The Southern Kitchen And Bar — Restaurant in Birmingham

I am writing to express my deep dissatisfaction with the experience my group had at your establishment. We made a reservation for 72 guests with the understanding that we would be adequately accommodated. Unfortunately, this was far from the case, and I want to outline the numerous issues we faced during our visit. This experience was not only unprofessional but also detrimental to the special occasion we were hoping to celebrate.

When we arrived, we were directed to a cramped area with perhaps 50 seats, far below the number we reserved for our group. After raising our concerns, we were told by the lone staff member on duty that additional seating could be arranged, but the space was far too small to accommodate our party. We were then told some of us could sit at the bar, where drinks and desserts were placed, but adding extra chairs there seemed impossible. I was also very concerned that this arrangement could have posed a fire hazard. To make matters worse, some guests were directed outside into 40-degree, cloudy weather with no pre-set chairs or tables. We had to arrange the seating ourselves, and while there were space heaters, only one worked. Several students ended up eating cold food in uncomfortable, poorly heated conditions, which was completely unacceptable.

Further compounding the issue, I had previously sent a list of 9 individuals with food allergies, as directed by your manager Matthew. Despite this, your staff member was unaware of these allergies and had to retrieve menus at the last minute, during which time one of my parents was met with rudeness while asking about gluten-free options.

In terms of the food, we encountered several problems: we ordered house chips but received French fries instead. When one of the chicken sandwich trays had to be replaced, a roach was spotted at the bottom of the warming tray. I am deeply concerned about the cleanliness of your kitchen and the last inspection your restaurant underwent. Additionally, there was no water in the water container—it was just filled with ice, and we had to wait for water to be added. Many of the other drinks were served lukewarm, further reflecting a lack of attention to detail.

While the desserts were enjoyed by our guests, the overall quality of the food was disappointing. Even more so, despite my complaints, neither the students nor the parents voiced dissatisfaction to avoid causing disruption. They were simply grateful for the opportunity, though they too noticed the glaring deficiencies in the service.

This reservation was intended as a reward for the students and their families after their outstanding performance at the State of Alabama Music Educators Conference. It was meant to celebrate their hard work and dedication, yet instead, we were treated with a complete lack of regard for our needs and expectations. Matthew even told me we were “unprofessional” for allowing students to post reviews, and that I had to make them take them down. I find this deeply concerning, especially since I had no idea the reviews existed until Matthew mentioned them. I did not ask the students to remove them because they reflected our experience, which was not only unsatisfactory but also disrespectful.

In 40 years of organizing group travel and dining for students across the U.S. and Europe, I have never encountered such an unprofessional and poorly managed experience. I also felt that Matthew failed to adequately communicate the limitations of your space before we arrived. The lack of preparation and the absence of any meaningful solutions left me feeling that my group’s satisfaction was secondary to making a quick profit.

The total cost of this event was $3,818.60, equating to $53.36 per person. For that price, the experience we received was appalling and does not reflect the quality I expect from a restaurant of your supposed caliber. We were made to feel like second-class citizens, and I am sure I am not the only one who left with...

Picture it. Sicily, 19...j/k. But follow me here. You walk in to a lively environment, a buzz of noise from patrons enjoying their meals, beautifully performed saxophone music filling the air, lighting that's bright enough to read the menu, but not so bright that it takes away from the intimate atmosphere of each table. The place is packed and the wait may take a while. You're instructed to wait at a bench in a hallway where you can observe the crowd, the wait staff, and the games on the tvs above the bar. You could have sat at the bar until your table was ready. However, you chose to wait in the hallway. A server approaches you to ask if you wanted a beverage while you wait. It's not long until your table is ready. You're greeted quickly by the waiter and give a rundown of the specials and signature drinks and dishes. You order an appetizer that actually makes it to the table before the main meal. A feat in such a busy environment. The appetizer is so good that you can't wait to try the main dish. It arrives in great timing, freshly hot from the kitchen. The first bite is mouthwatering. You realize you've made a great choice, but looking around, there doesn't seem to be a choice that isntgreat. Everyone is enjoying their meal. Your waiter is great at checking in and anticipating , you never have to ask for anything, including refills, extra napkins, a box for leftovers (the portions are comparable to the price), and even the check. Before the check is given, the waiter suggests dessert and gives a breakdown of the options. It's no surprise to you that the desserts are just as scrumptious and of great quality like your meal. On your way out, you're thanked for coming by your waiter and the hosts. Overall it's a great experience. Great for a Friday night that has several events happening in the vicinity. I highly recommend that you check it out...

The best thing I can say about this place is the bathrooms were clean. We were there on a day when there was no band and it was not crowded. We waited 1 hour for a table, but we were a larger party so I understand having to coordinate servers and tables etc. However, we were still separated and the piped in music was so loud, having a conversation with the person sitting next to me was all but impossible much less anyone a section away. The food is grossly overpriced and overrated. The only thing southern about this kitchen is it's location. Rename it Cajun Kitchen. My son ordered gumbo but it wasn't gumbo it was a brown tasteless liquid with a few chunks of unidentifiable meat. Seriously someone needs to go to prison for calling that gumbo. My order was wrong three times. I blame the loud speakers as I cannot explain why it took three attempts to get the order correct. I'm not talking about something being under/over cooked or the wrong side dish. I mean they brought out three completely different dishes, all of them wrong. I did not get to eat until the next day and did not appreciate paying full price for glorified Cajun chicken leftovers. Our final bill was over just shy of $1000 for a party of 15. Not including the tip and I had no problem leaving a generous tip as I know what it is like to be a server. Ours was as attentive as he could be considering he couldn't hear what we were saying. The inside seating is ridiculously uncomfortable. If I wanted to eat at the bar I would have eaten at the bar. They do have nice bathrooms and the outdoor seating is quite comfortable and nice. You might enjoy this restaurant when they have a live band and do not plan on ordering food. I will not go back and I will tell anyone who asks why. Skip the "Southern" Kitchen and go to...