A review of STIR a restaurant in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
We first went to STIR for a Yelp event prior to it’s opening to the public. While I tasted and adored a lot of the cocktails, I was too busy taking photos to get to try much of the food. So, we have been wanting to go back ever since. When we found ourselves down at the Choo Choo late on a Saturday afternoon, it was perfect.
It was a little after 5 and we were seated immediately. The hostess was very nice when I said that I needed a table with lots of light. She explained that all of the lights would be dimming soon, so unless we wanted to sit at the bar, we didn’t have a lot of options. We choose to sit at the table she had originally planned for us and decided to make do with the light.
Our server, Angela, was at our table in seconds. She asked if we would like a cocktail and brought us some water. I couldn’t remember what cocktail I had loved so much at the Yelp event, and settled on the Boxcar. My husband chose the Vieux Carre because of it’s barrel aged liquor. Both were excellent.
Everything sounded amazing on the menu, but we finally decided. I went with the Chicken Piccata and my husband went with the Chicken Caprese.
According to the menu, the Grilled Chicken Caprese was tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, balsamic vinegar, farro, and roasted vegetables. The chicken was cooked perfectly. The farro and roasted vegetables were perfect and the balsamic vinegar was the perfect touch.
According to the menu, the Chicken Piccata was chicken, white wine, butter, capers, farro, and roasted vegetables. Let me just say, I’ve had plenty of Chicken Piccatas in my life, and this hands down is my favorite. Instead of being served over pasta, it was served over a farro and roasted vegetables. The roasted vegetables were just a simple mix of carrots, celery and onions! It was all so simple, but perfect. The wine sauce was not too rich and the capers added the perfect pop of tartness. The chicken was tender and the breading was light and crispy.
I love their use of farro and roasted vegetables. Farro is one of my favorite grains, I love the tender chewiness of it. I also like that they simply say “roasted vegetables” – this leaves it totally open to what’s in season. Since it’s February, the carrots, celery and onions were just what you’d expect.
We will definitely go back, so much more on the menu, that we want to try.
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