Saturday night, we got a chance to preview the newest addition to the Lakeview District: Babalu Tacos and Tapas. Get ready, Birmingham! On the menu are tacos, tapas, and sandwiches (and apps, sides, drinks, desserts…) with Spanish, Mexican, and Southern influences. Especially influenced by the South is the staff’s hospitality – we were greeted or helped by no less than ten staff members and everyone was all smiles. Babalu’s opening has been hotly anticipated by locals and the staff was obviously just as excited as the customers. With two other locations in Jackson, MS, and Memphis, TN, the restaurant’s formula has already been tried and perfected – there should be no major “growing pains” for this place!
We started with their fantastic guacamole, which is made table-side and includes sundried tomatoes and cilantro (served with super healthy delicious homemade tortilla chips). We washed it down with a glass of sangria and a crazy-good berry Bourbon cocktail with a salted rim (sounds weird but it was not). We then sampled a hearty potato soup garnished with smoked salmon and a Cesar Salad with grilled lettuce and homemade croutons. For our main meal, we had a Tuna tapa with wasabi aioli (Note: I will order anything that includes aioli), which was perfectly seared, and a trio of tacos: oyster (I KNOW but SO good!), beef, and lamb. For a side, we ordered these amazing Patatas Bravas, which were rosemary potatoes deep fried and covered in a sauce that I can only assume contains some kind of addictive substance. Even though we were stuffed by this point (the tapas are good-sized portions), we bravely sacrificed (this is all done for you, after all) and ordered dessert. Another fun trio – Dulce de Leche Cheesecake, Cinnamon Bread Pudding (but with no distracting raisins), and, my definite favorite, a Cayenne Chocolate Truffle. These were covered in all sorts of amazing like Kahlua Caramel, Mexican chocolate sauce, powdered sugar, and Patron XO Café Chantilly Cream (Wow. Do they sell that at Publix?). A perfect end to a wonderful meal.
Babalu makes for a great lunch or dinner date but would also be perfect for girls’ night, small get-togethers, or a casual meal with the kids. Prices were reasonable, staff was wonderful, and fun “I Love Lucy” re-runs played on a big screen. Babalu’s Grand Opening was Monday, October 21st and you are going to want to visit as soon as humanly possible. Check them out on the web (www.babalutacos.com) or on Facebook.
