Take a Peek at the Public House in Chattanooga

Warehouse Row in Chattanooga is a collection of buildings constructed in the early 1900's and restored to house shops, restaurants, lofts and office suites. It is located on Market Street about midway between the Chattanooga Aquarium and the Chattanooga Choo-Choo. Pretty convenient!

One of our favorite Chattanooga restaurants has found a home in Warehouse Row. The Public House Restaurant combines fine dining in a light, airy, casual setting. The menu could be described as southern with a creative twist. From deviled eggs topped with crunchy bacon brittle to fried chicken brined in sweet tea and chocolate cheesecake infused with Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey, the combinations are fun and fresh and true to their southern roots.

On a recent trip, we downloaded a few apps from the menu, because we want food and we want it quick and waiting for entrees is difficult for us. We started with the aforementioned deviled eggs. They are perfect even without the sweet bacon on top, but everything is better with pig candy, right? I would like to tell you how good that piggy brittle was, but when I looked down at the egg I had put on my plate, Rob had snatched the bacon right off the top. Note: do not sit by Rob if you don't want to lose your bacon.

J.D. lobbied for the pecan smoked trout spread with toasted bread and crispy veggies. We all loved it. 

What is more southern than pimento cheese? Perhaps, pimento cheese paired with fried pickles! Public House's pimento cheese is delicious, not just bound with mayonnaise, but also with cream cheese. The pickles are golden brown, not greasy at all. 

Hot rolls and whipped butter

Other menu items are equally inspired. Soups, salads, sandwiches, entrees and small plates, there is something for every appetite. The pot roast is braised with red wine, quail is stuffed with andouille and apples and, as mentioned before, the fried chicken is brined with sweet tea and expertly fried. I find that the small plates are just the right size for me, especially after all the appetizers. The stuffed quail, which comes sitting on a bed of the creamiest grits I have ever tasted,  is one of the small plate selections, as are the sautéed scallops resting atop mashed butternut squash and drizzled with pecan brown butter. The chefs at Public House are adept at cooking seafood and the scallops are no exception. They are plump and tender with a perfectly seared exterior. 

Can you think of a more southern combination than fried chicken and macaroni and cheese?

The combination of tender scallops perched on top of butternut squash and bathed in pecan brown butter is divine.

Crispy quail is inspired when stuffed with andouille and apples. It is incredible when paired with creamy grits.

The coffee on the menu comes from the Chattanooga Coffee right down the street. I'm not a coffee drinker, but JD said it is really good coffee.

Jack Daniel's Whiskey is a Tennessee institution, so it is not surprising to find that it has worked it's way onto the menu of a Tennessee restaurant. Public House blends it expertly into their chocolate cheesecake. 

The next time you are in Chattanooga, check out Public House. I think you will love it as much as we do. 

Three Friends and a Fork and this satisfied bunch happily give Public House in Chattanooga 3 Imaginative Yums UP!