written by takara swoopes
In the realm of culinary indulgence, the interior of a restaurant often takes a backseat to the food. After all, if the food is good, it’s good—regardless of the ambiance, right? Admittedly, having spent time living abroad in Tokyo and Honolulu, dining in some of the most beautiful restaurants, I do appreciate when both the food and restaurant design are exceptional.
So, in the spirit of enjoying both good food and good design, I thought we’d take a moment to showcase the restaurants in Huntsville that serve amazing food in beautifully designed restaurants. Whether you appreciate luxurious furnishings or prefer an industrial minimalist vibe, here are four restaurants in Huntsville that have captured our attention.
CO/OP Community Table + Bar
CO/OP Community Table + Bar features a refined farmhouse-influenced design paired with elevated, southern ingredient-inspired dishes. CO/OP is just steps away from the riverwalk, designed to enhance the natural surroundings of the downtown area and captivate guests with all that downtown Huntsville has to offer. Featuring a flavorful menu that incorporates seasonal ingredients from local farms and purveyors, as well as sustainable beef, pork, poultry and seafood, the menu imagined by Taft, is made up of approachable ingredients that are thoughtfully constructed.
Tom Brown’s Restaurant
Tom Brown’s Restaurant design features extravagant chandeliers, plush velvet seating, original artwork, and brass accents that offer the perfect pop of extra. The owners Tom and Ashley Brown, are dedicated to offering the community a remarkable dining experience centered around premium steak and seafood choices. With a focus on quality, the restaurant prides itself on crafting recipes from scratch, utilizing only the finest ingredients available.
One of the standout features of Tom Brown’s is its unique and relaxed vibe, providing a welcoming environment with playful design and atmosphere for guests to enjoy their meals. The staff’s commitment to southern hospitality ensures that every customer feels right at home, creating memorable moments that will be cherished for a lifetime.
Tom Brown’s Restaurant will open their second location at Hay’s Farm during the summer of 2023.
La Esquina Cocina
If light and airy were a modern Mexican restaurant, La Esquina Cocina would be it. Family owned and operated, La Esquina is the perfect spot for an intimate date night, gathering with the family, and for late-night munchies. The downtown Huntsville restaurant offers diners a beautiful L-shaped bar. The star of the space though, is their tequila library accented in rich wood, and complete with a wall ladder.
The family behind La Esquina strives to expose the community to everything Mexican cuisine has to offer, with the intention of diversifying the pallet and educating the public about the complex flavor profiles and the diverse culture of Mexico. Diners at La Esquina enjoy elevated Mexican cuisine, complete with a unique take on brunch, blended with Mexican favorites.
Revivalist Restaurant, 106 jefferson hotel
The Revivalist—the featured restaurant of the stunning 106 Jefferson Hotel (a Hilton Curio Collection hotel) lets diners step back into a time of a luxe art deco ambience. Located just off the square in downtown Huntsville, The Revivalist features leather- backed seating, intimate interior patio space and a luxe parlor and bar area.
The ornamentation of the space and the atmosphere are not the only reason to visit The Revivalist. In the past year a new chef Jason Reynolds, has been in the kitchen creating fresh culinary concepts to the menu. Diners will enjoy a modern menu inspired by European classics and American regionalism.
Whether you’re seeking a sleek date-night spot in Hunstville, or you’re looking for a great place to take your out-of-town visitors, you can’t go wrong visiting either of these restaurants.
