For many of us, meals carry memory—from family recipes passed down through generations, to dishes we expect at every gathering. For Chef Bill Briand, that feeling became the inspiration for an entire restaurant designed to evoke a genuine sense of nostalgia.

At Little Bird in downtown Fairhope, every guest is made to feel like an old friend, welcomed into the inner family circle over good food, good drinks, easy laughter, and always something sweet to finish. Nostalgia is his favorite word, and at Little Bird, it’s found in every detail.

Chef Bill is, above all else, a storyteller. “We want to start the story,” he says, “and we want whoever sits down to take that story and make it their own.” His own stories come flooding back through food—most vividly from childhood days in Hawaii, where his family was stationed.

“My favorite food memories come from that time,” he says. “I remember driving through the night to a quiet beach, where my mother would set up her hibachi under the trees and cook every meal. We’d stay out there all day, and then fall asleep on the long drive home.” Those simple meals and moments with his family are the driving force behind his restaurant’s concept today: comforting, warm, and full of soul.

That sense of being cared for threads through every inch of Little Bird, because at its heart is the woman who shaped Chef Bill’s life and taught him the true meaning of hospitality: his mother, Virginia Eileen Briand. Known by friends as Ginny, Chef Bill describes her as elegant, strong, and endlessly generous. A devoted mother, a proud Naval nurse, and a graceful host, she understood the sacredness of gathering people around a table. 

Her middle name, Eileen, shares roots with the Gaelic word for “little bird,” a symbol of grace and resilience. That symbolism, paired with her spirit, became the foundation of the restaurant. Bill carries memorial tattoos of both his parents on his arms—a permanent reminder of the love and legacy that guide him. 

After just a few moments inside Little Bird, you immediately sense the depth of intention. Old recipes and family photos line the walls, and serve as constant reminders of those who inspired the restaurant’s warm hospitality. Even the individual rooms are named with a purpose that honors Virginia’s life, and are marked with plaques as you enter each one. The Ginny Bar nods to the name her closest friends called her—and to her beloved gin martinis. Victory Hall honors her birthday on Victory in Europe Day, while the Starling Room and Blackbird Room reflect her favorite bird and her favorite Beatles song. Even the Daly Courtyard carries her maiden name, tying the entire property back to the family roots from which its soul grows.

But the room at the center, The Virginia Eileen Dining Room, sits just steps from the kitchen and, and Chef Bill chose that placement intentionally. “It’s her room–and she’s closest to the kitchen, and therefore closest to my heart,” he says.

The food mirrors that intentionality. Chef Bill describes himself as “old school,” and deeply interested in honest, soulful cooking. Don’t expect a dish with foam coming out of his kitchen—“though it’s fine for cocktails,” he laughs. What you will find is food prepared with love, respect, and a deep sense of home. He asks his team to cook as though they’re preparing a meal for someone special in their world, because food made with care tastes different. “You can tell if food has a soul or not,” he says. “You can’t fake that.”

Dishes like the family-style cornbread, made from his mother’s recipe, arrive warm and fresh out of the kitchen. His golden beets with goat cheese—a dish both simple and stunning—might be one of the best bites in Fairhope. Other favorites include his take on the West Indies Salad, served with fire crackers (a Southerner’s favorite), and the seared scallops with parsnip purée. You certainly shouldn’t skip dessert–the lemon buttermilk pie and the carrot cake have nostalgia baked in. Everything he plates is intentional, heartfelt, and layered with memory. 

The level of care at Little Bird is unmatched. Chef Bill understands that food is about more than flavor; it’s about connection, memory, and the relationships that shape us.

What he has built in Fairhope is rare: a restaurant with soul, and a space that honors the past while giving guests a place to create new memories around every table. But above all, Little Bird is a love letter to his mother, to her unwavering commitment to her family, and to the belief that hospitality is an act of the heart.