Huntsville Restaurant Week Food Blogger Tour: Grille 29

*I was invited as a guest of the Huntsville/Madison County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and was provided meals free of cost during the Food Blogger’s Tour.*

Huntsville Restaurant Week is fast approaching, which means it’s time for the Food Blogger Tour. I was lucky enough to get invited again this year (thanks, CVB!), so these next three posts will each feature one of Huntsville’s amazing restaurants just to give you a taste of what to expect.

Huntsville Restaurant Week

From Huntsville.org:

“Every August, eateries from Mobile and Dothan to Huntsville and the Shoals participate in Alabama Restaurant Week, a chance for residents and visitors to savor the local cuisine of the Yellowhammer state. During this 10-day event, participating restaurants offer specialized menu items at fixed prices for lunch and/or dinner, which are designed to showcase their best and encourage hungry folks to patronize locally-owned and operated restaurants.”

There are over 50 local restaurants participating, each offering a Restaurant Week special. Lunches are set at $5, $10, and $15, while dinners are set at $10, $20, and $30. There are also a few exciting events going on, like a whiskey tasting and lunch and Homegrown Huntsville’s Dine and Dash. For all the details and a schedule of events, make sure you check out the Restaurant Week page at Huntsville.org.

The Bloggers

I’m joined this year by some fantastic bloggers. I’ll leave their links here, so make sure to check out their take on these restaurants!

Sarah Belanger from The Jealous Crumpet

Bo Williams and Stephanie Walker from Rocket City Mom

Charles Hunter III from The Salted Table

Jennifer Gervens from Sweet T Makes Three

Grille 29

Grille 29 is one of my favorite Huntsville restaurants. It bills itself as a “sophisticated yet casual steak and seafood restaurant” and is located in the Village of Providence. Head chef Cara Thompson is a Huntsville native who left for culinary school and then, fortunately for all of us, moved back here! She has competed on Cutthroat Kitchen, Chopped (which she won!), and will be competing in Huntsville’s own Rocket Chef on August 8.

Our first course was a roasted cauliflower soup garnished with crispy prosciutto. You guys. It was delicious. The texture was incredible- so creamy! If I could have licked the bowl and not gotten weird looks, I definitely would have. The Director of Catering for Grille 29, Regina Burnett, told us that this is a special dish created just for Restaurant Week, and I would definitely recommend stopping by to try it! It will be included in the two-course lunch special that runs for $15.00.

Next was the fried green tomato with crispy pork belly and blue pimento cheese. Not only was this beautifully plated, but it was SO tasty. You know how I am with cheese- the more the better- but I was a little hesitant about the blue cheese since I’m not the biggest fan. However, this was spectacular. Another clean-plate-club dish for me. This course and the next two are part of the three-course dinner special that runs for $30.00 per person. After this course, Regina mentioned that there were two more and I wished I had paced myself.

The third course consisted of a flat iron steak with a roasted shallot reduction, homemade Pico de Gallo, and sweet potato straws served on a bed of the white corn cheese grits. Another winner! While Grille 29 is known for their amazing filet mignon, New York strip, and filets, they really wanted to offer a more wallet-friendly option for Restaurant Week. The flat iron steak really worked well with the Pico de Gallo, which jived with the corn in the grits. Speaking of grits, I should really mention how fantastic the Grille 29 brunch is. Their shrimp and grits dish is a knockout, and mimosas are only 29 cents from 10-11am! YEAH. 29 CENTS. Starting August 13th, they will be expanding their brunch to Saturdays, too.

Just when I thought I couldn’t possibly eat any more food, they brought out the desserts. Y’all know there is always room for dessert. We were served lemon lava cake, a turtle cheesecake, and my favorite, the chocolate peanut butter truffle. All three were amazing, but I honestly think the chocolate peanut butter truffle is the best dessert in Huntsville. Maybe in all of Alabama. Possibly in the whole world.

Grille 29 is the only one of the restaurants during this tour that I have been to before, so I feel like I can really speak to the coziness and chicness of its ambiance. Every dish is so well thought out and impeccably executed. You will have to make sure to stop by during Huntsville Restaurant Week August 12-21!

Check back tomorrow for stop number two!

xoxo Katie

Sarah’s post: Here

Jennifer’s post: Here

Charles’ post: Here

Bo’s post: Here