Forte

Molly Abraham: This downtown Birmingham spot is the epitome of the see- and-be-seen place, with its bar set a few feet above the curving dining room. Banquettes along the length of the restaurant, and tables tucked a little - but not too far - away on the opposite side define the space, with a flowing feeling that extends from the revolving door at the entrance all the way back to the exhibition kitchen's blue-and-gold mosaic tiles and stainless steel. There's a pared-down menu at lunch - a single-page list of sandwiches, salads and brick oven pizzas as well as such entrees as pan-roasted chicken breast, broiled whitefish and risotto.\n At dinner, the lineup includes short ribs,pan seared sea bass, roasted Alaska halibut, pork chops and 22-ounce ribeye steak with caramelized onions. The bar is now separated from the dining room by a curving glass sculpture and it is not only an attractive element in the room, but keeps the noise from the bar away from the tables. Ty Gerych has just taken over the top kitchen job.\non the web at www.forterestaurant.com