Restaurant Review: Appalachian Grill

is nestled under the bridge on Church Street. It’s a popular spot for dates, drinks and quality steaks. Having been a guest several times before, I went with my husband on a Tuesday night fully expecting a great meal and I was not disappointed.

The restaurant is rustic and dimly lit with a large, fully-stocked bar. The bar area is decorated with colorful lights and is a great place to have drinks after work, or simply to kill time before moving into the dining area for a meal. There are two dining rooms with large booths and the seating is very comfortable, encouraging you to linger over your meal.

I have ordered appetizers in the past but this time I opted for a glass of wine to sip before my meal. I’ve had the portabella mushroom appetizer as well as the fried green tomatoes previously and they were both delicious. On this night, our server greeted us just after we were seated, brought us waters and told us the night’s specials, which included a stuffed bell pepper over garlic mashed potatoes and collard greens, and blackened catfish topped with garlic roasted shrimp, chipotle mayonnaise and served with rice. The catch of the day was rainbow trout and the soup was smoked bacon and vegetables over rice.

I ordered the Mountain Salad with chicken. The salad included greens, cranberries, tomatoes, cheese, egg and the restaurant’s signature cranberry cornbread that comes in the shape of a fish. I asked for oil and vinegar on the side for my dressing. My husband ordered a 16 ounce New York Strip Steak with asparagus. His meal also came with a house salad that included everything that mine did, minus the chicken. He asked for both the Gorgonzola dressing and the Balsamic Honey Dijon on the side of his salad. They were both homemade and delicious, but the Gorgonzola was his clear favorite. It had fresh cheese crumbles on top.

I have enjoyed the Pecan Crusted Chicken with Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Cherry Sauce in the past, but the Mountain Salad is my go-to meal at the Appalachian Grill. I like it because the chicken is cooked perfectly and the heat from it slightly melts the cheese. It’s a large, filling meal even though it is a “salad.” I like to break the cornbread into pieces and sprinkle it over the salad in place of croutons. It’s sweet and moist and makes every bite that much better!

My husband is very picky when it comes to how his steak is cooked. It has to be medium rare or it’s going back. Truthfully, it often does go back, but not at . I’m happy to report they always get it right. His steak was thick and juicy and accompanied by a humble serving of asparagus. Although the asparagus was over cooked for my husband’s taste, it was definitely fresh.

When dining at Appalachian Grill, you can expect the service to be warm and inviting. There were ample refills of our water and anytime we needed something out server was nearby, though it never felt like she was hovering.

Appalachian Grill is open Monday tthrough Friday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. Though it's known for having great steaks, you can find vegetarian and vegan items on the menu too. While you are there, check out , a cooking-related store attached to the restaurant where you can find high-quality items to enhance your culinary experiences at home.