Yellow <title>Yellow Hammer People

Chef Collin Donnelly began his career in the restaurant business at the age of 16 as a dishwasher. After high school, a very brief stint in college, and four years in the United Sates Marine Corps, Collin attended the prestigious New England Culinary Institute in Montpelier, Vermont where he received an Associate degree in Culinary Arts. Collin began his professional career in Nantucket, Massachusetts and has worked as both a chef and pastry chef in the San Juan Islands, Oregon and Washington State before returning to Alabama.

Restaurant Manager Amanda Bertschi-Donnelly is a graduate of the New England Culinary Institute, where she received both an Associate's degree in Culinary Arts and a Bachelor's degree in Food and Beverage Management. Amanda began her career working as a line cook in Germany. She has also worked in Boston, Massachusetts, Oregon, Washington State and Alabama as a pastry chef, bakery manager and restaurant manager.

Raves and Reviews

Look here for an interesting review (October, 2008):
http://lostinmontgomery.wordpress.com/2008/11/03/the-yellow-hammer-waverly-alabama/

" The perfect date! Enough tantalizing flavors to make you want more and more;relaxed enough environment to fell comfortable; far enough off the beaten path to feel I had found a hidden treasure."02/21/08

" The food was wonderful.The staff was very friendly and obviouly love the place as much as we do!" 12/19/07

"I've lived all over the country and hands down the best food & service of any place I've ever been" 01/30/08

" Everything was excellent. This is a very unique & special place. The piano player was alos very enjoyable."02/08/08

" Perfect as always!!!" 02/27/08

" The best food I've ever had!" 07/21/07

"The food was wonderful!We can't wait to come back." 11/01/07

" I thought the elk was wonderful!!! Ranks in my top 10 dishes."10/04/07

"Excellent! We felt like we were dining in Provence." 09/20/07

"Wonderful! Better than catching a plane to New York and eating at the world finest restaurant." 09/14/07

" The bread Pudding was to good to explain in words."10/10/07

" Wonderful food, very creative chef."10/19/07

" This was wonderful! I feel like I'm on vacation! Not in Waverly, AL." 10/05/07

"Eating here has been a wonderful experience, it was everything we had heard and more." 11/01/07

"Amazing food, exceptional staff and great atmosphere." 10/19/07

" Excellent meal! It could not have been any better." 10/05/07

" Absolutely;y wonderful as always. The pomegranate ice cream was the best thing I have ever put in my mouth."10/12/07

" The food was wonderful! It appeared to our palates as perhaps the finest blending of flavors, textures and food stuffs ever. It is obvious that the chef is extremely well versed in the chemistry of cooking and we appreciates every delectable bite!"02/17/07

" Awesome! Service and food were exceptional. Absolutely the best bread pudding ever!" 10/24/07

"Probably the best Bread Pudding we have ever had! Fabulous dinner, absolutely incredible." 11/07/07

" Wonderful! Every visit seems to exceed the previous!"09/29/07

" The meal was a great diversion from the norm, the service was friendly and helpful and the atmosphere was a step into the past-all welcoming and inviting." 01/06/07

"One of the best dining experiences I've had." 02/23/07

" Best meal in the Opelika-Auburn area! The tangerine Molten Chocolate cake was sinful!" 03/17/07

"We loved the live music, hospitality & wonderful food." 03/16/07

"This was our first time here and we have tried every upscale restaurant in the area and this was by far the best. The atmosphere, the food taste and food presentation were all excellent." 02/07/07

" Particularly enjoyed the seasonal selections on the menu." 02/22/07

" The food was the best we had in Alabama yet! Very very good."10/27/07

"Delicious! Creative and Fresh!' 07/19/07

"It was the most amazing experience that we've had in this area. The perfect place for our anniversary." 07/21/07

" We love this restaurant. The food is exotic enough to make it a wonderful experience, and delicious enough to make you want it again. " 05/26/07

" Everything is so beautifully presented that you don't want to eat it.. than once you taste it you can't stop." 04/26/07

"Excellent! Best food in 300 miles." 08/09/07

" The Yellowhammer is my absolute favorite dining experience. Everything from atmosphere to the taste and presentation of the food is fabulous. Excellent service too." 08/15/07

"The bread pudding is so divine." 05/26/07

" Great food - A Jewel in Alabama!" 04/26/07

" From the time we walked in the door we immediately felt welcome and at home. The entire experience was SUPERB!" 04/05/07

" One word- outstanding!!" 0728/07

" Excellent. We have been to other places and this was by far the best in terms of food quality, menu, presentation and service." 03/17/07

" Yellowhammer is so romantic and such an experience! The food is incredible! Flavor combinations are amazing and creative. A great experience every time. Best restaurant in the area" 02/17/07

"Incredible food- Awesome and distinctive flavors - polite and friendly staff - incredible rustic charm."02/21/07

" Pure perfection across the board. Love it! "12/22/06

" The best this side of New York." 08/11/07

" First time, great experience: from the remodeled space, menu choices, music and service. Yellowhammer's got it all." 08/11/07

" This is an awesome restaurant. Excellent service, superior food. Very delightful."08/24/07

" We come here often for the exceptionally delicious food." 08/25/07

"It was amazing. One of the best meals I have had. Great Service, wonderful atmosphere." 10/07/06

"Wonderful! Best meal experience we have ever had in this area." 09/08/06

" Fantastic! Collin's food is both beautiful and delicious."09/29/06

" Outstanding, every crumb. Rivals anything we've had in the DC region." 09/20/06

" We enjoyed the different flavors. Not the typical restaurant in this area."09/09/06

" My new favorite restaurant in the area."09/15/06

" Excellent! Amazing flavors and combinations of perfect ingredients. Perfect portion. Sophisticated and refined atmosphere with great live music. Wonderful service and very knowledgeable about the food and wine. Extensive wine list, yet very affordable." 09/30/06

" Wonderful foo, innovative menu, fabulous location, cool building." 09/09/06

" I had a great experience! We've dined at the finest establishments in the area and Yellow Hammer is right up there with Bottega, Highlands, Daniel George, The Island Room in Cedar Key, Fl.and many others we've had the pleasure to dine at. Thank you for bringing Waverly back to life." 06/10/06

" A most unique and special diningexperiance. The food was outstanding, service was above the board. Enjoyed it very much." 06/16/06

" This place is a gem" 04/22/06

" One of the best places to go within driving distance of Lake Martin. The food is always excellent, great wine list and friendly staff." 05/13/06

" The honeysuckle ice cream gets two thumbs up, and the bread pudding is something to write home about." 05/10/06

" We Love the Yellow Hammer. It is by far the best restaurant in the Auburn area. Service is excellent and I am always impressed with the food. I love the casual atmosphere."04/14/06

" Wonderful experience!. We were very impressed with the menu,service, entertainment, and ambiance." 04/02/06

" The meal was very delicious. Everything was presented with flare. The homemade ice cream was exceptional." 04/12/06

"As always, a wonderful dinner experience!" 04/07/06

"Excellent! Every course is magnificent" 04/01/06

"Very unique & special dining experience. The presentation was WONDERFUL, the taste Delicious, the atmosphere FANTASTIC." 04/08/06

" The meals were not the ordinary ones you usually find around here. The food was delicious and the service was the best." 04/06/06

" The food was GREAT, the more I ate the better it got! Everyone there is very nice and helpful" 04/08/06

"It was one of the most delicious meals ever!" 01/14/06

" We had an amazing meal. The atmosphere is inviting & the food was fantastic." 01/28/06

" Outstanding!! This is our most wonderful experience in the Auburn area ever. Two thumbs up to the Chef. Everything was great! Wonderful wine and great service." 01/21/06

" Wow! Nothing like this quality with in 100 maybe 1000 miles." 04/10/05

" I am blown away! Never expected something like this in the Lake Martin area. We will be back often." 04/16/05

"The food was the most delicious I have experienced in a long time."10/07/05

" The atmosphere is what first grabbed my attention, which was complimented perfectly by the food and the music." 04/16/05

"Fantastic! Who knew that a restaurant this wonderful would be here in Waverly." 07/29/05
" Exceptional! I can't believe I'm in Alabama." This is my new favorite restaurant." 08/24/05
" The service, hospitality and food was great. I will return" 01/27/05
"Absolutely outstanding. I didn't lick the plate but could have."10/08/05

"Great service. Great menu. Great restaurant!" 01/28/05
" Outstanding! We couldn't have been more pleased." 11/18/04
" Absolutely the best food we've had since we were in Austin. Fabulous!" 12/04/05
" The humble exterior belies the quality within! Food and service were excellent." 04/09/05
" The best food & great friendly service . Fantastic! " 07/09.05
" Delicious food, Great atmosphere" 12/08/04
" Loved it! The best in the area. Service was impeccable. Location great." 10/15/04
" A very enjoyable dining experience." 09/25/04

" The Food and Atmosphere are Great~ A surprise to find such a wonderful restaurant in small town Alabama." 06/11/05

" Best filet I ever had." 12/15/04
" I felt like I was transported to New York -Most enjoyable." 11/06/04

" Fantastic wine list, Exquisite food, Incredible atmosphere(loved the music), outstanding service. All in all a great dining experience." 09/25/04

" Everything was wonderful from the atmosphere to the dessert! We loved every minute of our meal." 10/23/04
" The BEST food, service etc. we could have asked for. We will be back." 11/03/04
" Wonderful! Loved the place!! Especially the "nest" for couples of 2. Thanks so much for good food and atmosphere!" 12/17/04
" The food is fantastic & the service is wonderful. I loved it!" 07/30/05
" Excellent on every level - food, atmosphere, wine, service." 04/16/05
" The food was wonderful and varied. The ice cream dessert was a flavorful adventure. Will be back ASAP!" 02/26/05
" Excellent Chef, our compliments." 03/05/05
" A first class dining experience." 04/07/05
" What a pleasure! The food was outstanding. The service couldn't have been better. The music was perfect." 12/03/04
" Outstanding! As good or better than any dining experience in the Big Apple" 03/19/05