Good food in Chattanooga, TN?

[binkmeister08]

My mother and I are planning a weekend in Chattanooga for my birthday (the 18th of this month). What are some good places to eat there that aren't too expensive? We're very open minded about food... love experimental or international dining. Any suggestions?

PS--my mom cannot eat gluten.

[scott.]

Good to hear it's back opened. It IS goooood!

[toddle]

Aretha's is back open and is supposed to be good. The best brunch in town however is at the Bluff View Art district. See the link:
http://www.virtualcities.com/ons/tn/x...

[binkmeister08]

Thanks guys! Also, I was wondering if there were good brunch places for Sunday morning?

[scott.]

I'm not too sure about brunch. Aretha Frankenstein's on Tremont has pretty darn good breakfast, though. It burned (almost to the ground) back before I moved to Knoxville but I *think* it has been repaired and re-opened at this point.

[scott.]

Ah I forgot Bluewater. Hennen's was also good the one time I went and it's just a couple of blocks away from Bluewater/Big River Grill.

[toddle]

Think about BlueWater from the Gordon Biersch group. Great seafood, locally brewed beer and unbelievable atmosphere

[scott.]

Okay I know you said not expensive, but there is a restaurant St. Johns that is FANTASTIC! I urge you to go, or to go next door to their other restaurant that is cheaper and a little more laid back, called the Meeting Place. Check out their menus online @ http://www.stjohnsrestaurant.com . St. John's entree's range from $18-33, with Meeting Place entree's going from $10-19. They use local produce, too, which is nice.

I urge you to check one of the two out, depending on how much you want to spend. You will not regret it.

[scott.]

Hmm. Southern Star is pretty good if you like southern food i.e. fried catfish, fried chicken, grits, greens, cornbread, slaw, whatever, as is this place Blue Plate down near the new riverfront area. Table Two is a new restaurant that people have been raving about that is located downtown, close to Southern Star. Not sure what is on the menu but I know my mom had some braised short ribs with kimchi and rice and it was fantastic apparently. There's lots of good restaurants around I'll try to think of more and get back to you. I live in Knoxville now so I am forgetting about a lot of restaurants in chattanooga right now.

[Jennie]

Check out Jim Leff's Chow Tour under blogs. He went through Chattanooga and found some good food, even though it first seemed to be a culinary wasteland.