Who doesn’t get tired of the same ole boring lunch every day. I sure do! I’m not necessarily a picky eater, but I do insist on fresh, preferably local ingredients in a form as close to nature as possible. So with this in mind, I thought I’d highlight a few of my favorite places to grab a healthy and delicious lunch around town.
Bottletree
Yes, Bottletree. No, it’s not just a bar with an incredible music venue and no, they do not serve “bar” food. Bottletree’s Cafe happens to be the best kept secret in town with an amazingly diverse menu that includes all kinds of tasty vegetarian dishes, as well as more traditional fare. Salads, wraps, burgers, burritos, quesadillas and more can be customized with tofu, chicken, beans, soy cheese or soy sour cream, or you can stick with beef burgers, dogs and the like. The vibe here is garage-rock-meets-Elvis-and-Tina Turner, somewhere along the lines of a basement party with mood lighting, vintage board games and vinyl loveseats. You kind of have to experience it to get it…
What to expect:
When you arrive, you’ll most likely say to yourself, “This can’t be the place” but please fight the urge to drive on! I promise you’ll thank me for it. Place your order at the bar and they will bring it to your table when it’s ready. The staff is super friendly and always willing to weigh in if you’re not sure what to order. Expect to pay under $10.
What I order:
The Garden Grill (quinoa & veggies with a sweet heat sauce) is my go to, but I also love the black bean burger and sweet potato fries. The salad, made from locally grown mixed greens, tomatoes, red onion and bell peppers, is delightful, too, AND I always order the tofu peanut butter pie!!
Why I love it:
Let me count the ways! There is no one serving up this type and quality of healthy fare at such reasonable cost. The food and the atmosphere seem to not add up, but the juxtaposition just adds to the allure.
Cool fact/interesting tip:
Bottletree recently won Best of Birmingham for Best Live Music Venue and Best Vegetarian Food – now I say that’s a winning combination! Their weekend brunch has also received accolades!
Cool fact/interesting tip:
The owners discovered the original pressed tin ceiling hidden behind some broken lay-in ceiling tiles and peeled back the layers of crumbling, purple painted plaster to find warm brick walls, and that is how the restaurant got its name.
Why I love it:
The menu offers so much diversity, so whatever I’m craving, they have something that fits the bill!
They not only buy local produce for use in their kitchen, but they also sponsor the Homewood Farmers Market and the Summit Farmers Market.
Owner and chef Tim Hontzas is married to our very own FACES photographer, Beth Hontzas!
www.facebook.com/pages/Johnnys-Restaurant
Trattoria Centrale in the heart of downtown boasts a rooftop garden from which they harvest tomatoes, basil, and eggplant.