By Anna Grace Moore
Photo by The Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook
As one of Mountain Brook’s arguably most unique restaurants, Habitat Feed & Social serves an exquisite menu of elegant cuisine as well as craft cocktails and wine tastings, too. The upscale eatery is located in The Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook, and it is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Here The Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook’s General Manager Jorg Wesche talks about the restaurant’s appeal to the community.
1. Tell us about Habitat Feed & Social’s founding. How did this restaurant come to be?
“The artistically-inspired boutique hotel and restaurant opened in October 2015 in the affluent Mountain Brook suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, continuing The Kessler Collection’s award-winning commitment to providing superior guest services and artistic offerings,” Jorg says. “The property is bathed in European, floral elements with bold colors and oversized chairs, custom designed carpets and lighting that reflects neighboring Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ vibrant grounds while remaining true to the Kessler Bohemian brand.”
2. What is the atmosphere like inside the restaurant?
According to Jorg, Habitat Feed & Social’s atmosphere is the perfect combination of elegance and comfort. Guests may dine artfully on the rooftop or in the chic surroundings of Mountain Brook’s best kept secret led by Chef Julian Shell. Completed by beautiful scenery, astonishing art and refined décor – it’s the perfect romantic place to savor a new dish and finish the night with cocktails and live music.
3. What do customers say are the best menu items?
“For those looking for a delicious snack at the bar or the perfect shareable at dinner, our charcuterie and cheese board is one of our best-selling small plate options for a reason,” Jorg explains. “Enjoy a generous serving of pickled vegetables, coppa ham, salami, duck prosciutto, local goat cheese, smoked cheddar, rooftop honey, candied nuts and pepper jelly that will make you feel as if you are dining at a café in France. Top-sellers on our lunch menu include our signature chicken sandwich with rooster sauce and the blackened gulf fish sandwich, both loaded with authentic Southern flavors. For dinner, our gulf fish entree – seared gulf fish, crawfish etouffee, spring pea risotto and crispy leaks – is among the best of the best, rightfully making it a well-known favorite. Our Sunday brunch menu is extremely popular with an array of options that keep our guests satisfied and coming back.”
4. How does the location of Habitat Feed & Social play into the restaurant’s elegance?
“[We are] conveniently located adjacent to the city of Birmingham, the previous industrial center of the Southern U.S.,” Jorg notes. “The Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook’s Habitat Feed & Social has the best of both worlds, as it is a part of the unique architectural charm of Mountain Brook while being close to downtown Birmingham entertainment. The perfect location allows for farm-to-table cuisine and a creative one-of-a-kind dining experience.”
5. What would you like our readers to know either about yourself or your business?
Jorg says, “The Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook is the perfect one-stop-shop for all things luxury. It [offers] a variety of experiences to enjoy all from within the hotel. Nestled within Mountain Brook’s walkable village, the 100-room boutique hotel boasts an on-site Grand Bohemian Gallery, signature Poseidon Spa, interactive cooking school, vibrant rooftop terrace, imaginative dining at Habitat Feed & Social and one of the country’s only wine blending experiences led by expert sommeliers, providing an unmatched lodging experience and ensuring that there is something for everyone to enjoy.”
