This Birmingham city centre bistro has mastered the art of French brunch
At La Fête, chef Kristen Hall takes advantage of the historic setting of Morris Avenue in Birmingham to serve croissants and French classics with southern touches.
Morris Avenue, with its historic brick and cobblestone buildings, seems tailor-made for a French bistro. The dining room, bathed in soft light and decorated with flowers, evokes Van Gogh's Café Terrace at night.
The $18 croissant croque forestier features crispy layers filled with butter, roasted mushrooms, Gruyère cheese, and béchamel sauce, topped with a fried egg. The filling is rich in umami, and a fresh salad balances its intensity.
The $12 potato cake has golden layers, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and is served with whipped ranch dressing for dipping. Additional caviar is an extra $12. A glass of Crémant de Savoie is the perfect complement.
The $14 Kissing on the Cobblestone cocktail is refreshing and complex in its simplicity, featuring house-made raspberry liqueur and Normandy pear cider. The $14 Blood Orange Dove is another well-balanced brunch option.
Blue and white Parisian bistro chairs line the patio. A black and white tiled floor leads to a dining room with pink floral wallpaper and maps of French cities hung like jewels. Customers of all ages are dressed in their finest, and from the kitchen window, Chef Hall can be seen focused on the service, glancing up only to smile at regulars.
For a romantic dinner, order the fish en papillote. For a more intimate atmosphere, it's best to sit at the bar by the window.