"Chez Fonfon is Birmingham’s best French bistro—and its wine-lined shelves and warm woods go a long way in creating that vibe. This is one of the hottest seats in town, so getting a reservation ahead of time is key. It’s also prime date night territory, with couples sharing heaping bowls of buttery mussels with crispy fries and a devastatingly tender lamb daube. If you’re flying solo, slide into a seat at the bar and watch the bartenders whip up a series of well-balanced cocktails—like the Direct Flight with rum, creole shrub, and pineapple—while munching on a sweet pea tartine. The coconut pecan cake with layers of creamy coconut spread is a non-negotiable, a perfect use of that secondary “dessert stomach” we all know secretly exists." - Jackie Gutierrez-Jones