Block and Grinder: Review and Giveaway {Charlotte}

I gotta be honest, one of my absolute favorite perks of being a blogger is getting invited to foodie events.  I was especially thrilled to get to participate in the VIP Dinner at Block and Grinder for local press and bloggers a few weeks ago.  Yeah, it’s pretty darn awesome to call free dinner and drinks without the kids “work.”  I know, I’m losing pity points for those days when I complain about being a work-at-home mom.

So, yes, the other week, I went to the pre-opening event at Block & Grinder with my husband (Jon), my sister (Angie), and her husband (BoBo).  Now, when you offer me the chance to come to your restaurant, order anything I want, present me with unlimited booze, and treat me and my guests like royalty, it’s really hard to give any negative feedback.  Thankfully, there wasn’t much to give.

First off… LOVE the concept of the restaurant, who’s premise is to source the best meats including premium beef and all-nautral, organic meats and wild game.  Hurray!  If I’m going to eat meat, it’s gotta be happy meat.   Beyond the proteins, you’ll find tons of local produce on the menu.  Hip hip hurray!  Block & Grinder also boasts a butcher counter for you to purchase meats for eating at home, a deep wine collection and a full bar.  Icing on the cake?  It’s in my very own neighborhood of Cotswold, near SouthPark in South Charlotte.

Let me walk you through what we ordered.  If I can remember.  We at a LOT of food.  And drank a wee bit good amount of booze.

We all started with drinks.  Surprise, surprise.  The girls started off with the Tequila Daisy (Espolon Blanco Tequila, Cointreau, Lime, Agave).  We’re gonna blame this for the lack of personal photos from this event.  I had every intention of snapping pictures, but let’s just say, the Tequila Daisy led me in another direction. 🙂  The boys had beer.  Block & Grinder has a great craft-brew selection.  I will have to explore this further on my next visit.

Next up, apps!  And wine.  Always wine.  We ordered our fare share of both.  For the table we shared:

Pork Belly with Bourbon & Sorghum Glaze, Smoked Berkshire Ribs, Kentucky Style Sweetbreads, and Steamed Watch House Oysters with a Shallot Mignonette.

Interesting selection, huh?  Here’s the run down.  Loved the pork belly.  Always love the pork belly, as long as it’s crispy!  The ribs were awesome and loved by all.  I’m not a super big fan of sweetbreads (thymus gland of calf or lamb), but Jon and BoBo enjoyed them.  They looked like chewy chicken nuggets.  I’m hit or miss with oysters.  I prefer them cooked, which these were, but I also prefer the natural salty taste of fresh oysters.  These were a little too shalloty and peppery for my taste and the others at the table.  They weren’t bad, not just how I would order them.

After noshing on the appetizers we moved on to the salad course.  ‘Cause who can pass up on leafy greens?  I think everyone else at the table ordered the Boston Wedge, which looked exactly as you would expect, and got good reviews.  I however, ordered the Local Mushrooms with Braised Endive and Poached Egg.  Let’s just say I “won” this round.  That dish was awesome.  I would go back and just order this dish for a meal.  Yum.

Not that we needed it, but we proceeded on to entrees.  Typically, in this scenario, I would order a vegetarian meal.  Which they do have, but I was at a place which specializes in meats.  When in Rome!!! I ordered the Petite Filet.  The hubs ordered the Grinder (burger) with shiitake and gruyere, Angie-poo ordered the Seared Duck, and BoBo ordered the Porterhouse.  Go BoBo!

I don’t think  any of us had any complaints here.  But if I was to pick a winner, I think I might pick Jon.  That burger looked uh-maze-ing.  For sides we ordered Brussels Sprouts (always a fan!), Pomme Frites (darn good), and Mac ‘n Cheese (can’t go wrong).  We were all about to burst, but it was worth it.

If you can believe it, we had to pass on dessert.  They looked great, but I didn’t think I could get another ounce of food in me, and was already dreading the fierce run I was going to make myself go on the next day.  Ugh.

So, have I whet your appetite?  I’m already planning my next trip back.  I’ll be a paying customer this time, but, you won’t have to be if you’re the winner of our $25 Block & Grinder gift card giveaway on Mom Favorites.  See, there’s always something in it for you! (Do I get a few pity points back next time I complain about my work life now?)  Use the Rafflecopter app below to earn points for the giveaway.  Good luck!

P.S.  Please only enter the giveaway if you are in the Charlotte area.

a Rafflecopter giveaway