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212 Market Restaurant
Category: Restaurants American (New) American (New) [Edit]
212 Market StChattanooga, TN 37402
(423) 265-1212
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
31 reviews for 212 Market Restaurant
Review Highlights
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"The seafood bisque was fantastic." In 3 reviews -
"The shrimp and grits with fried green tomatoes were so much..." In 3 reviews -
"As for wine, their wine list is a Wine Spectator Award..." In 3 reviews
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31 reviews in English
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Review from Gigi F.
Cincinnati, OH
3/31/2012
Grilled Bacon Wrapped Bison meatloaf, mashed potatoes, shaved brussel sprouts, chocolate banana torte! What an uncommonly delicious meal! Many of the ingredients are local, the service was attentive without being intrusive, and the atmosphere very relaxed. I will definitely eat here again!
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Review from Bob C.
Lawrenceville, GA
5/21/2012
Ate here with family on May 12th, around 2:30 in the afternoon. There were 11 in our party, and the tables they combined to seat us were "school cafeteria" style covered with table cloths. The problem being that the table legs prevented some of us from comfortably positioning our legs underneath without bashing our shins. Additionally, family across the table were a good 6 feet from us (the length of the tables).
Despite a moderate crowd, the service was abysmal. It took our server 15-20 minutes just to bring water, and by the time the server took our order and we received our food, we had already been there at least 45 minutes.
I will say the food was very good, albeit rather pricey. The atmosphere is eclectic and comfortable, but parking is a definite issue. -
Review from Jason M.
4/30/2012 1 Check-in Here
You would think that someone charging $9 for a sandwich at lunch would have top notch service, right? RIGHT? Not the case here.
When we sat down at the table, our waiter approached and got our drinks, he abruptly said excuse me and then went to another table. After that we watched as he went to other tables and never came back to us. We just sat there in shock. We never got the chance to place an order for an appetizer or anything else. All we got was an "excuse me" and then got to watch our waiter go deal with other tables. We have never had a waiter stop in the middle of greeting us, leave, and then never come back.
The interior of the place looked like an upscale Denny's and maybe having a staircase inside entitles them to charge the prices that they do. Would have loved to actually try the food but none of the staff seemed remotely interested in providing service, and after growing tired of waiting, we left.
The next time I am in town I would rather eat at some boring chain restaurant than here. -
Review from Anna L.
Knoxville, TN
6/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Among many lackluster choices around the aquarium, 212 is our shining star!
Gluten free choices, local foods, and green practices will keep us coming back again and again.
The Pecan Chicken Club is fabulous! I am also a big fan of their shrimp and grits, and check out the blueberry cobbler!
Brightly colored napkins, Fiesta Ware and creamy tableclothes do not translate to iHop or Denny's feel, as another poster suggested. It is a cozy, charming decor. -
Review from Raquel C.
Pittsburgh, PA
1/27/2012
Excellent food!! Just had a very nice dinner!
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Review from John C.
Crossville, TN
12/29/2011
Great lunch. Wonderful seafood bisque. Mediterranean salad was spot on. Interesting menu.
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Review from Claudia C.
Kennesaw, GA
3/27/2011
Found it on Yelp during a visit to Chattanooga and gave it a try. Menu full of reliable favorites; I had the shrimp and grits which were delicious! Crispy TN ham, perfectly cooked black-eyed peas, and shrimp tasted very fresh.
The interior feels confused - it has a decidedly Denny's/IHOP vibe to it, but with upscale, nouveau Southern food.
The only disappointment was dessert - should have skipped it altogether. I had the dessert sampler: flourless chocolate torte, NY style cheesecake, and mini creme brulee. Chocolate torte was ok, cheesecake was bland and gelatinous, and creme brulee had broken, and was also bland.
Would return again - just won't get dessert next time. -
Review from Aubrey D.
Nashville, TN
3/16/2011
This is one of my favorite restaurants in town. They have a fresh, inspired menu that is constantly rotating to include what's best in season.
For the budget conscious, I recommend going for lunch as it's much more affordable. They have a salad / sandwich combo that's tasty and reasonable. I also enjoy their fried green tomatoes. They have a tempting dessert display to help you choose which is fun! (Hardly anyone does that anymore!)
The only thing I've ordered that was just okay was the fish special one evening. I think it was tilapia or something--kind of bland and nothing to write (or yelp!) about.
The atmosphere is elegant, yet laid back--featuring high ceilings, earth tones, and local art. The service is professional and personable.
Try to get a parking spot in the small lot beside the restaurant. Otherwise, you may be in for a hike!
This is a great, locally owned place in the midst of many chains downtown. -
Review from Stacie F.
Clawson, MI
10/25/2011
Meh...It was a little pricey for the amount and quality of food. Also, the decor was so random...a santa fe style blanket on the wall next to a modern, wall sculpture...odd. The seafood bisque was the best part of the experience.
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Review from doneby l.
Chattanooga, TN
5/9/2011
I usually like 212, but taking my mother there for Mother's Day was a terrible decision.
I made "reservations" early to ensure that my 85 & 87 year-old parents weren't required to stand for long. They didn't tell me that they don't take reservations, actually all you get for your foresight is preferential seating over walk-ins. Meh. We stood for over 20 minutes despite our "preference."
Then they seated us upstairs! Up two flights of stairs! It was that or stand around longer. My father, who is a very frail 87 (his hands and body visibly shake), barely made it up.
The menu was prix fixe, which would have been fine with me if they had mentioned that when I made "reservations."
The food was mediocre and the service was the worst I have ever had in an upscale restaurant. Our waitress was surly, never returned with requested items (a to-go box was one of them & we had to get our own from the service station) and displayed an utter lack of knowledge of fine dining service.
The experience was so bad, my even tempered wife--who always finds nice things to say--walked out furious.
Normally 212 is a good, solid choice for dining in Chattanooga, but after this experience I no longer will consider it for special occasions such as Mother's Day.
It remains to be seen if this restaurant is in a downward spiral, or if it simply had a very, very bad day. -
Review from Chris F.
Worcester, MD
6/4/2010
I grabbed a quick bite here for lunch and it was simple and delicious. A reasonably-priced lunch special of a roast beef and swiss sandwich and soup. They use quality local ingredients and they don't waste any time in getting your order out. The wine list is absolutely top-notch and the staff provides great recommendations on food.
On the downside, the place was nearly empty for lunch, so I was basically sitting alone (which always feels a little weird), and I think they're trying a little to hard to be upscale. It's Chattanooga, embrace it. -
Review from Cliff C.
Cleveland, TN
2/27/2011
Lunch. Nice atmosphere, friendly wait staff. Wife had soup/sandwich, mine was roasted Autumn veggies with polenta. Both extremely good! Great veggies, squash, red kale, mushrooms! Polenta!!
Deserts...lovely!! -
Review from Ben E.
9/8/2009
This is a great restaurant, featuring fresh, local ingredients at extremely reasonable prices. The service is excellent, and is a perfect place for lunch or dinner. Ideally, it's the best way to begin or end a trip to the utterly revitalized downtown Chattanooga area, and of course it's within blocks of the Tennessee Aquarium, which is a must-see if you're visiting the city.
My pan-fried trout with grits and kale greens was excellent, and I was impressed by the other items I tried from the menu (although I'm not sure everyone appreciated the fact that I helped myself to their food). Desserts were creative, fresh, and memorable.
I'd recommend this to anyone who's visiting the area, much less anyone who lives nearby and enjoys good food. -
Review from Mell F.
Nashville, TN
1/1/2010
The tempura shrimp was good.The seafood bisque was fantastic. The baby spinach salad was delicious. She had the spinach & walnut ravioli and loved it. I had the duck breast with balsamic cherries and it was out of this world. The dessert sampler was good. The coffee was average.
So, 1 app, 1 salad, 2 cups bisque, 2 entrees, 2 glasses of wine, 2 coffees, and dessert. The damage: $95.00 before tip. Worth it. -
Review from John T.
Chattanooga, TN
6/13/2007
We ate here Friday 3-29-08. The steak I had and the stuffed trout my wife had was excellent.
Both of us got dessert to go.
The cheesecake I ordered had a good flavor, but one of the cooks must have dropped part of a cream cheese wrapper in the mix, because there were little pieces of paper in my cheese cake.
I was going to drop an email to the owners, but no email is listed on their site! -
Review from M Q.
Natick, MA
5/25/2011
I've been to 212 several times for dinner, this is my first for lunch. The lunch menu is very reasonably priced and has good variety. I was a little surprised to see the place packed full this time, since all the other times I visited was nearly empty. That means I'm not the only one thinking the lunch prices are superb.
As for quality, once again 212 didn't disappoint. I had the beet & orange salad (half portion) and trout entree. Both were made with quality ingredient. My critique on the salad: Eventhough the menu made it seem like the beet & orange were the star, they were only garnishes and the majority were green leaf lettuce. I wish it was the other way around. Also, the greens were a tad too over-dressed.
The trout was super. I got a fillet that was fresh tasting, moist and tender. It was not big by any means. I wished the fish came in a double portion even if I had to pay a few bucks more. Luckily it was paired with a big heap of sweet potato mash underneath, which made the meal satisfying.
The bread was absolutely fantastic..... speaking as a bread lover. It was homemade and came out warm. I could eat that all day.
My server and the kitchen were super efficient. He knew I was in a hurry, so I got seated in the bar area and took my order immediately. The salad came out within 5-8 min, followed with the entree in another 5. I hate sitting around waiting for service, and I was delighted that I didn't have to. Another plus: there's a little parking lot next to the restaurant. -
Review from Jay M.
10/6/2010
I met up with a business associate here and enjoyed a wonderful dinner on the patio. Sure, the interior decor is not the most trendy, but I'm not usually going to a restaurant for the decor - it just needs to be adequate for me. I'm more interested in the food, and this was definitely a delicious meal. I had the trout with grits, greens and crawfish and was very pleased. The service was prompt and friendly, the wine list better than many I've seen and the menu offerings were well varied but not too overwhelming. Being "green" was a nice bonus. I'd definitely eat here again.
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Review from Miranda J.
Smyrna, GA
9/17/2008
The best brunch I have ever had! We sat outside on the adorable patio upstairs on a beautiful day on a Saturday. The shrimp and grits with fried green tomatoes were so much better than any of either I've ever had. I kind of doubt I'll ever have such a good bloody mary unless I make it myself. I was very impressed with this restaurant. They are "certified green", and everything tasted so fresh, and not just in my head. I hope I get a chance to go back here someday.
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Review from Wakako U.
San Francisco, CA
5/26/2009
Bison rib eye over crawfish etouffee and rice was delicious. Bison is the only mammal not to contract cancer.
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Review from Jason K.
Collierville, TN
12/7/2011
We enjoyed Sunday brunch here immensely...the food did not disappoint and a we were enraptured by a fantastic jazz combo. Reviewers were dead on about the dated decor...the pastel walls and blond Denny's furniture would have been at home in the 80's in New Mexico. Nevertheless, the food was a bright beacon among this mess of an interior. The seafood gumbo, a house specialty, was delicious (a cup is not enough). The vegetarian lentil soup was impossibly rich and satisfying. I was less impressed by the fried green tomato appetizer...the tart tomatoes were served on a salad with a vinaigrette...the sparse two pebbles of blue cheese did little to counter the acid upon acid overtones of the dish. Hands down, the best dish of the afternoon (and our entire trip for that matter) was the shrimp and grits. The large wild-caught shrimp were tender and flavorful, the Benton ham added a nice accent to the rich, "muddy" gravy, but the star was the impossibly creamy grits...how do they come out so smooth and delectable? Oh, the Mediterranean salad was good too.
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Review from Julie V.
O'Fallon, MO
3/28/2009
My now-husband and I went here during a vacation to the city. While the place is pricey it is a good time. I had some bison and my husband had lamb. The meat was delicious. My bisque I had was divine. We also stayed for dessert and it was quite the treat. We were a bit younger than some of the crowd there so our server was extra friendly and welcoming to us. It really was a treat.
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Review from Stephen S.
Chattanooga, TN
3/26/2008
Had lunch here the other day and thought it was very nice. I had a Hoisin BBQ Pork Sandwich which was absolutely delicious. The French Fries with it were steak cut fries and didn't seem fresh to me, and I'm not a fan of either of those things. My lunch companion ordered trout that had a delicious pecan sauce. Also on the plate was a roasted sweet potato that was delicious with that pecan sauce.
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Review from Camp H.
McDonald, TN
6/9/2011
Not impressed at all....atmosphere seemed a little nicer than a cafeteria and the food was decent at best....heard the lobster bisque was to die for....that person did not value there life at all......prob won't return....no one in family liked it....
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Review from Jan Marie M.
New Market, AL
6/15/2011
My husband and I have been dining at 212 when we visit Chattanooga for years. They have fabulous food, lovely atmosphere, and a helpful, friendly staff. Time and again they get a 5 star rating from us!!
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Review from Valeria G.
Maryville, TN
7/30/2010
My fiancé and I were determined to eat here when we visited Chattanooga, given the stellar reviews and the fact that it is one of the first certified Green restaurants in the state.
This place is kinda weird. It was screaming, "Gordon Ramsey, please take me over!" Upon first walking in, the ambience of this place looked straight out of that Kitchen Nightmares show on Fox. There was not a soul to be seen, except for the teenage hostess, who did not look very happy to be there, and was ambivalent about seating us. My señor and I almost considered leaving given that a) no one was there and b) the decor looked like something straight out of 1991. It's a really big space covered in muted pastels (oxymoron? think colors in a nursing home cafeteria w/ doctor's office style framed posters). The music was too soft, to where I could hear clanking around in the kitchen (a pet peeve of mine). The menu looked interesting enough, so despite our rose-colored Fiestaware place setting and orange dinner napkin, we ordered a local cheese plate appetizer from yet another ambivalent server (you know that awkward feeling when you place an order and all they do is nod sans smile and walk away?).
The cheese plate was, in fact, delicious. It came with a sample of creamy goat cheese, brie, and a sharp cheddar, along with a slice of fig and an assortment of crackers. So far, so good (but really, who can't pull off a cheese plate, right?)
We skipped the wine (our server was none too pleased), and I ordered a free-range chicken dish with polenta, housemade mozzarella, local summer squash, and a light vinaigrette sauce. Meh. The chicken was a little dry. The polenta had a consistency of stone-ground grits, but it was pleasant. The squash was buttery. The mozzarella was melted on top of the chicken, was bland, and really made no sense at all in the dish.
My fiancé ordered the quail appetizer, which was actually great, with a blueberry compote and rosemary shortbread. He also ordered 212's signature Seafood Bisque; also rather good. Note: the server thought his rosemary shortbread was also polenta the whole time.
So the food was okay. The service was bad. The ambience is terrible. If you're going to go for the local, trendy, upscale food type of place, you can't make me feel like I'm at one of those cafeteria-style restaurants. -
Review from Rebecca M.
Cumberland, MD
8/10/2010
I was not impressed by the menu. The server was a little impatient and the food was disappointing. It had been recommended to us by the hotel concierge.
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Review from Matt M.
Buellton, CA
4/8/2010
The 212 Market is the first certified green restaurant in Tennessee, with a focus on locally grown organic produce and hormone-free & free range meats. Opening in the early 90's, it holds the distinction of being at the forefront of downtown Chattanooga's early 90's revitalization. The cuisine is kind of a Southern-influenced Continental, set in a funky post modern decor. I went with a scrumptious Georgia quail breast over brie crostini & strawberry-mint salsa. The quail was perfectly tender and beautifully seasoned over the melted brie. Keeping with the strawberry theme, I had an enjoyable strawberry and goat cheese salad with a tarragon vinaigrette. The mixed greens and vinaigrette were a nice compliment to the sweet fruit of the strawberries; the goat cheese adding a creamy richness. Keeping it simple for the main course was a perfectly rare Filet Mignon with a horseradish crème fraiche over greens and garlic potatoes- yummy! The dessert was a sampler plate of crème brûlée, cheesecake, and flourless dark chocolate cake- all were excellent. As for wine, their wine list is a Wine Spectator Award winner.
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Review from Brenna S.
Atlanta, GA
9/7/2010
I would give the food 4 stars but the ambiance brings it down. The decor is really terrible. It was late to eat dinner in Chattanooga on a Sunday night so we ignored the decor and focused on the specials we saw on the board outside. I'm glad we did as the food was really good--from the local cheese appetizer to both our entrees. Prices aren't cheap but the entree portions were large. I'd prefer the drop the price and decrease the size, but the value works out fine. I don't know if the restaurant read the reviews, but our server was quite good.
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Review from Jay M.
San Jose, CA
10/19/2008
Take the electric bus downtown to the first green restaurant in TN. Great food, regional with delightful interpretation. I had blackened shrimp and fried green tomatoes on a spicey grits base topped with black-eyed pea salsa. YUM! Mi esposa had the "soup of the moment" and a very pretty crab cake short stack. Strong recommendation from jaded West Coast foodies! Great regional find!
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Review from scott b.
Atlanta, GA
7/9/2011
was in town for a night from atlanta. i travel to ny, la and other cities often. food here was great and would hold up against most other foodie hangouts. . very impressed. plus, was family friendly.
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Review from Brett W.
San Francisco, CA
5/28/2009
visiting the parents in "not-so-sweet-home-alabama" and thought we were stuck in the culinary wasteland that is the northeastern part of the state until dad suggested we make a quick trip up to chattanooga and dine at his favorite spot. man, was it worth the 50 mile drive! this place was a pleasant surprise in what is a pleasant surprise of a little downtown. we opted to sit on the second floor deck that offered a fine view of the city and an all-you-can eat buffet for the ubiquitous little blood suckers of the southern dusk. the seafood bisque was top notch, ditto the caesar salad. i had the bison rib eye-- my first sampling of buffalo-- over crawfish etouffee. absolutely lovely. as we were waiting (and waiting, and waiting, and waiting) for our strawberry bread pudding desert, a spectacular and not-at-all minor league fireworks display lit up the night sky above the chattanooga lookouts' (AAA baseball) stadium. how appropriate-- it was the best bread pudding that ever graced my palate. i'll come back every time i visit my folks.
