Restaurant review: Midtown Grille

I recently enjoyed a quick and casual bite to eat in an upscale atmosphere with some great people watching at Midtown Grille. The decor is chic and all the patrons were looking sharp! If you're thinking about going, even for lunch, make reservations! The crowd was impressive!

The Location: 4424 Six Forks Road in The Lassiter at North Hills. 

The Company: My coworker, Lisa, who loves to try new places for lunch. 

The Service:  I arrived early and had plenty of opportunity to watch the wait staff in action. Everyone was charming, responsive and helpful. Our waitress knew right away that the black bean soup was made with chicken stock and suggested the butternut squash soup instead if either of us were vegetarian. 

The Meal: I ordered the Turkey, Bacon and Cheddar sandwich with Cranberry Mayo on Rosemary Focacci and Black Bean soup. I'm always a fan of turkey and cranberry paired on a sandwich and this didn't disappoint! It was a very well made sandwich with just the right ratio of fillings. The slices of bacon were impressively thick, and although the bread was a little too toasted (almost burnt in some places) it really didn't distract from the sandwich overall. The black bean soup, a daily special, was just a little spicy and would be perfect paired with a cool and crisp salad. 

Lisa says: The Butternut Squash Soup was a standout starter for my quick bite lunch with Sarah. Made with Pickled Apple, Pumpkin Seed and Chili Oil, it was a surprising blend of sweet, tart and just a bit of spice. The next time I get a large butternut squash in my seasonal produce box delivery, I'm going to see if I can replicate this at home! If I happen to fail (which is always a possibility when experimenting in the kitchen), I'll certainly be back for Midtown Grille's version. The Baby Field Greens salad was my next choice, served with Goat Cheese, Dried Cranberries, Toasted Sunflower Seeds and Aged Balsamic. A great "five ingredient" entree that doesn't overwhelm itself by offering too many flavors on top of the bed of dark greens. 

The Final Bill:  At $14 (not including tip) lunch at Midtown Grille is a more affordable alternative to dinner and you still enjoy the chic decor and the inventive menu. 

The Verdict:  I'll definitely go back.  I want to try the Tuna Wrap with cucumber, mango, cilantro, tomato, arugula and lime mayo.