Oysters at Aris' (Photo By Mark Gilliland)More Info
ARIS’ HARBOR LIGHTAddress: 9718 Hixson PikeHours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday; 11 a.m. to midnight Friday-Saturday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday-TuesdayPhone: 423-843-2800
The early spring sun reflected off Chickamauga Lake and splashed through Aris’ Harbor Light’s long wall of windows. Between the natural light and the watery shadows, the scene set the mood for the season — as light and refreshing as, say, Aris’ salmon salad.
Featuring a thick, juicy fillet of fish served on a fluffy bed of iceberg lettuce with thick-cut tomatoes and shredded cheese, that dinner-worthy salad is just one of Aris’ signature dishes. Others include the fresh oysters on the half shell and the best-selling jumbo Buffalo shrimp — a steadfast favorite regardless of the season, much like Aris’ itself.
“There was a rumor I was losing my lease and we were closing,” said owner Aris Sklavenitis. “But it’s not true. We’re here; we’re not going anywhere.”
And that’s great news, especially considering that this is the time of year in which the waterfront restaurant shines.
As the days lengthen, so do Aris’ hours. The restaurant is now open every Sunday, hosting brunch from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. each week. The all-you-can-eat buffet includes scrambled eggs, hash browns, grits, sausage, ham and more. Aris’ full bar features mimosas and bloody marys.
The restaurant’s back deck is now open, and in just a few weeks its expanded boat dock, a two-year project, is set to be unveiled. The timing is perfect, allowing patrons to enjoy the season the way it was meant to be enjoyed — outdoors, with a plate of something as fresh as the winds off the water.