Funky Parisian-ambianced cafe with divine mesclun salads with goat chees, sandwiches topped with brie, an extensive wine collection, and certain divine substances. One of these is the peasant garlic soup... pure creamy goodness. And the creme brulee... perfectly light, yet full, crisp on top without burning, red strawberries alongside... The ambiance is killer... salvaged chairs and table tops, found art objects on the wall, strings of multicolor lights, give this rosy hue. With accordian players at certain times.
(5)
Melody B.
We stayed downtown on a Sunday night. This was one of two places open on Sunday in Birmingham. The weather was perfect to sit outside, although we had to wait a while for a table. We ordered a bottle of wine, the Mediterranean sampler, and a small Italian sausage and goat cheese pizza. It was the perfect amount for two people. Would highly recommend, especially on a Sunday night!
(4)
Sheri P.
YUM YUM YUM! I love the atmosphere and location. The food is yum, the plates are neat, and the wine glasses are different.
(5)
Vincent V.
Great spot, but the Parisian decor felt like it would make a lot more sense in the dark with candles on the table instead of during a nice, sunny morning when I stopped in for breakfast. Even so, the food and coffee were excellent and the daily specials were agonizing to choose between. Stop by the bakery next door for some of the same great food to go.
(4)
Unconventional V.
This place has it all. Good food, good service, and funky-cool style. Very veggie friendly. Read our complete review here: unconventionalvegetarian…
(5)
Breanne K.
The food here is really excellent. They make great pizzas with a perfect whole wheat crust, be sure to ask for it. service is spotty, I agree with many reviewers. The first time I went our waiter was very attentive and pleasant. Second trip back seemed to be on point with many reviews here. I had wanted to take my leftover pizza home and the waiter threw away a piece I had taken a bite from. Doesn't make me happy when I pay $14 for a pizza.
(4)
Molly D.
Another stop on my Birmingham trip was Chez Lulu. This is a charming french bistro in a really cute walking village, Mountain Brook. It's a really small and intimate restaurant with a few tables outside as well. The menu stays more true to French cuisine than most 'French' Restaurants offering Baguette and Chocolate and other simple items on their breakfast menu. The coffee is delicious and the server kept it coming which I liked since we were drinking it pretty quickly. I ordered the tart special which was in fact a quiche, similar but not what I wanted. It was ok but the reason this place earned it's star back for a mediocre quiche is the White Gazpacho Soup. This chilled soupr is made with cucumbers instead of tomatoes. It is tart but to cut the tartness hidden throughout the soup are tiny deliciously sweet red grapes. It was so delicious after tasting it my friend ordered a cup for herself as well.
(4)
marc b.
This is one of the best places I have found in Birmingham. Very eclectic interior with lots of atmosphere. The food was delicious. Simple french with ingredients of the highest quality. I found the service to be great, and their coffee met my very high standard. Don't forget to stop into the bakery and take home the other soup that you didn't order at dinner.
(5)
Spencer P.
This place was absolutely wonderful! It's tucked away in mountain brook village right next door to the bakery! It was reasonably priced and the service was exceptional! Very sweet people here! I could tell that they cared a lot about their business and it definitely showed! The food was superb! We ordered the chicken salad and appetizer sampler. Both were phenomenal! I would say this is a great spot for a lunch date!
(4)
Donna A.
I think I fell asleep and woke up in a French gypsy dream. It is decorated so cool in here! Very quirky and antique looking objects are all over. It is romantic in a secret hideaway way. The food is decently priced, and the wine if very affordable. I had a lunch special of a slice of tarte and soup. It was a spinach tarte and a vegetable soup. Very filling but still light. I was able to eat up the beautifully arranged bread tray they offered. Cannot wait to come back here for dinner!
(4)
Jason B.
Being avid visitor of this place, I was almost tempted not to write about this wonderful place. My fear (honestly), it that when the word gets out of this amazing place, it will become very busy. This restaurant is a hidden gem with a unique menu. Once fabulous dishes are out, they are out. The reason I did choose to write about this place was simple. If a restaurant does something well, then they should be complemented. People often rush to criticize, and if we don't become advocates for good venues, then we'll only be left with negative reviews.
(5)
Tomas H.
This little gem is just minutes from downtown Birmingham- packed with unique French inspired dishes, coupled with the quaintest ambiance inside and out. It might be just one of the best kept secrets for Sunday brunches - was there this past weekend and it was so easy to get a table! Oh- did I mention the service is top notch- friendly and attentive/ the cup of java was already kept warm/never empty!
(5)
Jacob W.
Food is great, but I think pizza is the thing to order here. I got a sandwich but so many tables around me opted for pizza. By the time I left I was craving pizza. On my next visit, I got pizza, and I really like it. No matter what, I feel like you can't go wrong with this place. And to too it off, my Watermelon Martini was very good as well. Also, I love the restaurant itself. The decor, design, every sense of the interior is so inviting, relaxing, and intriguing. Possibly one of my favorite restaurants based on atmosphere.
(4)
Carrie R.
Chez Lulu is seriously one of my favorite restaurants in Birmingham. It's the perfect little french cafe -- incredibly charming with great seating inside and out. It's best for small groups, but for big groups or parties they'll rent out the back room (or a table in the back room), and that's also lovely. I most often visit for a light lunch -- their sandwiches, soups and salads are made with fresh ingredients and have a wonderful balance of flavors, and it's a really nice place for a quick lunch (or a lingering lunch with a glass or two of wine). Their pastries are made next door at the stellar Continental Bakery, and they have a full espresso bar as well. The brunch here is also fantastic. I love their crepes and their grits are so good that my sister and I sometimes order them for "dessert" as well as with the meal. Chez Lulu is just charming and fantastic! Try it!
(5)
Christine W.
It was a pleasant place to dine. Our waitress was very nice and efficient. We sat outside and enjoyed the wonderful fall weather. The bread is divine and truly the best part of the meal. My boyfriend usually isn't a big bread eater and, surprisingly, he was the one who asked to have the basket refilled. The cheese platter was really pretty and not bad. The chickpea crepe was surprisingly bland and disappointing. My boyfriend ordered a beef stew which was a bit overcooked but he liked it. I had the pear tart and he had the chocolate torte. The tart crust was hard and didn't taste freshly made but was still good. The torte was really delicious and just the right portion size. Overall, it was bit hit and miss, but a nice dinner.
(3)
Camille B.
Huge disappointment!!! The menu looked great and had so much promise but the food failed to deliver. Our meal took FOREVER to come out, and when it did it was cold. All we ordered was a sandwich and their specialty for the day. To top it off, they ran out of crepes. How does a French restaurant run out of crepes at 2pm during Sunday brunch!!!!???? I gave two stars just because the food sounds good. Will not be returning.
(2)
Emily W.
We had a large family dinner at this restaurant. The food was delicious and very reasonably priced. The service was excellent. They were very accommodating, polite, and fun. Everything on their dessert menu is mouth watering and wonderful. I would absolutely come back again.
(5)
Lee C.
I ate a late lunch with a friend here. It was easy to get a seat outside and the server was very good. She suggested some solutions to my indecision. I had a salad (excellent) and sandwich (also very good). I spent a little more than I wanted to. Still, this is an excellent option for a meal or drink, where one wants a good atmosphere.
(4)
Rob h.
This place is awesome! I'm from Birmingham but live in Nashville. I really miss this place. It is one of a kind and there's nothing like it in Nashville. They have yummy French food and really good cocktails. I love their selection on local beers and some belgium's. Totally unpretentious considering it is in the heart of mountain brook. Check this place out and take your date. They will LOVE it. Todd the bartender in very cool and knowledgeable.
(5)
Aleah A.
how this doesn't have 5 stars from everybody l.will never know. I am a business person who travels and I eat out every meal and this was exceptional. unique creative fresh reasonably priced what more could you want? the green gespatco was excellent . it had grapes in.it .who would have even thought that would go. but it tasted excellent. the chicken salad had fresh herbs, I must go on in Birmingham
(5)
Preeyam P.
This place is great. I love the wine and desserts. Atmosphere is very fun as well.
(4)
Rachel G.
The terragon chicken salad is my favorite! They dress it with balsamic vinaigrette, all the ingredients are crisp and fresh. Very satisfying lunch spot.
The salads here are delicious. The one thing this place has down really well are wine and salad combinations. The portions are small like other reviewers have mentioned but they compliment wine perfectly. I ordered the salad and tarte combo with the salad and half sandwich combo. I spent way more than what was socially acceptable for one person at lunch. That didn't mean I didn't enjoy every bit of it. The greens pie tartes du jour was perfect without the hot sauce but that's probably because I can't handle anything spicy. The slice may seem small but the richness makes up for it. The half sandwich eggplant and caramelized onion. Everything was warm, tasty, and mushy. Even though the flavor was decent, out of everything I had, the sandwich was the least impressive. The 2 salads I ordered were the Goat Cheese, Walnuts, Pear and Grapes salad which were beyond delicious. The goat cheese brought the entire salad together. The second salad was a scoop of chicken salad with mixed baby greens that blunted the saltiness and texture of the chicken salad. The service was prompt, polite, and excellent. This is the perfect place to grab Sunday brunch with friends and talk about anything for a few hours.
(4)
Val W.
Came here for a Sunday brunch and was not disappointing! The service was very good, and the menu as impressive and delicious sounding as you would imagine. Their options included an interesting and unique range of crepes, a few quiche type options, grits, biscuits, and more. As others have mentioned, be ready to pay a pretty penny. The one issue we had was that the grits all came out cold. Given that we were there literally as soon as it opened in the morning, we were a little disappointed. as this meant the grits hadn't been made fresh. Another one of the quiches also came out somewhat cold, leading us to the same conclusion. Although the staff readily warmed them up for us, it did diminish the experience. Free bread though!
(4)
Frank M.
You can't go wrong with Chez Lulu. The bakery next door makes awesome bread, the atmosphere is pleasant, and the people who make the restaurant work are pleasant as well. The food is fresh, well conceived and well plated. There are a lot of 4 star reviews for what amounts to food court places in Birmingham. So I felt like I had to give this one 5 stars. Its definitely a cut above what you'll find a lot of other places in Birmingham. Try it. Also try and ignore the fuzzy pictures that got posted of the food at Chez Lulu on yelp. I promise. The food was admirably unfuzzy. at least mine was. perhaps they have special fuzzy days that I'm not aware of.
(5)
Jim M.
I almost have this place 5 stars, but I think the prices are a bit high, and the service does not match the prices. Had either been better, it would be 5 stars. The waitress was very detached for a slow Sunday afternoon. Forgot waters, impersonal, almost mechanical. You come to expect that at the run of the mill restaurant, but not when the cost of lunch for 3 tops $80.
(4)
David L.
I've remarked before that America lacks a cafe culture and the leisure that would make one possible, but if there were fertile enough ground for its cultivation it would be in the South. The Tudor-style accents of this Mountain Brook shopping center at least remind us of the tradition. Chez Lulu even has a wide enough brick sidewalk to allow both a row of tables and room for passersby. The pace of service is appropriately a saunter. This is less noticeable, though, with complimentary, wonderfully fresh bread, which comes from the adjacent European-style bakery. The bread, the garlic soup, and our sidewalk perch were my favorite aspects of the meal. I was disappointed that they were already out of chicken salad, so I substituted tuna instead. My other two salads of my choose-four soup/salad sampler were fine but participated too much in the European anti-dressing sentiment. With my hunger already quenched by bread, it was too leafy a dessert, and we didn't even make it to the Continental Bakery pastries.
(4)
Laurie M.
Very quaint, European style cafe. Delicious, not so run of the mill, menu. The beet salad is ... To. Die. For.!!!! Located in the small but quaint English Village, between downtown and Mountain Brook. Only complaint is the small tables located in such close proximity to each other... But I as I said- it's fashioned in the European style of such establishments. They also offer outdoor seating- which was a bit more liking to my taste.
(4)
Brian K.
The concept of this place is certainly novel for Birmingham, but being a non-local who has traveled extensively, I wasn't all that impressed. The Parisian kitsch decor is understandably a crowd pleaser, but the food is really quite average and the service is absolutely abominable. I'd likely return here in the future if I happened to be in the area, but I'd probably just restrict my purchases to the bakery counter next door. Food: Chez Lulu is a European Cafe featuring fresh sandwiches, salads, pizzas, soups, and pastries, most of which is either locally sourced or made next door in the Continental Bakery. The menu is impressive at first glance, but the final product leaves somewhat to be desired. My dining partner and I opted to start with the Mediterranean Sampler, which included roasted red pepper spread, feta, and olive tapenade - the spreads were flavorful, but meagerly portioned for the price point. For an entree, I opted for the honey baked ham and swiss sandwich, which was incredibly underwhelming - the swiss was virtually non-existent, the ham was flavorless, and the focaccia was harder than a rock - breaking bread should not mean that you have to use the side of the table. Service: Young and inexperienced. Although perfectly friendly, our waiter was less than capable of providing even a basic level of service - the water glasses sat unfilled, the appetizer was served with only three measly slices of bread, and the entrees were delivered before the appetizer was even finished. Atmosphere: Although quaint and artfully decorated, the interior of this place is unbearably cramped - to the point where we both had to sit perpendicular to the table because there wasn't enough room for us to put our legs beneath it. The tables aren't any better - we actually had to hold the appetizer plate above the entrees in order to finish it because the table wasn't even big enough to accommodate three plates. I understand the management's desire to adhere to the French theme, but adjustments to the service structure and organization of the dining room could easily fix these issues. Cost: Moderately priced. Hors d'oeuvres are $5-$10, while entrees are $10-$15. The total lunch bill, excluding tip, for my dining partner and I was slightly less than $40. Other: Chez Lulu is closed on Monday and 3:00PM-5:30PM, Tuesday-Thursday. Hours of operation are 11AM-9:30PM, Tuesday-Thursday, 11AM-10:30PM, Friday-Saturday, and 10AM-9:30PM on Sunday. The restaurant features various special events throughout each month, including a live accordion player every Sunday evening. Reservations are only accepted for parties of 6 or more and the restaurant will not provide separate checks.
(3)
J M.
The food is fine enough and the atmosphere is quant, but I didn't think it was all that special.
(3)
Bill R.
We've eaten a Chez Lulu numerous times over the years, but this was our first trip back in quite a while. Unfortunately it took just over an hour to get five sandwiches. That's twelve minutes per sandwich. Evidently that's how long it takes to burn one (the sourdough looked more like rye).
(2)
Amy G.
Cute place! A little pricey for brunch, but that should be expected in Mountain Brook. The coffee cups are adorable, and the cheese grits are deelish!
(4)
Lillie P.
We researched the place and determined beforehand that we would share a thin crust pizza for a nice dinner out. We arrived to find a very cute French cafe setting with a white haired man playing an accordion. We were promptly seated and drink and appetizer orders were taken. We ordered our pizza and the waiter informed us 5 minutes later that they ran out of pizza sauce. REALLY? Half the menu is pizza...how does that happen?? There was really only soup, sandwhiches and salads on the menu if you couldn't have pizza. So... we ate our garlic soup appetizer and drank our wine and spent $15 in 15 minutes. We went down the road to Salvatores for a pizza and were not too let down. Definitely not the same ambience but at least they had pizza. We do want to go back but next time I'm calling ahead to make sure they have sauce. :/
(2)
Katie F.
This is one of my favorite places in town, especially for lunch. Go on a pretty day and sit outside. Inside is decorated nicely, but I tend to find it a little dark, a little close and not always as comfy as I would like. I've tried nearly everything on the menu except the pizzas. The vegetarian options are exceptionally appealing. Usually I favor the daily specials, but there are a couple of items I'm particularly fond of the beef stew (hidden under main courses with only 2 other items) and the pear and almond tarte (though I also recommend hopping over to continental bakery after you've finished lunch to grab bread for home and desert to go). The bread on the table (and sandwiches) comes from the bakery next door as well. Service tends to be hit or miss for me, but I haven't had anything too egregious happen.
(4)
M. A.
It's a cute place, tucked away next to continental bakery. It has a rather large menu but a disproportionate amount of the menu is dedicated to chicken salad in different iterations. The chicken salad was OK, not bad just not exciting at all. I probably wouldn't go here again because of the blah menu.
(2)
Jenn G.
I like a place with diverse vegetarian options, and I love a place with fresh local ingredients. Put those hands together, and throw in a choice wine selection, and you can bet I'm a fan of Chez Lulu. The food has always been delicious, and the entertainment that comes and goes is always welcome! My first dining experience included a belly dancer. No, it wasn't me, and yes, it was planned. And of course I love the smaller, European-decorated atmosphere! I almost always have the same servers, who are extremely helpful and pleasant guys, but several friends of mine have been on different occasions and said they had a server who was rude, and that she's usually drunk as well -- which I figure, depending on the type of drunk, could be added European entertainment as well..? Sort of.
(4)
Rob M.
A long time favorite of my family's, even my 2 year old loves brunch at Chez Lulu. The crepes are varied and wonderful, light & tasty. Perfect with a Mimosa or cup of their French roast coffee. My favorite is the blueberry...or maybe the ham & fromage blanc. And the grits are excellent, a little frenchy nod to us Southerners. Go again for lunch or dinner and have the brie & kalamata olive sandwich. It was the first thing I ever tried there, and I pray they never take it off the menu. And if someone considers brie 'dull', I would question their palate. If French food with a little Southern twist sounds good to you, you won't be disappointed.
Fabulous lil' French bistro. The garlic soup is awesome. Food is a little pricey, but worth it. They also have great cocktails.
(5)
Daniel H.
Although I've enjoyed prior visits to Chez Lulu, my most recent trip was disappointing. First, the interior is too cramped. My date and I were seated next to a table of eight, but we might as well have been seated at their table, as there was little more than one foot of space between the two. It was most awkward and left us feeling as though we had crashed a party, rather than enjoying a romantic dinner for two. If the table didn't entirely kill the mood, the bell certainly did the trick. I can't imagine what compels the kitchen staff to ring a bell at the pass each time a dish is ready. It's a small restaurant; surely the servers can easily enough see when they're needed. The bell is loud, obnoxious, tacky and unnecessary. And, if that weren't enough, my glass was empty for more than ten minutes. We both ordered the tarragon chicken salad sandwich, but I chose the half sandwich with garlic soup. The soup was very good, but the portion was stingy for the price, and it was brought to the table at least ten minutes ahead of the sandwiches. As for the sandwich, it was merely decent. Call me bourgeois, but if I want to assemble my meal, I'll just stay home and make it myself. I don't appreciate the lack of effort and lazy presentation. It arrived as two slices of bread topped with a scoop of chicken salad, with some mixed greens and sliced tomato on the side. When I order a chicken salad sandwich at Panera or Zoe's, I get a sandwich, not the ingredients to make one. So, basically, I paid to sit at a tiny, crowded table, so that I might listen to an irritating bell whilst making my own sandwich and pondering whether I'd have to hold my glass outside in the rain for a refill. All in all, the seating is uncomfortable, the food is mediocre, the service is poor, and the portions are small for the price.
(2)
Robin S.
I went to college in Birmingham and used to love this place. Let's face it though, there are SO many new and fab places that have entered the restaurant scene since my time in the 'Ham, this no longer ranks in my top ten. BUT it's still good. Stayed in Birmingham after an Alabama game last night, and visited Chez Lulu for brunch today since everywhere else was packed. No wait here--done! Food is fresh and local, but there are not a lot of options. Lots of breads and pastries, but if you want an egg I hope you like it boiled. That's about the only kind I saw on the menu. I opted for the 1/2 sandwich/soup combo. Very good, but I left still hungry. Granted, this was me eating for the first time today at 11am, after a late night and long day yesterday that involved drinking. So you see how I wanted a little more than fancy brunch food. Decor is definitely shabby chic French which I usually don't mind, but it kind of grosses me out when there are pillows in the booth. Supposed to add to ambiance I guess, but they had spilled crusty food on them. Nasty. Get rid of those and I'd go back when I'm not that hungry.
(3)
Jessica L.
I flew in from LA to Birmingham for a wedding. Missed my flight out, so I, along with the bride & groom + family, were trying to find a place to eat. Apparently everything closes on Sunday? We ended up at Chez Lulu. The best part about this place was the atmosphere and the accordian player. Hearing the old man play, and eating pizza outdoors was a welcome respite from the pressures of LA.
(3)
Gale B.
Great food using the bread baked next door. Garlic soup a MUST try before you die! Service is fabulous atmosphere funky. If you are lucky on a beautiful Sunday afternoon you can get a table outside. Truly food, that for a minute, makes you forget you are in Alabama!
(4)
Gary W.
Great food, only complaint is the need for more choices, but great food
(5)
Michael C.
What a marvelous tarte du jour I enjoyed (eggplant)! Perfect crust, which is a rarity. The garlic soup was excellent as well. There would be another star if the serving size of the tarte wasn't a bit skimpy. The cheese plate was OK, if a bit uninspired. Gorgonzola on a French bistro menu? And dull, dull Brie? I was hoping for more creative selections. Good wines by the glass, passable coffee (a bit weak, but this is the South). The special bread pudding was a pumpkin spice, and while I'm not usually much for dessert, this was not to be missed. The atmosphere is French Bistro Kitsch, but it works! Friendly, efficient service.
(3)
Scott T.
Great food, crappy service. Seriously, the food is something else awesome but it really feels like you are in France getting treated like crap because you're an American. Everyone around us was served and we waited 30 minutes for someone to even pour us water! On top of that we got cold coffee, no bread and our waiter seemed very unconcerned about that. If you want good food, go to Chez Lulu. If you want crappy service, cold coffee, have 3 hours for lunch...go to Chez Lulu...if you were wanting to be treated well, then I'd recommend somewhere else. Maybe the Citgo? iHop? At least you get your meal in under 3 hours. :/
(2)
Shay A.
The best in town!
(5)
Yochi J.
Visited Birmingham recently and followed reviews to Chez Lulu. Once to the bakery (had a killer Almond Croissant) and once to the bistro next door (had the beef stew with vegetables). The food was great, the atmosphere was relaxed, and the service was just fine. Both the bakery's pastries and the bistro's plates are unexpected European flavours that I never would have expected to find in Birmingham. Highly recommend.
(5)
Sea H.
We just came back from a lovely meal here and enjoyed it so much I'm compelled to write my review immediately. We are well traveled New Yorkers, which make us critical diners and our expectations are always very high. As first time visitors, we tried all of the high rated restaurants which came as recommendations earlier in the week. However, finding a restaurant open on a Sunday or Monday in Birmingham is a challenge and so we found Chez Lulu on our own (thanks Yelp!) and gave it a try. The location of this restaurant is very nice with beautiful surroundings and parking was easy. Stepping inside the establishment was exactly like stepping into a Parisian cafe and we felt comfortable instantly. The menu is quite extensive and very vegetarian/fishitarian friendly. We ordered the cheese plate which came out promptly and well presented, all three cheeses were well selected and the fruit and accompaniments were fresh. The garlic soup was very nice and the salad we ordered was perfectly dressed and all ingredients very fresh. Accompanying bread and panini bread were perfect - and we are pretty passionate about bread. The panini came with potato chips and cornichons which was a fun touch. The desserts - flour-less chocolate cake and walnut pie a a la mode were perfection. The restaurant was a little busy but our service was very attentive and our waiter was one of the best waiters we've had during our stay in Birmingham, absolutely beating out the service we got from the highest rated and most expensive restaurants we tried here. The atmosphere was excellent - many guests seemed to know each other which nice because we felt like locals. And, finally, when I thought this place couldn't get any better...a gentleman set up an area to start playing some soft music on his accordion. It was absolutely lovely and the entire experience transported us. I was very surprised by a few other reviews who had comments to make about portions - the portions are exactly what you would expect for the very fair prices. We looked around at other meals and they all looked delicious from salmon to pizza to pasta dishes. The food is not pretentious, it's very much like a home cooked meal among your best friends. Upon leaving, we were offered a complimentary baguette which was a great touch. The wine list was smart, the bar was well stocked and my French Martini was delicious. The food was absolutely what we needed, the service was exactly right (our server managed to hold the door open for us as we left while taking another tables order) and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. Do yourself a favor and give this establishment a try, it's absolutely worth it!
(5)
Kristina V.
excellent excellent food. Outdoor seating is great. Did I mention the food? The atmosphere is nice, relaxed, and really cute. The bakery next door is the true gem. Their bread is amazing. If you go to Chez Lulu in the evening on a weeknight, they're likely to give you bread to take home!
(5)
Gigi D.
Charming little place and consistently good food. Small and European-style. A few of my favorites: the lentil soup, the roasted eggplant and caramelized onion sandwich, their roasted red pepper spread, and they make a beet and goat cheese salad that's to die for. A friend of mine ordered the greens pie and loved it. The garlic soup is also very good.The pizzas (order the spelt grain crust!) are great--not doughey. Tough to go wrong. If you can get an outside table on a nice day, consider yourself lucky. Taking off one star for service. Most of the time it's good, but a few times it's been slow, or curt, or our order's been mangled somehow.
(4)
Christina S.
Ohhh how I love you, Chez Lulu ... But ohhhh how I must remember - that amazing bread and olive oil is just a "starter" and I must not eat 3 baskets full! For the most amazing bread Birmingham has to offer, everyone would tell you to go to Continental Bakery - and I whole-heartedly agree with that. And, as such, the most amazing sammiches on that amazing bread can be had at Chez Lulu! It's a sister restaurant righ tnext door. Great chick-food (yes, dudes like it too, but for the most part, this is the place for a girls' lunch). Salads are awesome as are the soups. Start your lunch / dinner off with the Med Plate, which is the roasted red pepper spread, olive tapenade, some cheese, arugula, hard boiled egg and bread. One could make a meal of this alone for not a whole lot! If I'm with others, and I have to share that, I usually get the tarte and soup combo, and if the peasant soup is on the menu (and in the Fall it always is), that is my choice for soup. I've loved all the tartes, so don't worry about which one is best when orderings. Also available for a combo plate are salads and sandwiches. I prefer the chicken salad or tuna melt for sandwiches. They've introduced a cool kid's menu with cute things like ants on a log (you remember this - celery filled with peanut butter and raisins on top!), and apple slices and peanut butter. While I don't have any tykes at my house, I did see a PB&J sandwich at the table next to me from their kid's menu and it was decorated! I usually have the cheese plate for dessert, but all of their desserts are FABULOUS (and some of those such treats can be found next door!). The kiddo next to me had a scoop of ice cream (so apparently, they have a kid's dessert menu too). I cannot tell a lie or mislead you ... this place is just perfect for anything - not just girlie dates, but also real-deal dates with the Hubs (or your SO)!
(4)
Urban C.
Chez Lulu 1911 Cahaba Rd Mountain Brook, AL 35223 Eclectic, Cozy, Funky and fresh baked goods! We visited Chez Lulu yesterday for drinks and a snack. We found it very accessible and were able to find parking directly in front of the establishment. Sidewalk dining was perfect and was complimented with the friendly staff. We had a server that was in training but she was doing her best. Service was a little slow but we were in no hurry. We started with the Mediterranean plate and it was delicous featuring roasted red pepper sauce, olive paste and a creamy cheesy. Along with the fresh baked bread from Continental bakery(next door) this was a real treat. The red pepper sauce was very similar but thicker than a romesco. Next we had a 10" Brooklyn Pizza on spent grain crust! YUM! All in all a very pleasant dining experience on the streets of Mountain Brook. We will be going back! Urban Cowgill
(4)
ben h.
Limited menu, but what they have is very good. Sit outside and feel like you are in Paris. Sit inside and think you are in old SOHO or 60s San Francisco. Savory tarts, soups, pizza, and great chicken salad. Bakery is next door, so all the bread is made daily. Eclectic staff always great service. Go be seen with the beautiful people. Have a glass of wine from a jelly jar, or a finely crafted martini. Don;t bring your kids (even though they have several choices for them) at night, leave this for us old romantics that just want a quiet night out.
(5)
Tex R.
I patronized chez lulu at brunch for the third and likely final time yesterday. I feel after three visits that gave them a good chance to get it all right, but it never happened. The employees do not work well together, and most of the waitstaff are distracted and slow. Very crowded seating, even their customer base seems angry, conceited, and rude. Every snob in Birmingham evidently has brunch there! Maybe that's why the waitstaff seems unhappy ... And the breakfast special was over cooked and for the most part, below average. Tastes like they use cheap deli ham in their crepes, and the strawberry crepe had no flavor at all. Waffle House ( rarely one of my choices) is twice as flavorful and employees are less ? (Whatever their problem is) I probably won't go back
(2)
Mary Frances M.
Chez Lulu & Continental Bakery both have excellent food, and generally serve up a pretty great meal. Unfortunately, the last few times we've been up there the service has been spotty at best. Until today, we thought the food outweighed this inconvenience. This morning is was very clear that the overall management of the restaurant may be the problem. While two groups (ours included) of people stood waiting for a table, a woman walked to the back, hovered over a table gathering their things and sat down as the bus boy tried to clear the table. It was very evident he was uncomfortable, and unfortunately the wait staff didn't have the guts to tell the woman a wait existed. Even after we watched the person who seemed to be in charge, expressly tell the waitress to ask the woman to wait her turn, nothing happened. In fact, we were told to wait for the next table to open up. Poor management will ruin a dining experience every time. We left and spent our Sunday brunch in Highland Park with queso, migas and an amazing wait staff.
(2)
David B.
Had a salad and a sandwich. They were really tasty but the potions are tiny. This is AMERICA, we like leftovers...or at least enough food for the current meal. I filled up on the bread, which was delicious. They make it fresh in the clay oven all morning. I like the atmosphere.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Intimate Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Ananda Z.
Funky Parisian-ambianced cafe with divine mesclun salads with goat chees, sandwiches topped with brie, an extensive wine collection, and certain divine substances. One of these is the peasant garlic soup... pure creamy goodness. And the creme brulee... perfectly light, yet full, crisp on top without burning, red strawberries alongside... The ambiance is killer... salvaged chairs and table tops, found art objects on the wall, strings of multicolor lights, give this rosy hue. With accordian players at certain times.
(5)Melody B.
We stayed downtown on a Sunday night. This was one of two places open on Sunday in Birmingham. The weather was perfect to sit outside, although we had to wait a while for a table. We ordered a bottle of wine, the Mediterranean sampler, and a small Italian sausage and goat cheese pizza. It was the perfect amount for two people. Would highly recommend, especially on a Sunday night!
(4)Sheri P.
YUM YUM YUM! I love the atmosphere and location. The food is yum, the plates are neat, and the wine glasses are different.
(5)Vincent V.
Great spot, but the Parisian decor felt like it would make a lot more sense in the dark with candles on the table instead of during a nice, sunny morning when I stopped in for breakfast. Even so, the food and coffee were excellent and the daily specials were agonizing to choose between. Stop by the bakery next door for some of the same great food to go.
(4)Unconventional V.
This place has it all. Good food, good service, and funky-cool style. Very veggie friendly. Read our complete review here: unconventionalvegetarian…
(5)Breanne K.
The food here is really excellent. They make great pizzas with a perfect whole wheat crust, be sure to ask for it. service is spotty, I agree with many reviewers. The first time I went our waiter was very attentive and pleasant. Second trip back seemed to be on point with many reviews here. I had wanted to take my leftover pizza home and the waiter threw away a piece I had taken a bite from. Doesn't make me happy when I pay $14 for a pizza.
(4)Molly D.
Another stop on my Birmingham trip was Chez Lulu. This is a charming french bistro in a really cute walking village, Mountain Brook. It's a really small and intimate restaurant with a few tables outside as well. The menu stays more true to French cuisine than most 'French' Restaurants offering Baguette and Chocolate and other simple items on their breakfast menu. The coffee is delicious and the server kept it coming which I liked since we were drinking it pretty quickly. I ordered the tart special which was in fact a quiche, similar but not what I wanted. It was ok but the reason this place earned it's star back for a mediocre quiche is the White Gazpacho Soup. This chilled soupr is made with cucumbers instead of tomatoes. It is tart but to cut the tartness hidden throughout the soup are tiny deliciously sweet red grapes. It was so delicious after tasting it my friend ordered a cup for herself as well.
(4)marc b.
This is one of the best places I have found in Birmingham. Very eclectic interior with lots of atmosphere. The food was delicious. Simple french with ingredients of the highest quality. I found the service to be great, and their coffee met my very high standard. Don't forget to stop into the bakery and take home the other soup that you didn't order at dinner.
(5)Spencer P.
This place was absolutely wonderful! It's tucked away in mountain brook village right next door to the bakery! It was reasonably priced and the service was exceptional! Very sweet people here! I could tell that they cared a lot about their business and it definitely showed! The food was superb! We ordered the chicken salad and appetizer sampler. Both were phenomenal! I would say this is a great spot for a lunch date!
(4)Donna A.
I think I fell asleep and woke up in a French gypsy dream. It is decorated so cool in here! Very quirky and antique looking objects are all over. It is romantic in a secret hideaway way. The food is decently priced, and the wine if very affordable. I had a lunch special of a slice of tarte and soup. It was a spinach tarte and a vegetable soup. Very filling but still light. I was able to eat up the beautifully arranged bread tray they offered. Cannot wait to come back here for dinner!
(4)Jason B.
Being avid visitor of this place, I was almost tempted not to write about this wonderful place. My fear (honestly), it that when the word gets out of this amazing place, it will become very busy. This restaurant is a hidden gem with a unique menu. Once fabulous dishes are out, they are out. The reason I did choose to write about this place was simple. If a restaurant does something well, then they should be complemented. People often rush to criticize, and if we don't become advocates for good venues, then we'll only be left with negative reviews.
(5)Tomas H.
This little gem is just minutes from downtown Birmingham- packed with unique French inspired dishes, coupled with the quaintest ambiance inside and out. It might be just one of the best kept secrets for Sunday brunches - was there this past weekend and it was so easy to get a table! Oh- did I mention the service is top notch- friendly and attentive/ the cup of java was already kept warm/never empty!
(5)Jacob W.
Food is great, but I think pizza is the thing to order here. I got a sandwich but so many tables around me opted for pizza. By the time I left I was craving pizza. On my next visit, I got pizza, and I really like it. No matter what, I feel like you can't go wrong with this place. And to too it off, my Watermelon Martini was very good as well. Also, I love the restaurant itself. The decor, design, every sense of the interior is so inviting, relaxing, and intriguing. Possibly one of my favorite restaurants based on atmosphere.
(4)Carrie R.
Chez Lulu is seriously one of my favorite restaurants in Birmingham. It's the perfect little french cafe -- incredibly charming with great seating inside and out. It's best for small groups, but for big groups or parties they'll rent out the back room (or a table in the back room), and that's also lovely. I most often visit for a light lunch -- their sandwiches, soups and salads are made with fresh ingredients and have a wonderful balance of flavors, and it's a really nice place for a quick lunch (or a lingering lunch with a glass or two of wine). Their pastries are made next door at the stellar Continental Bakery, and they have a full espresso bar as well. The brunch here is also fantastic. I love their crepes and their grits are so good that my sister and I sometimes order them for "dessert" as well as with the meal. Chez Lulu is just charming and fantastic! Try it!
(5)Christine W.
It was a pleasant place to dine. Our waitress was very nice and efficient. We sat outside and enjoyed the wonderful fall weather. The bread is divine and truly the best part of the meal. My boyfriend usually isn't a big bread eater and, surprisingly, he was the one who asked to have the basket refilled. The cheese platter was really pretty and not bad. The chickpea crepe was surprisingly bland and disappointing. My boyfriend ordered a beef stew which was a bit overcooked but he liked it. I had the pear tart and he had the chocolate torte. The tart crust was hard and didn't taste freshly made but was still good. The torte was really delicious and just the right portion size. Overall, it was bit hit and miss, but a nice dinner.
(3)Camille B.
Huge disappointment!!! The menu looked great and had so much promise but the food failed to deliver. Our meal took FOREVER to come out, and when it did it was cold. All we ordered was a sandwich and their specialty for the day. To top it off, they ran out of crepes. How does a French restaurant run out of crepes at 2pm during Sunday brunch!!!!???? I gave two stars just because the food sounds good. Will not be returning.
(2)Emily W.
We had a large family dinner at this restaurant. The food was delicious and very reasonably priced. The service was excellent. They were very accommodating, polite, and fun. Everything on their dessert menu is mouth watering and wonderful. I would absolutely come back again.
(5)Lee C.
I ate a late lunch with a friend here. It was easy to get a seat outside and the server was very good. She suggested some solutions to my indecision. I had a salad (excellent) and sandwich (also very good). I spent a little more than I wanted to. Still, this is an excellent option for a meal or drink, where one wants a good atmosphere.
(4)Rob h.
This place is awesome! I'm from Birmingham but live in Nashville. I really miss this place. It is one of a kind and there's nothing like it in Nashville. They have yummy French food and really good cocktails. I love their selection on local beers and some belgium's. Totally unpretentious considering it is in the heart of mountain brook. Check this place out and take your date. They will LOVE it. Todd the bartender in very cool and knowledgeable.
(5)Aleah A.
how this doesn't have 5 stars from everybody l.will never know. I am a business person who travels and I eat out every meal and this was exceptional. unique creative fresh reasonably priced what more could you want? the green gespatco was excellent . it had grapes in.it .who would have even thought that would go. but it tasted excellent. the chicken salad had fresh herbs, I must go on in Birmingham
(5)Preeyam P.
This place is great. I love the wine and desserts. Atmosphere is very fun as well.
(4)Rachel G.
The terragon chicken salad is my favorite! They dress it with balsamic vinaigrette, all the ingredients are crisp and fresh. Very satisfying lunch spot.
(4)Shannon T.
Great girls lunch spot in cozy French Chez Lulu. What can I say a place that serves kir royales at lunch is pretty great. The walnut goat cheese salad was delicious and light. I really enjoyed the fresh bread served with the meal. As if it could not get better the creme brûlée was perfectly golden and finished my lunch perfectly.
(4)Ee Vonn Y.
The salads here are delicious. The one thing this place has down really well are wine and salad combinations. The portions are small like other reviewers have mentioned but they compliment wine perfectly. I ordered the salad and tarte combo with the salad and half sandwich combo. I spent way more than what was socially acceptable for one person at lunch. That didn't mean I didn't enjoy every bit of it. The greens pie tartes du jour was perfect without the hot sauce but that's probably because I can't handle anything spicy. The slice may seem small but the richness makes up for it. The half sandwich eggplant and caramelized onion. Everything was warm, tasty, and mushy. Even though the flavor was decent, out of everything I had, the sandwich was the least impressive. The 2 salads I ordered were the Goat Cheese, Walnuts, Pear and Grapes salad which were beyond delicious. The goat cheese brought the entire salad together. The second salad was a scoop of chicken salad with mixed baby greens that blunted the saltiness and texture of the chicken salad. The service was prompt, polite, and excellent. This is the perfect place to grab Sunday brunch with friends and talk about anything for a few hours.
(4)Val W.
Came here for a Sunday brunch and was not disappointing! The service was very good, and the menu as impressive and delicious sounding as you would imagine. Their options included an interesting and unique range of crepes, a few quiche type options, grits, biscuits, and more. As others have mentioned, be ready to pay a pretty penny. The one issue we had was that the grits all came out cold. Given that we were there literally as soon as it opened in the morning, we were a little disappointed. as this meant the grits hadn't been made fresh. Another one of the quiches also came out somewhat cold, leading us to the same conclusion. Although the staff readily warmed them up for us, it did diminish the experience. Free bread though!
(4)Frank M.
You can't go wrong with Chez Lulu. The bakery next door makes awesome bread, the atmosphere is pleasant, and the people who make the restaurant work are pleasant as well. The food is fresh, well conceived and well plated. There are a lot of 4 star reviews for what amounts to food court places in Birmingham. So I felt like I had to give this one 5 stars. Its definitely a cut above what you'll find a lot of other places in Birmingham. Try it. Also try and ignore the fuzzy pictures that got posted of the food at Chez Lulu on yelp. I promise. The food was admirably unfuzzy. at least mine was. perhaps they have special fuzzy days that I'm not aware of.
(5)Jim M.
I almost have this place 5 stars, but I think the prices are a bit high, and the service does not match the prices. Had either been better, it would be 5 stars. The waitress was very detached for a slow Sunday afternoon. Forgot waters, impersonal, almost mechanical. You come to expect that at the run of the mill restaurant, but not when the cost of lunch for 3 tops $80.
(4)David L.
I've remarked before that America lacks a cafe culture and the leisure that would make one possible, but if there were fertile enough ground for its cultivation it would be in the South. The Tudor-style accents of this Mountain Brook shopping center at least remind us of the tradition. Chez Lulu even has a wide enough brick sidewalk to allow both a row of tables and room for passersby. The pace of service is appropriately a saunter. This is less noticeable, though, with complimentary, wonderfully fresh bread, which comes from the adjacent European-style bakery. The bread, the garlic soup, and our sidewalk perch were my favorite aspects of the meal. I was disappointed that they were already out of chicken salad, so I substituted tuna instead. My other two salads of my choose-four soup/salad sampler were fine but participated too much in the European anti-dressing sentiment. With my hunger already quenched by bread, it was too leafy a dessert, and we didn't even make it to the Continental Bakery pastries.
(4)Laurie M.
Very quaint, European style cafe. Delicious, not so run of the mill, menu. The beet salad is ... To. Die. For.!!!! Located in the small but quaint English Village, between downtown and Mountain Brook. Only complaint is the small tables located in such close proximity to each other... But I as I said- it's fashioned in the European style of such establishments. They also offer outdoor seating- which was a bit more liking to my taste.
(4)Brian K.
The concept of this place is certainly novel for Birmingham, but being a non-local who has traveled extensively, I wasn't all that impressed. The Parisian kitsch decor is understandably a crowd pleaser, but the food is really quite average and the service is absolutely abominable. I'd likely return here in the future if I happened to be in the area, but I'd probably just restrict my purchases to the bakery counter next door. Food: Chez Lulu is a European Cafe featuring fresh sandwiches, salads, pizzas, soups, and pastries, most of which is either locally sourced or made next door in the Continental Bakery. The menu is impressive at first glance, but the final product leaves somewhat to be desired. My dining partner and I opted to start with the Mediterranean Sampler, which included roasted red pepper spread, feta, and olive tapenade - the spreads were flavorful, but meagerly portioned for the price point. For an entree, I opted for the honey baked ham and swiss sandwich, which was incredibly underwhelming - the swiss was virtually non-existent, the ham was flavorless, and the focaccia was harder than a rock - breaking bread should not mean that you have to use the side of the table. Service: Young and inexperienced. Although perfectly friendly, our waiter was less than capable of providing even a basic level of service - the water glasses sat unfilled, the appetizer was served with only three measly slices of bread, and the entrees were delivered before the appetizer was even finished. Atmosphere: Although quaint and artfully decorated, the interior of this place is unbearably cramped - to the point where we both had to sit perpendicular to the table because there wasn't enough room for us to put our legs beneath it. The tables aren't any better - we actually had to hold the appetizer plate above the entrees in order to finish it because the table wasn't even big enough to accommodate three plates. I understand the management's desire to adhere to the French theme, but adjustments to the service structure and organization of the dining room could easily fix these issues. Cost: Moderately priced. Hors d'oeuvres are $5-$10, while entrees are $10-$15. The total lunch bill, excluding tip, for my dining partner and I was slightly less than $40. Other: Chez Lulu is closed on Monday and 3:00PM-5:30PM, Tuesday-Thursday. Hours of operation are 11AM-9:30PM, Tuesday-Thursday, 11AM-10:30PM, Friday-Saturday, and 10AM-9:30PM on Sunday. The restaurant features various special events throughout each month, including a live accordion player every Sunday evening. Reservations are only accepted for parties of 6 or more and the restaurant will not provide separate checks.
(3)J M.
The food is fine enough and the atmosphere is quant, but I didn't think it was all that special.
(3)Bill R.
We've eaten a Chez Lulu numerous times over the years, but this was our first trip back in quite a while. Unfortunately it took just over an hour to get five sandwiches. That's twelve minutes per sandwich. Evidently that's how long it takes to burn one (the sourdough looked more like rye).
(2)Amy G.
Cute place! A little pricey for brunch, but that should be expected in Mountain Brook. The coffee cups are adorable, and the cheese grits are deelish!
(4)Lillie P.
We researched the place and determined beforehand that we would share a thin crust pizza for a nice dinner out. We arrived to find a very cute French cafe setting with a white haired man playing an accordion. We were promptly seated and drink and appetizer orders were taken. We ordered our pizza and the waiter informed us 5 minutes later that they ran out of pizza sauce. REALLY? Half the menu is pizza...how does that happen?? There was really only soup, sandwhiches and salads on the menu if you couldn't have pizza. So... we ate our garlic soup appetizer and drank our wine and spent $15 in 15 minutes. We went down the road to Salvatores for a pizza and were not too let down. Definitely not the same ambience but at least they had pizza. We do want to go back but next time I'm calling ahead to make sure they have sauce. :/
(2)Katie F.
This is one of my favorite places in town, especially for lunch. Go on a pretty day and sit outside. Inside is decorated nicely, but I tend to find it a little dark, a little close and not always as comfy as I would like. I've tried nearly everything on the menu except the pizzas. The vegetarian options are exceptionally appealing. Usually I favor the daily specials, but there are a couple of items I'm particularly fond of the beef stew (hidden under main courses with only 2 other items) and the pear and almond tarte (though I also recommend hopping over to continental bakery after you've finished lunch to grab bread for home and desert to go). The bread on the table (and sandwiches) comes from the bakery next door as well. Service tends to be hit or miss for me, but I haven't had anything too egregious happen.
(4)M. A.
It's a cute place, tucked away next to continental bakery. It has a rather large menu but a disproportionate amount of the menu is dedicated to chicken salad in different iterations. The chicken salad was OK, not bad just not exciting at all. I probably wouldn't go here again because of the blah menu.
(2)Jenn G.
I like a place with diverse vegetarian options, and I love a place with fresh local ingredients. Put those hands together, and throw in a choice wine selection, and you can bet I'm a fan of Chez Lulu. The food has always been delicious, and the entertainment that comes and goes is always welcome! My first dining experience included a belly dancer. No, it wasn't me, and yes, it was planned. And of course I love the smaller, European-decorated atmosphere! I almost always have the same servers, who are extremely helpful and pleasant guys, but several friends of mine have been on different occasions and said they had a server who was rude, and that she's usually drunk as well -- which I figure, depending on the type of drunk, could be added European entertainment as well..? Sort of.
(4)Rob M.
A long time favorite of my family's, even my 2 year old loves brunch at Chez Lulu. The crepes are varied and wonderful, light & tasty. Perfect with a Mimosa or cup of their French roast coffee. My favorite is the blueberry...or maybe the ham & fromage blanc. And the grits are excellent, a little frenchy nod to us Southerners. Go again for lunch or dinner and have the brie & kalamata olive sandwich. It was the first thing I ever tried there, and I pray they never take it off the menu. And if someone considers brie 'dull', I would question their palate. If French food with a little Southern twist sounds good to you, you won't be disappointed.
(5)Whitney H.
This is a must try French café inside the Mountain Book Neighborhood of Birmingham. With the Continental Bakery next door serving beautiful artisan breads, this quaint café looks and feels like you found it wondering the streets of Europe. Chez Lulu has a wide array of tasty and distinctive menu options that can't be compared to any other restaurant around. I first tried Chez lulu for brunch one Sunday, and was instantly hooked. The menu sounded so good that my table ended up ordering way more food than we could handle. Besides the atmosphere, gourmet sandwiches, and fresh bakery items (who could need more?!), Chez Lulu actually purchases their meats and produce from local area farmers, supporting their community, and supplying the freshest ingredients to the consumer - the outcome - yummy! My suggestion: try their blueberry muffin (it had this great hint of lemon that was an amazing and unexpected combination) and the fennel soup - c'est tre bon!
(5)Anne Y.
Fabulous lil' French bistro. The garlic soup is awesome. Food is a little pricey, but worth it. They also have great cocktails.
(5)Daniel H.
Although I've enjoyed prior visits to Chez Lulu, my most recent trip was disappointing. First, the interior is too cramped. My date and I were seated next to a table of eight, but we might as well have been seated at their table, as there was little more than one foot of space between the two. It was most awkward and left us feeling as though we had crashed a party, rather than enjoying a romantic dinner for two. If the table didn't entirely kill the mood, the bell certainly did the trick. I can't imagine what compels the kitchen staff to ring a bell at the pass each time a dish is ready. It's a small restaurant; surely the servers can easily enough see when they're needed. The bell is loud, obnoxious, tacky and unnecessary. And, if that weren't enough, my glass was empty for more than ten minutes. We both ordered the tarragon chicken salad sandwich, but I chose the half sandwich with garlic soup. The soup was very good, but the portion was stingy for the price, and it was brought to the table at least ten minutes ahead of the sandwiches. As for the sandwich, it was merely decent. Call me bourgeois, but if I want to assemble my meal, I'll just stay home and make it myself. I don't appreciate the lack of effort and lazy presentation. It arrived as two slices of bread topped with a scoop of chicken salad, with some mixed greens and sliced tomato on the side. When I order a chicken salad sandwich at Panera or Zoe's, I get a sandwich, not the ingredients to make one. So, basically, I paid to sit at a tiny, crowded table, so that I might listen to an irritating bell whilst making my own sandwich and pondering whether I'd have to hold my glass outside in the rain for a refill. All in all, the seating is uncomfortable, the food is mediocre, the service is poor, and the portions are small for the price.
(2)Robin S.
I went to college in Birmingham and used to love this place. Let's face it though, there are SO many new and fab places that have entered the restaurant scene since my time in the 'Ham, this no longer ranks in my top ten. BUT it's still good. Stayed in Birmingham after an Alabama game last night, and visited Chez Lulu for brunch today since everywhere else was packed. No wait here--done! Food is fresh and local, but there are not a lot of options. Lots of breads and pastries, but if you want an egg I hope you like it boiled. That's about the only kind I saw on the menu. I opted for the 1/2 sandwich/soup combo. Very good, but I left still hungry. Granted, this was me eating for the first time today at 11am, after a late night and long day yesterday that involved drinking. So you see how I wanted a little more than fancy brunch food. Decor is definitely shabby chic French which I usually don't mind, but it kind of grosses me out when there are pillows in the booth. Supposed to add to ambiance I guess, but they had spilled crusty food on them. Nasty. Get rid of those and I'd go back when I'm not that hungry.
(3)Jessica L.
I flew in from LA to Birmingham for a wedding. Missed my flight out, so I, along with the bride & groom + family, were trying to find a place to eat. Apparently everything closes on Sunday? We ended up at Chez Lulu. The best part about this place was the atmosphere and the accordian player. Hearing the old man play, and eating pizza outdoors was a welcome respite from the pressures of LA.
(3)Gale B.
Great food using the bread baked next door. Garlic soup a MUST try before you die! Service is fabulous atmosphere funky. If you are lucky on a beautiful Sunday afternoon you can get a table outside. Truly food, that for a minute, makes you forget you are in Alabama!
(4)Gary W.
Great food, only complaint is the need for more choices, but great food
(5)Michael C.
What a marvelous tarte du jour I enjoyed (eggplant)! Perfect crust, which is a rarity. The garlic soup was excellent as well. There would be another star if the serving size of the tarte wasn't a bit skimpy. The cheese plate was OK, if a bit uninspired. Gorgonzola on a French bistro menu? And dull, dull Brie? I was hoping for more creative selections. Good wines by the glass, passable coffee (a bit weak, but this is the South). The special bread pudding was a pumpkin spice, and while I'm not usually much for dessert, this was not to be missed. The atmosphere is French Bistro Kitsch, but it works! Friendly, efficient service.
(3)Scott T.
Great food, crappy service. Seriously, the food is something else awesome but it really feels like you are in France getting treated like crap because you're an American. Everyone around us was served and we waited 30 minutes for someone to even pour us water! On top of that we got cold coffee, no bread and our waiter seemed very unconcerned about that. If you want good food, go to Chez Lulu. If you want crappy service, cold coffee, have 3 hours for lunch...go to Chez Lulu...if you were wanting to be treated well, then I'd recommend somewhere else. Maybe the Citgo? iHop? At least you get your meal in under 3 hours. :/
(2)Shay A.
The best in town!
(5)Yochi J.
Visited Birmingham recently and followed reviews to Chez Lulu. Once to the bakery (had a killer Almond Croissant) and once to the bistro next door (had the beef stew with vegetables). The food was great, the atmosphere was relaxed, and the service was just fine. Both the bakery's pastries and the bistro's plates are unexpected European flavours that I never would have expected to find in Birmingham. Highly recommend.
(5)Sea H.
We just came back from a lovely meal here and enjoyed it so much I'm compelled to write my review immediately. We are well traveled New Yorkers, which make us critical diners and our expectations are always very high. As first time visitors, we tried all of the high rated restaurants which came as recommendations earlier in the week. However, finding a restaurant open on a Sunday or Monday in Birmingham is a challenge and so we found Chez Lulu on our own (thanks Yelp!) and gave it a try. The location of this restaurant is very nice with beautiful surroundings and parking was easy. Stepping inside the establishment was exactly like stepping into a Parisian cafe and we felt comfortable instantly. The menu is quite extensive and very vegetarian/fishitarian friendly. We ordered the cheese plate which came out promptly and well presented, all three cheeses were well selected and the fruit and accompaniments were fresh. The garlic soup was very nice and the salad we ordered was perfectly dressed and all ingredients very fresh. Accompanying bread and panini bread were perfect - and we are pretty passionate about bread. The panini came with potato chips and cornichons which was a fun touch. The desserts - flour-less chocolate cake and walnut pie a a la mode were perfection. The restaurant was a little busy but our service was very attentive and our waiter was one of the best waiters we've had during our stay in Birmingham, absolutely beating out the service we got from the highest rated and most expensive restaurants we tried here. The atmosphere was excellent - many guests seemed to know each other which nice because we felt like locals. And, finally, when I thought this place couldn't get any better...a gentleman set up an area to start playing some soft music on his accordion. It was absolutely lovely and the entire experience transported us. I was very surprised by a few other reviews who had comments to make about portions - the portions are exactly what you would expect for the very fair prices. We looked around at other meals and they all looked delicious from salmon to pizza to pasta dishes. The food is not pretentious, it's very much like a home cooked meal among your best friends. Upon leaving, we were offered a complimentary baguette which was a great touch. The wine list was smart, the bar was well stocked and my French Martini was delicious. The food was absolutely what we needed, the service was exactly right (our server managed to hold the door open for us as we left while taking another tables order) and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. Do yourself a favor and give this establishment a try, it's absolutely worth it!
(5)Kristina V.
excellent excellent food. Outdoor seating is great. Did I mention the food? The atmosphere is nice, relaxed, and really cute. The bakery next door is the true gem. Their bread is amazing. If you go to Chez Lulu in the evening on a weeknight, they're likely to give you bread to take home!
(5)Gigi D.
Charming little place and consistently good food. Small and European-style. A few of my favorites: the lentil soup, the roasted eggplant and caramelized onion sandwich, their roasted red pepper spread, and they make a beet and goat cheese salad that's to die for. A friend of mine ordered the greens pie and loved it. The garlic soup is also very good.The pizzas (order the spelt grain crust!) are great--not doughey. Tough to go wrong. If you can get an outside table on a nice day, consider yourself lucky. Taking off one star for service. Most of the time it's good, but a few times it's been slow, or curt, or our order's been mangled somehow.
(4)Christina S.
Ohhh how I love you, Chez Lulu ... But ohhhh how I must remember - that amazing bread and olive oil is just a "starter" and I must not eat 3 baskets full! For the most amazing bread Birmingham has to offer, everyone would tell you to go to Continental Bakery - and I whole-heartedly agree with that. And, as such, the most amazing sammiches on that amazing bread can be had at Chez Lulu! It's a sister restaurant righ tnext door. Great chick-food (yes, dudes like it too, but for the most part, this is the place for a girls' lunch). Salads are awesome as are the soups. Start your lunch / dinner off with the Med Plate, which is the roasted red pepper spread, olive tapenade, some cheese, arugula, hard boiled egg and bread. One could make a meal of this alone for not a whole lot! If I'm with others, and I have to share that, I usually get the tarte and soup combo, and if the peasant soup is on the menu (and in the Fall it always is), that is my choice for soup. I've loved all the tartes, so don't worry about which one is best when orderings. Also available for a combo plate are salads and sandwiches. I prefer the chicken salad or tuna melt for sandwiches. They've introduced a cool kid's menu with cute things like ants on a log (you remember this - celery filled with peanut butter and raisins on top!), and apple slices and peanut butter. While I don't have any tykes at my house, I did see a PB&J sandwich at the table next to me from their kid's menu and it was decorated! I usually have the cheese plate for dessert, but all of their desserts are FABULOUS (and some of those such treats can be found next door!). The kiddo next to me had a scoop of ice cream (so apparently, they have a kid's dessert menu too). I cannot tell a lie or mislead you ... this place is just perfect for anything - not just girlie dates, but also real-deal dates with the Hubs (or your SO)!
(4)Urban C.
Chez Lulu 1911 Cahaba Rd Mountain Brook, AL 35223 Eclectic, Cozy, Funky and fresh baked goods! We visited Chez Lulu yesterday for drinks and a snack. We found it very accessible and were able to find parking directly in front of the establishment. Sidewalk dining was perfect and was complimented with the friendly staff. We had a server that was in training but she was doing her best. Service was a little slow but we were in no hurry. We started with the Mediterranean plate and it was delicous featuring roasted red pepper sauce, olive paste and a creamy cheesy. Along with the fresh baked bread from Continental bakery(next door) this was a real treat. The red pepper sauce was very similar but thicker than a romesco. Next we had a 10" Brooklyn Pizza on spent grain crust! YUM! All in all a very pleasant dining experience on the streets of Mountain Brook. We will be going back! Urban Cowgill
(4)ben h.
Limited menu, but what they have is very good. Sit outside and feel like you are in Paris. Sit inside and think you are in old SOHO or 60s San Francisco. Savory tarts, soups, pizza, and great chicken salad. Bakery is next door, so all the bread is made daily. Eclectic staff always great service. Go be seen with the beautiful people. Have a glass of wine from a jelly jar, or a finely crafted martini. Don;t bring your kids (even though they have several choices for them) at night, leave this for us old romantics that just want a quiet night out.
(5)Tex R.
I patronized chez lulu at brunch for the third and likely final time yesterday. I feel after three visits that gave them a good chance to get it all right, but it never happened. The employees do not work well together, and most of the waitstaff are distracted and slow. Very crowded seating, even their customer base seems angry, conceited, and rude. Every snob in Birmingham evidently has brunch there! Maybe that's why the waitstaff seems unhappy ... And the breakfast special was over cooked and for the most part, below average. Tastes like they use cheap deli ham in their crepes, and the strawberry crepe had no flavor at all. Waffle House ( rarely one of my choices) is twice as flavorful and employees are less ? (Whatever their problem is) I probably won't go back
(2)Mary Frances M.
Chez Lulu & Continental Bakery both have excellent food, and generally serve up a pretty great meal. Unfortunately, the last few times we've been up there the service has been spotty at best. Until today, we thought the food outweighed this inconvenience. This morning is was very clear that the overall management of the restaurant may be the problem. While two groups (ours included) of people stood waiting for a table, a woman walked to the back, hovered over a table gathering their things and sat down as the bus boy tried to clear the table. It was very evident he was uncomfortable, and unfortunately the wait staff didn't have the guts to tell the woman a wait existed. Even after we watched the person who seemed to be in charge, expressly tell the waitress to ask the woman to wait her turn, nothing happened. In fact, we were told to wait for the next table to open up. Poor management will ruin a dining experience every time. We left and spent our Sunday brunch in Highland Park with queso, migas and an amazing wait staff.
(2)David B.
Had a salad and a sandwich. They were really tasty but the potions are tiny. This is AMERICA, we like leftovers...or at least enough food for the current meal. I filled up on the bread, which was delicious. They make it fresh in the clay oven all morning. I like the atmosphere.
(2)