Any Good Italian Restaurants, Bakeries, Deli's? (Bessemer, Springville: living, food, Wal-mart)

[3am green coffee]

Baby Doe's Matchless Mine is not just closed. It's gone. Completely. The building was unsafe and had to be demolished. Now there's just an empty space in the trees on top of the mountain where it used to be. There were at one time nine (I think) Baby Doe's restaurants around the country. The last of them was in Texas (I think) and is now closed as well. It makes me sad. No more beer cheese soup.

The best Italian place I know of in the area is Leonardo's on Rocky Ridge in the Vestavia/Hoover area. I'm not sure which city it's actually in. It's locally owned with family recipes and a decent wine list. I haven't had a meal there that was less than stellar.

For pizza and Italian sandwiches, I would recommend Rocky's downtown. Their boxer theme is annoying, but the food is quite good.

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by 3am green coffee

Baby Doe's Matchless Mine is not just closed. It's gone. Completely. The building was unsafe and had to be demolished. Now there's just an empty space in the trees on top of the mountain where it used to be. There were at one time nine (I think) Baby Doe's restaurants around the country. The last of them was in Texas (I think) and is now closed as well. It makes me sad. No more beer cheese soup.

The best Italian place I know of in the area is Leonardo's on Rocky Ridge in the Vestavia/Hoover area. I'm not sure which city it's actually in. It's locally owned with family recipes and a decent wine list. I haven't had a meal there that was less than stellar.

For pizza and Italian sandwiches, I would recommend Rocky's downtown. Their boxer theme is annoying, but the food is quite good.

Hey, I forgot about Leonardo's. That's a good recommendation. I would still prefer GianMarcos.

[GTO831]

Hey, I remember eating at Rocky's once. I also remember the annoying theme LOL
Thanks for the history....I didn't realize they were both gone. I loved the deco of Spats, very cool and Baby Doe's....I just remember my mom taking me there for my 16th birthday.....a "few" years ago LOL
Very sad it's gone. I remember the beer cheese soup as well, YUM!!
Will definitely give the Leonardo's a shot if it is "homestyle". I have a very picky Italian ......you know the type.
Thanks again for the tips.
We are so very looking forward to getting back up there.
Tracy

[newbamadoc]

I live 20sec up the hill from Leonardo's, and it is good, but Gian Marco's kills it. Make sure you call a week ahead of time, or you won't be getting in. I think the Continental Bakery in English Village is waay overpriced but some like it. Also way overpriced. Klinger's Bakery in Vestavia is good as is Brodie's in Mtn Brook. Bonjorno in Crestline is also solid.

[pvjd]

I honestly am not fond of Leonardo's. It's always struck me as one of those places that people eat at because it is either trendy, or because they know the owner, etc. The food is overpriced, and though I enjoyed my appetizer, the lasagna was made with cottage cheese, not ricotta. My Italian wife from New Jersey was not pleased at all. However, my taste buds are not necessarily the same as yours.

[3am green coffee]

Originally Posted by pvjd

The food is overpriced, and though I enjoyed my appetizer, the lasagna was made with cottage cheese, not ricotta.

I've had their lasagna. It's not made with cottage cheese.

[pvjd]

What we had very much tasted like and resembled cottage cheese.

[3am green coffee]

You were mistaken.

[cpg35223]

Why don't you both meet there, order the lasagna and decide? The loser then buys the winner the lasagna. There.

[pvjd]

Too rich for my blood. Seriously though, Dolce Vita, Petracelli's, and Bongiorno's are my top three for pasta. For pizza, it is Tortugas, Formaggio's, and Davenports.