Dining Out In Mobile, Alabama

RECOMMENDED

LIQUID

NO-JA

MARTINI'S

CAFE 615

BUSABA'S

LA PIZZERIA

CALLAGHAN'S

WINTZELL'S

BAKERY

ROYAL SCAM

SAMURAI J

BIKE SHOP TAQUERIA

THE BULL

BLIND MULE

These places in the "Downtown" section encompass this side of the tunnels, west to Broad (fudging a little to include some of our homies on the Midtown periphery like Callaghan's, the Bakery, and La Pizzeria. If you don't like what you see here, PACK A LUNCH! No, seriously, check out the causeway establishments (the best are Felix's Fish Camp and the Original Oyster House) as they are also just a few minutes away and offer the added benefit of a tremendous view of the Bay. And, of course, if you're heading West, there's our "Midtown" section which includes such wonderful places as Ruth Chris' and The Pillars.

Ever notice how unoriginal the folks that name Mobile's restaurants and bars are? Let see, the Bakery used to be...a bakery! The Garage? A garage. The Bike Shop? Yep. Cafe 615 is at 615 Dauphin Street and 219 is at 219 Conti Street. (And don't get us started on the whole LODA, No-Ja nonsense.) Well, what they lack in name originality is more than compensated for in 219's fare. Because it's a block away from the County Courthouse (and because of the demise of our beloved Loretta's and Quatorze), this little eatery is packed with government employees who know a good thing when they see it. If there is such a thing as an upscale sandwich place, this is it. Definitely not a "fern bar. Serves drinks and usually stays open to accommodate Saenger events.

Michael's Midtown not only began the trend towards fine eateries, it trained many of the area's best chefs. This was probably the first fine restaurant that sprang from that legacy. They, in turn, have expanded on the tradition of offering excellent cuisine. Not only is the setting pleasant, the food is the area's best. Fresh soups and homemade bread and desserts, inventive salads, pasta dishes, and more. The deli next door is also top-notch, serving great take out and one of the best wine selections around.

Our favorite maniacs, the Walker Boys (nee "The longhairs") have done it again. Sitting right next door to Liquid, they've opened up a taqueria, which is like calling the White House a place where a black guy lives. They've put their brand on a staple, this time Mexican food. The only Spanish spoken here is food, and it's oh so tastefully done. Now, if they would just give up their silly turf war with Heineken, all would be right with the universe.

Okay, a book shop, a bar, and an art house - all things someone romanticizes doing, maybe even as just a labor of love. Some folks, like Russ Adams over there at Bienville Books and the folks here at the Blind Mule are actually living the dream. And, this place is all three. If you're old enough to remember the buzz around Thirsties, GT Henry's or even Trinity's, you owe it to yourself to visit this place. This is the real deal. And, while you might expect to make some sacrifices in the caliber of food in return for the feel of a real place, you would be oh so horribly wrong. Expect to be surprised at the quality of the fare offered here with things like shrimp and grits and the best salads in the Downtown area..

(Oh yeah, it's a nighttime favorite with the pin face and tatoo set, so if you're not into the latest musical offerings get there before the hullabaloo - if that's still a word - starts or turn your hearing aid off.)

Just across the street from the Cathedral and Cathedral Square, they serve typically Italian, very typical fare but they deliver!

Wendell Quimby is no stranger to gastronomic entrepreneurship. He resuscitated Wintzell's and Callaghan's. He conceptualized Cafe 615, transforming a scruffy corner lot used only for Mardi Gras tailgate parties into the beautiful venue it is today. Even if you don't like the (Southern? Latin? Ecclectic?) food, which we doubt, you will find that the ambiance can't be beat, not just in Mobile but anywhere else.

This Thai restaurant is so popular for lunch, you'd better get there before noon. If you're looking for a nice quiet evening eatery, this is it. Always excellent, decently priced and nice venue convenient to all things Downtown.

This is easily the best Downtown place to eat. It's easy on the eyes and the palate. Cafe 615 is on par with Ruth Chris' for really top rate fare. If you're looking for a steak Downtown this is the place. It has the best looking bar and waitstaff in the city. Recently under new management, they have added what is the city's classiest Sunday brunch. Not only is that fare excellent, they have a buffet-style mimosa/screwdriver/Bloody Mary bar. Sunday! Sunday!Sunday!

This is where the locals go to get a beer, watch a game, play shuffleboard, and chat. Really nice ____. (What's the Irish word for "ambiance"? Someone help us here!) Their lunches always feature a special and a nice respite from the downtown lunch rush. When the weather permits, they keep the windows open. It has a New Orleans neighborhood feel to the place. Go there for lunch on a Saturday afternoon, watch a game, BS with the locals. Also a great venue for really (really) good music. Plus, they now have a no-smoking area.

After years of selling those wonderful treats, they have opened an old-fashioned soda shoppe and are selling light fare like gumbo and muffalettas . Remember, these folks do everything top grade. Try their lemonade or sundae and sodas.

Southern-style food, specializing in smoked meats, with daily specials. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

No matter what its latest incantation, the ghosts of Chuck and Tom will always rattle through this sports bar. Food is passable but the ambiance is great thanks to our favorite guy The Rasp. Settle down to enjoy a BLT or a chicken wings while you catch a game on TV. This is the guy version of Spot of Tea. This is not a chain clone but a truly Mobile experience. Roll Tide! War Eagle! Whatever!!!!

They passed a law to allow Mobile's first (and only) mini brew pub. This is the third try for this place. Try the beer, skip the airport food.

Located in the Battle House this is somewhat adequate, if expensive fast fare. Unlike it's big sister, The Trellis Room, it's a totally forgettable experience. Good for its convenience.

Prime rib buffet on Friday nights. Otherwise, it's just not-so-good hotel food. Skyview Lounge offers an outstanding view of the city and a quiet, out-of-the-way place to meet for an after-hours drink.

Another little out-of-the-way place favored by the locals, this place is really excellent. Don't be fooled by the name, their pizza is excellent, but their entrees are as good and sophisticated as any thing offered at the other fine dining establishments listed here.

Liquid is the most daring of the Downtown eateries. Situated right next door to the Bicycle Shop, this bar is not only a really pleasant, quiet and out-of-the-maelstrom kind of place, it serves a menu that will impress even the snottiest hardcore sushi addict and tempt even the pansiest palette. Their repertoire is a really nice blend of classic and nouveau sushi cuisine, a truly impressive array of Sashimi and Nigiri.

This began as a wildly successful Heroes' spin-off specializing in Southern lunches. Undergoing a change of management, they then complemented the high carb menu nicely so that it now includes just about anything you might want for lunch. Also serving midnight breakfast, just in case you're downtown for one of those late night depositions.

Picture yourself in Atlanta in a posh rendezvous bar, say the Atlanta Ritz-Carlton at Lennox Square. This place is really classy, quiet, and away from the kids (not just your kids but the piercelings and toughs). The real surprise is the menu. We never really considered it a fine dining eatery but, hey! WE WERE WRONG. The whole elegant motif is carried along into its menu. It's also a real late night party favorite, again because the kids are all off at the other end of the block at Haley's.

Home-made jumbo and mini muffins along with bagels, French bread, sandwiches, salads, yogurt, desserts, and coffees. Open weekdays from 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

Noell Broughton has had a hand in just about every little project in downtown and in Fairhope. (Monsoons, Exit, Cafe 615, just to name a few.) He took over the old Loretta's location and has made a quite decent hamburger joint out of it. If you want a real treat order some of their homemade potato chips as a take home munchie.

Chakli Diggs went away and now is back, and we're like REALLY glad. Situated in the old Almost Six spot, this place is a gastronomic treat. The only downside is it's popularity. It's packed because the hoi-palloi need somewhere Downtown where they can feel comfortable. The fabulous word-of-mouth on this place is driven by the fact that the owner has been associated with some of the best upscale eating establishments in the city. If you dine out only once during your stay here, this is the place.

Radisson Admiral Semmes Hotel offers pretty good theme buffets seven days a week. Over-priced and passable. Grilled local seafood, charbroiled steaks. Excellent salad bar and soups. Right across from the state courthouse so it's easy to do a dine and dash. Excellent service.

So, doing the dine and dash? In addition to all of the goodies associated with the bakery, this is the best little dive to get a po-boy, especially if you have a hankering for a Cuban sandwich.

View of Mobile Bay, elegant dining, soft piano music. If you just got off a plane and are staying at the Adam's Mark Hotel this may actually sound good. Fight the urge to raid the mini bar and go downstairs to the bar!

David Rasp of Heroes has somehow conceptualized an upscale lunch with an evening Tapas restaurant. While it might seem a bit schizo, the concept totally works. If you're here over a weekend, eat here and go next door to Veets' Bar. (Really. It's okay. It just looks scary. They are great folks here.) Like Martini's, The Garage, Liquid and The Bike Shop it's where the over-30 locals go to hang out. (Under 30s, report to Hayley's, Blind Mule and Boo Radley's). If you're having lunch, walk it off by walking down to the park on the water.

Passable Mediterranean cuisine in a beautiful venue. This exquisite place used to be a drug store and is very centrally located at the corner of Dauphin and Royal Streets.

Biscuits and waffles for breakfast; sandwiches, salads, and baked potatoes for dinner.

This, and Carpe Diem out in West Mobile, is what Starbucks probably started out being, a real coffee place serving real coffee. They have a pretty good sandwich menu for a quick lunch. Check out their music during weekend nights.

While Liquid caters to the rendezvous crowd, this Sushi bar and Japanese restaurant is more family oriented and less pretentious. But make no mistake about it, the surroundings are elegant and the food is definitely on par with Liquid's. And, it's located right across from Bienville Square.

This is one of Downtown's success stories. Mobile's original tea room is a lunch time favorite, especially with the ladies. Recently, the city allowed the Dauphin Street eateries to offer "bistro seating", allowing them to put tables on the sidewalks. Now, you, too, can enjoy smog Parisian style. Liquid, Wintzell's and Spot of Tea all offer this. But Spot of Tea's looks out over Cathedral Square. So, when the weather is idyllic, as it often is here, sit outside and take advantage of their huge selection of sandwiches and salads. On weekends, check out their brunch Eggs Benedict.

Formerly the Little Kitchen, this cafeteria-style restaurant features a variety of home-cooked meals. Weekdays from 7 a.m.-2 p.m.

Situated in the Battle House hotel this is probably the most exquisite meal you can have in Mobile. Banks appropriately situated nearby.

Lunch buffet. Went in there once. Walked out. Soup Kitchen feel. But, hey, we're picky! (Like The Garage, this is a great late night party place for the downtown regulars.)

An institution for over 60 years, this is one of those "must do" local places. Bob and Janet Omainsky have managed to parlay that reputation into a small chain of restaurants throughout our area but this place still manages to retain the charm of the old "Oysters - fried, stewed, and nude" place. For raw oysters go to the oyster bar and have Willie shuck you a dozen. Don't get them at the table or you'll be marked as a "tourist".