawn salad ($12.00) which was absolutely phenomenal perfect amount of dressing, spicy, and being a big guy myself it was a great portion to get me through the day. I also have to mention the Wrap a Tat tat sandwich which in my opinion is the best lunch meal on the menu for just $7.00. Seriously I'll be back 5 days a week if I could just for this wrap. Truthfully one of the best I've ever had. I also am a big beer drinker and was blown away by there selection and prices. After reading some of these other posts I really can't believe some of these people are really complaining about being charged for the bread. I have yet to find a place in Birmingham where I can get a high quality beer for $7.00 or less. There drink menu also contains close to probably 100 different choices of beer and even more for wine. Being a big beer drinker I got a 4 oz draft pour of the Brooklyn Sorachi Ace and a Michigan Micro brew CEO coffee stout for $1.50 each. Then added a 12 oz bottle of Atwater Vanilla Java for $5.00. Seriously, where in Birmingham can you go and get a beer for $5.00? They even had a few selections for $4.00 but most were priced between $5-$7. All set and done my bill came to $24.00 for 3 beers a soup and salad. This seemed like a cool place to hangout at night though I haven't done so yet myself. When I went for dinner I went with my girlfriend with the same great experience. Place was very relaxed and I felt completely comfortable without all the craziness and over crowding like most other places in Birmingham. The Bird and Bread was very nicely spaced out and the ambiance was perfect so my girl and I could talk peacefully but still have a great outing experience. Most places have low ceilings and a really dark atmosphere. B&B was lite up with bright lights and felt like I got a little taste of California or Chicago with there rustic environment and pizza oven. The owner personally greeting us at our table and helped us pick out a bottle of wine for us to share. We ended up getting a Michigan Pinot Blanc for around $40.00. It was very nice and crisp. Reminded me that summer is right around the corner. The owner seemed very knowledgeable about the wine she was serving which we appreciated. For dinner we ordered Lamb rope sausage which was fantastic for $18.00. My girlfriend ordered the seared scallops for $32.00. I felt that was a little pricey but that aside everything was excellent. Our final bill was about $90.00 which we felt was about average pricing but considering the value for the food, drink, and service they hit it out of the park. I will definitely be back for lunch for sure and will try having a night time drink there soon. I CAN'T WAIT to see what plans they have for happy hour. They did mention that they were going to start that soon if they haven't already. This place is also loaded with T.Vs which for me makes it one of the very few places in Birmingham to catch a game and get a beer.
(5)
Olive S.
I joined two friends at The Bird & The Bread on a Sunday evening for dinner. We were sad we couldn't sit outside but understood because the weather is starting to cool. It was my first time to the restaurant and the decor was more than comfortable, I had a lot to look at without being overwhelmed and I really appreciated the acoustic tiles on the ceiling and that the music was not overly loud. We could actually engage in a conversation without yelling. Our server, Kyle, was fantastic; he was knowledgeable, friendly and attentive. We also had a visit from the manager just to say hello. Because two of us had no time table and the third was actually battling a deadline we were not the easiest table to satisfy but the service was impeccable and all our needs were met. We shared meals and each of them was delicious. The list: mussels, truffle fries, brisket sliders, fish and chips, chicken and some fantastic wine. We ordered a favourite wine, Flowers Chardonnay (from their special wines menu) and when it came time for a second bottle Kyle recommended one of his favourites, Sauvignon Blanc, Saint Clair Shores Pioneer Block, Marlborough, NZ with the caveat if we hated it he would take it back, It exceeded our expectations. All of the food was beautifully prepared, tasty and nicely presented. Of all the things to comment on I have to call out the truffle fries. I don't frequently indulge in them because I find most kitchens are heavy handed with the truffle oil but at The Bird & The Bread the fries have a perfect balance of truffle, salt and potato taste. I would sit at the bar with one of their signature cocktails, an order of fries and be quite content. So many items on the menu intrigued us we have already made our return plans. Oh, and why 4 stars and not 5? I can't say except I think when I have a 5-star experience there will be no words to describe and I will sit in my room savoring the memory instead of writing a Yelp review.
(4)
myrrisa h.
I went here a while back so I have forgotten some of the details. I remember the food being ok. It is a limited menu and it all seemed a little boring for my taste but I am picky. The atmosphere is good. I liked the industrial feel and I liked the service. I remember the drinks being okay. Nothing that I feel was outstanding and worth a shout out. All in all I feel like its a decent place but nothing I would be dying to go back to. To be honest it feels like it is a copy of a lot of places
(3)
Chelsea A.
So far so good.... I've only experienced the limited menu at The Bird and The Bread, but it was very decent. Very cool interior with a mildly industrial vibe but warmed up with a blend of new and aged woods, plenty of cookbooks, and lots of color pops. The barstools are comfy and the lighting is pleasing. The cocktail list is creative and includes a stunner, Fruit and Fire. It's a tequila based drink, served on rocks featuring muddled Serrano peppers and fruit, with a little lime. It is spicy. It is amazing. The food is typical of Michigan- simple, home style and portioned generously. We had some roasted chicken that was good, and a beet salad with ricotta that was simple but very balanced and enjoyable. The major bonus of this spot is that Sean is there. One of my favorite bartenders. Ever. I'll update this review after seeing a full menu.
(4)
Emily M.
Came here a few months ago with family on a Sunday night. The place was almost deserted. However, it took over an hour to get our food once ordered. People who arrived after us got their food far faster. Family was frustrated and irritated. The food itself was okay. Also disappointed that "the bread" (a selection of house made breads with nice variety that I'd enjoyed last time) was no longer available. Will not be returning.
(1)
E P.
Tried this new place on a Saturday night. Went at five which was a good choice. By six pm it was standing room only. Our server was Amy and she was excellent. When we try new places we generally get a range of dishes and share. We had the mussels in tomatoes and horseradish, the cheese and nuts plate, the fish and chips, the sliders and everything was excellent. The only meh in the bunch was the bread basket. Wouldn't recommend it or get it again. For entrees we had the chicken, the skirt steak and the prime rib. All were good. Overall a great new addition to Birmingham and we will be back.
(4)
Geoff M.
Visited on a Tuesday night with a party of 5 probably close to 6 PM. Place smelled really good the second we walked in and we were seated right away. Service was attentive and friendly without always being in your face. Menu is pretty funky - lots of unique variety. Waiter told us they would be possibly changing it seasonally and it sounded like most things were organic, local or made on premises. Paella was really good (especially the chorizo they used/made); others at the table had scallops which they liked but thought might be even better if not sitting atop the risotto. Very good beer list, including a number of drafts. Can't really speak to the wine but those dining with me seemed pleased. When seated, they gave us 3 different drink menus - beer, wine, liquor - all pretty extensive. Will be on my list next time I travel up to Birmingham.
(4)
Tim S.
Great food for a Birmingham bear. Very nice for a bear snack and drink during the day.
(4)
Rachel C.
The second time we've been here, figuring we'd give it a second chance but unfortunately we were disappointed. After sitting down it took us over 45 minutes just to get drinks - we got our appetizer before the drinks! (This wasn't some complicated drink either... it was beer!) Food was okay, our appetizer of grilled calamari and octopus was quite good, but we had to send the halibut entree back as it was very bland. Pot de Mer was good, as well as the chocolate stout braised short rib. When we asked for more silverware or for another menu to look at more drinks, they took about 10 minutes just to track down either of those things! Seemed just a little disorganized... Finally, the dessert of peach crostada with basil gelato was DELICIOUS. We did end the night on a good note, and our waiter was very nice and did his best to deal with the shortcomings of the kitchen and the bar.
(3)
Dean H.
I have mixed feelings about this place. The center is dominated by a large oval bar with suspended HD televisions tuned to sports with the sound at a high level. There are many taps at the bar and a two page wine list. The bottle prices seemed typical but the glass prices for the limited selection were higher than average. We made good wine choices and enjoyed them. I can't speak to the beer. Quite a few tables surrounded the bar and there was outdoor seating. All the entree descriptions sounded excellent and the prices were fine dining level. I am reluctant to pay that with a TV in my face. We settled on the roasted chicken to share and it was excellent. Our sides were disappointing: the asparagus was overcooked and salty; the potato gratin was small and had no salt. Both kitchen and service were slow. It was very loud, with the TVs on and people trying to converse over them, which warranted a one-point downgrade. Unfortunately this is typical in the US.
(3)
Michael C.
I tried this new b'ham hip spot last Thursday night and suffice to say, it became another hunter house night afterwards. The decor is nice. The waitstaff is up to par for a restaurant of this type. Umm, not much to say after that. Let me break down the name of this place. The bird and the bread would hint towards actually ordering chicken and bread. Now let's start with the bread. You really had to order it. Not ask for bread but rather part with $5 to get a bread basket. Naturally I assumed I was about to embark on a great carb bender and enjoy the greatest bread and butter in my life as this is the only restaurant I've ever been to that charges for a bread basket. Simply put, a plastic Baggie is the only thing seperating this bread from a sero's or any other typical diner. Next is the bird or rather chicken. Out of it on my fateful visit so no comment there except this is supposed to be a mainstay dish for them. I settled for the desert dry lamb shank instead. My friend and I split a pizza app and some chicken noodle soup. Pizza was ok, nothing I couldn't get anywhere though. And the soup was Campbell's-esque. All in all, I was pretty underwhelmed. And unfortunately, that doesn't bring people like myself back.
(2)
Mambru P.
Great experience from begining to end. We were entertaining a friend who is vegan and gluten free so this morning I called and talked to the chef and he told me the options from the regular menu and the changes he could make to other dishes. He was plesant and professional and I felt good about going there for dinner. We loved the food: roasted beet salad, grilled octopus was the best we've tasted, perfectly cooked filet. roasted veggie pizza, and roasted chicken. When two people ordered the chicken the waiter suggested getting the whole bird for less $ than 2 separate entrees, a nice touch. The flourless chocolate cake on the dry side. everything else was ecceptional. We did not order any drinks so we were not going to be a very profitable table but the service was outstanding. We had a great time and lingered after dinner just talking and enjoying the evening. Highly recommend.
Now when have you last gone to a resturant and the chef comes over to make sure your dinners are prepared to your liking? We went to dinner with 4 couples and found it extremely delicious and every individual dish was tastey. I had salmon and it was prepared perfectly, all the sides were exciting and not your old boring sides and everyone was really happy and satisfied. We will all be back and can't wait to see whats cooking on the menu.
(5)
M S.
An unenjoyable experience. We went for dinner on a Thursday. The service overall was clumsy and seemed unprofessional. The rotisserie chicken was extremely salty and the accompanying mac and cheese not salted enough. The pot au mer was good, however, so I'd suggest that if you do go here. The overall experience is extremely middling, and that does take into consideration the prices. I wouldn't return.
(3)
Ann R.
We arrived with a foursome with a res on saturday night at 6:15. I did not love that we were seated outside by the waiters station however, as my back was turned to it I tried to ignore the less than great seating assignment. Our meals and the service was really something to write home about. The bread basket was worth $5. Our entrees were incredibly good. The vegetarian plate was delicious. My hubs had the chicken with scalloped potatoes and oh my were they good. Run to this restaurant. NOW.
(4)
Loryn d.
Great food, friendly staff and your bill comes in a tiny birdcage which I found very charming!
(5)
Billy S.
In my previous review I neglected to mention that we had a terrific server. His name was Spencer. I strongly suggest requesting to be in his section and as well order The whole rotisserie chicken, get the great bean casserole and the spinach! You won't be disappointed
(5)
Laura B.
This was my first visit, actually in late September, and it was really great. Wonderful place for lunch with a friend -- it was her birthday and it was great. Can't wait to come back in the summer on that great patio! Our server Matt was terrific, just the right balance of friendly and informative -- and funny. Loved our lunch!
(5)
Mary D.
I have never been so disappointed with a restaurant in downtown Birmingham and I will never step foot in the place again. We went in at a slow time and service wasn't even up to par. My husband had a turkey burger and it wasn't even cooked all the way. I had told the waitress about it and I was told that it's the most the burger could be cooked without losing flavor. HELLO I DONT WANT A PINK BURGER. It was just such a disappointment. My first and my last time in this place. 1 star for beautiful atmosphere.
(1)
Kathy P.
This place is probably a 3.5 for me. I went for apps and drinks one night and had good service and OK food. Just went again for restaurant week and it was all just okay. Had cauliflower potato soup to start (yum!). Salmon for main course was cooked well but incredibly salty, and came out more like room temperature. It could have also been that our main courses came out too soon (we were still working on the starters), so the plate sat for a moment at the table. Maybe I should be happy to not wait long for food, but temperature is a big deal! Dessert was flour-less chocolate cake with a little spice and orange flavor. You can't do too much wrong to chocolate cake.. this was just mediocre in my book. I'm not sure I love the set up of the restaurant. If you're not up front near the bar area you kind of feel like you're missing out. The back just feels secluded, which is fine for some, but I prefer to be out in the crowd.
(3)
Marji L.
We stopped in after our workout for dinner and a drink. We walked in and it was dead, this should of been our first clue!! We sat at the bar thinking we would get faster service but that didn't happen. Katie was horrible!! The food and the service was marginal at best. I ordered a glass of red zin which was $11.00 a glass and she short poured my glass. Should of been my second clue!! We will not be back!!
(1)
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Address :210 S Old Woodward Ave,Ste 100
Birmingham, MI, 48009
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Dinner Parking : Garage, Street Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Hipster Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Michael T.
First time in and had lunch. Staff was very friendly. The hostess, Mary was very engaging and made you feel right at home. I sat at the bar and Kyle was excellent. Had the B&B tarragon chicken salad with duck bacon and tomato jam. It was a really solid dish. When I see tarragon, I'm a little hesitate, because if it's over done its horrible. This was perfect, the use of the herb really enhanced the sandwich and didn't dominate. I'll definitely be back and recommend.
(4)Nishy P.
So we went back for brunch and our dishes were really good. I had the smoked salmon Benedict, he had the burger and our child had the kiddie eggs breakfast which she devoured. The service again was top-notch. Do check this place out.
(4)Amy C.
I wandered in for lunch today and loved it. I had waited a while because was I have my own business, I know that it takes a min to work out the kinks when opening, and I have no life anymore so getting out of the office for lunch is the only way I get to hide, ever. That being said, my lunches being relaxing and well serviced and yummy are important as they are now the only joy I have .. Lol. So let me address a few things that have come up in the negative reviews on this place: 1) I was greeted promptly and kindly by the front podium girl, and the Bartender Kyle. He was informative about the menu, encouraging and patient with my questions, and had a genuine interest in my thoughts on my experience there today. 2) I HATE tomato soup in my very soul.. However, Kyle convinced me to try theirs after telling me a story about him, and a chef, and some other Sh%$t but I was starving and trying not to stab anyone at that point so I said to go for it. I loved it. Now that I am fed I remember Kyles point being: Don't have a good chef cook you something you love..he would have to work really hard to mess that up. The difficulty is when they make you love something you hate.. AKA Tomato Soup. Word, Kyle. 3) The spinach pillows were awesome ( don't know if that is the real name or not ) 4) My soup and appetizer came to $12. Thats not bad for B'ham people.. IDK what these cranky people are talking about.. 5) My service was prompt, polite, and I felt engaged and valued when I left. And the bartender didn't bug me when I wanted to shove my face in my Kindle and ignore everyone. 6) I don't mind paying $5 for Bread when it is fresh.. and honestly, with 80% of B'ham being gluten phobic is it really that big of a deal? Good job Bird & Bread. Unfortunately for you, I will be the little nerd with her Kindle hiding at your bar at lunch a few times a week now.
(4)Stephanie A.
I was a little skeptical when a friend suggested we ear here. Nothing stood out to me as sounding "delicious", but I'm always up for trying something new and so glad I did. We had a party of 6 and ordered 3 different appetizers; the beets and ricotta (which I was not fond of), the spinach and artichoke wrap (phenom) and the mini brisket sliders (also yummy). For my main course I ordered the rotisserie chicken which was absolutely delicious, and choose mac and cheese as my side.....so good! I read some reviews that the bread basket was nothing special; I'm not really sure what bread those people got, because ours was awesome. It had like 5 different types of bread and the mini cornbread muffins were like little pieces of heaven in my mouth! The owner was so friendly, he even gave us a mini tour :) I highly recommend this place!
(5)Suzanne L.
I'm afraid despite its cute name and hip vibe, The Bird & The Bread does not deliver the high caliber food that is led to be believed by the description on the menu and the exorbitant prices. My friend and I, dazzled by the promising description of many of the items listed on the menu, decided to try out a number of them. Aside from my entree of grilled salmon, which unfortunately for her, I got separately, nothing was what it seemed. The manchego cheese appetizer was presented beautifully but tasted tart and sour. The ricotta cheese appetizer was hard and flavorless (if I hadn't known better, I would have thought it was brie from the grocery store). The wedge salad was surprisingly my biggest disappointment. A usually universally pleasing salad dish came out as medium quality iceberg lettuce topped with a small handful of yet more flavorless cheese, and then some deep fried potato crisps that seemed best suited to the palette of a stubborn 6-year old who hates salads. Furthermore, there was no relying on the dressing to, well, "dress" up the poorly assembled concoction, because it was as tasteless and sour as the cheese earlier. The waitress was good enough to bring us some sherry vinaigrette, but perhaps she nor anyone working the kitchen failed to notice that it came out chunky. Yes, a chunky vinaigrette if you've ever seen one. Next came the entrees, one of which was fantastic and one which was plain bad. My friend drew the short straw on this one, having to contend with a skirt steak that to the eye was presented beautifully but to the taste buds was meaty and flavorless. It was topped with some kind of marrow butter which did little more then top off a bite of bad heavy meat with an unneeded burst of rich butter. My entree, on the other hand, was great. I had the salmon, cooked rare, which was a gamble I was willing to take in the beginning before I realized the food was not all it was cracked up to be, but which did in fact pay off. The good news ends there though, as my root vegetable and mushroom sides were over-sauced and barely discernible. So in conclusion with the food, I am perplexed that the menu notes everything is made "from scratch" in-house given that most of what we tasted was the furthest thing from fresh and in no way justified the 5-star prices they fetched. That said, there were some other problems, which compared to the poor quality food, seem minor in retrospect. One would be that having a reservation, as we did, only got us seated at a high top table with round bar stools. We asked to sit instead at a nearby empty table with real chairs but were told it was "reserved". Oh. Well not sure why our reservation wasn't considered "reserved" but we figured at least we should be able to get some stools with backs on them so we could relax and enjoy our dinner. No can do, all of the stools with backs were "reserved" for some other future mystery customers as well. To add salt to our wound, the table we initially asked to sit at remained vacant for 3/4 of the time we were even at the restaurant. So why the two star rating? Mostly because of the open floor plan, the spacious bar area, and the excellent wine by the glass selection. My recommendation would therefore be at most to go there for a drink before you go off to a better restaurant to actually eat.
(2)Grace I.
Went to bird and bread on Friday night. Matt recommended our entire meal and loved all of his recommendations, especially the kale and quinoa salad and the rope sausage. Service was great, loved the atmosphere and food. Fun place to go.
(5)Amy S.
This was my first time trying out this place. My friend was in town from NY and put me in charge of picking the restaurant. I have several tried and true favorite spots but decided to try this place because I've been wanting to try it. We arrived about 20 minutes prior to our reservation and got seats at the bar right away. The bartender was friendly and promptly served us our wine. The wine did not disappoint. When our table was ready we were seated at a tall two-top with bar stools that did not have backs. I personally prefer chairs with backs and did not even think that would be an issue or I would have requested it at the time of the reservation. We asked to switch tables or else have chairs with backs and were told that wasn't possible because everything else was reserved. Yet there were empty tables everywhere. Ok. We could have just stayed seated at the bar and eaten there then. We asked the server for recommendations as this was our first time eating there. She recommended the beets and ricotta and the salmon, among other things. We started off with the manchego cheese and nuts. Not bad but nothing special, just some sliced cheese and a bowl of nuts. Next, we ordered the beets and ricotta and the wedge salad. We asked if the wedge salad could be split in the kitchen as these are typically hard to cut without everything falling apart. The server seemed skeptical that this request could be accommodated but said she would check. Ultimately they did split the wedge salad on two plates and brought the beets and ricotta on a separate plate for us to split ourselves but there was no room on our plates next to the wedge so we had to then ask for two more plates. No big deal. Then, the dressing. It was very garlicky/oniony/overpowering and seemed odd to be paired with the crumbled blue cheese. We asked what other options there were. A sherry vinaigrette was suggested so we both tried that. Although it was supposed to be a vinaigrette, it was chunky, which was odd. And again the taste was overwhelming. I boxed my salad and ate it with my own dressing when I got home. Then, the main course. I ordered the grilled paddle bone steak with fries and root vegetables. My friend ordered the salmon upon the recommendation of the server. My friend really enjoyed her salmon dish. At first when I got my steak it came without the root vegetables and the server went back and got them. The vegetables were actually delicious. The steak, however, was awful. It was very gamey/meaty tasting and the texture was slimy. It had no seasoning and came with a butter compote on top. I asked if there was any type of sauce for it, thinking that would maybe make it taste better. I was told there really wasn't anything, except maybe some au jus. After being brought the au jus, the table next to us was served the same steak, and I noticed that theirs was drizzled with what looked like some type of zip sauce which is what I had in mind when I asked for sauce. Our bill was around $150 and that did not include the wine at the bar. I left hungry and ended up throwing out my steak the next day.
(2)Jake M.
Very good food. Nice atmosphere and friendly staff. Our friends and we wanted to try something new, so I suggested The Bird and The Bread. We were not disappointed. Even our friend that is not very adventuresome, loved the food and the experience. We were seated within seconds of our arriving. The menu was not overly ambitious but with many selections to satisfy everyone's needs. My wife had the short ribs and loved them. I had the duck breast, a little tough, but very well presented and tasty. Our friends had the salmon and pork. They were both very satisfied. I would highly recommend.
(4)Robert M.
Brunch on Sunday was terrific! The barkeep may have been the best part... The meal was stellar and the drinks, well, see above!
(5)Gray M.
Located at the spacious site where once stood trendy South Bar, The Bird & The Bread boasts a modest -- yet unique -- culinary menu, a substantial beer/wine/spirits selection, and friendly staff. Think of a larger version of Social Kitchen.
(4)Michael K.
This is a reaturant for food and drinks with friends. It lives up to the reputation solely on the food quality and drink menu. Outstanding. However the loud atmosphere and close quarter seating is not meant for date night.
(3)Robin S.
Our meal was good service was not. I will return with hopes of a better night. Good food will bring us back! Let's hope service is better next time.
(3)Candace A.
Love love love! Excellent food and service in a refreshingly cool atmosphere. I really liked how they redesigned the space. I would highly recommend for anytime of day with any group- great for girls night or date night. Can't wait to go back and try more of the menu!
(5)Josh H.
Tried B&B again, with similar results. The octopus was great, but that was the highlight. Bartender was not rude, just not nice. He was stand-off-ish, and made us feel like we were intruding on his time. Server didn't understand the beer menu. We'll go back because of proximity, but I sure wish they'd step up their game.
(3)Kirsten G.
Had a terrible lunch experience here today. Was greeted with a hostess wearing a next to nothing dress that my friend and I found very offensive. We had a waitress that was very unenthused and not very knowledgeable of the menu. I started with the fries, which were delicious, and my friend had the lemon orzo soup. The soup was overpowered with lemon and was not appetizing. For our main dish, we both ordered the Ratatouille wraps - it was the most unflavored, mushy wraps we've ever tasted. Not to mention, it took forever for the small sandwiches to come to the table. We both returned our meals and spoke with a manager, who convinced us to try something else on the menu. After both picking salads, we asked for them to go since it had already been an hour there. After receiving our "togo order" we were handed a check WITH THE SALADS on it. I can't believe they'd make us pay for anything with such an awful experience. Would not go back and would not recommend to others.
(1)Ashley V.
What a great place for a date! My boyfriend and I had dinner here and split an appetizer, a few entrées, and some marvelous cocktails and beer. We started with an order of the ham and leek mussels and a bread basket. Amazing!Secondly we ordered our entrées. We ordered the rotisserie chicken and green-bean casserole as well as the Lamb rope sausage with the herb potatoes. Both dishes were seasoned just right and we enjoyed everything until the last bite. We will certainly be back especially once they open the patio!!
(5)J H.
Great food!! We had the nuts and cheese, octupus and calamari appetizers and shared the lamb rope entree. Plenty of food for two people. Extensive drink menu and staff are very knowledgable on the beer and wine. Great decor good bar seating will definitely come back to the bird and the bread! The owner is lovely and took the time to show us around and explain the concept!
(5)Lizz H.
Met up with some old friends here and it was wonderful! There is an excellent wine selection. We shared the cheese bread, octopus, and truffle fries and I would recommend them all. I had the carrot and ginger soup and the kale salad, both were great. Everything we ordered was fresh and delicious.
(5)Scott T.
We went to the Bird & the Bread on a Friday evening. The restaurant has a neat ambiance. We each ordered a drink. I am not sure whether the bartender had a bad night, but both of our drinks were below par. We ordered the octopus appetizer and nuts and cheese. Both were very tasty. We split the lamb sausage entree and it was very good. The reason we are rating the place 3 stars was the drink quality and the service. Our server was not bad, but either had too many tables or was just not interested in making sure we had a good experience.
(3)Dawn R.
I really wanted to like this place, I live in Birmingham & want to support new & old placed. But not impressed, not so much the food, but the attitude there. Seems like they don't want you to like them. First off we came for happy hour, no happy hour. Second: I ordered the Halibut fish & chips, no halibut, they have sturgeon? what does that taste like? an unusual substitute. What about cod? No help on that. This is a Friday during lent. Only Sturgeon for fish? So I got the chicken, while it tasted good when it arrived, not salty like others posted. What bothered me about the experience was: We had to share a menu (they did not have enough) at the time it was not even crowded. The menu states 2 sides with the chicken, I ordered my 2 sides, he took the order, shortly later he came back & said they no longer were doing 2 sides, I has to pick one. Seriously? Who does that, takes back what the menu says? You are a start up business, I would think you would just give me 2 sides and change the menus you have, being there is only 10 of them, can't be too hard. Now I did not need two sides, and was very full & took half home, but don't come back and say you are no longer going to honor the menu, AFTER you TOOK my order. Too many other good choices that want my business in Birmingham
(3)Patty H.
My friend & I had lunch and it was fabulous. I had the lobster roll which was amazing (two lobster rolls) with lots of lobster lightly tossed in a sauce & then each roll topped with a small piece of deep fried cod, & fries which were great. My friend has a small appetite & ordered from the kids menu which is one of the best I have seen anywhere. Everyone was friendly, excellent service. I will definitely return!
(5)Kim W.
Had a delightful bit of supper. Everything was sumptuous. A brilliant small plate of Octo tentacles and the aromas of a freshly braised hen. Gf. Vg. The birdcage is quaint. The patrons are of a decent caliber.
(5)Leo Y.
Went there with a party of 5. Was looking forward to it as I live a block away and would love a great new restaurant in Birmingham that isn't a fancy steak house. We wanted to try a variety of things. We had pizza,calamari, tomatoe soup, bean salad, a burger, lamb sausage, whole chicken, Mac and cheese, fries, sweet pptatoes and green beans. We also had a number of drinks. The beer selection was great. The cocktails were tasty but didn't seem to have much alcohol in them. The food was disappointing. Too salty. Ridiculously salty. Everything tasted salty. Not enjoyable salty. I've never drank so much water salty. "Free lunch buffet at a strip-club trying to increase beer sales salty . " If you want to go have a pizza and a beer...it's the safe bet. Sorry. I wanted to love it. I checked out the back private room for a wedding rehearsal dinner next year (it can hold 140-150 but it's long and narrow) and before the food arrived I had planned to make another reservation for the weekend for my moms birthday. Plans changed after a few bites. I live a block from here but I'd rather drive to their quality restaurant in An Arbor.
(2)Lori Z.
Ordered belvedere w/soda water. It came back brown, tasted like cough syrup. Was afraid to send back, but my friend said something to the bartender. She made another. It tasted awful. Not to mention staff was inattentive from the start .
(2)Sarah H.
Update: management responded promptly to my unfortunate experience, which I appreciate greatly. Says a lot. Looks like I will be giving The Bird and the Bread another try. Good thing because I would have missed the brown sugar cake dearly.
(3)Corrie L.
Overpriced drinks, terrible service. Maybe worth another try on a less busy evening. Our server completely ignored us, after only ordering an appetizer. When she finally walked up to the table, she said "finished here?" Umm hello? We hadn't had dinner yet, but yes actually, we are done here. And thanks for not noticing our empty beverages.
(2)Catie D.
When we arrived, two hostesses and what appeared to be the manager were chatting away and I had a reservation for 5, we were all there, and just waited until they looked up from their conversation to greet us. I told them I had a reservation for 5 and they asked if we were all there - I assumed counting would be a priority for a hostess, but we were all there. I believe our waitress was Katie. She was nice enough, but our drinks took 30 minutes. They came out at the same time as the soup. The waitress explained the manager "was on it" so we assumed that meant our drinks would be comped. It didn't mean squat - the bartender brought out a couple of the wines and explained "I had to open all the bottle of wine, sorry for the delay." I know how long it takes me to open a bottle of wine and my job title isn't "Bartender". Come on. The food was good, but $17 for a salad with 5 pieces of lettuce. Needless to say, we will not be back.
(1)Mike S.
Well, we can't rate the food since we never got a chance to order. Stopped in the afternoon of the Dream Cruise there were three empty tables on the terrace so we asked to be seated there. They said the tables needed bused and it would only be a few minutes which turned into 20 minutes. Once seated we waited almost a have hour to be waited on with no one acknowledging us. There were plenty of waiters and it was not that busy. No one even made eye contact. After wasting almost an hour we left. On the way out I told the owner why we were leaving. She said Oh no. Happens she spent all the time we were there standing at the hostess stand instead of walking around to understand what's really going on. Looked like a nice menu, but will never know. This ones off my list.
(1)Elle N.
We went for brunch; perhaps lunch and dinner are better. Not impressed at all.The service was terrible, and the food was mediocre at best. Our waiter never came back to check on us after we received our food. We watched another table sit for 15 mins. before anyone even approached them to take a drink order. Mango mimosas were neither mango-ey, nor had much alcohol - at $10 a pop. I didn't receive part of my order, but since my waiter disappeared like the Flash, there was no way to get that corrected. They did comp my meal due to the error, but I would prefer they train their servers better so they don't need to do this. Having said this, the interior of the restaurant is beautiful, and it also has a lovely outdoor seating area. Overall, disappointed and expected better.
(2)Mary M.
We hosted an outstanding event in The Elm Room on Friday night! After many challenges with another local establishment, I met with owner, Kristin Jonna with only two weeks to spare. She assured me that she could provide a beautiful party in spite of the short notice and she did just that and more! I worked closely with Event Manager, Shelley Drummond, who exceeded my expectations as she delivered on every promise and shared her own creativity and experience to enhance our plans. The room was spectacular and 58 guests easily moved through the space enjoying cocktails, appetizers and a sit down dinner. The wait staff was efficient, friendly and always accommodating. The three menu choices offered were served piping hot and rated as excellent by all of my guests. The ambiance in the event space was unmatched! I am still receiving calls, texts and emails today from guest sharing their absolute enjoyment of the evening. Thank you to the owners John Jonna, his daughter Kristin, Shelley and all who served so graciously on Friday night. We are customers for life and look forward to returning for dinner very soon. Make room for 58 more as I am certain our guests will be back to enjoy the same!
(5)Lori L.
Loved this place. Came for happy hour with a pretty large (20+) group of coworkers. At times our server (the bartender?) was a bit slow, but I think this will improve with time. The happy hour specials were a good deal, and the bread was DELICIOUS. I loved the ambiance, and the chef let me take some cookbooks home to try out and bring back. I'm excited to go back for lunch/dinner.
(4)Elyse G.
The issue with this place is the waitress is also the drink person, bus boy and food server. That is a recipe for disaster.
(3)Miriam I.
A new addition to the Birmingham restaurant scene. Bird and the Bread bills itself as family-friendly dining, which we question (unless your kids are very sophisticated diners). Impressive roster of beers - both on tap and bottled. We should have learned by now that when you have to ask for an item such as bread, there will be a charge. So it was here, with the $5.00 bread basket. No refills offered, and we were afraid to ask. Service was unbelievably slow: we were in there for nearly 2 hours, much longer than this type of meal should have taken. We commented to the manager who came around to check on us that we were bothered by the long delay, and mentioned that if they were going to keep people waiting so long for their food , they should at least throw in the bread basket for free. She offered to take care of it for us, and then never did. We started by sharing a salad, the "greens and grains." It came swimming in dressing. Diners beware: better be sure to order your dressing on the side. After keeping us waiting for an unacceptably long time before bringing the food, the salad got whisked away before we even had a chance to finish it. To top it off , the busboy, in his rush to remove the salad, dropped the silverware on my co-diner's lap, with nary an apology. And then we sat for 20 to 30 minutes before our entree arrived. So what was the hurry? I had the lamb sausage , which was billed as accompanied by onions and mushrooms. The lamb was quite tasty, as were the oven -browned potatoes. Never did find the mushrooms. Co-diner had the hamburger, which was the latest in a series of high-priced burgers to hit Birmingham. This one was $17, with nothing that would distinguish it or justify the price: neither Kobe, Piedmont, nor any particular notable aspect. Just a burger. For $17. If you are thinking of dining at Bird and the Bread before catching a movie at the Birmingham 8 Theater across the street, you may want to re - think that plan, or at least select a later show time, due to the slow service. No criticism of our server, who was friendly, helpful , and did his best.
(3)Melody F.
First time at the "bird and the Bread" and the last time. Food is very bland nothing remarkable about the food or place at all. Wait for food was long, even though the place was empty. The pizza my boyfriend ate was very salty, and my salmon was under cooked , tasted like sushi. I had to send it back to the kitchen. Was overall a disappointing experience.
(1)Tea C.
I came here for a work luncheon and we were seated in the wine barrel room - oddly designed. They were trying to be eclectic and failed. The menu is super limited. Nice staff but scattered. I ordered the lamb sandwich, which was good, but it came with nothing - some seasoned curly fries would have gone well with it. I won't go back - far too expensive to be worth it. And the name of the restaurant leaves a lot to be desired.
(2)Jennie E.
Loved the ambience and theme of this restaurant. They had a great menu selection and my parents and I all found multiple items to try and really enjoyed our meals, and we have quite an eclectic palette between the three of us. I couldn't sample the pizza, but it looked great. I also appreciated the staffs' knowledge and accommodation of my gluten allergy. The apple cabbage salad is to die for and I also really enjoyed the lamb rope sausage and mussels that I tried. I'm looking forward to their brunch menu and taking advantage of their patio this summer!
(4)Stephanie T.
Amazing, diverse menu. Really good drink specials too. Heard they have live entertainment on Thursdays. Definitely going back for that!
(5)michael l.
I love this restaurant. Made me feel like I was dining in New York or Chicago. Deep beer and wine selection. Wonderful Octopus and squid appetizer. Beautiful salads, soups and pizza. Really fun atmosphere. Informed wait staff. A sign of the growing sophistication of restaurants in southeast Michigan. The Jonna family taught this town how to eat and drink. Now they bring it all to a vibrant restaurant. Had dinner for the first time there last night and will be back this week for more
(5)Judy W.
I highly recommend THE BIRD & THE BREAD to family and friends. We had a wonderful experience with attentive, friendly staff, spoke at length with the knowledgable, enthusiastic sommelier: Kristin J. We loved the fine food, music and fresh atmosphere. Can't wait to go back. I almost never order chicken out, but OH, this chicken dish was GOOD! Judy Williams
(5)Mim M.
the only positive thing about my experience here was the Bird entree (i guess it does live up to its name) - very juicy and tender chicken. everything else -- from the charcuterie plate to the vegetarian pizza, which tasted like vomit to some extent, to the slow service, to our waitress -- was not good. inside decor of the place is nice though. apparently they are related to vinology and vinotecca, which makes sense, as i also did not like their pizzas there.
(2)Suzy J.
This is my new favorite lunch spot in Birmingham! A sunny afternoon on the patio cannot be topped. Creative salad entrees plus a fabulous wine selection and great service. Waive to me when you walk by!
(5)m. f.
Went with the Mrs for Sunday evening dinner. Nice draft beer list... Mix of micros and good imports. We ordered the tom and onion/mushroom soups. Both were really good and almost too hot. Bread came late. Spotty service really should have been better. Also ordered the burger, which I thought was very good. Wife proclaimed it was the best burger ever, but I think that was the salad talking. Decor kind of neat... They did what they could with the old South night club look. Overall really enjoyed it. Great date spot if they can get the service as good as the food.
(4)B R.
We ate at the bar. Good beer choices. Good service. We ate a burger and mussels. All good. Can't wait for warm weather when their patio opens !
(4)Sarah B.
Ate dinner here last week and was very pleased with the experience!! Food was delicious! Atmosphere was cool and fun! I recommend this for people who are looking for a new restaurant in downtown birmingham!
(5)Jan B.
I was really disappointed. I had the greatly recommended 'bird'- over cooked and dry and not that tasty. My husband liked the short rib sliders alright. 3 glasses of wine. No dessert, no appetizer. $160.00. Not very tasty, and certainly not worth $160!
(1)Kristen F.
Great ambiance and amazing food and cocktails. Ordered the 16 hour beef brisket sliders- HOLY. COW. Will come here repeatedly just for those. I enjoyed the half portion of the rotisserie chicken and it was SO much food- I can't even imagine ordering the full! For $13, I thought it was a great meal. The rest of the menu is definitely at a Birmingham price point- but that was to be expected. My friend had the sea scallops and they were excellent. They have a pretty impressive craft beer menu, and their cocktail menu was very innovative. I can't remember the name, but they have a cocktail with vodka, coconut milk, ginger beer... SO good. Our server was great and very entertaining. They miss a star because being new, they are still working out the kinks. Plenty of tables open when we walked in but the hostess disappeared for several minutes to go find silverware while we stood at the entry waiting to be seated. While our server was great, they could probably step it up just slightly in that department. However, I will be back and I am looking forward to exploring the menu even further.
(4)Abbey D.
I have now eaten here twice. Once for a business lunch and then for a family dinner(31/2 yr old & infant). Both times the wait staff and management were very welcoming, helpful and timely. The lunch was great and perfect for a meeting as the menu provided several topics to discuss and the atmosphere was not too loud or quiet for business discussions. In terms of dinner with the fam it was great. I noticed they tend to put the families in the back of the restaurant which is great as it's by the pizza ovens and prep station which are gorgeous...my son can't wait to be able to sit at the stools and eat dinner watching them make pizza. The kids menu is not your ordinary chicken tenders and $8 Kraft Mac and Cheese which I love. To top it off they serve each kids meal with a side of fruit salad that was gorgeous! Star fruit, watermelon, berries - not applesauce! Thank you for caring for our kids and giving them a fun experience!! As for our dinners my husband and I both truly enjoyed them. He got the Lamb Rope Sausage which had grilled onions on it...usually that would be a huge issue but he loved them. I had the Ratatouille Strata which was excellent. I'm not a vegetarian but I loved it and have to expect a vegetarian would really appreciate the option. Can't wait to go back!!
(5)P W.
Good first...great location in downtown Birmingham. Very nice interior--great decor. The beer sampler is a nice idea and worked really well. The selection of wines, beers and drinks is terrific. The fish and chips was a B+ so that's pretty good. The waitress was enthusiastic. Now the not so good...it was loud and hard to hear. Not a big deal unless you are going to talk. The service was mediocre. It took us over 15 mins to get our first drink when it wasn't even crowded! :-( My food was almost cold when it arrived. I asked for it to be reheated. Our waitress was very gracious but it took another 15 minutes to heat it up! By the time it arrived, my husband had finished and so i just had it boxed. It also wasn't very good unfortunately! One oddity is that they give you a board with various menus which can be a tad confusing (they aren't well labeled on the outside and are a bit cumbersome). I'm so sad because it seems like a family run restaurant and I wanted to like it! It was our 20th wedding anniversary and we wanted to try something new. :-( I might go back for lunch to give it another go, but very disappointed!!
(1)Jeri M.
My experience at The Bird and the Bread was on a friends and family night with a limited menu. They have a wide variety of craft beers so we did several beer flights. The wine selection is one of the best and reasonably priced so we had a carafe of wine. Even with a limited menu we still had many choices. We opted to try some of the "munch" items...Beets & Ricotta (the ricotta was smooth and creamy), Frites & Sauce (my favorite - the sauce was amazing) and Brisket & Brioche (they have elevated the slider!). Each dish was full of flavor and prepared just right. For our main course we had Scottish Salmon and Michigan Lamb Shank - both were excellent choices. We were too full for dessert but I'll save room next time. I look forward to going back now that they are open with a full menu. The environment is open and warm with rustic and industrial details. A wonderful dining experience and great addition to the restaurants in Birmingham.
(5)Ann W.
While the large and relatively empty patio was oh-so inviting, the simmering heat made dining inside imperative. Indoors, a huge bar dominates the space and wine racks line up on one side of the room. Cute knick knacks sit atop the rack for a nostalgic touch. With bread as part of the restaurant name, I was anticipating a lovely selection on the brunch menu, which there was. For an indulgence, we went with the pastry basket which was filled with an assortment of mini croissants (butter and almond), scones (chocolate) and muffins (carrot). Homemade marmalade and raspberry jam was available, as well as an abundance of fresh berries and melons. I had the delicious Primavera omelette, served with multigrain toast and fingerling potatoes. The omelette featured a medley of thinly sliced eggplant, zucchini, and summer squash and flavored with sun-dried tomato-based tapenade. Service was lovely. Our food and drinks appeared quickly and the entire staff was friendly and attentive.
(4)Angela L.
9/11/15: UPDATE: I went back for lunch today as I was across the street getting photos taken. I had my 3 yr old daughter AND my Leader Dog for the Blind In training puppy with me, I was somewhat worried they would not allow me in with the pup but the manager was beyond pleasant and let us in. My daughter loved the mini burgers and I had the fried chicken sandwich. The waitress, Jessica, was super nice and very accommodating with my demanding 3 yr old ( pickles, extra cucumbers....she knows what she wants). This place has earned my business for great food and wonderful service. Only disappointment: I couldn't get their Mac and Cheese at lunch!!!
(5)Kelly K.
I adore this place for their patio overlooking downtown Birmingham. It's the perfect place for happy hour. They have drink & appetizer specials; sliders and fries are the best, but also try the pizza of the day. I've also visited in the evening for a drink and dessert on the patio; the cobbler is amazing!
(4)Alyssa K.
pretty disappointing dinner experience on a Tue evening consisting of unenthusiastic and lukewarm service, very sadly cooked Octopus/calamari(it was all mushy, not crispy on the outside chewy on the inside), and badly timed chicken which actually tasted pretty good but took an additional 15 min to come out after we had finished everything else. You'd think someone could've at least stopped by to check on us during this long lull and let us know that it was taking a little longer than expected. The best thing about this place was the cornbread muffin but thats hardly a reason to visit a restaurant for dinner.
(2)Gina D.
Came here for dinner about 6 pm on a Friday night, and we were seated in the patio. Our waitress came over and described the specials of the day, and she did such a good job, my mouth was actually watering afterwards. I decided I had to try the duck soup of the day with escarole and onion. I also decided to order the tomato/basil/mozzarella/olive/cucumber salad special of the day with chicken added. My husband ordered a cup of their tomato basil soup and spicy greens salad with goat cheese, and roasted red grapes, with chicken added. We both enjoyed our soup. When the salads arrived, it appears we only received 1/2 order of the chicken. My salad was brought out without olives. The waitress promptly took care of these issues. The salads were very good. The only disappointment was that the chicken was dry, and not very juicy or tender. I ended my meal with a cappuccino, which was very well done. Creamy and just the right amount of froth.
(4)Tony H.
I really hate when a place has decent food but the service makes me give it a low rating. It took forever for a waiter to acknowledge our presence, then we ended up with two, maybe three different people helping us (depending on if you count the nice hostess who was picking up the slack of the waiters). There were only 4 couples total in the restaurant, so it wasn't even busy. We waited at least another 15 minutes to place our order. We were informed the kitchen would be closing soon so we felt rushed. The food came out after some time. The apps were good but the fries are ridiculously over salted. In fact, we sent them back. The waiter did not communicate that the kitchen had closed and it was going to be another 15 minutes before they could heat up the fryer and make some more. Basically the fries came out with dessert. The meal was decent but again too salty (we had chicken). The desserts were great, but not worth the poor customer service or price tag to experience.
(2)Rozalina B.
My boyfriend brought me here for a birthday brunch and the employees at Bird & the Bread were so sweet and helpful, and really made our day so much better! I'm obsessed with the buttermilk biscuits with gravy, so soft and savory. The lamb sausage omelette was very tasty. They serve quality Lavazza coffee here- get a cappuccino! It's pretty on the inside, too. I really look forward to coming back here.
(5)Lauren H.
I stumbled upon this place and grabbed some after dinner drinks at the bar on a week night. Plus if you check in on yelp right now they offer 50% off a draft! I really enjoyed the atmosphere and looking at the menu and reading reviews makes me want to try their food! The waiter was really nice and accommodating and they had a ton of delicious beers on tap! Ambiance was really nice and chill. They had a wall of bookshelves that looked like a nice old fashioned library with a wall ladder. The bar was kind of curved in the middle of the restaurant and was large enough for a good number of people to actually have a seat. There was an interesting looking private room that looks like it would be a nice place for a large group or private party to be hosted! Can't wait to try the food, I'll update when I do!
(4)Cristina M.
Had this restaurant bookmarked for some time. Came for dinner on a Tuesday and was seating right away. It was a nice day so we sat in the outdoor area. We ordered the truffle fries and a Spanish Chorrizo soup as our appetizers. The fries were okay. Have had better truffle. The soup was one of their specials and it was very flavorful and rich. For dinner my husband ordered this lamb entree that came with beans. I tried the lamb and it was so soft and delicious. My friend decided to order a seafood pot that came with all kinds of goodies. She was pleased and filled I ordered the salad of the day which came with dried cherries and it was fresh and tasty. To top it off we got the chocolate lava cake and that did it for me. The BEST!!!! I would definitely come back just for that dessert.
(4)Jon L.
Went here for dinner around 6pm on a Friday, got sat right away in the outdoor patio area. We had the mussels and octopus as appetizers. Octopus was very good, but mussels a little on the small side (but sauce was excellent). For my entree I had the grilled quail with cous cous. I would order it again. Service was very attentive, to the point of almost coming to the table too frequently to clear it before we were done eating. Overall, a good spot that I'll likely return to.
(4)Kelly O.
I'd call this slightly above average. I'd like to give it a 3.5, however I didn't find it to be deserving of a 4. It was a Friday night and I met a girlfriend for dinner. It was busy, but they take reservations and we were promptly seated. My first feeling was a little bit of uncomfortableness due to the table layout. We were right next to the door and it didn't feel private. The other table were close together, too, and you could easily hear other people & vice versa. Food was okay. I ordered the gnocchi with pesto and added shrimp to that. The shrimp were very tough and the gnocchi was okay. We split a flourless ding dong, which was pretty good. Our waiter was pretty great, but towards the end he kind of disappeared. For the prices, I would expect a little better. I'm starting to notice a Birmingham trend... Let's jack up the price, but not really offer anything special... Let alone good customer service!
(3)Patty L.
Service was terrible. We waited over 35 minutes to get our food during their happy hour because the waitress had left without telling anyone. So our food say waiting. We also witnessed the hostess filing her nails. The manager did acknowledge the wait and compensated us for the disservice...that was appreciated. There was also a waiter who was picking up the slack for his fellow workers. He even cleaned up after a bartender had dropped a glass after it stood there for 5-10 minutes. Food was ok. Fries were really good.
(2)Tom S.
To be fair I let this review percolate overnight. With so many good restaurants in Birmingham, the question about The Bird and the Bread is : WHY?? It is actually much more a bar that serves some food than a real restaurant. I ordered the "Signature Dish," the Bird, which is marketed as grilled. When it arrived floating in a sea of broth, you can imagine my surprise. Turns out it's grilled in the morning and then put in the oven in a pan of broth to finish it. Not exactly what I call grilled. So the restaurants self- proclaimed "Signature Dish" is a sham in my opinion. Still it took forever to get that and a pizza out of the kitchen. My wife couldn't finish her pizza , so asked to have it wrapped. Nope. It disappeard never to be seen again. The perfect storm of very marginal food and very slow, confused service. Don't go, unless you are 25 ish and want to hang on the deck in front to drink.
(2)Mike A.
I dined here for the first time as part of the Free Press Top Ten take over. A set menu was offered for the event. The food was great on its own, but the added experience of having the owners speak briefly on the menu and come around from table to table explain the intricacies of each dish really made the evening. From the chicken liver mousse (The Bird) and the delicately homemade biscuits (The Bread) to the 3 day marinated octupus, the spagaghetti that was hand made and extruded through a chitarra (similar to the bridge of a guitar that holds the strings) to the 48 hour short rib, everything was deliciously delightful. I will definitely be back here for a regularl dining experience. I hope it holds up to this event.
(5)alina K.
The service, amazing! Our waiter Andrew was so well mannered and catered to all of our needs. Food, great. 2 thumbs up.
(5)Linda S.
It was my second time at The Bird and the Bread, and also my second time writing a review on Yelp, and I think this place deserves it. Me and my husband stopped there around 7:30. When we walked in we realized that they were busy, their bar seemed to have a big crowd of people drinking and mingling with each other, and the dinning room was busy too. For a moment there we hesitated and debated if we should go in, usually in busy places like this it takes a while to get service. We decided to give it a shot and we made the right choice. We had an amazing dinning experience. The food and the service were excellent. Our meals were uniquely delicious. Our server was very friendly and attentive. These folks rock. During our dinner the floor manager stopped to check on us and make sure that everything was up to our expectations. Sorry did not get her name, but she had a little cute accent. Overall we had a great time and it seems to get better every time we go there. I love The Bird and The bread, they have great food and great service. We will be back soon, keep up the good work.
(5)Doreen M.
Great service, and on a busy Saturday eve, too. The duck was amazing! My co-diner had stale bread with her bruschetta but it was quickly replaced with fresh bread. A bee buzzing around our table (on the patio) was dealt with several times by different waitstaff with no real success other than us all having a laugh over it. Patio seating is just like that. Sometimes there are bugs and it was actually kind of funny. The manager stopped by and chatted with us. She, and all the staff we encountered - hostesses, server, and other waitstaff, were genuinely friendly and non-snooty. The crowd is pretty froufrou, so if you don't like seeing the ritzy B'ham folk marching around in their wedge heels you might not like this place. It's that casual/upscale vibe and it's expensive, so don't kid yourself. The patio area was loud, but again, it was Saturday night. But as a non-froufrou I loved it. Only thing that will keep me away is knowing I can't really afford it. Will save it for another special occasion.
(5)Alex P.
This place opened up FAST! Great to see a new buzzing restaurant open in the otherwise empty space. Came in without a reservation on a Tuesday night. We were one of four tables so we had our choice of seating. Opted for a view of the kitchen near the rear of the restaurant. Got super awesome service as the place was pretty empty for a week night and there were plenty of servers. We shared the tomato basil soup, peas and carrots salad and meat/potatoes pizza. Great selection of the menu and plenty to share and take home. Love the vibe at this place. Neat private room - will keep in mind for a cool dinner party spot with friends. Will def. be back to check out the awesome beer/wine list and to explore the menu some more.
(4)Courtney A.
I recently moved to Michigan last year and this has quickly become one of my favorite (if not my favorite) places. I love the interior decor, but more importantly - their food is wonderful! Some of my favorites are the beets & goat cheese, kale salad and Salmon dinner. The Salmon is probably my favorite Salmon dish I've ever had in a restaurant. Everything I've had here is always packed with flavor and is very, very fresh. This past weekend we had family in from out of town to visit & decided to take them here for Easter Brunch. The menu was great and our service was wonderful. The manager even took the time to show us the event space in the back and really made us feel welcomed. Definitely a must in my book! :)
(5)William C.
The patio on a nice Summer afternoon is a fantastic place for some cocktails and tasty smart food. the Grilled octopus and calamari was cooked perfectly and the sauce was delicious We also really enjoyed the very fflavorful and crispy Diavolo pizza nice wine list Service was attentive and knowledgable a nice low key destination in an otherwise uptight downtown
(5)Joe B.
It's been awhile since I've been back to TB&TB but I felt it time to make my return and what I found was pleasantly surprising. Genevieve was our server...if you haven't had the pleasure hopefully you'll have the good fortune soon. She was bubbly and quick witted but friendly and helpful all the way through the night. We started with some Blanton's Bourbon....I'm not sure about you but this is one of those defining treats I've come to appreciate from venues that actually, 1. Know what Blanton's is and, 2. Offer it in their bar. Onto the food though. I saw that they had potato leek soup on the menu and knowing how good a great one can be I had to try theirs. It was a solid vichyssoise but served hot and very nice, especially on a cold night like on this particular evening. Next to arrive their beet salad with homemade ricotta. This dish should be illegal it's so damn good!!! Fresh local beets and their own ricotta that was so smooth and rich it should be considered an aphrodisiac. Order this and share it, or don't...you'll thank me. For the entrees, my guest had the Short Rib sliders, which were also nice but not amazing. The meat was tender and the sauce dolloped on top of the apple slaw was light but not plentiful enough to cut through the buttery bun and the unctuous short rib. Something extra along with the sliders would've made this dish. I had ordered one of the following from Genevieve to bring unbeknownst to me: A) Their "Bird" rotisserie chicken, which was a little too salty the first and only time I'd had it before...but I wanted to try it again. B) Their potpie of the day, which she warned they may have already 86ed from lunch, but she highly recommended it and told me that she was bringing that out if it was still available, or... C) Their Asiago Gnocchi. She came out with a nice bowl of gnocchi in a pesto cream sauce and I was ecstatic until I took my first bite of the gnocchi...then I just totally blissed out on what was THE BEST GNOCCHI I'VE EVER HAD! I shit you not. Now, I've had good gnocchi before. I've made potato gnocchi from scratch. I've even had gnocchi made from someone's great grandmother's recipe, that was smuggled across the ocean, from the old country, on the Titanic, in her pantaloons....but I've never had gnocchi this good, ever. I had to ask Genevieve to tell me their secret. Their housemade ricotta folded and whipped into the potato mixture to lighten it into soft delicate pillows is what makes these ethereal. The sauce was fantastic but the texture of the pasta was A-mazing. This was one of the better meals I've had in Birmingham to date, and I'm glad I got to update my review from a 4 to a 5. I'll be back for the food and the service and the atmosphere because this place has just a warm sense about itself and it's pleasant all around.
(5)Lee B.
Honestly location is perfect as is the ambiance. Their prices reflect the amount of rent they must pay for such a prime spot however it doesn't warrant for the mediocre food that is served. Service is again mediocre at best. I won't hurry back
(4)Scott L.
Nice spot! Everything we had was great! Roughly 8 guests in our party and everyone was happy. Very unique food. Great beer and wine selection. Wish I were a little closer...I would be there all the time.
(5)Cosimo D.
I am so happy that I came to The Bird & the Bread, even if only b/c it was across the street from the movie theatre. To start off with, I asked the hostess to seat my girlfriend and I away from the cries of the noisy children that were there, and she did so with a smile. Not only that, she made sure not to seat any new ones (a few other new noisy tables came in) anywhere near us. This was a celebratory start to a new place. Next, our waitress, Kelcey, was super knowledgable about the menu, and more than helpful. As she poured us water from the miniature water bottle, which is left on the table, she told us what features they had that night, and her favorite dishes as well. THIS is what service is all about. Further, Sean M., who is the man to ask about wine, ROCKS and enhanced our evening with great recommendations and more than a few laughs. The FOH staff uniforms are simple but modern. Jeans and a black button down and an apron. But, on to the food. I was surprised that the octopus and calamari dish was warm, but it was perfectly delicious. The sauce was just enough without overpowering the natural flavor of the seafood. The Margherita pizza was fantastic. The fresh mozzarella makes a bit of water on the top, so use your silverware and not your hands. The pizza chef smartly seasons the top with salt and pepper, along with the tomatoes and basil, because fresh mozzarella can sometimes be quite bland. We appreciated that. I wish I could remember the names of the veggie dish and dessert that we ordered, but alas, I cannot. I'll tell you that it is not cheap. I almost gave it 4 stars because of the price point and portion sizes, but after reconsideration, I thought better about it. It's in Birmingham, the food was A-quality, and the staff and décor are on point. What more could I ask for? Well, I'll tell you what more people SHOULD ask for and expect at a restaurant. I saw the manager(s) walking around a lot, making sure that the staff were not on their cell phones goofing off, and that guests were happy. The management was engaged with their clientele. If I had a problem that evening, I'm more than positive they would have handled it immediately. Thank you to the management and staff at The Bird & The Bread for proving that great food and great service can indeed be a mutual expectation when dining out.
(5)Crystal C.
My first time here I came again lunch happy hour time 3-6 T- F well serving staff must have been going through a transition because everyone seems a little confused and unsure about the menu options and the prices. When I came in they said it was half off pizza and sliders for happy hour. Cool! I got the salmon sliders with fresh cut seasoned fries (quite tastey!) Sliders were soo yummy nice and lightly breaded and moist well seasoned with tasty house made aioli and red onion. I need more of these in my life! I will return to try other menu options that sound good. Everything is prepared in house and fresh an added bonus.
(4)Deborah E.
This restaurant was a great find. I ate a late lunch there, and we sat outdoors. The service was perfect. The food was amazing. Finally an interesting salad in Detroit metro area. I had a shiitake mushroom salad and a quinoa kale salad both shared with my friend. The fried garbanzo beans in the mushroom salad are something I am still craving! The menu looks diverse and there is something there for even traditional food people. But I love the creativity of the menu. Well executed venue.
(4)Nick M.
I was debating between two and three stars, for various reasons. Let me explain... My girlfriend and I went out for a friend's birthday party. The stars for this place started treading downward very fast in my Yelp-fueled mind ... we showed about 10-15 minutes early and sat at the bar for a quick drink. What do you know, there were three bartenders on a Friday night and NOT ONE acknowledged our existence. Anyone who is not Stevie Wonder would have seen us sitting there, without any beverages, and waiting for someone to greet us. Nope, the bartenders just joked around with one another and stood on the other side of the bar. Maybe they don't like tips? Then everyone showed up and we got a long table. The waiter seemed lackadaisical, like he was half high/half didn't care/half tired. For a table of about 10, it took over 30 minutes JUST TO GET DRINKS. (At that point my GF and I had waited over an hour to drink anything booze-related.) Then, another half hour after our drinks came out, so did our food. Yay... The funny part is that the place is called "The Bird and the Bread," yet no bread is served. When someone asked about bread, the waiter said we had to order it. Yeah, no thanks. Would have probably taken another hour. I started with a Caesar salad that basically comes as half a head of romaine lettuce. In trying to be fancy and sophisticated, it was hard to eat and doused in dressing. Nothing special, especially for $9. I got the Diavolo pizza, which was six slices and I actually ate the whole thing in that sitting (yeah, I was pretty hungry). The pizza is on the spicier side because of the peppers in it. It also comes with three-cheese blend and prosciutto, which is one of the best meats anywhere. It was pretty good overall. Not the best but certainly not the worst. Was the best thing on the menu for the price, too. This place, like many other places in Birmingham, has a pretentious vibe to it. I'm not sure why it took so long to get our drinks, or why we weren't even acknowledged as human beings at the bar, or why it took another 20 minutes post-meals to get the bills -- it seemed like a restaurant predicated on crappy service and obscene prices (I paid $10 for one beer). I heard of it and wanted to give it a try, which I did. But will I ever go back? That seems like a long shot, to say the least.
(2)Khadija K.
I'm a huge fan of Sunday brunches and restaurants that know how to serve it properly. I've only ever been to TB&TB on Sundays, and it has become one of my favorite brunch spots in the 248, for both the food and the cozy inside. I've tried the shrimp and grits Benedict, the salmon sliders, the honey challah french toast, primavera vegetable, and simple cheese pizza. Every single option was absolutely delicious. Best of all, however, was the apple dessert. I highly recommend it! My only real complaint is that the menu was far too small. I know many restaurants in Birmingham don't have the most extensive menus, but I would appreciate eating here far more if there were a few more options.
(4)Aaron K.
They have an okay menu. It takes a little while to get service sometimes. The out door patio and the drink menu is why you really come here. If you're looking for an after work drink or a place to enjoy the summer weather this might be a good bet. If you're in a rush and at lunch. Then don't come here. If you have a problem though and you voice it, they will fix it in a moments notice. Their chicken salad sandwich is probably the best one I have had. Ever! Give this place a shot.
(3)Barbara P.
We chose this restaurant for our special birthday celebration because it was highly recommended by the Detroit Free Press. There are five of us who have birthdays within a two month period and we celebrate annually with a special meal. This one was a disappointment. My husband wanted the rib-eye steak which was the evening's special. It was a 14 ounce steak and was priced at $40.00. Since it was so large he decided to share it with another member of our party. The steak was mostly fat. When he pointed this out to the manager, another steak was promptly served. Unfortunately this one was also most fat. It was not edible. It was served with fries which were good. We were not charged for the steak after the second fiasco. The staff did apologize. The service was spotty. One member of our party ordered a pizza and was served a full ten minutes past the time the rest of us were served. We were not informed of the delay and in fact thought that the order had not been submitted. The $14.00 pizza looked appetizing but was not crisp. My salmon was very good and was attractively plated and served at my request with roasted potatoes which were also good. However, the salmon was priced at $28.00 and did not include anything but bread. The last member of our party had a hamburger which was good. We were disappointed and will not be returning.
(2)Kim L.
I thought our experience and food here was good, but not a great dining experience. The menu offers a variety of choices, but nothing terribly interesting or different. We were seated promptly just inside the door, not my favorite choice of seating, but ok. The noise level is a bit loud in there because of the high ceilings, so there's a continuous cacophony of people talking which means you need to raise your own voice to converse which I'm sure adds to the noise level. I ordered a Malbec ( $12), my son got a stout. Both were very good. We started with the charcuterie plate ($19) which had 2 cheeses, 3 meats, hard bread slices, and some pickled veggies. We enjoyed all of the offerings. I ordered the duck dish ($30) my son got the lamb shank ($28). I thought my dish was good, but not complex, and there was still a lot of fat on the duck pieces which meant I found myself chewing on fat and trying to figure out how to dispose of it. (nuf said). The leg ballotine was better then the breast. I thought the zucchini pierogi was good. My son thought his lamb tasted more like beef and was disappointed it didn't have a more lamb / gamey flavor. The side of snap peas was pretty blase. We asked for the baquette that comes with the entrees, but realized late in our meal that our waitress had never brought it. Our waitress disappeared for quite a while later in the meal and we had to flag down our hostess to get our check. For the prices it should be better. If I'm going to spend $100+ for 2 for a meal, I want it to be more interesting and taste a bit better.
(3)Robert K.
I've heard a lot about this place and had to give it a try and I have to say I am very disappointed. I'll start with the positive(s): the atmosphere / decor. My list ends there. Well, we were seated promptly, so I guess we can put that in the plus column. I started with a cocktail, their version of a gin fizz, which was pretty good but definitely not what I was expecting and was served in the wrong kind of glass for the cocktail. For dinner we decided to try 'The bird', a rotisserie chicken that they are known for. It was decent, but at $30, I really didn't find myself that much more wowed over the chicken than I would be with a wal-mart chicken that I took home and doctored up. On the menu it states that 'complimentary baguettes are available upon request", so we decided to order that as well so we would have a chance to try the bread. After a few reminders the waiter finally brought it. It was as good as you would expect for restaurant made bread. When the bill eventually came we saw we were charged $4 for this "complimentary" baguette. When we inquired about this charge we were told by the waiter that we had to specifically request the complimentary baguette "because the chef was very finicky". What? The waiter ended up getting this charged removed, but this is a ridiculous policy. Also, at what restaurant is the chef concerned about things like this? Take a baguette, put it on a plate with some butter, end of task. Move on. In fact, this is an expediter's task. Seeing as there is no bread basket and your restaurant is called "The Bird & The Bread", this is really a no-brainer. Come on guys, you gotta do better than this. If you are looking for a really nice atmosphere at the cost of disappointing service and mediocre food that costs about 40% more than it should, then this is the place for you.
(2)David A.
I am more of a burgers and fries type of guy myself, but my wife wanted to go here, so off we went. My wife ordered the signature dish which she thought was "diet friendly" it was not, she was angry, I got kind of plastered which my wife didn't like, but the drinks were much better than the duck, or bird, or whatever they called it. My wife said we are never going back :)
(3)Derek D.
We held a surprise birthday for my sister's 30th this past Saturday and rented out the back room with a full cash bar, food, desserts, and a karaoke DJ. It was a great idea. Fifty of our closest friends enjoyed a night of acceptable humiliation, questionable vocals, and fun. The staff and service was first class, and the venue could not have been more perfect in terms of layout and location. I have had dinner here before on several occassions, and the food is excellent. If you enjoy wine, ask if John the owner is in and he will be happy to match your palate with a complimenting wine of choice. The staff is friendly, the food is great, and the atmosphere is great for any type of occasion - from a simple dinner for two or an elaborate party for 100+ in the back. Enjoy!
(5)Mike M.
Pro: The food was really good. We started with the cheese bread with creamy dill dip, which was very tasty. We had the Scottish Salmon and the seared sea scallops. Both were excellent and we'd recommend both if you opt to eat here. The wait staff was very friendly and helpful. Con: Could do with a few less tables. The tables in the front are so close together, it was as if we were sitting at the same table with strangers. It was also difficult to get to our seats without bumping into other as they ate. The cramming of the tables also made it difficult for our server to get through with our food. Overall: It would be difficult for me to recommend eating here without mentioning the problem with the excess tables to my friends. I realize you need to maximize space to accommodate as many customers as possible, but it really ruins the atmosphere. I expected a little more from a restaurant in downtown Birmingham.
(3)Bojan B.
They have good location and nice outdoor seating. Went there on Sunday and I was disappointed with their menu as it was just 7-8 options till 4PM. I asked for something else which was rejected. My post has 4 stars just because the burger I had was so good, I really cannot remember eating such fresh meat recently. Overall, they should work on offering more things for brunch.
(4)Corey H.
An elegant modern bistro with high standards and lofty ambitions it sometimes reaches, while retaining comfortable, fun atmosphere. The food is thoughtful and excellently prepared, with fully developed, deeply flavorful dishes. Some details need honing; case in point, the otherwise delightful burger marred by a lifeless tomato slice. The desserts are flawless, and the presence of skilled pastry chef on staff is clear. Certain quirks, like the tiny birdcages used to house the checks, are less cute than pointless. The prices are also a tad steep on certain entrées, and a place with "bread" in its name should offer a complimentary basket, and not an $8 baguette. Service is friendly and attentive
(4)Sala W.
I came back here with my family for an early dinner on Mother's Day and everyone, including my 91-year old grandmother was so impressed by the food. We sat out on the large patio and it was a wonderful setting. We had not ordered the bread basket (it is $5) but one was delivered to us on accident. The bread is all house made and delicious, paying for a bread basket is pretty scandalous but if you are down for it this bread is surely worth your 5 bucks, and you get refills. In it there was foccacia, cranberry walnut, some kind of olive bread, a cinnamon bun - all warm and fresh. Thank you to the server that screwed up and delivered it to us! I got the half rotisserie chicken with 'adult' green bean casserole. The chicken was amazing, I normally do not like white meat, but it was all so juicy and the skin had a nice crispy bite to it. The green been casserole was out of this world too - it had big mushrooms in it and crispy onions on top. This is place has definitely earned a spot in my restaurant rotation.
(5)Nessa F.
Fantastic burger (better than Townhouse)...good drinks. Lovely patio. More like nice bar with food....solid.
(4)Vickie M.
We have had wonderful meals and service here twice and look forward to coming back to try other delicious menu selections! We started with the duck (absolutely great flavors) and fries (seasoned well) for appetizers. Friends had the full Bird with two sides and became members of the clean plate club. We had lamb, The Braise, and I must say it was even better than lamb dishes we have tried in Greek Town, amazing! (I will say the bread that comes with the lamb was not necessary and too tough to pull apart and eat - unlike the lamb that fell off the bone nicely!) Great selection of beer and wine! Friendly and knowledgeable wait staff - Katie one night and Brian later in the same week - excellent suggestions on pairings and their impeccable service made for a wonderful dining experience! The patio can get a little loud with traffic going by on a main road, yet it was enjoyable to sit outside. We were able to have a quiet conversation inside later in the week while we enjoyed our meals as well. The best of both atmospheres in one place! We look forward to trying the remainder of the appetizers and entires, as this restaurant delivered quality at a decent price, great wait staff and casual, comfortable atmosphere!
(4)Bill B.
I am always happy to find a very good restaurant but I am really happy when it is across the street from a very good movie theater. Such is the case with The Bird & The Bread, which is just steps from the Birmingham 8. My wife and I decided to try it after seeing a movie. Good choice. If I had to sum up the place in a phrase, it would be this: they care. This was evident from our waiter, who, when I mentioned that I was vegetarian, said that they would be happy to whip up something special in addition to the existing veg choices on the menu; to the food (see next paragraph); to the room, an open, warm-spirited amalgam of restaurant and convivial bar yet welcoming to families; to wanting us to actually fill out feedback card there to the manager / proprietor (?) talking with us afterward. Speaking of food, it was quite good. Again, attention to detail was what distinguished it. Everything is from scratch. The greens and grains salad (good dark greens, farro and amaranth and a nicely balanced raspberry dressing) was the best side salad I have had in some time. My entree was an onion stuffed with quinoa and surrounded by greens, carrots and dense mushrooms in an intense sauce. The onion had that wonderful roasted flavor (usually only available with meat entrees). My wife also enjoyed her rotisserie chicken, done to fine crispness but not dry and accompanied with a subtle potato gratin. All dishes were not only delicious but presented very artistically. I highly recommend you visit The Bird & The Bread, especially before or after a movie.
(5)Tanya L.
I came here for an impromptu Friday night dinner date with my husband. I had heard wonderful things about it, but husband was skeptical. Both of us ended up really enjoying our meal. I ordered a "fire and fruit"--a drink made of very good tequila, fruit juice, limes and muddled Serrano peppers. It was absolutely excellent, the peppers giving it just the right amount of "zing" (although I did ask them to go light on the peppers). We had warm pretzels with cheese beer sauce and a plate of really good grilled octopus and calamari. For the entry, my husband had Scottish salmon. I tried a bit, and it was excellent, not muddy-tasting at all. I had a "pot de mer,"a seafood concoction with prawns, mussels, clams, andouille sausage and two baguettes for dipping in the broth. It was absolutely excellent. All around a really good meal, with excellent service, in a pretty and pleasant atmosphere (not loud!), costing approximately $100 for two entrees, two appetizers, and two drinks (one with alcohol).
(5)Michele M.
Love this place! Great wine and drink selection. The picky bites are yummy and they keep the menu fresh. Service is awesome here. They are friendly and personable. A great place to check out!
(4)Chris H.
Second visit and a much better experience. The first was on the day they changed the menu and the kitchen got backed up. They gave us free desert as a "thank you" and we weren't in a hurry do no harm done. This trip was a birthday celebration. Service was friendly and not intrusive (thanks Amanda). Chicken was delicious and some came home. Lamb sausage rope was good too- my som's first lamb experience. Pizza was good. Free chocolate desert for the birthday girl. We sat outside on the patio. Enjoyed watching the world go by. Noise level was lower there than inside. Beer and wine selections are excellent bill for three was less than $100 before tip. Great value. We will definitely be back.
(4)John K.
Awesome place. Great menu and great bar staff. Sean introduced a couple of beers to me that were spot on. Mussels were very good as well. Great look and feel to a once challenged space. Kristen and team have it right. New hangout for me. Peace
(5)Alex J.
The apple dessert is unreal. The apples are warm and the salted caramel ice cream delish. Cool casual spot in Birmingham if you want to relax.
(5)Heather M.
Things have changed and for the better!!! New chef and an amazing food menu!! So excited for all the great new food!!! I know how hard it is to work at all the kinks in a new place and The Bird and The BreAd is even better then before! New great food... New wines to add to the already wonderful list and some awesome new craft cocktails for the season!!! If you were not excited for your first experience or you already love this place you will be looking forward to your next visit !!! Try it out for your self :)
(5)dawn v.
This is a tough one. If I had skipped the appetizer, I would've given three stars. On the lunch menu, there are French fries with "alioli and chicken cracklings" for $6. What came out was a handful of fries in a small bucket with a side of ketchup. When I asked the waitress, she returned 5minutes later with a side of alioli. When I asked what chicken cracklings were, she needed another 5 minutes to return with another small alioli with fried crumbs sprinkled on top. $6 is a Lot of money for a handful of fries. And shouldn't the waitress know what the appetizer is supposed to look like instead of me?? She was very nice but I might've been her first day? Total was almost $90 for lunch for 3 people. (1 app, 2 sandwiches and a pizza. No dessert. 2 cocktails) If you're spending $90 for three lunches, it should be memorable, considering they are competing with locals like Social, Townhouse, Toast and Hyde Park. For the money, I'd go to any of those before I'd return here. On the positive, the lobster sandwich is very unique, with a fried slice atop the lobster salad. But the fried piece is very heavily battered. I peeled most of it off. A light Panko-like breading would make more sense, and most lobster tolls would be a little soft. The bread was grilled til stiff. The Mitten Burger is tasty, but again, for the money, you're going to Luxe, RedCoat or Vinsetta. Cocktails were wonderful. I'd give three stars just for those. So maybe this is a drinks before dinner place? But idk, I would just do that at Hyde park, across the street, where the drinks are just as good.
(2)Tracy K.
Came across this place after having dinner and wanted dessert. The place is very nice and has an upscale kind of vibe. I had the chocolate lava cake. It was very tasty and the cake melts in your mouth. The table next to us order an entree and the portion size is decent but it did not look like they like the food much. Definitely a recommendation for a night cap for dessert and wine.
(3)Ravi J.
Service was great but food was ok. Bruschetta was ok. Would not recommend burger. Gnocchi was good.
(3)Julie B.
I had dinner there last night with a friend and her son. The atmosphere was warm and cozy the staff was friendly. It was just a little loud for my taste and the tables were so close together, being clumsy, i was worried i was going to knock something over on someone's table im glad I'm not overweight, i would never have made or through the maze of tables to reach ours in the front corner (yes they put baby in the corner. Lol). Yes we were so close I felt like we were having dinner with The couple next to us, I could hear their conversation clear as day. The food was okay but not spectacular. It had a nice presentation but was a bit bland.
(3)Libby T.
The Bird & The Bread is a cute neighborhood restaurant that is working out some kinks. We stopped in on Saturday night to a fairly busy restaurant (couples, friends, and families), but were seated immediately. Our server was kind and offered some great suggestions (clearly stating his favorites, not just "everything is good" or "depends on what you like"). We ordered some drinks and the mussels with ham and leeks to start. Drinks were returned in a reasonable amount of time, but it took 1hr and 45 minutes for the mussels to arrive (we ordered an entree 20 minutes in, realizing the kitchen ran a bit slow). Our waiter apologized profusely. When they arrived, they were well done - the mussels high quality, the broth flavorful, and the ham adding an unexpected kind of saltiness to the dish. Which was interesting, but part of a theme that was going to continue. 45 minutes after our mussels were taken away, we received the 1/2 rotisserie chicken and sides of green bean casserole and potato gratin casserole. The sides were welcome adult interpretations of some of my favorite comfort classics, but the chicken was extremely salty. I had been looking forward to getting the pots de creme, but they were out of them that night, so we had instead the cranberry apple cobbler a la mode on recommendation from the waiter, which was phenomenal - firm fruit, crisp topping, and just the right amount of sweet. The prices were reasonable and we were in no rush, so the 3.5 hr dinner we had was fine, but I'd rather not go through 8 water bottles during dinner because of the saltiness of the food, so I'd wait to return until they work out those kinks.
(3)Danielle D.
I enjoyed a lovely dinner with my nephew on the occasion of his 10th birthday. Our waiter, Spencer, was excellent and answered all his menu questions with seriousness and patience. He took great care of us and definitely helped my nephew feel good. We ordered a pizza and a delicious burger. We both agreed the frites were the best ever. I felt the adult beverage selection was great and I enjoyed my glass of Char immensely. Would for sure go back.
(4)Adam B.
The food and ambience are superb. The owners are very nice and always around to offer something special and off the menu.
(5)Genevieve J.
Open for Lunch, Brunch and Dinner. The ambience and decor are Really original and cozy. Makes for a great night out for any occasion. The Two Banquet rooms in the back are gorgeous. The service was great and so was the rotisserie chicken and green bean casserole. The Patio is really nice for Brunch, mango mimosas and salmon bennies (: yummy
(5)Fatima S.
Pizza was okay but the main dishes were a real let down...kinda greasy and nothing special :(
(2)Michelle T.
I would really give this a 3 1/2. I went here last night for dinner. It was rather empty, yet the service was slow. The waiter gave good suggestions. I got the $17 (! ) burger, but the portion of fries was huge and it was only $1 to upgrade to truffle fries. Both burger and fries were amazing. Good beer list. They lose points bc my friends had soups and salads and were largely unimpressed. They also lose points for the price-- the most expensive burger I've ever ordered. I would definitely return for the fries.
(3)William T.
In this day of no carbs it is great to see somewhere that is willing to serve them. The bread basket is a must have. It is $5 which sounds like a lot if you are thinking plain old boring bread but this is far from boring. The selection was very large and the breads were excellent. There was an olive bread, delicious corn bread muffins, a cinnamon roll that was absolutely perfect in that it was not too sweet, a blueberry and walnut bread. There were others in the basket as well but I did not have room to finish. The chef's take on French Onion soup was outstanding. A meal in itself. The size was almost shocking. I was expecting a little cup or a small bowl. What came out was a large, deep bowl with the most perfectly browned gruyere melted on top and the mushrooms added wonderful flavor. My dining companion ordered the rotisserie chicken and the smaller portion (1/2 chicken) was more then enough for a meal. It was moist and flavorful and the green bean casserole was mad with fresh beans and béchamel, not the disgusting canned variety. We were able to dine outside and the dining area was comfortable and the acoustics were not too loud. Inside looked very nice as well and the bar seemed inviting. All in all the value seems very good, especially for the size of the portions and for an area that is typically very pricy. Nice ambiance, notable wine list and good menu. I am looking forward to dining at The Bird and The Bread again.
(4)AndrewSumi G.
I have been to this in Birmingham multiple times for both lunch and dinner. The ambience is eclectic but still friendly. For lunch, their chicken salad sandwich is is huge and amazing! Their charcuterie is also huge. This past time we went for dinner, I was slightly disappointed. We first got the pork sliders and the cheese bread for appetizers. Although the pork belly sliders were good, the portion size was small. They didn't have the bread basket anymore, so that's why we got the cheese bread which was good. For entrées we got the half roasted chicken and the duck breast. The roasted chicken was cooked really well with crispy skin and moist meat. The duck breast was also extremely tasty. We also got the truffle fries and the Mac and cheese as sides. The truffle fries not as good as they were in the past. They were not crispy, not hot enough and slightly limp. That was quite sad! The Mac and cheese was also not up to par. There was not enough cheese and the noodle was kind of not cooked enough. The shining moment was dessert with the lava cake. However, they did not give us utensils for 5 minutes until we asked. Overall, I think they could've done better for a $50 per person meal... Maybe I will just stick to their lunch menu from now on...
(3)Donovan B.
I am never disappointed here. Came in with some co workers and they absolutely put on a great meal. The management is great. Ive had many things here but i recently had the pot pie. Just like home. I had the breakfast stout on tap. Delicious. The place is gorgeous. Very nice place to take a date.
(5)Lynette A.
The atmosphere here is great. The staff is very nice and accomendating. The food was good. We had some of the pizza which came out fresh and had tons of flavor. We also had mussels, they were a little undercooked for my taste but great flavor. The lava cake was to die for! The portion was small but perfect for after a big meal. Will definitely be going back to try more dishes.
(4)U N.
Great service and unique ingredients. The lasagna was deconstructed but the flavours made sense. The pesto gnocchi was amazing as well. Will definitely go again to try other things on the menu.
(4)Lauren M.
I know what this restaurant was going for, but they fell short. While the decor and ambiance were desirable, the service and food were mediocre at best. This is disappointing since the trendy name and vibe shouldn't be wasted. I was there with 3 others and here is what we enjoyed: tomato basil soup, sweet potatoes, mac & cheese, and cold water. Here are the issues we had: a server didn't come over for ten minutes once we were seated, our water depleted and wasn't filled for 20 minutes and we had to ask, we were served soup with no spoons and one of us had to get up to find a server, the prime rib was terrible, chicken was border line raw, and we were there for 2 hours which is too long in the restaurant biz. I liked my lamb shank, but I was the only one in my party who really liked anything. Our server was sweet, but she was not trained well and disappointed us. I had high hopes for this place, and I am sad to report we won't be going back.
(2)Keila B.
We visited TB&TB on a Saturday night for BDK's birthday. There were three of us and we had a reservation. The design of the restaurant is very cool. Like the openness and the tile. Not crazy about the high top tables but thankfully they asked if we had a preference and we chose a low top. Our server, Spencer, was great. Knew the menu and was very friendly and just the right amount of chatty. He recommended a few after dinner spots and we even got to talk a little baseball. We started with some cocktails: BDK had the P3 Cosmo but he had them put it in a lowball glass! Haha. Our friend and I both had the Manhattan. They were excellent. Made with Bulleit bourbon and the cherries were out of this world. On to the food! We shared the cheesy bread and it was really good. The best part was the house made dill sauce. I ordered the burger and it was probably one of the best burgers I've ever had. The meat was juicy and very flavorful on its own. The bun was great. They toasted it really well and so it had a nice crunch to it that contrasted well with the burger. The only underwhelming thing about my meal were the truffle fries. The fries themselves were nothing to write home about. They didn't really look house made. I'm a french fry aficionado and these did not live up to expectations. BDK had the gnocchi and said it was really good. Our other companion had the Scottish salmon and he said it was excellent. Overall, this was a great place. BDK said I did a great job picking a place from 600 miles away with very little knowledge of the local dining scene. Yelp was actually very helpful in this. Go eat here!
(4)Jake D.
A tad pricey.. Food is nothing more than okay. On the contrary, great group setting with and interesting and formal ambience/decor. Service was slow and there weren't more than fifteen people in the restaurant.
(3)The D.
Mussels were great, too many to finish. My lady friend had the calamari salad. It was very tender light and citrusy. The bartenders seem like nice people but lacked any interest in the guests. Not polite or well mannered. Learn to say thank you and at least pretend you care to serve me a $15 glass of wine.
(3)Jeffrey A.
Wow...! What can I say that hasn't already been said? The Bird and the Bread is an excellent restaurant. I went with my friend and his mom, and we all enjoyed our meals, the great service, and the wonderful beer and wine list.
(5)Rita Y.
I was extremely disappointed in the restaurant and the service. I ate the Pom frittes which were not even fully cooked. For my entree I hate the rotisserie chicken and the mac and cheese. Everything was extremely salty to the point where I was almost not even able to eat it. I was also disappointed with the service. My friend and I finished our drinks and the waiter never asked if we wanted another one. Finally for this restaurant being "the bird and the bread" I think it's quite ridiculous you have to pay for the bread. I will not be returning.
(2)Karina K.
I came here with a couple ladies and my 2 yr old on Sunday around 630, we were promptly greeted and seated without a reservation in the little "bird cage" seating area. We were then promptly greeted by our waitress, and that's about the end of the prompt service. It took us about 2.5 hours or so to get through dinner, hence why I removed a star. However, if you are in the mood to wine and dine and talk in a cool atmosphere... This is your place, as long as you find parking! Appetizers we got the mussels with the lemon sauce, and added the truffle fries... Both were amazing. We also got the calamari and squid appetizer, it was a bit chewy, no one really liked it. For my son, I ordered him a pepperoni pizza, thin crust with basil and fresh cheese, excellent. My girlfriend and I both ordered the lamb shank... It was AWESOME! my son pulled up his chair to share, it was fall off the bone amazing. The sauce was just enough to compliment, paired with roasted baby onions and potatoes. Really, quite excellent and a good size portion. My cousin had the scallops, which she said were great, but it only came with 4, so don't order if you are hungry!! We shared the brown sugar cake dessert, also amazing but very small. Overall, excellent food, just VERY SLOW.
(4)Hans B.
Well, two stars is a bit low and three a bit high. Seating was prompt and service was excellent. I had read about the $5 bread before going, didn't think paying $5 for great bread was a problem. The problem is that the bread was just okay, not great and not that fresh. I've had much better bread for free. My salmon main course tasted very good but was not hot, my girlfriends meal was excellent. Will I go back? Maybe if I hear that the bread is free or has improved I'd give them another try.
(3)Kyle R.
Visited the Bird and the Bread three times now for lunch and dinner. I first have to say I really love that there is finally a place in Birmingham where I can go for lunch and a drink without breaking the bank. Most places in Birmingham I spend $30-40 at the absolute minimum. I started with the sun dried tomato basil soup which was nice and hearty ($4.00). Then I ordered the spicy prawn salad ($12.00) which was absolutely phenomenal perfect amount of dressing, spicy, and being a big guy myself it was a great portion to get me through the day. I also have to mention the Wrap a Tat tat sandwich which in my opinion is the best lunch meal on the menu for just $7.00. Seriously I'll be back 5 days a week if I could just for this wrap. Truthfully one of the best I've ever had. I also am a big beer drinker and was blown away by there selection and prices. After reading some of these other posts I really can't believe some of these people are really complaining about being charged for the bread. I have yet to find a place in Birmingham where I can get a high quality beer for $7.00 or less. There drink menu also contains close to probably 100 different choices of beer and even more for wine. Being a big beer drinker I got a 4 oz draft pour of the Brooklyn Sorachi Ace and a Michigan Micro brew CEO coffee stout for $1.50 each. Then added a 12 oz bottle of Atwater Vanilla Java for $5.00. Seriously, where in Birmingham can you go and get a beer for $5.00? They even had a few selections for $4.00 but most were priced between $5-$7. All set and done my bill came to $24.00 for 3 beers a soup and salad. This seemed like a cool place to hangout at night though I haven't done so yet myself. When I went for dinner I went with my girlfriend with the same great experience. Place was very relaxed and I felt completely comfortable without all the craziness and over crowding like most other places in Birmingham. The Bird and Bread was very nicely spaced out and the ambiance was perfect so my girl and I could talk peacefully but still have a great outing experience. Most places have low ceilings and a really dark atmosphere. B&B was lite up with bright lights and felt like I got a little taste of California or Chicago with there rustic environment and pizza oven. The owner personally greeting us at our table and helped us pick out a bottle of wine for us to share. We ended up getting a Michigan Pinot Blanc for around $40.00. It was very nice and crisp. Reminded me that summer is right around the corner. The owner seemed very knowledgeable about the wine she was serving which we appreciated. For dinner we ordered Lamb rope sausage which was fantastic for $18.00. My girlfriend ordered the seared scallops for $32.00. I felt that was a little pricey but that aside everything was excellent. Our final bill was about $90.00 which we felt was about average pricing but considering the value for the food, drink, and service they hit it out of the park. I will definitely be back for lunch for sure and will try having a night time drink there soon. I CAN'T WAIT to see what plans they have for happy hour. They did mention that they were going to start that soon if they haven't already. This place is also loaded with T.Vs which for me makes it one of the very few places in Birmingham to catch a game and get a beer.
(5)Olive S.
I joined two friends at The Bird & The Bread on a Sunday evening for dinner. We were sad we couldn't sit outside but understood because the weather is starting to cool. It was my first time to the restaurant and the decor was more than comfortable, I had a lot to look at without being overwhelmed and I really appreciated the acoustic tiles on the ceiling and that the music was not overly loud. We could actually engage in a conversation without yelling. Our server, Kyle, was fantastic; he was knowledgeable, friendly and attentive. We also had a visit from the manager just to say hello. Because two of us had no time table and the third was actually battling a deadline we were not the easiest table to satisfy but the service was impeccable and all our needs were met. We shared meals and each of them was delicious. The list: mussels, truffle fries, brisket sliders, fish and chips, chicken and some fantastic wine. We ordered a favourite wine, Flowers Chardonnay (from their special wines menu) and when it came time for a second bottle Kyle recommended one of his favourites, Sauvignon Blanc, Saint Clair Shores Pioneer Block, Marlborough, NZ with the caveat if we hated it he would take it back, It exceeded our expectations. All of the food was beautifully prepared, tasty and nicely presented. Of all the things to comment on I have to call out the truffle fries. I don't frequently indulge in them because I find most kitchens are heavy handed with the truffle oil but at The Bird & The Bread the fries have a perfect balance of truffle, salt and potato taste. I would sit at the bar with one of their signature cocktails, an order of fries and be quite content. So many items on the menu intrigued us we have already made our return plans. Oh, and why 4 stars and not 5? I can't say except I think when I have a 5-star experience there will be no words to describe and I will sit in my room savoring the memory instead of writing a Yelp review.
(4)myrrisa h.
I went here a while back so I have forgotten some of the details. I remember the food being ok. It is a limited menu and it all seemed a little boring for my taste but I am picky. The atmosphere is good. I liked the industrial feel and I liked the service. I remember the drinks being okay. Nothing that I feel was outstanding and worth a shout out. All in all I feel like its a decent place but nothing I would be dying to go back to. To be honest it feels like it is a copy of a lot of places
(3)Chelsea A.
So far so good.... I've only experienced the limited menu at The Bird and The Bread, but it was very decent. Very cool interior with a mildly industrial vibe but warmed up with a blend of new and aged woods, plenty of cookbooks, and lots of color pops. The barstools are comfy and the lighting is pleasing. The cocktail list is creative and includes a stunner, Fruit and Fire. It's a tequila based drink, served on rocks featuring muddled Serrano peppers and fruit, with a little lime. It is spicy. It is amazing. The food is typical of Michigan- simple, home style and portioned generously. We had some roasted chicken that was good, and a beet salad with ricotta that was simple but very balanced and enjoyable. The major bonus of this spot is that Sean is there. One of my favorite bartenders. Ever. I'll update this review after seeing a full menu.
(4)Emily M.
Came here a few months ago with family on a Sunday night. The place was almost deserted. However, it took over an hour to get our food once ordered. People who arrived after us got their food far faster. Family was frustrated and irritated. The food itself was okay. Also disappointed that "the bread" (a selection of house made breads with nice variety that I'd enjoyed last time) was no longer available. Will not be returning.
(1)E P.
Tried this new place on a Saturday night. Went at five which was a good choice. By six pm it was standing room only. Our server was Amy and she was excellent. When we try new places we generally get a range of dishes and share. We had the mussels in tomatoes and horseradish, the cheese and nuts plate, the fish and chips, the sliders and everything was excellent. The only meh in the bunch was the bread basket. Wouldn't recommend it or get it again. For entrees we had the chicken, the skirt steak and the prime rib. All were good. Overall a great new addition to Birmingham and we will be back.
(4)Geoff M.
Visited on a Tuesday night with a party of 5 probably close to 6 PM. Place smelled really good the second we walked in and we were seated right away. Service was attentive and friendly without always being in your face. Menu is pretty funky - lots of unique variety. Waiter told us they would be possibly changing it seasonally and it sounded like most things were organic, local or made on premises. Paella was really good (especially the chorizo they used/made); others at the table had scallops which they liked but thought might be even better if not sitting atop the risotto. Very good beer list, including a number of drafts. Can't really speak to the wine but those dining with me seemed pleased. When seated, they gave us 3 different drink menus - beer, wine, liquor - all pretty extensive. Will be on my list next time I travel up to Birmingham.
(4)Tim S.
Great food for a Birmingham bear. Very nice for a bear snack and drink during the day.
(4)Rachel C.
The second time we've been here, figuring we'd give it a second chance but unfortunately we were disappointed. After sitting down it took us over 45 minutes just to get drinks - we got our appetizer before the drinks! (This wasn't some complicated drink either... it was beer!) Food was okay, our appetizer of grilled calamari and octopus was quite good, but we had to send the halibut entree back as it was very bland. Pot de Mer was good, as well as the chocolate stout braised short rib. When we asked for more silverware or for another menu to look at more drinks, they took about 10 minutes just to track down either of those things! Seemed just a little disorganized... Finally, the dessert of peach crostada with basil gelato was DELICIOUS. We did end the night on a good note, and our waiter was very nice and did his best to deal with the shortcomings of the kitchen and the bar.
(3)Dean H.
I have mixed feelings about this place. The center is dominated by a large oval bar with suspended HD televisions tuned to sports with the sound at a high level. There are many taps at the bar and a two page wine list. The bottle prices seemed typical but the glass prices for the limited selection were higher than average. We made good wine choices and enjoyed them. I can't speak to the beer. Quite a few tables surrounded the bar and there was outdoor seating. All the entree descriptions sounded excellent and the prices were fine dining level. I am reluctant to pay that with a TV in my face. We settled on the roasted chicken to share and it was excellent. Our sides were disappointing: the asparagus was overcooked and salty; the potato gratin was small and had no salt. Both kitchen and service were slow. It was very loud, with the TVs on and people trying to converse over them, which warranted a one-point downgrade. Unfortunately this is typical in the US.
(3)Michael C.
I tried this new b'ham hip spot last Thursday night and suffice to say, it became another hunter house night afterwards. The decor is nice. The waitstaff is up to par for a restaurant of this type. Umm, not much to say after that. Let me break down the name of this place. The bird and the bread would hint towards actually ordering chicken and bread. Now let's start with the bread. You really had to order it. Not ask for bread but rather part with $5 to get a bread basket. Naturally I assumed I was about to embark on a great carb bender and enjoy the greatest bread and butter in my life as this is the only restaurant I've ever been to that charges for a bread basket. Simply put, a plastic Baggie is the only thing seperating this bread from a sero's or any other typical diner. Next is the bird or rather chicken. Out of it on my fateful visit so no comment there except this is supposed to be a mainstay dish for them. I settled for the desert dry lamb shank instead. My friend and I split a pizza app and some chicken noodle soup. Pizza was ok, nothing I couldn't get anywhere though. And the soup was Campbell's-esque. All in all, I was pretty underwhelmed. And unfortunately, that doesn't bring people like myself back.
(2)Mambru P.
Great experience from begining to end. We were entertaining a friend who is vegan and gluten free so this morning I called and talked to the chef and he told me the options from the regular menu and the changes he could make to other dishes. He was plesant and professional and I felt good about going there for dinner. We loved the food: roasted beet salad, grilled octopus was the best we've tasted, perfectly cooked filet. roasted veggie pizza, and roasted chicken. When two people ordered the chicken the waiter suggested getting the whole bird for less $ than 2 separate entrees, a nice touch. The flourless chocolate cake on the dry side. everything else was ecceptional. We did not order any drinks so we were not going to be a very profitable table but the service was outstanding. We had a great time and lingered after dinner just talking and enjoying the evening. Highly recommend.
(5)Hazen P.
This is a great looking space for a warm and friendly middle of the road spot. But it's trying to be more than that, and so it fails a bit. First the good; great looking space, and a lot of the food is pretty good. The octopus, the mussels, the fries, and duck were all above average. Now the bad; the number one reason that you can always get a table here when other places are packed? The prices. A casual family place in Birmingham isn't going to fill up when most entrées are $30+. A $17 burger that's mediocre? C'mon. Service is okay, a bit slow and awkward but they try hard. I'm not sure what else is missing or what would make me come here more often. Maybe if the food were a tad better AND the prices were 30 to 40% lower. I don't object to high prices, but it has to be for something more than what this place is serving. But again, great space, and a few creative dishes that hit the mark. I'd rather go here than 220.
(3)Robin B.
Now when have you last gone to a resturant and the chef comes over to make sure your dinners are prepared to your liking? We went to dinner with 4 couples and found it extremely delicious and every individual dish was tastey. I had salmon and it was prepared perfectly, all the sides were exciting and not your old boring sides and everyone was really happy and satisfied. We will all be back and can't wait to see whats cooking on the menu.
(5)M S.
An unenjoyable experience. We went for dinner on a Thursday. The service overall was clumsy and seemed unprofessional. The rotisserie chicken was extremely salty and the accompanying mac and cheese not salted enough. The pot au mer was good, however, so I'd suggest that if you do go here. The overall experience is extremely middling, and that does take into consideration the prices. I wouldn't return.
(3)Ann R.
We arrived with a foursome with a res on saturday night at 6:15. I did not love that we were seated outside by the waiters station however, as my back was turned to it I tried to ignore the less than great seating assignment. Our meals and the service was really something to write home about. The bread basket was worth $5. Our entrees were incredibly good. The vegetarian plate was delicious. My hubs had the chicken with scalloped potatoes and oh my were they good. Run to this restaurant. NOW.
(4)Loryn d.
Great food, friendly staff and your bill comes in a tiny birdcage which I found very charming!
(5)Billy S.
In my previous review I neglected to mention that we had a terrific server. His name was Spencer. I strongly suggest requesting to be in his section and as well order The whole rotisserie chicken, get the great bean casserole and the spinach! You won't be disappointed
(5)Laura B.
This was my first visit, actually in late September, and it was really great. Wonderful place for lunch with a friend -- it was her birthday and it was great. Can't wait to come back in the summer on that great patio! Our server Matt was terrific, just the right balance of friendly and informative -- and funny. Loved our lunch!
(5)Mary D.
I have never been so disappointed with a restaurant in downtown Birmingham and I will never step foot in the place again. We went in at a slow time and service wasn't even up to par. My husband had a turkey burger and it wasn't even cooked all the way. I had told the waitress about it and I was told that it's the most the burger could be cooked without losing flavor. HELLO I DONT WANT A PINK BURGER. It was just such a disappointment. My first and my last time in this place. 1 star for beautiful atmosphere.
(1)Kathy P.
This place is probably a 3.5 for me. I went for apps and drinks one night and had good service and OK food. Just went again for restaurant week and it was all just okay. Had cauliflower potato soup to start (yum!). Salmon for main course was cooked well but incredibly salty, and came out more like room temperature. It could have also been that our main courses came out too soon (we were still working on the starters), so the plate sat for a moment at the table. Maybe I should be happy to not wait long for food, but temperature is a big deal! Dessert was flour-less chocolate cake with a little spice and orange flavor. You can't do too much wrong to chocolate cake.. this was just mediocre in my book. I'm not sure I love the set up of the restaurant. If you're not up front near the bar area you kind of feel like you're missing out. The back just feels secluded, which is fine for some, but I prefer to be out in the crowd.
(3)Marji L.
We stopped in after our workout for dinner and a drink. We walked in and it was dead, this should of been our first clue!! We sat at the bar thinking we would get faster service but that didn't happen. Katie was horrible!! The food and the service was marginal at best. I ordered a glass of red zin which was $11.00 a glass and she short poured my glass. Should of been my second clue!! We will not be back!!
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