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0312 Best Of - Olexa
Olexa’s, Best Dessert & Best Ladies’ Lunch Spot. Photos by Brittney Harrison
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Emmet O'Neal Library
Best After School Activity3 of 10
Lamb's Ear
Best Places for Home Decor4 of 10
Leaf n Petal
Best Places for Plants and Flowers5 of 10
Olexa's
Best Dessert & Best Ladies' Lunch Spot6 of 10
Smith's Variety
Best Business for Your Hobby7 of 10
Snoozy's Kids
Best Children's Store & Best Store to Buy a Gift8 of 10
Taco Mama
Best New Business9 of 10
Pants Store
Best Store for Men & Best Women%u2019s Clothing Store10 of 10
Western Supermarket
Best Wine Selection/Specialty DrinksBest Fitness Center/Gym
Maybe it’s your spinning or YCross instructor, maybe it’s your favorite cardio machine or pickup basketball with friends, or maybe it’s the pool in the summer—whatever your fitness style, our Y branch keeps you in shape and having fun while you’re at it. 2401 20th Place South, 870-0144
Runner Up: Levite Jewish Community Center
Best Frozen Treats
Situated in the heart of Mountain Brook Village, Mountain Brook Creamery has been providing tasty treats to residents for years. You will always find something to satisfy your sweet tooth—yogurt, milkshakes, sundaes and cakes. 2715 Cahaba Road, 870-0092
Runner Up: Yogurt Mountain
Best Casual Dining
If you’re looking for a place with good food, tasty drinks, live music and a comforting atmosphere, Billy’s Bar and Grill is your place. Since 1979 Billy’s has provided a place to kick back and watch a game or drink with friends while listening to some great local artists. 2012 Cahaba Road, 879-2238
Runners Up: Taziki’s Greek Fare, Otey’s Tavern
Best Italian/Pizza
Davenport’s Pizza Palace
Making pies for over 45 years, Davenport’s Pizza Palace has been a frequent hot spot for families in our area. Photos of classic movies and old-fashioned video game machines give Davenports a rather vintage feel. Whether you’re dining in or taking out, the fresh taste of Davenport’s is unbeatable. 2837 Cahaba Road, 879-8603
Runner Up: Mafiaoza’s Pizzeria
Best After School Activity
The library is the place to be after school lets out not just to study but to learn something new, hear a good story, talk about a book or have some fun. We also love their friendly librarians with their literary expertise to help us find our next favorite read. 50 Oak Street, 879-0459
Runner Up: Dance with Lauren
Best Dessert
Best Ladies’ Lunch Spot
With their soups and salads, European village décor, and the cake—oh, that warm buttercream cake— Olexa’s won both our Best Dessert and Best Ladies’ Lunch Spot by far. 2838 Culver Road, 871-2060
Best Dessert Runner Up: Mountain Brook Creamery
Best Ladies Lunch Spot Runner Up: Chez Lulu
Best Cup of Coffee
Offering more than just a hot coffee, latte or Tazo tea, Starbucks has it all. From smoothies and breakfast sandwiches to tasty pastries, it’s a great stop at any time of the day. Free wifi and a soothing atmosphere make Starbucks a perfect place to read, study or catch up with a friend. 2738 Cahaba Rd, 868-9130
Runner Up: Church Street Coffee and Books
Best Special Occasion Dining
One of the best upscale dining experiences in Birmingham is found right here in Mountain Brook. Daniel George offers a diverse and creative menu in the perfect atmosphere for a romantic evening or special celebration. It is cozy and intimate and you are always made to feel special and welcome. Whether it’s steaks or seafood, dishes inspired by seasonal local ingredients, you can’t make a bad choice at Daniel George. You won’t want to miss their lunch either. 2837 Culver Road, 871-3266
Runner Up: Dyron’s Lowcountry
Best Outdoor Patio
The spacious patio behind this Mountain Brook Village establishment is the best place to mingle and catch up with friends on warm spring and crisp fall evenings. One of Dram’s signature whiskey cocktails, or a glass of beer or wine, complete the better-than-your-back deck experience. 2721 Cahaba Road, 871-8212
Runner Up: Otey’s Tavern
Best Children’s Store
Best Store to Buy a Gift
Snoozy’s is every child’s dream come true. A variety of unique and different books, toys, games and all sorts of other items created for fun and laughter can be found inside. They offer products that you won’t find at other big box toy stores. But young and old enjoy a trip to Snoozy’s; they also carry great jewelry and handbags for the grown ups. But what makes any trip to Snoozy’s most memorable is the staff. Owner George Jones and his employees offer service that is part of the charm of this store. They can assist you in finding any gift for any age in any price range. They know what is hot, and their picks never disappoint. 228 Country Club Park, 871-2662
Children’s Store Runner Up: Smith’s Variety
Store to Buy a Gift Runner Up: A’mano
Best Mexican
This Crestline favorite offers all the standard Mexican fare with love, prepared extra fresh, with a variety of special authentic entrees you can’t find just anywhere: fish tacos, black angus quesadillas, and blue-corn-stuffed burrito topped with an egg. 99 Euclid Avenue, 879-2225
Runner Up: Mexico Lindo
Best Mountain Brook Event
Christmas Parade
The annual Christmas parade kicks off the season for us each year. The parade takes place the first weekend in December and involves many from the community including cheerleaders, Dorians, Cub Scout and Girl Scout troops, choral performances and local celebrities.
Runner Up: Market Days
Best Business for Your Hobby
Many of us who enjoyed trips to Smith’s as a child now enjoy that same experience with their own children. They have everything from sewing novelties, crafts and scrapbooking, or doll or remote control car colletables. You can find just about anything at Smith. 2715 Culver Road, 871-0841
Runner Up: Mountain High Outfitters
Best Wine Selection/ Specialty Drinks
When you are looking for that perfect bottle of wine for that special occasion, entertaining friends, or just a dinner at home, Western will have just what you are looking for. A knowledgeable team of experts is always there to help you find the right bottle at any price point. 2717 Culver Road, 879-1746
Runner Up: Avo/Dram
Best Outdoor Spot
When the weather’s nice, it’s wonderful to have Birmingham’s gardens in our backyard, however you like to experience it. You can take a walk with a friend, take photos for fun, sit on a bench with a good book, show the blooms to your kids or grab a picnic lunch from the Gardens Café by Kathy G. They also host events year-round, including the spring and fall Plant Sales, Cocktails in the Gardens and Antiques in the Gardens. 2612 Lane Park Road, 414-3950
Runner Up: Birmingham Zoo
Best Store for Men
Best Women’s Clothing Store
Pants Store has quickly become part of the fabric of our community. Popular with all ages, they offer a wide variety of men’s and women’s clothing and shoes. Children will also find favorites ranging from apparel to shoes and even hair bows and accessories. Clothes are stylish yet affordable, and the Pants Store staff is always friendly and helpful; many of them live right here in our community. Not only can you expect to find the perfect outfit at the store, but you are sure to run into friends as well. 233 Country Club Park, 868-1616
Men’s Store Runner Up: Mobley & Sons
Women’s Clothing Store Runner Up: Laura Kathryn
Best New Business
A choose-your-own-burrito adventures is at its finest with Taco Mama’s freshly made meats and toppings—not to mention their diverse drink menu. Otey’s Taven owner Will Haver opened the Crestline restaurant in November 2011. 63 Church Street, 414-9314
Runner Up: Church Street Coffee and Books
Best Salon
If you’re looking for more than just a haircut, Richard Joseph SalonSpa does it all. In addition to a stylish haircut and color services, the SalonSpa offers cosmetic consultations, waxing, manicures and pedicures, facials and several different therapy services. They even have an at-home spa option that allows you to customize your spa treatment and enjoy a four-course menu. 2410 Fairway Drive, 871-6001
Runners Up: Angel Hair, Oak Street Hair Group
Best Place for Home Décor
Lamb’s Ears isn’t a new store, but it is new to Mountain Brook. The store relocated in 2011 from Cahaba Heights to Crestline and has quickly become a go-to for any home décor needs. They have a lovely selection of furniture, lamps and other items to create an atmosphere unique to your home. They also have a wide variety of items that make great gifts. 70 Church Street, 802-5700
Runner Up: Table Matters
Best Brunch or Breakfast Spot
The hardest part about eating at Another Broken Egg is choosing what to order: the Chez B’s Omelet with red peppers and portobellos, the Smoked Salmon Benny, Bananas Foster French Toast, Biscuit Beignets, or any of the other items that makes our mouth water. It’s a good thing it’s in such a convenient Mountain Brook Village location to stop by as often as we can. 2418 Montevallo Road, 871-7849
Runner Up: Over Easy
Best Place for Plants or Flowers
Leaf n Petal in Mountain Brook Village is always full of beautiful plants, flowers and containers. Not only do their plants beautify any yard, they create beautiful baskets and containers of plantings to give as gifts or to add color in your home. The knowledgeable and helpful staff even offer a frequent purchase card where you can earn stamps toward a $20 gift certificate. 2817 Cahaba Road, 871-3832
Runner Up: Oak Street Garden Shop
