Elsie's Daughter — Restaurant in Chattanooga

If F. Scott Fitzgerald and a bottle of Fernet had a lovechild raised by Tennessee train conductors and velvet wallpaper, it would be Elsie’s Daughter. Perched in a constellation of lovingly reanimated train cars, like time-traveling Pullman ghosts wearing high heels and perfume, this Chattanooga treasure doesn’t just feed you; it romances you, seduces you, and then tucks you in with a goodnight kiss that tastes faintly of bourbon and clementine bitters.

The decor is a sultry fever dream of the roaring ’20s Art Deco meets Appalachian soul, with curves in the furniture that would make a saxophone player blush. The whole space hums like an old jazz record played through a velvet fog. Sit down, and your seat greets you like an old friend who just inherited a speakeasy.

And then comes Phillip. Oh, Phillip. A server who doesn’t just walk, he glides. Equal parts attentive and unobtrusive, warm without syrup, efficient without being clinical. A man who seems to know, with divine intuition, when your glass needs refilling or your soul needs affirmation. If hospitality were a religion, Phillip would be its high priest, whispering benedictions of wine pairings and knowing when to vanish like a magician’s assistant.

Let us now speak of the food, because, darling, it sings. The salmon, caught in the swirling poetic eddies of the market’s whim, was cooked with the kind of precision that makes salmon consider unionizing just to demand more kitchens like this. It was tender, coral-hued, and kissed with just enough char to make you believe in fate.

And the short rib ravioli? Let’s just say it didn’t melt in your mouth, it slow danced there, dipping you backward into bliss, while whispering secrets in the sauce. Each bite a smoky lullaby to your better instincts, reminding you that decadence, when done right, is a virtue.

The cocktails? Mischievous. Imaginative. As if the bartenders were ex-alchemists who gave up on gold and started chasing flavor instead. One sip and you remember things you didn’t know you’d forgotten. The wine list? Robust and well-curated, like a library of old lovers who still send postcards.

In sum: Elsie’s Daughter is not a meal. It’s a memory dressed in velvet and citrus. It’s dinner and a dream. And if you’re lucky enough to have Phillip guide your passage through this culinary reverie, you’ll leave not just full, but transformed.

Go. Eat. Swoon. And tip...

Cocktails - the house cocktails are creative, but niche enough that I stuck to some off menu classics. They make a great Penecillin, Old Fashioned and Whiskey Sour. The foam on that sour was delightful.

Oysters - I usually like to dress my own oysters, but the jalapeño ginger that came on these was the perfect amount to hit you on the first slurp, but fade to allow you to enjoy the brine of the oysters.

Trout dip - This dish was a unique creation as the top was covered in tiny wasabi roe. The dip itself contained generous chunks of trout. It paired nicely with the house made kettle chips. These were some of the best house chips I’ve ever had. However, the ratio of chips to dip led me wanting more dip. By the time the dip was gone, half of the chips were left. I’d pay more to increase the dip and decrease the chips. (Edit) I went again and it was a better ratio, so it varies.

Mussels - Great portion of mussels, resting in a pool of calabrian-chorizo broth. I was fully expecting it to just be a seasoning mimicking a chorizo flavor, but there were actual pieces of chorizo in the broth. The calabrian chili flavor was delicious and just the right heat level that plateaus and fades more than it builds and destroys. Great balance. It came with a deliciously toasted plate of bread, perfect for sopping up the remaining broth or eating the mussels like they’re charcuterie.

Roasted vegetables - I think the mint pesto and carrots stole the show on this plate. The variety of carrots gave this dish the appealing range of color that it needed with the other items leaning dark green and gray. The carrots, broccolini and pesto were delicious, but the unidentified gray paste at the base of the dish was mind boggling. Since it wasn’t on the menu, best guess is it was a raisin or prune based condiment to pair with the yellow raisins sprinkled across the dish.

Collard salad - great like of shredded collards and cabbage, with a delicious dressing and grana cheese.

Steak tataki - Lovely presentation. Tender and cooked just right (rare...

Absolutely blown away by our experience at this restaurant! From start to finish, it was hands down one of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had—possibly the best. I came with my family and we were immediately welcomed into a cozy, charming space that felt like an escape from the busy city. It was intimate without being cramped and it stylish without being pretentious.

The food was equally as delightful. We started with the flash-fried green beans and bacon-wrapped dates, and wow. Those appetizers alone were worth the visit. Perfectly cooked, insanely flavorful, and totally unique. They had us all buzzing with excitement for the entrees.

I had the short rib ragu, and I honestly can’t stop thinking about it. It was a rich, tender, and deeply flavorful comfort food but elevated to something truly special. My family had a variety of salads and burgers, and we were all stealing bites off each other’s plates because everything was that good. Each dish had its own unique flair, and it’s clear the kitchen puts serious thought and love into what they serve.

The cocktail list was impressively extensive, but what really stood out was the custom mocktails the bartender made for me and my sister. We simply told our server, Phillip, that we wanted something fruity and bubbly, and the drinks they created were the ultimate refreshing summer drink. Just the right amount of sweet, perfectly balanced, and beautifully presented.

And Phillip was a gem! He was hands down one of the best servers I’ve ever had. Attentive, kind, funny, and incredibly knowledgeable. He made us feel so welcome and taken care of without ever being overbearing. Truly a highlight of the night.

I left this restaurant with a full heart and an even fuller stomach. I’m genuinely sad that I live so far away, because if I were local, I’d be here every weekend. This place is a total hidden treasure and I can’t recommend it enough. Go now, go hungry, and...