Cooking with Chef Clif

This place is off the charts with friendly staff and delicious food!Chef Cliff Is awesome!  Great food, at a reasonable price. I will definitely go back often!

Reviewed on Yelp

Little Savannah is one of those places I have had on my list for quite a while. I finally had the chance to sample Chef Clif's cooking at a Yelp Event a few months back. And my wife and I have said we wanted to go back on our own since then. Sunday brunch has provided a few opportunities for us to stop by. But unfortunately until this last visit, we weren't able to dine. So when we had an opportunity to go sans kids, we tried again to eat here with success.I ordered the Bloody Mary to start. It is the Chef's personal recipe and is a lot different than other Bloody I've had before. It definitely had a spice to it. But it also had a sweetness to it on a opposite spectrum. It is one that my wife didn't like, but I really did. So I took hers over while she switched to a mimosa.For food I decided on the chicken fried chicken. The chicken was so juicy and perfectly cooked. It was bursting with flavor and the creamy gravy put it over the top. The potatoes were also really good. Fresh and tasty. Let's just say this whole meal left me as a strong and active member of the Clean Plate Club. I hope to come back for dinner soon! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Used to be a regular here.   Few changes since then.  The decor is darker and no spicy peach margarita on the menu but the service was still great.   I had the BHM Burger with the Truck Stop fries.  My friend had the Catfish and fries, the smaller portion.  They said the catfish was delicious!  It also had the Truck Stop fries that are actually  small potato wedges fries and they are good. The BHM Burger came well done per the menu, but it was a little too well done.  It was dry.  Another diner next to use agreed. She said hers was a little burnt. I requested more mayo and ketchup on side which made it more palatable. Good meal but just shorten the grill time on the burger. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Looking for something different to do, we stopped into Little Savannah for drinks and were super impressed. The restaurant was beautifully decorated especially with the local artwork on the walls. The mixologist, Rocky, was friendly and had a passion for making beautiful, unique cocktails. Happy Hour is from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. Another thing I learned about Little Savannah is that they offer cooking classes. What fun that would be for a girls night outing or a birthday present for a professional chef to teach you how to cook!When we went, we didn't have time for dinner but we will definitely will be back. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

We came to the bar for an afternoon cocktail and check out the new art. I have found some of the best cocktails in town here. Their bartender/mixologist is amazing. His name is "Rocky". he is always coming up with some new and different cocktail. I ordered off their cocktail menu The Fools Gold Martini, The Clairmont Baller, and the Forest Park. I also asked for a gin and lemonade. Rocky didn't tell me they did not have lemonade but squeezed fresh lemons and made some for my drink. My wife and I shared their desert cocktail made with coffee and Ghirardelli chocolate.Every single cocktail we tried was excellent. Definitely going back for more. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Little Savannah is truly an experience! Not only did everything look absolutely beautiful but it tasted so delicious! @littlesavannahrestaurant I had the pleasure to going into the kitchen with Chef Clif Holt @chefcliftonholt to see how they made the pasta and it was very interesting. Everything is fresh and made daily. I was very impressed with the flavor and the attention to details the chefs and staff paid to everything. I really appreciate a good service and I was so pleased with their service. Destiny specially was very nice and attentive.  I cannot wait to take my family to this place! Thanks to @yelpbirmingham for the Elite event at such a special place! And thanks to @coletonphillips for amazing photo tips and teaching us some tricks of trade. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I was here for a Yelp Elite event a month ago and I was blown away by the food and drinks. Since the Yelp event, I've been back here for brunch with my husband and dinner with a couple friends. I have been very satisfied with each visit to this restaurant! Also, I have to mention how much I like Chef Cliff! Not only does he make amazing food, he has a great personality to match! When I went back for brunch, he remembered me from the Yelp event and thanked me for coming back. Things like that mean a lot to me. The brunch I had was truly delicious. The portion was well worth the cost. The eggs were heavenly and those grits were great! The dinner I had with my friends a week ago was pasta and it did not disappoint. Chef Clift can rest assured that I will be back to visit really soon! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Over all a great meal!I met some friends here on a Thursday evening, and though we did not have a reservation, there was a table where we were able to be seated immediately.  Service was prompt and regular throughout the meal.I started with the warm artisan bread appetizer which came with olive oil with a few drops of balsamic glaze in it.  Delicious and helped tide me over till the remainder of my party arrived.  I then ordered a CuCu's nest which had gin, cucumber, and sage, and was amazingly delicious!  Me and a friend split the charcuterie plate, which was good, but pricing seemed a little steep for a few pieces of cheese, some jam, fruit, and a few slices of meat.  I ordered a Melon Baller Martini and had a few sips of it.  I then asked our server to take it since it wasn't for me, but I was still charged for the entirety of the drink which I found disappointing.  My entree was the spaghetti bolognese, which was zesty, comforting, and delicious, but once again, for the price seemed like a pretty small portion.When the meal was through, we paid through a tablet that our server brought to the table.  This made it a bit confusing to identify which items were on my bill, otherwise I may have asked that the Melon Baller be taken off of my check since I only had a few sips.  After payment, I was then brought an itemized receipt that showed that I had paid for the Melon Baller.Over all, I really like the atmosphere and concept of Little Savannah, but I do feel there are a few things listed above that could have been done better. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Sunday Brunch: I have been wanting to dine here for years and for many reasons it hasn't happened till now. You've heard it said, "All that really belongs to us is time; even he who has nothing else has that. No use thinking of the past for its gone, don't think of the future because it has to come." Well the time has come to dine at Little Savannah. Pork Chop and Greens, hold the grits? Extra greens? Sure no problem :) Shrimp and Grits, this dish is a good standard for judging a chefs attention to quality, taste and style. Chef Cliff did not disappoint. The food came out quick and was so good. Destiny our waitress is the best, I love it when someone loves their job enough to learn all the details and then execute with passion.I'm going to leave you with, their not perfect but Passion and Love for what you do brings pleasure to those who spend time with you.See you at Little Savannah. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

This place is amazing!!! I enjoyed a previous yelp elite event here and I wanted to take my family for Sunday brunch.  I was a little hesitant to bring my picky 7 year old daughter.  Our food was so delicious! My dish was the pork shoulder with peach chutney, grits, and greens! The pork roast was juicy and flavorful and the peach chutney was the perfect amount of sweetness. The greens paired perfectly with the gouda infused grits! Overall the service  and food was amazing!! My daughter was invited to the kitchen and she was so excited to see what goes on in there. I was surprised she actually tasted a few things.  She is looking forward to doing a cooking class soon! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

My fiance went here to a yelp elite event and was raving about the place, so I had to try it. We went around 9 at night on a Saturday. As soon as we walked in Clif, the chef, immediately recognized Katie. He was extremely nice and informative. Katie mentioned the tamales that he served and even though it wasn't the day he served them, he specially prepared them for me! I ordered an old fashioned, and it was the best old fashioned I have ever had. The bartender was excellent and made all of his mixes in house. The tamales were amazing. They had a southern twist on them. They definitely weren't authentic, but they were delicious. I can't say enough great things about Little Savanah. The food was amazing. The service was amazing. I felt at home. This restaurant is a true gem of Birmingham. You should definitely stop by for a visit, and I guarantee you will be back. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

First off the owner/chef is so passionate and wonderful! So talking food and cocktails: Bloody Mary is spicy and absolutely delicious with their homemade mix (mixed everyday), they have this cucumber gin cocktail, it's so light and refreshing I would drink it over and over again (very carefully). Now food, their deep fried devil eggs topped with a filling and a chunk of crispy bacon, no other words needed. Their Brussel sprouts... has some heat and are the best Brussels sprouts I have ever had. Request them always and consider keeping it for yourself! Italian sausage soup, a prefect blend of vegetables and meat, died it was delicious and made me want me!! You definitely need to come on Thursdays.... for homemade pasta, yes he makes it in the kitchen, yes it's magical and yes you need it in your life, end of story. Finally dessert, it was a vanilla cream gelatin dessert topped with fresh raspberry compote, died. Literally was scraping my plate. Try this place and you will fall in love again.Now I had to bring my fiancé back for a second round! Cliff did not disappoint, he talked with us and really made us feel welcomed. Now onto the food, we had the Thai chili  Brussel sprouts (my fiancé almost licked the plate), I had the pasta and cliff whipped up some tamales for my fiancé (my fiancé loved it) and for dessert... churros!!! Now onto the drinks, I had this cucus nest and my fiancé had an old fashion.... amazing! We will be back again and again and again. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

We had a wonderful time. The bartender and our waiter were energetic and full of helpful tips to navigate Birmingham. The environment was fun and we felt like we were visiting home because of the southern hospitality. Lots of candlelight with other small touches with attention to detail. The food was delicious. Ravioli butternut squash was outstanding topped with buttery romano. No shaken jar cheese here! Thank God. I want to go to their Sunday Brunch. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Little Savannah is so quaint and I love that about this spot! I love it so much bc of this mainly . Now, the food is yummy and the staff is always pleasant!  I love their brunch and the Friday lunch specials are phenomenal!!! Executive chef , Clinton Holt  can be found roaming around greeting guests and this just adds to the already great experience at LS!  Located in the lovely Forest Park neighborhood, this is a great spot to meet up and catch up with friends or a date night ! I recommend the brunch in Sundays and the Friday lunch specials ... you won't regret it! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

A cute little restaurant tucked away in Forest Park. I love the interior design, there's a lot of character here. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming and these a romantic ambience to it. Service here is really on point from my personal experience. Also the owner/chef is a dear, you can tell he's very passionate about food and this translates well into his cooking. He always comes around to ask about your experience and tries his best to meet your dining needs. The food is delicious and overall this is definitely a great spot for a date night or just to grab a class of wine and enjoy with good company. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Great as always. Lindsey was phenomenal and the amber jack was on point. Brussels were also great and the bolognese.

Reviewed on Yelp

I'm not sure why I only come to Little Savannah during Restaurant Week?!  I've been pleased every time!  I love this area of Bham and the cute, quaint, romantic feel of Little Savannah does not disappoint.  Last night, I enjoyed the corn bisque, fried deviled eggs, pork chop, and churros.  I've also had the shrimp-n-grits, and they are delicious!  Oh, and I can't forget their desserts! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Superb experience. Amazingly generous and lively staff. Excellent food, great wine selection, stellar mixed drinks.

Reviewed on Yelp

My wife and I, finally, had a date night here during our week on Friday night. The steak was the best we've had anywhere in the Bham area and the diver speared Red Snapper was amazing. I think one of the best things we had though were the fried green tomato appetizers. We love local restaurants that support local farmers! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

The owner is fairly new so the overall reviews are a little deceiving... with that being said this place is AMAZING! You have to try the Brussels. My wife and I come here every time we are in Birmingham. The service is beyond great. One of the waiters (not sure his name) will even sing you a song in Italian if you ask nicely. He the tall guy with a man bun. In conclusion, I've never had anything bad off the menu. The food is priced well, and the drinks are fantastic. I recommend going here for sure. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

This is a hidden gem on Clairmont Ave any Birmingham native knows exists, but tourists should check out when in town. The charcuterie was excellent and AJ, the bartender, was very friendly and the drinks were fabulous. Lost the food and drink pics in my old phone that but I'll be back soon!Friend and I went for the happy hour wing special and drinks. Wings were cooked to perfection and Chef Holt is super cool and I always love chatting with him. You can tell he loves what he does and food is his passion. The outside patio is eclectic with oyster shells in the concrete which I think is a nice touch. This is a place where you can have a romantic dinner, business meeting in a suit or some cocktails at happy hour in a T-shirt and leggings. Really inviting staff and environment and one of my favorite places in Birmingham!!! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Great atmosphere and amazing food. Show yourself some love and order the crab cake! My husband thoroughly enjoyed his coffee rubbed steak and the fish was great! Can't wait to try some more!

Reviewed on Yelp

Friendly atmosphere,  fabulous  drinks & AMAZING FOOD! Sunday Brunch was definitely worth the drive out to Little Savannah! Our server ( Nick) couldn't have been more friendly, knowledgeable about menu items, food pairing & recommended food that MELTED IN OUR MOUTHS when we couldn't decide !!! A young lady ( Kim - i believe ) - made my family  & I feel as though we were right at home !! REALLY SWEET GIRL !!!   This restaurant is a little short staffed but worth stopping by for an amazing meal!! WE WILL DEFINITELY BE BACK !! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

We LOVE Little Savannah.  The menu changes according to what's in season and locally available, so you could eat here weekly and never have the same meal twice!  On our last visit, I had the burger with jalapeño cream cheese (perfect amount of kick, not too spicy), and it was wonderful.  We shared a cheese plate...it was quite good, but only included 2 small pieces of cheese...the rest was dried fruit and nuts...still really delicious.  Our waiter was very friendly but there was a long delay after we ordered drinks...he told us one person hadn't shown up for work, which happens, no biggie...but we sat there for about 20 min before getting drinks or bread.  But, overall, great atmosphere and food.  Chef Holt came out and personally greeted everyone dining, which was pretty cool!  We'll definitely be back. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Went on a Saturday evening with my husband and had reservations so we were seated right away. Server was friendly and attentive. Ordered a dirty martini with Tito's and a Cahaba Blonde as well as sriracha Brussels sprouts and deep fried deviled eggs. All were very good. I ordered the BHM burger with trucker fries and it was okay but bun was cold and not brioche and burger was a bit dry. It would be awesome if they could serve it with a spicy mayo dip to add moisture and dip the large fries in. Husband got the blt salad and a cup of gumbo and said both were good. We will go back at some point. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Very nice atmosphere. Service was great. Burger was good but was not a fan of the goat cheese on it so had to scrape that off and used the Mac and cheese for my burger which was great:). The trailer fries were perfect as well. The only bummer and reason for only four stars was that they were out of several things on there menu and said they ran out for the night but we were literally the first party there. Seem like they just may not always keep up with inventory. But had a nice dinner More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Tucked away in the Forest Park neighborhood this off the beat and path restaurant is a delight to the city. A very small and quaint setting with full bar service and entree items. Really started back eating here due to new management and their weekly specials that they have. Wing night and pasta night. I love a good pasta and for $15 you get a 2 course meal. Either a soup or salad along with whichever hand spun pasta dish. Today I tried the bolognese pasta. It was very good a surprisingly very sizable dish that I had enough for a doggie bag. All fresh ingredients and seasoned very well. Certainly worth paying a visit on these special nights or any night and enjoying others items they have as well. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Great food, service and a welcoming atmosphere. Friendly and attentive to every need. Can't wait to get back there. Excellent fresh seafood!

Reviewed on Yelp

We sat at the bar. Brad was very friendly and helpful. Great cocktails and the Brussels sprouts are amazing.

Reviewed on Yelp

Perfect intimate spot for a Birthday celebration!  The drink specials, food ( Best Lamb Shank EVER for only 22 dollars), crab cakes, coffee rubbed steak. ..was Perfection!  Our wait staff exceptional and Chef Cliff Holt just made it so very special with additional samples and attention.  My favorite in all of Bhm and everyone at table agreed!!  The best all around!!! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

What did the pulled pork say to the... (just kidding, I've got nothin')The decor and ambiance at Little Savannah is perfect for a date night in Birmingham. The hubs and I stopped off on our road trip to Atlanta, and it served us just fine also!Upon arrival, we noticed that we'd randomly come on .50 cent wing night. Hubs almost danced a jig! (dude loves wings) He ordered the buffalo and lemon pepper wings (go figure) with a side of truffle fries. We also tried the Cliton Lemonade cocktail, and the deviled eggs. YUM! I decided on the pulled pork which was super tender and  served on a bed of Parmesan polenta and greens. The homemade BBQ sauce was the perfect touch to bring the dish together. DELISH! Service was a bit slow, but so worth it. I'd recommend, and I'd  come again. Cheers to Little Savannah, and compliments to the chef! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I love brussel sprouts out of all veggies to like. I noticed other people were ordering them, so I got curious. They're fried & crispy. If you add saracha it becomes tangy. I asked Chef Cliff if he could make them in a bag like potato chips. The brussel sprouts & his crab cakes makes a great bar app if need a drink. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

This is my favorite restaurant in Birmingham. The food is second-to-none and service is great. The chef /owner really puts his passion into the food and can be usually be seen interacting with guests. This also has a nice bar area with friendly bar staff. Reservations are recommended but you can usually get a seat with no problem. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

My wife and I were among the gentrifiers of Avondale, moving into the neighborhood when our block consisted mostly of renters and the houses all had bars on the window. So we have creds when it comes to this part of town. Years ago, when Little Savannah opened up, we were thrilled to find a first-rate restaurant in our neighborhood. Even though we've since vamoosed to the suburbs (We just didn't make enough bank to shove three kids through Altamont), we still return to Little Savannah about once a year, like swallows to San Juan Capistrano. And we're always glad we make the trip. It's away from the normal haunts of fine dining in Birmingham, so people don't give it as much thought. So chances are there's always an available table, as there was last Friday when we showed up. This was especially true because it was my damned birthday, our dinner plans fell through, and I wanted to go somewhere. No waiting here. My wife had the crab cakes, which were impeccable. I had the red snapper. Dessert was some kind of Mexican-inspired pastry with fruit, topped off by a fine cup of decaf. The only sour note in the dinner? I haven't raised my appreciation of bread to the level of fetish or anything, but I do appreciate good bread. I think Little Savannah needs to shore that part of the meal up, along with the herb-infused olive oil. Not terrible, but in need of some inspiration. The server was amiable. Not the kind of guy who crisply clicks his heels together when ordering, but he did make good recommendations. And then there was the owner who strolled the dining room, sat down between our table and that of our neighbors, and made pleasant chitchat as he discussed where he sourced the food. Love Highlands, but I just don't expect Frank Stitt to come out and do that. He's too busy in the back poring over his next book contract. Now that our last child has graduated high school, we're looking forward to selling the house and making the slog back downtown. Which means we'll be returning to Little Savannah in more regular fashion. And, quite frankly, we can't wait. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Had a birthday dinner here with my fiancé.  Overall the food was very good, minus the Artisan Baguette with parm herb olive oil.  It was really more stale'ish bread with a bowl of olive oil (which I guess could be accurate, but with such an establishment, I was expecting a little more).  Other than that, the rest of our order was great.  The Holt salad was very well balanced and tasty, caprese super fresh.  Crab cake was amazing, pricey, but amazing.  Lost one star for service.  Maybe because it was a Wednesday, but very uncaring.  We first sat at the bar, and ordered a couple drinks.  Then asked if we could move to the outdoor patio in the back.  Hostess said to ask the bartender, and the bartender seemed annoyed with the request but said yes.  Again, maybe it was bc it was a Wednesday but service was lackluster at best. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Hadn't been here in a long time, and when another place that I stopped tonight was closed for a private event, I decided on the fly to swing back by Little Savannah and see if it was as good as I remembered. I'm glad I did. Great food, reasonable prices, great service. To start, the room itself is a nice, quaint, well decorated space that to me, demonstrates that there's something unique about this place. They've managed to decorate well in a relatively small space without it seeming overdone. I stopped by early and so I beat the dinner rush, so there were plenty of seats and I took one by the window for both the natural light and to watch the people and cars passing by. Overall, just a nice place to sit and have a good meal. The service was excellent, from being seated promptly, to the filling of the water. I never waited for a thing and the execution by the staff was flawless. Our server, Paul was nice, easygoing, prompt, friendly, knowledgeable of the menu, the whole deal. As far as the food goes, this place has the kind of menu that really puts you in a bind. Too many creative, seemingly appetizing dishes to choose from which leaves you knowing that you'll have to come back and get something again because you cant order it all in one visit. I had the cheese plate, which should be a requirement for any good menu, and which I happen to love seeing on any menu at all, and both my friend and myself went with the red Hereford tenderloin because we were both pretty hungry, and figured a few steaks should do the trick. We ordered a couple drinks, ate a bit of cheese and fruit and other delicious things from the appetizer and then moved onto the steaks. She went with the side recommended on the menu, some veggies etc...and I subbed the bacon mac and cheese because well...its bacon mac and cheese. There's no way I'm not going to order that. Her steak was mid rare, mine was rare, both were cooked nicely and both were flavorful and remarkably lean. Excellent cuts, excellent execution. The mac and cheese was delicious and I had to get them to take it away because I would have kept eating until it was gone had it remained in front of me. Overall, great time. Good drinks, good atmosphere, great food. I'm glad it was as good as I remember and I look forward to returning soon to work my way down the menu. 5 stars. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

When a southerner tells you it's the best fried chicken he's ever had--that's saying a lot.  When the best fried chicken wasn't even the best dish --WOW.  The Red Snapper was beyond description.  Not only was it fresh, not only was it spear-caught but also it was expertly prepared and paired.  I can't say enough good things about this dining experience.  10-stars More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Great atmosphere and friendly staff. The burger was delicious and my husband enjoyed his lamb. Better than the food though was the service. My order got messed up in the kitchen so the food was taking a little longer then usual. They apologized for the wait and gave us two glasses of wine, an extra appetizer while we waited and dessert all for free. We never even mentioned that we thought the food was taking a while. They just stepped up and went above an beyond to fix it. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

The Mac and cheese side is fabulous. Lion fish something to see. Mixed drinks are creative. Especially the mule

Reviewed on Yelp

We went for 50 cents wing night and we were not disappointed. We had BBQ buffalo and lemon pepper wings. Each flavor was very tasty but the lemon pepper was the favorite of our group. We also had the truck fries and bacon mac and cheese which was incredible. We finished off with the cinnamon churros and coffee; the coffee drinkers loved the French press coffee. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

The most outstanding hidden gem in Birmingham. I'll never forget the first time I walked in here having NO idea what to expect and ended up being blown away. Little Savannah has all the pomp of any fine dining restaurant and more just without the stuffy people and fancy clothes lol. The dishes are scrumptious, soulful, and southern. And the staff is superb. In fact, the chef often visits his guests and makes sure they're having an excellent, tasty experience. This will always be one of my favorites!! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Great to see them hitting their stride again. i like the new ambiance.

Reviewed on Yelp

Our group of three was there for a business meeting. We wanted a place with good food, and where we could talk over dinner. All three entrees seemed fine-no complaints from anyone. The service was good, too. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Had a wonderful dinner at the soft re-opening weekend! Great ambiance in a quaint bistro. We arrived and sat at the bar to enjoy cocktails while waiting a short time for our table to become available. Wonderful libations were served up promptly from the bar! We enjoyed a starter of fried whole okra with Tabasco aioli. What a way to start up the taste buds! I chose the sunburst trout with roasted beet, olives, quinoa, and orange emulsion. A great cohesion of beautiful flavors! My husband enjoyed steak with  and tomatoes (sorry, I was too absorbed with my own dish to remember exactly what he had). I gathered from his empty plate and smile that he thoroughly enjoyed it. Fantastic staff and a great chef in the kitchen...what more could you ask for? Thanks, Chef Cliff, for a memorable dining experience! Reservations aren't required, but are a good idea to make sure you have a place at one of the tables for a delicious dining experience! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Walked over for Hors devours and ordered the Braised Pork Tostado. Amazing flavors - be sure and try this new item. Pork, peaches, and beans - can't go wrong.

Reviewed on Yelp