Something we hear time and again from first time visitors to Birmingham is that they never realized the beauty of the area. With the foothills of the Appalachians as a dramatic backdrop, the city is laid out on a series of lush rolling hills, with woodland-covered neighborhoods just minutes from downtown.

That this Southern city has its own cosmopolitan personality is another eye-opener to visitors. Its hip without being pretentious. Its tuned-in without being pushy. Its very cool without the exertion. So if you thought you were coming to the Waffle House---not that there's anything wrong with that---you're coming to James Beard country instead.

Speaking of dining, fine follows many paths. Should you have us pigeonholed as serving only barbeque and fried pies, just remember that Birmingham is home to numerous James Beard Award winners and nominees. Dining is one of the great joys of being in Birmingham. Anyone visiting the city should take great delight in the beauty of fine Southern cooking here as well. No one wants to leave without a meal of catfish, fried okra, fresh corn, tomatoes ripened on the vine, cornbread (made without sugar, please), all topped off by deep dish peach cobbler---hot---with a dollop of ice cream.