Review: Blackstone Grille

The crew at Blackstone is not only friendly but knowledgeable. (Credit: Javacia N. Harris)

The Blackstone Grille has good food, great bartenders and a classy, yet relaxed atmosphere. This is good news for those of you who live in or near Prospect. The Blackstone Grille opened its doors early this summer, giving East Enders a new place to wind down after work. On a recent visit, however, I discovered a few things that make this worth the drive even for those of us who aren’t in the neighborhood.

My best gal pal and I arrived on a recent Thursday evening complaining about the daily grind of life, but we left raving about our bartender, Leslee Winstead. Despite a nasty foot injury, Winstead was working hard behind the bar and was hands-down one of the nicest bartenders I’ve ever met. She was eager to tell us all about the happy hour specials and recommend appetizers. Eventually, the three of us were chatting like old friends about things ranging from cell phones to kids. When other bar patrons began to file in, Winstead greeted many of them by name and knew what they wanted to drink without asking.

Another reason I wouldn’t mind driving out to The Blackstone Grille — the steak quesadilla. This hearty appetizer offers beef tenderloin tips, melted cheddar and Monterey jack cheeses, onions, peppers and cilantro all wrapped in a warm tortilla and served with guacamole and salsa. The serving was big enough to share but was so good I could have had two helpings. The steak quesadilla is normally $9.50, but from 4 to 6 p.m. during happy hour most appetizers go for only $5. My pal and I also had the Chimichurri shrimp scampi (regularly $10.25, $5 during happy hour). The shrimp were marinated in a blend of olive oil, lime juice, garlic, shallots, sweet chilies and cilantro. If that wasn’t good enough, they were served with cheddar corn bread, which you know made a Southern gal like me happy.

I washed it all down with my usual hopelessly girly drinks like an amaretto sour ($4.75 during happy hour) and a Midori sour ($4.25 during happy hour) while my friend sipped an Amstel Light ($2.75 during happy hour). Drink specials run from 4 to 7 p.m. and include discounted well drinks and $1 off others.

The bar was packed just before 7 p.m. and dinner patrons were filling up the dining room, too. Though it’s only been open a couple of months, seems like the word has spread quickly about The Blackstone Grille.

The Blackstone Grille is open for dinner 5 to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with the bar opening at 4 p.m.