In search of a new favorite restaurant serving contemporary American fare?
Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top New American spots around Birmingham, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of the best places to meet your needs.
1. Toast
Topping the list is Toast. Located at 203 Pierce St., this is the highest-rated New American restaurant in Birmingham, boasting four stars out of 697 reviews on Yelp.
On the menu, there are omelets like the Petoskey, made with bacon, brie, caramelized onions and dried cherries; Blind Date with scallions, dates, havarti and roasted herb vinaigrette; and Spicy Cali with tomato, herbs, pepper jack, guacamole and salsa.
Craving something sweet? Check out the cinnamon French toast topped with powdered sugar, Belgium waffles with fresh strawberries and lemon ricotta pancakes. Salads, soups and sandwiches are also on offer.
2. Luxe Bar & Grill
Next up is Luxe Bar & Grill, situated at 525 N. Old Woodward Ave. With four stars out of 285 reviews on Yelp, the New American spot, which offers burgers and more, has proven to be a local favorite. Diners can expect an open kitchen on one side and seating for 65 people.
Menu options include Prime Burgers on homemade brioche buns, as well as scratch soups, salads and entrées including chicken, salmon, lamb chops and steaks in a variety of different daily preparations. Check out the sweet Sriracha shrimp, served with arugula, bacon, tomato and green beans; chicken fingers with mixed fries; and crispy calamari with peppadew peppers. Dinner plates include Greek-style lamb chops, prime filet with mushroom sauce and mahi and shrimp gumbo.
3. Market North End
Market North End, located at 474 N. Old Woodward Ave., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the wine bar, New American and Italian spot four stars out of 209 reviews.
Starters include crispy pita with cilantro sauce, chargrilled chicken and lamb with beets and feta cheese and dry-rubbed garlic wings. Sandwich options include a lamb burger, stuffed with feta, arugula, tomatoes, red onion and house sauce; egg sandwich with spinach, tomatoes, avocado and mild white American cheese; and a grouper sandwich with arugula and Sriracha mayo.
4. Forest
Forest, a New American, French and Italian spot, is another go-to, with four stars out of 197 Yelp reviews. The kitchen is helmed by executive chef Nick Janutol.
Starters include parsnip soup, farm egg, scallops, and feta and Brussels sprouts. A tasting menu is available, as are pastas like fettuccine bolognese, squid ink capellini, goat cheese rotolo and ricotta agnolotti. Head over to 735 Forest Ave. to see for yourself.
5. Tallulah Wine Bar and Bistro
Then there's Tallulah Wine Bar and Bistro, which has earned four stars out of 186 reviews on Yelp. You can find the wine bar and New American spot at 155 S. Bates St.
On the menu, look for appetizers like oysters with shallot mignonette and cocktail sauce; lemon bison short rib with squash pave, marchand de vin and herb gremolata; and white asparagus with capers, walnuts, chive and marjoram gremolata.
For your main course, try the sea scallops, served with creamy grits, crispy bacon, grapefruit and English pea puree; Rohan farms duck breast, served with sweet corn, scallion parsnip purée and agrodolce; and Michigan rack of lamb with charred eggplant, sweet bell pepper and tzatziki.
