The French Lady eatery receives approvals

A new Birmingham restaurant, The French Lady, serving authentic French cuisine, received unanimous final site plan, design review and special land use permit approvals from the Birmingham City Commission on Monday, November 9. The French Lady, located at 768 N. Old Woodward, owned by Claude Pellerin, is in a location which previously housed LY Sushi, Cucina Medora and the Old Woodward Deli. City planner Nicholas Dupuis explained to commissioners that the restaurant is currently open for carryout only as a specialty food store, but has proposed to open with 28 chairs at six tables in the front for full service dining. There is a kitchen in the back and a service counter with select baked goods and desserts. Pellerin plans to open serving authentic French cuisine daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. No liquor is proposed to be served. “There is no outdoor dining proposed right now, but there is a deck in the back over the river if the owner chooses,” Dupuis said. “All you have to do is drive around and see how much outdoor dining enhances the experience of diners. If you improve your back porch and make it inviting and make access to it, it would be a great thing,” commissioner Clinton Baller advised. “I'm in support of this establishment. I would strongly advocate for outdoor seating, but I wouldn't mandate it given the financial implications,” said commissioner Mark Nickita. “I was planning to open the patio (in the rear) in the spring, and I can have four tables,” Pellerin said.