Cameron Harbor, Chattanooga's latest downtown riverfront development, brims with potential. Amid the chic condos, the expansive Riverwalk and the soaring herons, Scottie's on the River is fortunate to have gotten in on the ground floor, so to speak.
Open only since June, Scottie's features upscale eats served in a casual environment.
"Wear your flip flops - or your evening gowns. We don't care!" said Executive Chef Ally Smith.
While Scottie's dress code is anything-goes, its menu, appropriately specializing in seafood, is a dab more particular - at least in regards to quality.
"The goal is that the fish is still swimming in the ocean when I order it," Ally said.
Dishes range from the fan-favorite fish and chips to the sumptuous 16-ounce tempura-fried lobster tail. Every few days, Ally creates a new seafood special: blackened wahoo; cornmeal-dusted Mississippi catfish; or Kettle corn-crusted scallops, for example.
"If it has gills, I'm sure I'll order it at some point," Ally said.
Still, the restaurant's menu extends beyond the sea. For land-lovers, dishes are just as diverse, ranging from chicken tenders to split-bone rib-eyes.
"Most places couldn't tell what cow their meat came from," said Ally. "All our beef can be DNA-tracked to one cow."
Additionally, Scottie's offers a number of vegetarian and gluten-free options, as well as specialty cocktails. Indeed, potential abounds at this riverfront spot.
Address: 495 Riverfront Parkway
Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 11 a.m. to midnight Friday-Saturday
Phone: 423-269-7487