220 Restaurant

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

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. Pros: Great food, great waitstaff Cons: The hostess is so rude it's offensive more

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. Pros: Wonderful food. Helpful staff Cons: Kind of loud more

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. Pros: Location, live music in the basement Cons: Pricey drinks, lots of social climbers more

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. Pros: Quality ingredients, Tasty Ravioli, Customer Service, Social Setting Cons: Noisy crowd levels, minimal privacy, more sauce please more

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. Pros: Ambience, Customer Service more

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. Pros: Good service, good food Cons: A little pricy more

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! Pros: People-watching, energetic atmosphere more

Italian?! This is about as Italian as the ""spaghetti"" at Big Boy. Puhlease. more

Always a wonderful expierence at 220. The food, fair, service and ambience are tops. You will not regret taking out someone special to this very classy restaurant. The food is very delectable, especially the creamy house special ministroni soup. Be sure and come back after a movie for some drinks at the bar, they are great, especially the martinis. Pros: Good Parking, Great Food, Amazing Service more

Great Italian Fare. We were visiting the city and found the restaurant on City Search. We were extremely pleased. Fun energetic atmosphere, and wonderful food. Pros: Great Food, Wonderful Atmosphere Cons: Crowded more