Featured image: The Greenleaf Grill is located in the old Moonlight Bistro on Highway 117.

By Tyler Pruett

tyler@southerntorch.com

MENTONE, Ala.— Mentone is now home to a new restaurant. The Greenleaf Grill has officially opened for business, and owner Jimmy Rogers has big plans for his new eatery on the mountain. It’s his intentions to build a unique business that reflects the uniqueness of the community that surrounds it.

Rogers grew up right here in Dekalb County, attending school at Plainview. Since then he’s lived all over the country and brings a unique combination of regional foods to the area. Rogers also has experience with every aspect of the business, from starting off as a waiter to managing large restaurants and even running a produce company.

“We want our restaurant to reflect on the community around it,” Rogers said. “The town of Mentone is known for it’s simplicity and originality as well as the fresh air. We plan on offering a wide variety of items, while keeping the menu simple.”

He also understands that having fresh ingredients is key to a successful restaurant, and Mentone is the best place around to find the right stuff. “The farmer’s market will provide us with the best locally grown produce. We’ll also be bringing in never-frozen rainbow trout from North Carolina, and even fresh shrimp as well as crab meat from Mobile,” he said.

The location itself also lends to the uniqueness of the Mentone community. The Greenleaf is located in the Log Cabin Village, in the former Moonlight Bistro. The structure itself was once an old indian trading post which was relocated to Mentone over 30 years ago. Rogers has also remodeled the interior to match the town: rustic with a modern flair. He’s also adding an additional dining room which live music will be played. Diners can also sit on the front porch on a nice day.

“We like to keep everything simple,” Rogers said, “we want to provide fine dining, but if you want a fried bologna or tomato sandwich, we can handle that too.”