Alleia
It’s all about the details at Alleia, located at 25 E. Main St. From the carefully crafted and prepared Italian fare to the beautiful, impressive design of the décor that incorporates preserved materials original to the more than 100-year-old building, Alleia takes food, service and atmosphere very seriously. Everything on the menu is made in-house, from the pastas to the pizzas cooked right on the glowing red brick oven. Alleia places a strong emphasis on fresh local products and the wine menu compliments every meal. The menu itself, which is printed daily, is in a traditional Italian form, and most of the offerings are traditional, as well.
Opening the restaurant in April of this year, owner Daniel Lindley used original materials and items, like hand-cut brick and the big red pizza oven, to reflect the theme of his food – high-quality, authentic, fresh ingredients that come together to create a spectacular dining experience.
Blacksmith’s Bistro & Bar
In St. Elmo, look for the sign with a rooster and an anvil at 3914 St. Elmo Ave., and you’ll find Blacksmith’s Bistro & Bar, where the emphasis is on quality and artfully created food in a comfortable atmosphere. As the only bar in St. Elmo, Blacksmith’s offers unique martinis, mojitos and other drinks, and the bistro also offers specials for St. Elmo residents. The menu changes with the seasons, but fresh ingredients and the excellent burgers for which the restaurant is already becoming known are mainstays.
Opening in October of 2008, owners Blackwell and Kelly Smith focus on quality foods that are French-influenced with regional and traditional flavors. According to the Smiths, the goal is great food and service, no matter who comes in to eat: “In a business suit, in a t-shirt and jeans, you’re going to get the same meal.”
ELEVEN
ELEVEN, which opened in October of 2008, and is located in the Doubletree Hotel at 407 Chestnut St. downtown, is so not your typical hotel restaurant. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, ELEVEN offers high-quality seasonal foods, often locally obtained and always fresh. The lunch buffet changes daily and features a chef carving station for the meats. For dinner, the menu boasts delicious and reasonably priced meals, including ELEVEN’s signature rotisserie chicken, Black Angus steaks and their special prime rib on Fridays. With elegant yet unpretentious meals, fun, modern décor, and a family-friendly atmosphere, ELEVEN is a quality dining experience for visitors and locals alike.
Good Dog
In November of 2008, a neat little shop on the NorthShore challenged Chattanooga to rethink a classic American meal – the hotdog. At Good Dog, 34 Frazier Ave., the hotdog is not just food, but an artform. With over 35 available toppings, along with a condiment gallery for the hand-cut fries or “frites” as Good Dog calls them, everyone can discover their inner hotdog artist. And as for the food, Good Dog has no freezer and no microwave – just a griddle for preparing the all-beef dogs – or veggie dogs – right when you order. After all, for owner Susan Paden and the rest of the friendly staff at Good Dog, “It’s all about the best hotdog we can serve.”
Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches
When you step into Jimmy John’s at 973 Market St., the second thing to greet you after the cool air and clean tile is the friendly staff, offering a cheery, “Welcome to Jimmy John’s!”
Owner Richard Pemble, who is also manager along with wife Marcella, believes that the restaurant fills an important niche in Chattanooga. Opening in April of this year, Jimmy John’s does one thing and does it well – sandwiches. Every sandwich is made with gourmet-quality, high-end meats, with fresh bread never more than a few hours old. And while Jimmy John’s loves all of its varied clientele, Pemble and his staff are excited about fall and the return of college students. After all, Pemble smiles, “Students and Jimmy John’s just go together.”
Public House
At 1110 Market St., Public House provides straightforward high-quality lunch and dinner; it is simple fine dining, without the price of traditional fine dining. The atmosphere is accommodating, perfect for families going out for a good meal or business people stopping by for lunch. The restaurant has the feel of an upscale, modern tavern in a calm, crisp setting.
Owner Nathan Lindley opened Public House in May of this year, providing fresh high-end meals. From the fish to the fancy fried chicken that’s soaked in sweet tea overnight, the menu offers simple options that everyone can enjoy, including small plates for those who aren’t looking for a full meal. Simple and fresh, Public House is high-quality dining in a comfortable and accessible setting.
Rio Picante
If you’re looking for fresh Mexican food downtown, Rio Picante is here to help. At 203 W. 2nd St., Rio Picante’s menu has both authentic Mexican cuisine and popular TexMex offerings. Best of all, meals are never pre-prepared. Almost everything – from the salsa to the cheese – is handmade. With crowd-pleasers like classic fajitas and fajita nachos and desserts, like the homemade fried ice cream and chocolate chimichangas, Rio Picante has something for everyone. Located just above the restaurant is the RoofTop Bar, offering not only great specials and competitively priced drinks, but also a balcony that overlooks the Tennessee River. For lunch, dinner or drinks with friends, Rio Picante provides a comfortable, quality experience, for any occasion.
Sweet Peppers Deli
As a deli, Sweet Peppers offers an upbeat, vibrant place to have lunch with friends, co-workers, or just to enjoy a good meal on the front patio. Located at 403 Broad Street, Sweet Peppers’ menu offers a pleasing variety, including baked potatoes and the popular grilled paninis. Manager Megan Powell, who has worked at the deli since it opened in April of this year, says that at Sweet Peppers it’s all about what the customer wants to eat. “Even if it’s not on the menu, if we have the ingredients we can make it,” she says. The restaurant also serves beer, offering occasional specials throughout the week. From the cheery decorations to the helpful staff and tasty meals, Sweet Peppers offers a special deli experience for lunch or dinner.
Taco Mamacita
Located on the Northshore at 109 North Market Street, Taco Mamacita knows fresh food. With guacamole that’s made in a traditional mortar and pestle right when you order it and a chicken tortilla soup that’s prepared at your table, the restaurant offers a fresh alternative for Mexican foods. The full bar even boasts fresh-squeezed juices and made-from-scratch drink mixes every day. Owners Mike Monen and wife Taylor enjoy their fresh, hands-on approach, calling Taco Mamacita a “fun, local, neighborhood joint” – a description that is confirmed by the upbeat staff and quirky, vibrant décor. All in all, the restaurant provides a veritable fusion of Mexican and global flavors, and the taco menu will never leave you bored. With its core values of quality staff, quality ingredients and quality meals, Taco Mamacita is truly as fresh as it gets.
The Terminal BrewHouse
As far as restaurants go, The Terminal has a self-proclaimed “old-school mentality”: providing high-quality food at affordable prices and making sure the customer receives a consistently good product, be it the handcrafted and brewed beer or the restaurant’s distinctive stuffed sandwiches. The Terminal strives to give Chattanooga “a product and a place that we can be proud of,” according to Matt Lewis, who owns the restaurant along with Ryan Chilcoat and Geoff Tarr. Opening in January of this year, The Terminal goes to great lengths to use local services and to be environmentally friendly, boasting the only grass roof in the city. Located on 14th Street on the Southside, the restaurant serves its patrons within a historic building built in the early 1900s. Exposed brick and woodwork, along with reclaimed wood, provide the unique and comfortable feel of a good old brew house.
These new additions to Chattanooga’s restaurant scene offer residents and tourists a wonderful assortment of new dining experiences. The most sophisticated and curious palettes are sure to enjoy these fresh, quality foods prepared by experienced restaurateurs and served by knowledgeable and friendly staffs. So go ahead and get a taste of what’s new in Chattanooga!