Huntsville residents looking for more steak and seafood options in the Huntsville area now have them just north of U.S. 72 at Clift Farm.

Italian, Mexican and Asian options are on the way in the mixed-use development just north of the Madison city limits, according to Joey Ceci, president of Breland Companies.

Construction continues on the $2.8 million, 8,141 square-foot building that will house Grimaldi’s Pizzeria and Melt at 461 John Henry Way in Clift Farm. Neither restaurant is a stranger to the area. Grimaldi’s has a location in Jones Valley. Melt, which specializes in classic comfort food of burgers and sandwiches, has a location in downtown Huntsville. The Clift Farm franchise will be the fourth in Alabama.

Ceci said both restaurants are expected to open in the first quarter of 2026. Breland is the Clift Farm developer.

The two restaurants will be near Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop and the recently opened Chuck’s Fish.

Construction is also ongoing for the $6.5 million, 12,448-square foot Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant just north of that location in the development. It is the franchise’s first location in Alabama.

The restaurant franchise was founded in 2005. The Cooper’s Hawk concept includes four components: an upscale casual dining restaurant, full-service bar, private barrel-aging room, and Napa-style tasting room and retail gift store, according to the restaurant website. Steak, chicken and seafood are among the items on the menu in addition to a wide selection of wine and beers. Brunch will also be served at the restaurant.

Also coming to Clift Farm is Mexican restaurant La Parrilla. This will be the franchise’s second restaurant in Alabama. It has a restaurant in Dothan.

According to the La Parilla website, in addition to Dothan, there are 22 locations in Georgia and South Carolina. The website advertises authentic Mexican flavors “meet a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere.” Offerings include traditional dishes, including burritos, tacos, enchiladas and quesadillas. It will offer online ordering options and catering services.

Rock N’ Roll Sushi is also opening soon at 461 John Henry Way in suite 300. The franchise is an America-style sushi restaurant “founded on great food and rock and roll music,” according to its website. It advertises flavors “that are big, bold and loud.” The restaurant will offer sushi, hibachi and kids’ menus.

Newly opened

The newest business to open at Clift Farm is California-based hair salon Drybar, which opened in June. It is open just around the corner from Rock N’ Roll Sushi in suite 1030. Drybar provides a hair styling service known as blowouts – drying hair after a wash to achieve a smooth and sleek look, style and feel, with no curling or flat iron involved. It is the brand’s first location in Alabama. Franchisees Jenny and Pete Warmingham are owners of multiple Scooter’s Coffee locations. Founded in 2010, the Drybar brand has more than 180 shops globally.

Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill opened behind First Watch on John Henry Way. The restaurant is a sister restaurant to Town Madison’s J. Alexander’s. Ceci describes it as more of a traditional steakhouse than J. Alexander’s. The success of that restaurant paved the way for Stoney River at Clift Farm. Stoney River currently has locations in Nashville, Franklin and Germantown in Tennessee and Atlanta, Roswell and Duluth, Georgia. The Stoney River website describes the restaurant as an upscale steakhouse, specializing in hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood selections, signature salads and house specialties.

Chuck’s Fish is open near Jim ‘N Nick’s barbecue restaurant on John Henry Way. The restaurant specializes in Gulf seafood. The restaurant’s owner, Chuck Morgan III, also owns Harbor Docks fish market in Destin, Florida. The Clift Farm restaurant is the seventh Chuck’s Fish.

Ceci said a village green area is now open as a gathering place for the development. It will host events such as yoga in the park or bands. Later this month, Chick-fil-A will host a back to school event on the green.

Residential construction

Hundreds of homes, townhomes and apartments are in various stages of development on the 500-acre site. Lennar Homes of Alabama is the builder for some of the single-family homes in the development, while Ceci said Breland Homes is planning to build others.

Clift Farm will have about 1,300 apartments by the time it is finished, Ceci said during an earlier interview with AL.com. There will be about 300 townhomes and probably about 500 to 600 single-family homes.

It will take about five to 10 years to complete.