Fans of Caffeine, “Chattanooga’s lunch place,” will be pleased to know that the eatery now has a “big brother.” Owner Blackwell “Blacky” Smith IV, son of Lookout Mountain residents Dana and Blackwell Smith III and grandson of Margaret Smith and the late Blackwell Smith Jr., opened his second restaurant, Blacksmith’s Bar and Bistro, in October.
Blacksmith’s Bistro and Bar is located in the triangular building that once housed the Olde World Bakery and Shapiro’s in St Elmo.
The new restaurant features lunch and dinner Tuesday-Friday, brunch and dinner on Saturday and sprawling, leisurely brunches on Sunday. The “ever-changing” menu features “traditional bistro fare” such as roasted chicken with Brussels sprouts in a Dijon cream sauce, among many others. The famous homemade soups from Caffeine in addition to new soups are featured daily.
Blacky stresses support of local farmers, noting that his goal is to buy 85 percent of his ingredients from food suppliers, both meats and vegetables, from farmers the Tri-State area. His credo is “What’s fresh and available is what will dictate our menu.”
Blacksmith’s has a full bar with indoor seating for 85 and outdoor seating for 24 guests. The menu is wide-ranging and offers anything from a hamburger to lobster macaroni and cheese with prices ranging from $5 to $25.
Andrew Clark