Blueprint on 3rd — Restaurant in Birmingham

We were really excited to be getting more fine dining venues in Birmingham. Disappointed. First of all it was dark, just plain dark. I got enough light off of my phone screen as to not have to launch the flashlight app to read the menu. I had already read the menu online, and had made a selection, but then I was told that this offering was not available. No reason was given, just....no. There were some little candles at the tables, maybe they were supposed to help you read the menu. problem there was the fact that you smell burning wax all through your dinner. We had oysters rockefeller as an appetizer. That was devine. Any fine restaraunt in any big city would have been proud of that. For entrees, Cheryl ordered redfish, and I ordered scallops.

Our meals were served shorltly, the waitress was very pleasant and helpful. However, they might have served us plates from the next table, and we may not have known. Couldn't see it. The old saying is that the eyes eat first. A skillfully presented plate of food can surely be lovely. So the eyes eat first? I was starving by the time we left.

My scallops were very good. I would rate them 4.8 stars. Cheryl kept picking about her redfish entree. She didn't seem thrilled with it. I asked, and the waitress asked, but she was kind of noncomittal. I kept offering to switch plates with her, then finally we agreed on that. So, I guess this was the redfish, and there were some sides. I really couldn't see it though. The first bite or two seemed alright, until the spiciness startd to kick in. I like spicy food pretty well. I love Chinese, Thai, Mexican dishes that are seasoned with some chiles. This was just ridiculous though. My scallops had some really nice and subltle nuance of flavors. They were very savory. I couldn't enjoy any flavors from the redfish. All there was to taste were peppers. I was ignoring my wine. I needed water.

We were winding up our meal, and Danielle asked if we would care for desert. I said no, but then she graciously offered bread pudding, on her tab. Happy birthday! she said. I think the bread pudding was probably pretty good. However, it just smelled like candle wax. My mouth was burning from the fish, so nothing would be pleasant after that. I took Cheryl's word, that it ws quite good. I guess it was indeed bread pudding, but I could not see across the table.

So there was my $200 birthday dinner. I don't think I finished my wine. I'm surely glad that we didn't order a full bottle of wine for a hundred or so. I just kept guzzling my water. I got my phone back out so I could see to add a tip to the bill. I don't want to go back there at all. Pay $200 for that??? Frank Stitt should be ashamed of that. I would not reccomend Blueprint to anyone. Next birthday I'll go to...

This place is our idea of a perfect restaurant. As we pulled up to the curb, our valet greeted us with cheerfulness, recommending the cheesecake to finish off our meal. Even though we have been there many times, still, there is something so refreshing about the kind and accommodating atmosphere of the restaurant. Blueprint does not make brag or barter to make you believe that this is an amazing restaurant: the good nature of the staff and the food alone will brighten this dimly lit dining with laughter, exciting taste buds all the while. When we were seated we were promptly greeted by our waitress, Somto, who kindly walked us through the menu and gave us her takeaways on what to get. I started with a rusty nail: which to me is a quicker passage to relaxation than casually drinking several manhattans. My girlfriend started with a dry martini which she loves. To start with our drinks we got the deviled eggs. These deviled eggs are no joke. The smoked trout roe and dill make for a complex flavor in every bite. Just unreal. Moving forward we ordered crab and artichoke dip which we ate with remorse, knowing it too would soon be gone. ( We savored that dip to the extent of splitting the bread provided in half in order maximize the dish.) In acknowledgement of the fate the our dip would surely meet, Somto came to us pen in hand as it was time for our entrees. My girlfriend got scallops and absolutely loved them. They were cooked perfectly. The combination of chard, mashed potatoes, and lemon caper meuniere created a culinary harmony. In just one bite, I was by the sea looking outward with smell of salt in the air. I went with the pompano, instead of the plating offered I went with Somto's recommendation to have the dish plated with grits, green beans, and a lemon crab beurre blanc. It was perfection. Simply blissful. I typically don't drink red wine with seafood but the beaujolais paired perfectly.

The only thing that I didn't like was that I was too full to enjoy dessert. All the fine details, in this fine establishment, led to a big show. It, as always was fantastic. Blueprint doesn't need bells and whistles to decieve you into believing that the food is good. With service like that you already know when you walk in. We will back and ready for...

My SO and I visited Blueprint on 3rd after an unfortunate booking mishap at Hot and Hot sent us their way for a nice dinner. It was a phenomenal experience.

We started with the Hot Honey Cornbread, The Cornbread and Conecuh stuffed quail, and the Wild Bluefin Tuna.

The Hot Honey Cornbread led the way for us, the cornbread was not overwhelmingly sweet and once we added the butter to the individual muffins it was a phenomenal level of taste. Taking a strong number two was the quail. The stuffing was crumbly but not dry, and the quail itself packed a wonderful "comfort" style of taste. The quail itself was a bit dry, and that's why it came in second for us. Third comes the Bluefin Tuna. The flavor was refreshing and was very reminiscent of Asian cuisine. It matched the summer style vibes and was a very generous portion. The problem was that it didn't quite match the rest of the atmosphere and menu. The downhome tastes of the cornbread and the quail didn't blend very well with fresh wild caught tuna.

For our main, we opted for sharing the "Surf and Swamp" dish, which offers Alligator, Catfish, Shrimp, Pork Sausage and Crayfish. The Alligator took the place as my SO's favorite, and it really was a flavorful creation that captured Cajun inspired but not Cajun driven very well. The catfish was my personal favorite. It was buttery and packed a LOT of flavor in any bite you took. The shrimp was sweet and savory and felt like a great compliment to the rest of the plate. The Pork sausage was a bit underwhelming unfortunately. It tasted like generic store bought sausage and really felt like an afterthought to the entire dish. The crayfish and red beans and rice combination was least enticing of the night. The rice blend was incredibly sweet and didnt really present much of an addition to the plate. It was also unfortunately a bit undercooked, as the beans were more so crunchy than they were crumbly.

All in all, it was a wonderful dining experience, highlighted by Rick (the barback), Ian (our waiter), and Brandon (The floor manager) taking excellent care of us after our mishap with Hot and Hot. This crew did well with our last minute needs and made it feel like we were valued and appreciated upon walking...