Mount Vernon: Some of best Southern food around

Last year some close friends invited me to a family gathering at a historic house in downtown Chattanooga. I’d heard the lady who lived there was an amazing cook, and I was given one piece of smart advice when walking through the front door: Go load up a plate before the food vanishes. I was lucky enough to sneak in seconds before every single serving bowl was scraped clean. It was the real-deal soul food, the mouthwatering stuff that leaves you sacked out in some recliner and thanking the heavens you were born in the South.

I had to know who was responsible for this gold mine of Southern flavor, and my friend smiled and said, “She’s a cook at Mount Vernon Restaurant.”

That’s all I needed know.

But what I found at Mount Vernon wasn’t the down-home, Southern holein-the-wall establishment to I’d pictured in my brain; it turned out to be one of the most established, classy restaurants in the city of Chattanooga with a rich history and even richer menu.

What’s t his? White tablecloths and elegant place settings paired with good old-fashioned chicken livers and the kind of cooked-with-love veggies straight out of my grandmother’s kitchen? It’s the same aesthetic and flavor I’ve seen and experienced in cities such as Charleston and Savannah, and it’s right here in a little white building at the foot of Lookout Mountain.

THE SPACE

As soon as I was seated for dinner I felt like I had wandered into a Colonial living room of some classy Southern belle. The neutral colors, elegant fixtures, upscale art and subtle, floral-print wallpaper add up to a sophisticated — but somehow perfectly casual — experience. I didn’t feel like I was out of place in my untucked dress shirt, but I could have easily walked in there in a sharp suit and been comfortable.

I saw a few couples, a few families and, sitting beside me, two lifelong friends catching up over some drinks. One of the ladies said she lives in Jasper, Tenn., and Mount Vernon is at the top of her must-visit list every time she comes through Chattanooga. Her friend said she’s been in love with the restaurant for decades.

Heads up, young folks — while you’re going to find a whole lot of delicious food here, Mount Vernon is a well- known spot for the older crowd. In fact, it’s a dream scenario for a milestone birthday or anniversary date night. Or the perfect place to treat your mom on Mother’s Day. The aesthetic and atmosphere might be optimal for a high-class couple in their 60s, but this kind of

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