La Paree: Difference between revisions

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In its heyday, under the ownership of [[Michael Matsos]] and with [[Bill Demoes]] as executive chef, La Paree was known as one of the top downtown restaurants in [[Birmingham]], attracting politicians and business executives to its then dark-paneled dining room alongside office and industrial workers from all over downtown. Signature dishes included shish kebab, pilaf rice and spaghetti with burnt butter. Matsos provided free meals to the doorman at the nearby [[Tutwiler Hotel (1914)|Tutwiler Hotel]] to drum up business.
In its heyday, under the ownership of [[Michael Matsos]] and with [[Bill Demoes]] as executive chef, La Paree was known as one of the top downtown restaurants in [[Birmingham]], attracting politicians and business executives to its then dark-paneled dining room alongside office and industrial workers from all over downtown. Signature dishes included shish kebab, pilaf rice and spaghetti with burnt butter. Matsos provided free meals to the doorman at the nearby [[Tutwiler Hotel (1914)|Tutwiler Hotel]] to drum up business.


In the year following [[World War II]] Demoes brought over several family members from Greece, fleeing guerilla warfare at home. Matsos proposed to sell him his interest in the restaurant, leaving him to found [[Michael's Sirloin Room]] at the [[Holiday Inn-Bessemer Super Highway]] with many of the same recipes. Demoes oversaw remodeling of the restaurant's interior.
In the year following [[World War II]] Demoes brought over several family members from Greece, fleeing guerilla warfare at home. Matsos proposed to sell him his interest in the restaurant, leaving him to found [[Michael's Sirloin Room]] at the [[Holiday Inn-Bessemer Super Highway]] with many of the same recipes.
 
Demoes oversaw a full remodeling of the restaurant's interior and facade in [[1955]]. The restaurant reopened on [[September 21]]<!--http://www.birminghamrewound.com/features/LaParee%20%2809-55%29.jpg-->.


In February [[2008]] [[Harbert Realty Services]] announced plans to demolish the restaurant in order to expand the [[Marriott Renaissance Birmingham|Mariott Renaissance]] hotel they are developing in the adjacent [[Regions Plaza]] building.
In February [[2008]] [[Harbert Realty Services]] announced plans to demolish the restaurant in order to expand the [[Marriott Renaissance Birmingham|Mariott Renaissance]] hotel they are developing in the adjacent [[Regions Plaza]] building.

Revision as of 10:12, 1 September 2015

Exterior of La Paree in 2000
Post-war interior view. courtesy BPL Archives

La Paree (sometimes The La Paree) was a steak and seafood restaurant located at 2013 5th Avenue North. It opened in the 1940s and remained in business until December 2003.

In its heyday, under the ownership of Michael Matsos and with Bill Demoes as executive chef, La Paree was known as one of the top downtown restaurants in Birmingham, attracting politicians and business executives to its then dark-paneled dining room alongside office and industrial workers from all over downtown. Signature dishes included shish kebab, pilaf rice and spaghetti with burnt butter. Matsos provided free meals to the doorman at the nearby Tutwiler Hotel to drum up business.

In the year following World War II Demoes brought over several family members from Greece, fleeing guerilla warfare at home. Matsos proposed to sell him his interest in the restaurant, leaving him to found Michael's Sirloin Room at the Holiday Inn-Bessemer Super Highway with many of the same recipes.

Demoes oversaw a full remodeling of the restaurant's interior and facade in 1955. The restaurant reopened on September 21.

In February 2008 Harbert Realty Services announced plans to demolish the restaurant in order to expand the Mariott Renaissance hotel they are developing in the adjacent Regions Plaza building.

Preceded by:
Alabama Fixture Company 		2013 5th Avenue North
1940s - 2003 		Succeeded by:
Mariott Renaissance Birmingham

References

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