The yards are open to play

It’s been seven years in the making but Lincoln Yard and Little Yard have finally made their debut in Birmingham’s Rail District. Lincoln Yard is the main restaurant, featuring two separate dining counters, a bar, indoor seating for 145 and additional seating under a large covered patio. Little Yard is adjacent to the main restaurant and provides quick serve items such as pastries and coffee starting at 7 a.m. and build-your-own pita, salad and grain bowls throughout the day. The establishment is located in Birmingham Public School’s former bus depot and is owned and operated by Union Joints, a restaurant group that is famous for placing restaurants in repurposed industrial spaces such as the Vinsetta Garage in Berkley and Union Rec in Ann Arbor, which is located in the old Fingerle Lumber Company. Union Joints restaurants are also known for comfort food offerings, but Curt Catallo, co-owner of Union Joints, points out that Lincoln Yard’s menu will be a bit different. “We have stayed in our lane for comfort food, but we have widened it. It’s a greener, cleaner menu with rotisserie meats and far-reaching sauces from Asia, Greece and South America.” The interior space is designed by Catallo’s wife and business partner, Ann Stevenson, owner of Ann Stevenson Studio.  Stevenson describes the design aesthetic as one that combines industrial and gritty with elements that are more ‘moderne,’ creating a ‘30s and ‘40s feel. Hours for Lincoln Yard are Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Friday/Saturday, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. 2159 E. Lincoln Street, Birmingham eatlincolnyard.com