Real and Rosemary Homewood Alabama

Carol Evans
February 27, 2024

Real and Rosemary is a charming little eatery on 29th Avenue South in downtown Homewood. Nestled among several restaurants, this one stands out for its terrific menu and unique selections. On the day my husband and I visited, we were hungry, and it did not disappoint.

The restaurant offers counter ordering, and then you take your seat and are served by sweet and friendly servers who make sure you have what you need. We were pleased to find some interesting selections to try.

Table of Contents

Real and Rosemary Menu

The menu offers “snacks” that might also be considered appetizers, such as a grazing board, white bean dip, fried green tomatoes, fried okra, sweet potato wedges, and sugar and spice nuts. The fried green tomatoes were delicious and flavorful!

Also on the menu are sandwiches like turkey, BLT, burgers, and chicken, both grilled and chicken salad, but the Beet Fig Goat got our attention as a sandwich made of yellow beets, figs, goat cheese, arugula, balsamic and cranberry walnut bread with the option to add grilled chicken.

White Chicken Chili

You could also choose soup such as vegetable or white chicken chili. My husband chose the latter, and he let me taste it, too. We both agreed it was the best white chicken chili we had ever had! There was a choice of a cup, bowl, or even a quart to take home. It was thick, rich, and flavorful with the right amount of “heat.” It wasn’t too much for me, and I cannot do spicy.

Salads

Salads on the menu included another “beet” option they called Upbeet, with beats, oranges, grapefruit, pears, goat cheese, pistachios, spring mix, and a tarragon vinaigrette. Other options were a southwest salad, grilled chicken, garden salad, and even a fall superfood salad of kale, collards, apple fig, pecans, parmesan, and mustard vinaigrette. All the salads had the option to add grilled chicken.

Grilled Chicken Salad

I chose the grilled chicken salad for my main meal. It was beautiful, colorful, and flavorful, especially for a salad in February in Alabama. The chicken was so tender and delicious! I only wished I had ordered some type of bread with it, but I suppose it was better for my waistline without it. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely order it again.

Garden Plate

My husband ordered the garden plate, which had four garden sides chosen from the sides menu. He chose the white chicken chili as one of his items, which I already mentioned, along with succotash (farro, beans, tomatoes, corn, cream, and herbs), charred carrots (with thyme and parsley, and a corn polenta cake with cheddar and chives. Of course, I had to sample each item. All were delicious and special in their own right. We didn’t have a single disappointing thing!

More Garden Sides

Other garden sides that you could choose from were green peas, macaroni and choose, smashed red potatoes, and Caprese pasta salad, which is on MY list for next time as it sounded particularly wonderful to me. You can also choose from “premium sides” that include sweet potato casserole, Brussels sprouts slaw, fried okra, and fried green tomatoes.

Plates

“Plates” at Real and Rosemary are an interesting mix, also. All plates include two garden sides, and add just $1 for a premium side. These plates include housemade meatballs with marinara sauce and parmesan, spice-rubbed chicken with a cilantro lime vinaigrette, grilled herb chicken (which I suspect was on my salad, marinated with sorghum honey and mustard, flounder cakes with yogurt remoulade, a chicken salad made with Greek yogurt and then of course, the mix and match garden plate that my husband had.

Build Your Own

You could really eat here so many times without ever having the same thing twice! You can also build your own meal with a protein and two sides for takeout after 3 p.m., as well as spaghetti and meatballs for 4 with a baguette. Great for an evening in or a busy time for the family. And they offer holiday meals! Check with them, as they must be pre-ordered.

Kid Options

Real and Rosemary hasn’t forgotten how kids eat. If you have a child in your party, they are sure to find something here to please. Their kids’ menu, for children 12 and under, served on kids’ plates, includes spaghetti and meatballs, grilled chicken dippers, grilled cheese, an almond butter and jam sandwich, and butter noodles.

Drinks

Your drink options here include soft drinks, tea, R&R Spa water, orange blossom lemonade, and milk or juice.

Pastry Art Bake Shoppe

After our yummy lunch, we wanted a little something sweet, and we found cake cups from the Pasty Art Shoppe right across the street sold right inside Real and Rosemary to satisfy our sweet craving. On the day we visited, we shared a strawberry cake cup and a red velvet cake cup. Both were delicious. We’d love to have tried even more flavors.

Real and Rosemary Homewood

You’ll find favorite menu items, gluten-free, vegan, and “contains nuts” clearly marked on the Real and Rosemary menu if you have dietary needs or concerns.

We love Real and Rosemary and hope to return and maybe eat on the patio in warmer weather. We’ll be back soon!