220 Restaurant

Recommends

wealthybdsmdating

Joined 4 years ago

So much fun. The bands that play there are wonderful! Fun to watch people and to dance. Fun pick up bar........

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BeeHamm

Joined 4 years ago

Great Neighborhood Bar & Restaurant ... Intolerable Hostess. We love 220 and eat there somewhat regularly ... I'd say twice a month. The food is great and the wait staff are all friendly and professional.

We've enjoyed many of the fish dishes, chicken with artichokes, the risotto ball (plural--citysearch won't let me write this word) are amazing and I love the tomato and mozzarella salad. Recently we had desert and both the cheesecake and the tiramisu were mouth-watering.

The wait staff are always friendly and helpful, and exceedingly professional. I like the noisy, amiable ambiance of the place. It feels like a warm, busy neighborhood restaurant.

The hostess, however, practically ruins the place. She never greets you with a smile. She acts as though your presence is an imposition on her time at the podium. She looks down at you over her glasses, perched on her nose, and will ask: "Do you have a reservation?" as though if you don't, you're an idiot.

Even when the place is empty.

We were there early one night and it was rather empty. We asked to sit by the windows as it was a sunny day. First she sat us by the door, then, when we asked to sit away from the blustery door and closer to the middle, she sat us all the way in the back in the dark, and gave us a look that could freeze for asking for a better seat at all.

We go here regularly, so believe me, she was not having an off night. We have discussed not returning to 220 just because of this rude woman.

I'd like to find out who the owner is and write a letter.

If you're lucky, you'll go to 220 on a night that the hostess is off.

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zeldaesther

Joined 7 years ago

Just Right. Went last night for our anniversary. We wanted to try something new. Boy, am I glad we did!! Everything was wonderful. The 220 Minestrone and Lobster Ravioli were outstanding. The Perch on Risotto was great. In fact I could easily do the Asagio Risotto with some broccoli and be totally happy. The Creme Brulee was perfect . I can't wait to go back. The place is a bit loud, but I didn't find it a problem for private conversation.

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marpop

Joined 6 years ago

Birmingham institution you have to try once. This is a really lively place, especially during the weekends when well-to-do forty-somethings come for the bar action. The food is decent and the decor is sort of Old Hollywood glam -- caricatures of famous faces line the wall and dark wood accents dominate the rooms. The downstairs Edison bar in the basement is pretty cool for some live underground jazz -- just be prepared for it to be really loud.

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elibutton

Joined 10 years ago

Exquisite character, great customer service, quality meats, a bit on the noisy side.. My friend told me about 200 & Edison's so we checked it out on a Wed. night. I was immediately fond of it's character and decor - you could tell that it's has been a landmark / historical establishment that's been around for a long time. The first half of the restaurant includes a large open bar area w/ cocktail tables - a good social setting. Behind the bar on the other side of the wall is the dining area. We called ahead and made reservations (I recommend) and noticed most all of the tables were taken (a good sign). As for the atmosphere - it was not as quiet as I had hoped. Your conversations can travel so if you're looking for peace and quiet I would recommend looking elsewhere.

The dishes were simple yet robust in taste, and the food quality was very high. The menu does not have an "array of dishes" like I've seen at other Italian restaurants. We started w/ the twice baked potato (heads up - it's huge) which was excellent; the garlic mashed potatoes were pretty good (I've had better). Our main courses were the Penne Pasta w/ Grilled Chicken and the Lobster Ravioli w/ cream sauce (excellent dish - awesome sauce). I personally felt they went light on the sauces, but just ask and you shall receive. The penne pasta was olive oil based but I felt it was somewhat dry so I asked for red sauce on the side, and the chicken was high quality breast. I'm going for the sausage next time - looked really good. No issues w/ the service, it was excellent. It's not the best Italian I've ever had (Washington D.C. was) but it's several notches above Olive Garden (for your baseline). Total bill for 2 appetizers, 2 main dishes, 1 glass of good red wine and1 ice tea totaled around $90 (including the 20% tip).

I highly recommend 220 & Edison's, it's a great social setting for a team dinner with good quality food and service. I'm definitely going back, especially if it's on "The Man".

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irisfitz

Joined 8 years ago

Great Appetizers and Customer Service. I am from out of town so I'm always making sure I don't become sick. The place has a great atmosphere and the staff was very friendly. I was limited on time as I was heading to the airport and they made arrangements for transportation. The food was delicous, I had pasta after tasty appetizers. The scenery is nice if your sitting outside. Great spot.

Recommends

kimmoon

Joined 6 years ago

Ravioli and Penne Recommended. With my friends who are a big fan of 220 Merrill, I went here on a Friday evening before a movie. Two appetizers we ordered, crab cake and toasted ravioli, were both good. They were actually my favorite part of the whole meal, especially the lobster sherry cream sauce that comes with the ravioli. The lamb shank was very soft, and though the risotto that was served with lamb was a little soaky on the bottom, the top part was nice. The spicy tomato cream pasta was very good, both the sauce and the penne that was cooked just right. Yes, this place is more of Italian inspired American food rather than authentic Italian, but it tastes good that way. I did not like the Manhattan seafood chowder very much, but others say the 220 Creamy Minestrone soup, which I didn't get to try yet, is good. Overall, the service and food was nice. Though some dish may seem a little bit overpriced, it's not bad for downtown birmingham and the pasta pricings are pretty reasonable.

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missstarstatus

Joined 7 years ago

For dinner or just drinks...I love this place!!!. A few of my friends and I frequent 220 for drinks after work and it's always a great crowd -- mostly professionals, young and older -- and there's a warming, jazzy vibe in the air. Dinner is delish, as well -- order anything and expect to smile! Downstairs, Edison's is so much fun -- live music, great martinis, pleasant service...truly everything you want and need to wind down after work, any day of the week! You must go!

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

A former electric company office now powers Italian fare and a sizzling singles scene.. In Short
The bar action peaks on Thursday nights, when 220 hops with singles attracted to the witty decor which pays homage to the light bulb (it was once an electric company office). The menu includes a signature 14-ounce bone-in filet mignon, and several contemporary Italian dishes. Head downstairs to the lounge, Edison's, for live music, upscale drinks and cigars.

Doesn't Recommend

ratto

Joined 8 years ago

Not Italian. Italian?! This is about as Italian as the "spaghetti" at Big Boy. Puhlease.