Mellow Mushroom: It's a family affair

Brooks Northern pours in the final ingredients for a Kentucky Sunrise. (Photo by Mark Gilliland)

A small sampling of mixed drinks that can be found at Mellow Mushroom. (Photo by Mark Gilliland)

Centrally located in downtown Chattanooga, Mellow Mushroom on Broad Street is the place to be this season - outdoor dining season, that is.

On a recent spring afternoon, I arrived to Mellow Mushroom to find its front patio packed with families: moms, dads, teens, happy babies in strollers - the whole bunch. Indeed, with a menu that features both hearty adult-sized meals and smaller-portioned options for kids, Mellow has something for every age. But for us adults, it's got a little something extra: drink deals.

Beginning on Thursday, both Mellow locations will introduce the restaurant's "423 Date Night" at 5 p.m. As part of the special, Mellow offers $4 bruschetta small plates, $2 glasses of house wine and $3 glasses of select draft beers. Then, on Fridays at 5 p.m. it does $10 Budweiser beer buckets.

All day Saturday the restaurant showcases $8 pitchers of Yuengling, Pabst Blue Ribbon or Bud Light. But in my opinion, Mellow offers its sweetest specials on Sunday: $10 mimosa carafes and $5 specialty cocktails.

The restaurant's craft cocktail list includes options such as the "RB margarita," made with top-shelf Patrón Silver tequila, Patrón Cintrónge Orange liqueur and housemade agave sour; the "Bee's Knees," made with Maker's Mark bourbon, fresh basil, honey syrup and Newcastle brown ale; and the "Sunset Paradise," which bar manager Brooks Northern said is the most popular drink.

The Sunset Paradise is made with Bacardi rum, pomegranate syrup, fresh pineapple, coconut and mint, said Brooks, a five-year veteran of the cocktail craft. On April 27, he will put his skills to the test during Bartender Brawl Chattanooga, an annual event at Miller Plaza that challenges local bartenders to mix the best cocktail using the same predetermined list of ingredients.

Tickets for the event are now on sale. You'll probably want to leave the strollers at home for that one; but don't fret, young Mellow fans - family time resumes May 4 with a Star Wars trivia night and costume contest at Mellow's Hamilton Place location. Family trivia and costume contest is from 6-7:30 p.m. Adult trivia and costume contest is from 8-10 p.m.

With so many different ways to enjoy Mellow Mushroom, it's a prime choice for your next family affair.

Brooks Northern and Justin Grasham always have fun mixing drinks at the downtown location of Mellow Mushroom. (Photo by Mark Gilliland)