Fine Dining In the Pines
Red Fire Grille
By Dana Goolsby
PALESTINE, TEXAS- You don’t have to leave the Piney Woods of East Texas for a fine dining experience that you will never forget. In fact, forgetting won’t be an option as you will crave the flavors and ambience only Executive Chef Christian Mailloux and his wife Dawn are capable of creating at Red Fire Grille in Palestine. Now you can enjoy dining locally with all of the commodities that you may have once had to travel to Houston, Dallas, Austin or Shreveport to get.
Palestine is a charming little town that is known for its historic architecture. Red Fire Grille is located within the Historic Redlands Inn. The Redlands Inn was built in 1904 for visitors arriving by train. Red Fire Grille has only added to the unique beauty of this historic landmark. While dining at Red Fire Grille patrons can also gaze out of the windows for a historic view of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church as well as the Carnegie Library. The historic value is not added to the price on the menu but it certainly raises the bar if you enjoy the atmosphere as much as your meal.
I had the opportunity to dine at Red Fire Grille for Easter Sunday Brunch. As always, the restaurant looked divine and the service was impeccable. The decor is sleek and elegant, but very comfortable. White linens are draped across the tables adorned with fresh flowers. On this particular day there was a lovely yellow tulip at our table.
We were greeted promptly at our table by a very professional young man who took our drink order. We ordered the house made infused Pineapple Basil Vodka with basil sugar rim and fresh pineapple, and a Sunday Brunch. Both drinks were perfectly delicious, but the Sunday Brunch was particularly divine. It was light and sweet, and tasted just like spring. The Pineapple Basil Vodka was incredibly smooth, and the pineapple slice was a nice treat towards the bottom of the glass.
When the young man returned we placed our order for the three-course meal. For the first course we ordered fried green tomatoes with Cajun crawfish and lemon butter sauce and lobster bisque. The fried green tomatoes, topped with succulent crawfish were to die for. I spent the rest of the afternoon day dreaming about this dish. The lobster bisque did not disappoint either.
For the main course we selected jumbo jump crab cake benedict, and slow roasted prime rib of beef, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, asparagus and grenadine carrots. I knew that anything we ordered from the menu would be fabulous, but with that said, when our plates arrived what we found exceeded our expectations.
The jumbo jump crab cake benedict was fresh, meaty and sweet. Topped with spinach and eggs benedict, the crab cakes were a soft texture sensation blended with all the right flavors. This dish was decadent and delicious. Perfect for a holiday brunch! The crab cake was a masterpiece of its own, but adorned with spinach, perfectly poached eggs, and hollandaise sauce, all aboard a delightfully crunchy crust, the jumbo jump crab cake benedict was exceptional.
The highest cut of beef, slow roasted to a rare perfection and served with the perfect combination of roasted garlic mashed potatoes, asparagus and grenadine carrots also commanded attention at the table. The slow roasted prime rib, was tender and savory. So soft, full of juices, with a charred exterior and pink interior it was a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds.
With just a little room to spare, dessert arrived. One chocolate lava cake and one slice of cheese cake with fresh strawberries were the perfect ending to a perfect brunch.
Easter Brunch was a complete success at Red Fire Grille from start to finish. The creative menu composed by one of America’s top chefs, and the chic atmosphere topped off with service beyond compare is what sets Red Fire Grille apart. This establishment is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered and will not soon be forgotten. Chef Christian and Dawn have transformed the dining scene in Palestine and created a diamond in the pines. Red Fire Grille offers something that cannot be found anywhere else in East Texas. The experience and food are worth every penny.
If you are looking for the ultimate dining experience don’t look towards Houston or Dallas. Set your sites and GPS on Palestine!
Red Fire Grille serves lunch and dinner. View their menu HERE and BOOK A TABLE now! You will not regret it.
To learn more about Red Fire grille visit their website at redfiregrille.com. You can also find them on Facebook HERE.
To find attractions and events in Palestine download the Palestine, Texas App today or visit visitpalestine.com.