A favorite Birmingham, Alabama, fine dining restaurant for over three decades, the "Southern-flavored, Italian-inspired" Bottega has welcomed guests to a reimagined look and experience for the past two years. While expectations were high after closing almost an entire year for renovations in 2022, it raised the bar: In 2023, it was a top-five finalist for the 2023 James Beard Foundation for "Most Outstanding Hospitality." That's probably no surprise to those familiar with the names of restaurateurs Frank and Pardis Stitt.

Saying the food landscape in Alabama would lack flavor without the Stitts is an understatement, and their hometown of Birmingham shines brighter than any other city for cuisine. With a wandlike wave of their spatulas, the Magic City's kitchen magicians have claimed the whole handful of James Beard Awards bestowed on our state, so far. Stitt and his team have earned half of them.

A quick history of Stitt Restaurant Group, at least in terms of accolades: Stitt opened his first restaurant, Highlands Bar & Grill, in 1982, then Bottega in 1988, the adjoining Bottega Café in 1990, and Chez Fonfon in 2000. He won the James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef: Southeast in 2001. Starting in 2009, Highlands Bar & Grill made the finals for 10 years to be named the James Beard Foundation's "Most Outstanding Restaurant" – finally nabbing the honor in 2018. That was an outstanding year indeed for Highlands, with Dolester Miles taking the "Most Outstanding Pastry Chef" award, as well. (Although now retired, Miles' legendary coconut pecan cake isn't going anywhere and is available at Bottega and Chez Fonfon).

While Highlands Bar & Grill remains closed at the time of this writing for renovation and reimagining, it's giving Chez Fonfon, Bottega, and Bottega Café their time to shine. Reservations are recommended for the Bottega Dining Room, which is open Wednesday through Saturday evenings from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m..

Executive Chef Stitt, Culinary Director Adam Grusin, and Chef de Cuisine Julio de la Rosa tailor menu offerings to feature the freshest, in-season ingredients. A beautiful recent main course option featured Maine lobster gnocchi, for example. You can view the most current menus on the Bottega website.

Reservations are not required at the Dining Room Bar if you want to swing by after work for a craft cocktail, glass of wine, or beverage of choice. You may then opt to experience the flavors of Bottega in a more casual mode, and for that, the adjacent Bottega Café is an excellent choice. Reservations are not taken for the café, and you can choose between a seat at the bar, a selection of tables, or the festive patio with twinkling lights overhead. The café is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

While the café menu offers a good variety of snacks, main dishes, salads, and sides, people rave about the wood-fired pizzas, which are available in nine different ways. Customer favorites include the White Pie, Butcher's Pie, and an unnamed pie with sweet peppers, chicken, fontina, arugula, and Alecia's tomato chutney.

If this hasn't been enough to keep your mouth watering, be sure to give Bottega a Facebook follow to see more delicious dishes. This fine dining restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama, is the perfect destination to make a weekend stay in the Magic City extra special. If you are planning such a trip, take a look at The Westin Birmingham Downtown.

Let us know when you go! We want to hear all about your experience and favorite dishes.