Real & Rosemary brings fresh fare to The Summit

Knowing she wanted to expand the brand, she opened with the intention of growing in mind.

Just over three and a half years later, Mims is opening her second location at The Summit in the former Zöe’s location later this month. She wanted to do a quick turnaround for the remodel in order to be open for the holidays.

When she and her business partner met with Bayer Properties, which manages The Summit, the firm presented them with an opportunity that Mims said they couldn’t pass up.

Mims began her career at Zöe’s, then worked for several different restaurant groups around Birmingham. Her career has now come full circle.

“They are a wonderful brand, and I learned a lot there and want to do a good job in their former space,” Mims said. “The Summit is a great location where we can serve a different market, and we’re excited to be a part of 280 and the Cahaba Heights area.”

With a goal of making clean eating convenient and food that tastes good, Mims doesn’t use preservatives in her recipes, but instead cooks with herbs, oil and flavor. She said their food is “every day kind of food” that she wants to be like an extension of home.

Many of the recipes at Real & Rosemary are inspired by things Mims has seen during her travels that she has put a spin on to make cleaner. Everything is made from scratch, and all dressings are made in house.

“We try to get the highest quality of food we can and lightly prepare it using a lot of herbs and seasoning instead of traditional sugars or fats,” Mims said. “We try to get most of our stuff locally and work with local farmers.”

Some of the most popular regular menu items include the Southwest salad and the beet, fig and goat cheese sandwich. Mims added there will also be a few new menu items on The Summit location’s menu. The restaurant will offer a full bar, serving craft cocktails and wine selection.

Real & Rosemary changes part of its menu seasonally and will bring in new items in November including white chicken chili; braised beef cooked with red wine, carrots and herbs; sweet potato casserole; Brussel sprouts with butternut squash and cherry vinaigrette; and cranberry lime pie.

Holiday meals will be available during Thanksgiving and Christmas that include turkey by the pound, dressing, sweet potatoes and other sides. These can be preordered online. Dine in, takeout, catering and online ordering are always available.

Leaving the possibility for more locations in the future, Mims said she doesn’t want to grow for growth’s sake, but for the right reasons and when the market demands it.

Mims expects to hire 20-25 employees at The Summit location. It will open earlier than the Homewood location and serve Caveat Coffee, another brand she and her partner own.