It's easy to find good Southern food in Chattanooga, but Mount Vernon Restaurant, 3535 Broad St., brings it to a new level, adding a twist to tradition. The menu contains nothing heavy or grease-laden, but the dishes are still packed with flavor.
How do they do it? "We use zero-trans-fat oil when we fry and don't overuse butter and salt," said executive chef John Lopopolo.
One of the favorite dishes that's brimming with health and flavor is Fresh Fettuccine With Marinara and Shrimp. The dish starts with fresh pasta tossed with housemade marinara sauce, then it's topped with six jumbo shrimp that have been marinated in rosemary and garlic and grilled to order. The dish is served with a savory garlic-herb crostini on the side.
"It's a top seller that keeps the kitchen busy lunch through dinner," Lopopolo said.
• Price: $14.95.
• Phone: 266-6591.
• Hours: 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday, 4-10 p.m. Saturday.