Cotton Row — Restaurant in Huntsville

So I initially gave this review a 3-star, but was convinced by my boyfriend to give them a 4-star . . . Here is why.

This was my first visit to Huntsville, Alabama. I spent quite some time trying to contemplate on where to eat at. I usually like to go to chains for the reason of consistency in quality of food, taste of food, and service (which makes my overall experience). However, today I decided to go with trying something new.

The menu really caught my eye when browsing online. I must say the food was absolutely delicious! The presentation of the food was absolutely beautiful and everything was extremely tasty and delicious!

The service I received was excellent as well! My waiter checked on me constantly to make sure I was okay and even made suggestions. When he heard that I was visiting from out of town, he also made recommendations on their other three restaurants to try during my trip. He was extremely attentive and very nice.

My overall impression of the restaurant was very good. I like the presentation, ambience was very upscale and classy. They also have valet parking in the front as well as street parking. I'm assuming they validate and the waiter made a great effort to ask every single table if they needed to be validated, which was great because I always forget and have to walk back later to ask for validation after I leave.

On a scale of 1 to 10 I definitely give this restaurant a 10 as far as quality of food, and taste. My only complaint was the portion size. (That is the only reason why I initially gave it a 3, rather than 4 Star.) I didn't order an appetizer because I normally get full off the bread LOL I only had my entree I ordered the diver scallops. I also ordered my creme brulee dessert. With those two items I was just about almost full (that tells you how little I eat, but once again "just about" full.) The entree only came with 3 scallops that were about larger than half dollar size coin and served over zucchini pasta and mushrooms, which I felt was barely a side serving in itself. If I had not ordered the creme brulee dessert I definitely would have been still hungry and also I had two cocktail drinks to fill me up. Definitely for a grown man or someone with a bigger appetite I would say the portion size is very EXTREMELY small. My entree would be considered an appetizer in most restaurants. I spent about $70 plus tip for two drinks, and entree, and creme brulee.

I definitely would dine at this restaurant again for the ambiance and the service but if you are looking for a meal to fill you up, you will be spending a pretty penny. To be honest I could have ordered two of the diver scallops entrees and that would have been a full meal for me, and I don't eat a lot! For the price that you were paying, I felt like the value was not there, and after spending $70 to leave there not absolutely sure if I was full or not is not something I'm used to LOL nonetheless I had a wonderful experience and a great time. Like I said, I would...

I want to give 5 stars, but the surprise price of the entree vs. appetizer portion for scallops threw me for a loop. It was $22 for 2, but 3 was $44. I should have asked for the price difference, as I really originally wanted an appetizer.. but that's on me. YOLO 🤣🤣 And since I am being honest, I think it could have been cooked a tad bit longer, but that is just my personal preference. I ordered a mocktail mojito, which was slightly more bitter than I expected to be, I don't think the mint leaves were muddled, just tossed and mixed in. And I assumed the price would have been cheaper for no alcohol in it, I was wrong, but again, I didn't ask. My boyfriend ordered the NY strip w lobster Mac & cheese. We both agreed that the sear could have been better. It was still an enjoyable dish, overall, with brocolinni and lobster m&c. The parmesean truffle fries were also a tasty addition to the entrees. It was definelty enough for both of us. I ordered the short rib dish. I personally think it would have been better paired w the orzo that came w the scallop dish, as the grits seemed more like thick mashed potatoes. The portion was huge, as I went home w half the meat.

Let me rave about the desserts, though!!!! My bf chose the chocolate crunch cake which is paired w toffee ice cream. He enjoyed every bite. I liked it too. However, the peanut butter and jelly Phyllo dessert genuinely made me so happy, that I almost teared up. Not only was its presentation beautiful, but the flavors and textures meshed so well, that every bite was just pure bliss to me. (I believe of all the places I've been and all the sweets/desserts that I've ordered, this particular dessert is my absolute favorite, and would come here just for it). The restaurant is located in a corner of a building and intersection. There was a vault door on the wall that added to the old school aesthetic. The decor in the bathroom even had old receipts from 1939 framed. It is a snug fit, and tables are a bit close to each other, we managed to get a larger table that seats up to 4, which was nice, but other couples had 2 seating tables that were just so close to eachother, that I thought some were double dating. If there is one loud person (which towards the end of our meal, one came up) you can hear he/she through the entire place. That kinda made for an unpleasant experience, but she wasn't rude or anything, just super loud. Nothing you can do about that, but it just emphasizes the already tight quarters. I do look forward to dining out on their patio in the fall when the temperatures are cooler. Last, but certainly not least, Jacob was a fantastic server! He was very attentive and very kind, especially w answering all the questions I had (even if I didn't ask the important questions regarding...

I typically do not write restaurant reviews, but I feel compelled to share my experience at Cotton Row in Huntsville, Alabama, as I believe guests are not receiving fair value for the price.

I have dined at exceptional restaurants around the world, including Michelin-star establishments, and I have worked in the restaurant industry myself. I fully understand the necessity of profitability in the business and have no issue paying a premium for a truly outstanding dining experience. Unfortunately, Cotton Row did not meet that standard.

For full transparency, I made a reservation for Valentine’s Day, knowing in advance that there was a prix fixe menu at $130 per person. When executed well, such a price point is justifiable. However, while the food and service were not inherently bad, the portion sizes and overall experience were highly disappointing.

To start, I ordered the lobster ravioli, and my wife had the Oysters Rockefeller. What was served consisted of just three small ravioli and four small oysters. For entrées, we selected the seared scallops and the lobster Thermidor. The scallops dish included only TWO small scallops atop a modest half-cup of risotto, while the lobster Thermidor (which was a $15 up charge) featured an exceptionally small lobster with no accompanying side options. These portions were far from acceptable given the cost. The only redeeming aspect of the meal was the dessert course, which was well-executed.

Regarding beverages, I understand that restaurants rely on alcohol sales for revenue and anticipate some markup. However, the pricing at Cotton Row was excessive. A pour of Woodford Double Oaked Bourbon was priced at $40, despite the fact that a full bottle retails for approximately $52. Similarly, my wife’s 9oz pour of Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon was charged at $35, despite a full bottle retailing for just $19.

Additionally, the dining environment left much to be desired. The seating was extremely cramped, with little to no space between neighboring tables. To make matters worse, the kitchen began running out of food as the evening progressed.

Finally, a 20% gratuity was automatically added to our bill without prior notice. While service charges are not uncommon, I suspect this practice was implemented due to the lack of value in the dining experience. Our total bill came to just over $456—a price that was wholly unjustified based on the quality, portion sizes, and overall experience.

In conclusion, Cotton Row does not offer a dining experience that aligns with its pricing. For those seeking a high-end meal in Huntsville, I strongly recommend exploring other options to avoid overpaying for an...