When I’m not cooking at home, you’ll find me and my family trying out local shops and eateries in Chattanooga. Chattanooga offers some great eating experiences that are sure to please every palate. Additionally, we have great entertainment, activities and shopping. Have fun!
Last weekend we ate at Easy Bistro downtown. This is a GREAT place to enjoy local foods. We started with Fried Green Tomatoes that were topped with Black Eye Peas and a vinaigrette. Does it get any more Southern? This came out to us on a full size dinner plate with 4 tomatoes! Definitely a starter that you will want to share. Note: Portions at Easy Bistro are quite generous. Don’t let your eyes run away with your stomach. Ask your server about portion size before you order your dinner! Easy Bistro also features some very interesting cocktails. We had something with cucumber and gin (?!) that was delicious. Conveniently located on
The Blue Plate restaurant downtown gets a 5 star rating from me! We eat there often, and I can’t say enough good things about it. I’ve never had something that I didn’t like. Their meat loaf is awesome – and I love their turnip greens – something you don’t find at just any restaurant. Their Blue Chips and Loaded Blue Plate Chips make a fantastic appetizer to share with the family. The service is excellent, with servers catering to your every whim and checking on you often. We love this place. If it’s a nice evening, enjoy dinner on the patio. You will have a great time.
The Chattanooga Market will be open every weekend for a LONG TIME! Celebrate. Visit the Tennessee Pavilion on Sunday afternoons from 11am-4pm and enjoy local produce, arts, crafts and music. It’s fun and a great way to support local business. Beginning May 6, many of the same vendors will be at
Take me out to the ball game. . . If you’re looking for a fun night out with the family, I have to recommend one of my FAVORITE Chattanooga activities – the Lookouts baseball games. The Lookouts begin this season of minor league baseball on Thursday, April 8, hosting Huntsville at AT&T Field downtown. The Friday night game will feature fireworks. The most expensive seat in the house is $8 – and children and senior citizens can get a general admission ticket for as little at $2! It’s a great buy for a great time at the ball park.
New to Chattanooga! This week I enjoyed the freshest, most delicious Italian food ever! Benny Scudutto, a native of Italy, has been in Chattanooga for just a few months, but he is already determined to make a name for himself with his authentic, wonderful Italian creations. I visited him at his small lunch spot, Nino’s on Broad at 8th Street downtown. His meatball calzone, cooked in homemade calzone dough, with a side of his fresh marinara, was divine. I paired it with a cup of the Soup of the Day – a potato/ pea/ ham soup with great flavor. When I asked him for his favorite Soup of the Day, he told me that he had prepared a different soup every single day since his restaurant opened! And that’s in addition to the Minestrone and Tomato Basil soup that is available daily. How does anyone even think of that many kinds of soup! Every soup is served with one of his enormous, delicious, fresh-baked-daily rolls. I loved this place. They don’t have a website yet, but the phone number is 423-756-1998. If you need a quick lunch downtown, try Nino’s.
Last night, my family enjoyed dinner at 212 Market. I don’t know why this wonderful restaurant has not made it into my recommendations here before. With a creative chef and the best food in town, it is a place not to be missed. The restaurant offers daily specials that are divine, in addition to a well-rounded menu that will please every palate. Save room for dessert, as they make a melt-in-your-mouth German Chocolate Cake. Located close to the river and the Aquarium in the heart of downtown, it’s a great place to take guests.
One of my local favorites is Canyon Grill on
Enjoy fresh sushi and other delicious treats at Sushi Nabe, next to Coolidge Park on the North Shore. As someone who is just now learning my way around the world of sushi, I found the staff to be very helpful explaining each item to help me make great choices. Mmmm, mmm, good!
Another favorite asian restaurant is Hiroshi’s. Located on Main Street between Broad and Market, Hiroshi’s offers delicious sushi – but my favorite meal is the Gingered Chicken. Delicately flavored, with stir fried vegetables and rice on the side, and a unique sauce – indescribably delicious! You must try it.
For a great place to take the kids try Lupi’s. With three locations – downtown, Hixson and East Brainerd - Lupi’s serves up pizza, calzones, lasagna, and loads of other “kid-friendly” foods. They also offer “Take and Bake” – allowing you to pick up a pizza that you can bake at home for hot, fresh, delicious pizza that is a delightful change from soggy pizza delivery.
Taco Mamacita on the North Shore offers a fresh take on the traditional Mexican taco. The “General Homeboy” is a totally unique kind of taco – filled with fresh shrimp, cabbage and Thai sauce – well, you’ve never had Mexican food like this before! “Carnitas” fits the more traditional bill – with pork, salsa verde and lots of spicy flavor. We haven’t had a taco we didn’t love at this casual and trendy restaurant.
For a quick lunch in a great location try Niedlov’s Breadworks downtown on Main Street. Their delicious home made breads are perfect for an appetizing array of sandwiches served up in an appealing, friendly atmosphere. We love the chicken salad sandwich on fresh ciabatta – but every sandwich is a real treat. And the best part of having lunch there is that you can go home with a few loaves of fresh bread to make healthy sandwiches at home later. We love the Wholely Whole Wheat, Chattanooga Sourdough and Ciabatta. Try it – you’ll like it!
Alchemy Spice Company is mixing up some great blends in their home at the small business incubator at 100 Cherokee Blvd. Visit their website at www.alchemyspicecompany.com for recipes and more information, or talk to them (and taste some of their great products) at the Chattanooga Market. Their Mediterranean Blend is great on a Greek salad, or mixed with olive oil for dipping some of Niedlov’s ciabatta bread.
