Blake George, owner of Adachi in Birmingham, stopped by to tell us about this Japanese-inspired restaurant, located inside the Peabody mansion. In addition to sushi, Adachi offers popular items like the kobe slider and crispy chicken, plus “Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover,” a burger inspired by the Birmingham burger contest running this month. It features a crispy, Katsu-style wagyu beef patty, topped with bacon jam, frisée, provolone, caramelized onions and jalapeños, all served on a sesame brioche bun. 

Mike Shaw, executive chef of Social Birmingham stopped by to tell us about his “upscale comfort food” restaurant, complete with the only rooftop bar in downtown Birmingham. As a participant in the BirminghamBurger competition, the eatery is offering a French dip, with shaved ribeye on an all-beef patty, is already selling 30 to 40 per day. Stop by for happy hour, lunch, dinner or brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. 

Madam, located inside the Daxton Hotel in Birmingham, is participating in Birmingham’s month  long burger contest, and is offering a wagyu smash burger with American cheese, a fried egg and Dijonnaise. Executive Chef Jake Szary invites diners throughout the community to visit Madam. Offerings include fresh made pasta, a range of vegetarian appetizers, seafood entrees, a filet and more, plus a full bar, and breakfast and brunch offerings.

Moe Zahr, owner of Paris Baguette in Birmingham, told us about some of the unique items you can find in the bakery cafe, including cronuts, which are shaped like a donut but have a flaky croissant texture. Everything in the cafe is baked fresh daily, and there’s a wide variety of treats to choose from, as well as sandwiches and salads. Zahr said Paris Baguette’s Italian blend coffee, called Lavazza, has a unique, sought-after taste. Stop in for seasonal items like the lemon mochi donut, or standard favorites like fruit pastries, cakes and cake slices.