02/10/18
Red Snapper at Ollie Irene in Mountain Brook, AL. I love fish and eat it often, so it has to really stand out for me to consider it Bigtime. The simpler the better in my opinion, as I’ve never been a fan of dishes that have a ton of sauces lathered on top of the fish to the point where you can’t distinguish the taste of the actual fish with the sauce and accompaniments. This Red Snapper at Ollie Irene was terrific - very clean and simple, yet at the same time savory and flavorful. The fish itself was cooked perfectly, not under-cooked or over-cooked at all. Lightly seared to give it a slight crispness on top, the fish sat on a tasty purée made of white bean, carrots, celery, and onions. The yu choy Chinese green (similar to bok choy but a tad sweeter) was a great accompaniment to the dish and a refreshing departure from your standard “assorted vegetables” that many fish dishes are accompanied by. Ollie Irene is a highly acclaimed restaurant frequented by locals and foodies in the know and is owned and operated by renowned chef Chris Newsome. Super friendly, knowledgeable service (I sat at the bar and Dave was outstanding). Open Tuesday through Saturday for dinner only and they don’t take reservations. Also - don’t miss their Foie Gras with Sticky Rice - it’s a Bigtime Hall of Fame dish!