Mount Vernon serves up some of the best Southern food you'll find

Mount Vernon's filet mignon is served with a side of cheese grits and mixed vegetables. One of the more expensive items on the menu, you can enjoy this delicious, tender cut of meat for $24 with two sides.

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 to know.

But what I found at Mount Vernon wasn't the down-home, Southern hole-in-the-wall establishment 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 this? 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 cuisine is timeless with enough features on the menu to please even the trendiest of 20-year-olds.

THE FOOD

Buckle up for the Southern classics you know and love. You'll have options such as fried green tomatoes, turkey and dressing, Southern-fried chicken and meatloaf paired up with a variety of home-cooked vegetables from pinto beans and turnip greens to a certain casserole that could completely change the way you love spinach. There's also a variety of seafood items on the list including shrimp, salmon and pecan-crusted Carolina brook trout (which I'm excited to try on my inevitable next visit).

Speaking of seafood, I started my meal with the crab cakes appetizer. Two thumbs up - crunchy on the outside with an explosion of flavor inside. It came on a creamy layer of tarragon dijonnaise sauce, which was just enough to make it pop.

I dove into the potato-crusted haddock for my main dish, which was wonderful. It was served with an interesting lemon cream sauce, which added a fun, tart flavor. I rounded it off with pinto beans and fried potatoes and onions, which were fresh, hot and delicious.

Once she spotted it on the menu, my wife couldn't resist the filet mignon with cheese grits and mixed vegetables. After I stole a bite, I threatened to arm wrestle her for the entire plate. It was perfectly grilled with herb butter, and so tender I could cut it with a fork. I seriously considered breaking into the kitchen and giving the cook a well-deserved high five.

But let's get down to brass tacks here - the real gem of Mount Vernon Restaurant is the dessert. The menu is full of cakes and pies that will leave you speechless. I'm not joking around here; I obviously want you to keep reading this review but if you threw this publication to the ground right now and broke a speed-limit law to immediately try one of these desserts, I would not hold it against you or be offended. Go ahead, and come back when you're done.

Mind-blowing, right?

They're famous for the amaretto cream pie, and it lives up to the hype. The amazing cook that lured me there in the first place had baked a double-layer chocolate cake that I absolutely could not miss. I also couldn't escape an incredible blueberry cheese pie (think cheesecake, only fluffier) that made my trip to the car seem like a 10-mile hike. In a really, really good way.

While dinner is a delight, they are particularly well-known for their lunch. Go try a variety of salads, even more vegetable options and one of their many sandwiches to put the rest of your workday into slow motion. (Again, in a really, really good way.)

THE SERVICE

When I googled Mount Vernon Restaurant I was disappointed to see a trend of reviewers writing negatively about the service. Well, my server was a lady named Meredith, and she was absolutely wonderful. She was professional, knowledgeable and sweet as one of their apple pies. She was never a bother, and our drinks stayed full the entire evening. I couldn't think of a single thing to complain about. Those negative Google reviews are officially debunked in my book.

THE VERDICT

The combination of authentic Southern cooking with a classy, upscale setting is just delightful. Unlike your average meat-and-three getaways, Mount Vernon is a little pricey if you choose to go all out. Be prepared to get way up into the double digits if you feel like having a multicourse meal with drinks. But for special occasions, it's definitely worth the extra dollars.

I can't wait to see my friend again to tell her how much I enjoyed our meal. If you're reading this review right now, ma'am, thank you for recommending such a wonderful place to eat. And please tell my favorite cook to keep those chocolate cakes coming.

Contact Matt McClane at 423-757-6590 or mmcclane@timesfreepress.com.