The Food Scene

Here are some great Huntsville restaurants to experience

1892 East Restaurant & Tavern

This unique restaurant is defined by the notion of local–the food, farmer, neighbor relationship. Located in the Five Points Historic District with its charm and character, 1892 East is one of the many local businesses dotting the streetscape. Chef Steve Bunner directs the creative, sustainable cuisine.

For dinner try: stuffed trout pan roasted with bacon and pecan butter, roasted acorn squash, spicy garlic-braised greens and local honey butter.

720 Pratt Avenue NE, Huntsville, Alabama 35801  www.1892east.com  256-489-1242

The Bottle

The Bottle, an upscale eatery that features Southern cuisine with a French influence, specializes in steaks, chops and a variety of the freshest fish available. The changing seasonal menu includes raw oysters, jumbo lump Maryland style crab cakes, veal chops, lamb racks and Hereford Choice Beef.

For dinner try: the mixed grill of New Zealand venison and spicy Italian sausage with fingerling potatoes, sweet corn, carrots, English peas, and port blueberry sauce.

101 Washington Street, Huntsville, AL 35801 thebottledowntown.com 256-704-5555

Cantina Laredo

Cantina Laredo serves authentic Mexican dishes in a sophisticated atmosphere with daily fish specials, grilled chicken and steaks complemented by signature sauces such as chipotle-wine with portobello mushrooms or sauteéd artichoke hearts and roasted red bell peppers. It is the modern side of Mexican food.

For dinner try: Relleno de Camarones with shrimp, Monterey jack, vegetable, and mushroom stuffed roasted green chili, with avocado, roasted red pepper and poblano sauce, on charred street corn and cilantro lime rice

Bridge Street Town Centre 300 The Bridge St Suite 110 Huntsville, AL 35806 www.cantinalaredo.com (256) 327-8580

Commerce Kitchen

Influenced by turn of the century style and classic cuisine, Jimmy and Suzan Boyce opened the doors to Commerce Kitchen in December 2010.  Each restaurant within the Boyce Restaurant Concepts’ portfolio offers guests unique tastes, and a compelling destination dining experience for downtown.

For dinner try: Gulf shrimp and Falls Mill grits with crispy bacon, and parmesan cream sauce.

300 Franklin St SE Huntsville, AL 35801 thecommercekitchen.com Phone: (256) 382-6622

Connors Steak and Seafood

This second location of this steak and seafood restaurant opened its doors in Huntsville at Bridge Street Town Centre. Connors quickly became a hit with the locals, earning numerous awards. Connors specializes in fresh seafood and premium aged steaks, as well as gourmet salads and pastas. The restaurant  has an extensive wine list, craft cocktail menu, and craft beer menu.

For dinner try: Parmesan encrusted Alaskan halibut baked with lemon wine sauce, couscous, and asiago creamed spinach.

345 The Bridge Street Huntsville, AL 35806 www.connorsrestaurant.com (256) 327-8425

Cotton Row

On the southwest corner of the Courthouse Square, the three-story brick building that houses Cotton Row Restaurant was built in 1821 along the cotton exchange. Comfort, elegance, Southern hospitality and modern American cuisine defines Cotton Row Restaurant. Twenty-year industry veteran James Boyce, worked at Le Cirque in New York as well as Las Vegas and Southern California, before moving with wife Suzan and family to Huntsville. In 2008 they opened Cotton Row featuring fine American cuisine with strong Southern influences. They also opened Pane e Vino Pizzeria, which offers rustic-chic Italian fare in a beautiful artistic setting just below the Museum of Art. And in December 2010, they opened the doors of the Commerce Kitchen, influenced by turn of the century style and classic cuisine.

For dinner try: braised black angus beef short ribs with creamy yellow grits, balsamic-portobello mushroom, arugula, and provencal tomato.

100 South Side Square Huntsville, Alabama 35801 cottonrowrestaurant.com (256) 382-9500

Grille 29

Open since 2007, Grille 29 has become one of the most popular places in the city from its location in the Village of Providence. This is a sophisticated yet casual steak and seafood restaurant. There is an additional location in Birmingham.

For dinner try: firecracker shrimp to start, crispy petite shrimp tossed in a sweet and spicy chili sauce. The Island Ribeye is a 12oz textured cut, marinated in soy, ginger and pineapple, finished with sesame butter, and served with sticky rice and bok choy.

445 Providence Main St NW #101, Huntsville, AL 35806 grille29.com (256) 489-9470

Kona Grill

Kona Grill has a passion for fresh ingredients, ideas and experiences. The global menu features contemporary American favorites, award-winning sushi, and specialty cocktails – all made from scratch using only the freshest ingredients.

For dinner try: macadamia nut chicken with shoyu cream, pineapple-papaya marmalade, house mashed potatoes, and sautéed broccolini.

435 The Bridge St #150 Huntsville, AL 35806 www.konagrill.com (256) 808-2540

Nick’s Italian Ristorante

This Italian restaurant specializes in steak, seafood and Northern Italian cuisine. The restaurant features a cigar room. Nick’s Ristorante’s roots come from the Delmonte Family from a small town just outside of Naples, Italy by the name of Montaguto. After 44 years with the Army, Nick along with his wife Sherry, and brother Dave opened Nick’s Ristorante in Huntsville September, 2010.

For dinner try: veal saltimbocca, lightly floured, sautéed, layered with prosciutto, fontina cheese and sage cream sauce.

10300 Bailey Cove Rd SE Huntsville, AL 35803 nicksristorante.com (256) 489-8280

Purveyor

Purveyor provides local craft beers, unique bourbons, and exclusive wines, many not found anywhere else in Alabama, in a comfortable setting and friendly atmosphere. Located in The Avenue, downtown Huntsville’s newest addition. Stephanie Kennedy-Mell and Matt Mell are the couple behind the Purveyor as well as Church Street Wine Shoppe. At Purveyor they are teamed up with chef Rene Boyzo, who brings creativity to the kitchen.

The menu changes quite often. You can find creative small plates as well as entrees in a fusion of Latin American and Asian flavors.

201 Jefferson St Huntsville, AL 35801 purveyorhuntsville.com (256) 419-2555

Ruth’s Chris

Ruth’s Chris Steak House is conveniently located in the upscale Twickenham Square development.  Whether you are looking for the perfect restaurant to enjoy a meal before a show or sporting event, unwind after a day on the links or celebrate a great day in the Rocket City, you will find an unforgettable dining experience.  Nightly happy hour in the bar and lounge areas are famously popular, and sizzling style awaits in the dining room. A private dining room can accommodate up to 50 guests.

For dinner try: The ribeye is a USDA Prime 16 oz. cut, well marbled for peak flavor, and deliciously juicy.

720 Gallatin St SW Huntsville, AL 35801 www.ruthschris.com/restaurant-locations/huntsville/ 256-539-3930

TEXAS DE BRAZIL

At Texas de Brazil, traditions of Brazilian cuisine blend with generous Texas hospitality to create a lively atmosphere in an upscale setting. Enjoy the rodizio-style dining that has made Texas de Brazil famous. An endless parade of gauchos visit your table with skewers of freshly grilled meats carved directly onto your plate. Choose from perfectly seasoned beef, lamb, pork, chicken and Brazilian sausage, cooked over a wood charcoal fire the way cowboys of Southern Brazil have prepared it for generations. It’s all served with authentic side dishes of garlic mashed potatoes, Brazilian cheese bread and sweet fried bananas. To complement your meal, select from an award-winning collection of wines or traditional Brazilian bar creations.

350 The Bridge Street, Suite 124 Bridge Street Town Centre Huntsville texasdebrazil.com (256) 327-9113