The South is no stranger to delicious home-cooked meals; the kind that make you reminisce about your childhood and leave you desiring the comfort of a nice warm meal. Luckily just around the corner from Sparkman High School there lies a place that will make your mouth-watering fantasies a reality; that is the Velvet Plate.

Owned by Thomas Smith, The Velvet Plate is a delicious Southern-style scratch kitchen located in the White Azalea Wedding Venue which Smith himself helped build. After eating pizza and fast food for four years while working at the venue, Smith wanted to change things. He decided to take his 15 years of restaurant experience and time spent cooking with his family to make something truly exceptional.

“I learned how to cook from my grandmother, my mother, my father, and my Grandfather. They all cooked, and I also went to culinary school,” Smith said. “I started at restaurants when I was 14, so a long time in the craft.”

The restaurant itself is nestled inside the wedding venue with a very homey Southern vibe. With hanging light and rustic chairs and good music that gets you in the right mood for eating. Our staff started with their freshly made sweet tea and lemonade that hit the spot preparing us for the lineup of delicious meals we were about to taste.

“To make somebody’s day because of good food, that is fulfilling,” Smith said.

Our staff all together ordered the brisket sliders, brisket, ribs, and mac and cheese. The brisket was exceptionally tender, the fat melted in your mouth with incredible flavor, while the ribs were large with plenty of smoky and flavorful meat that fell off the bone. For me the dish that took center stage was the Mac and Cheese; it was delightfully creamy with a soothing cheddar flavor that mixed well with the thick-cut bacon and pulled pork all to be balanced out by the crispness of the green onion. We finished our meals with a chocolate chip cookie that helped balance out all the savory flavors.

The Velvet Plate is a 10/10 must-visit restaurant if you’re in the area. It offers spectacular service, heavenly food you can’t stop eating, an inviting and refreshing atmosphere, and an owner who can effortlessly bring a smile to your face with both his dishes and his positive attitude.