Restaurants at two downtown hotels were given permits to sell beer at the Thursday morning meeting of the Chattanooga Beer Board.
Rodizio Grill at 439 Broad St. is located in the heart of the riverfront district. It is a Brazilian steak house that will be opening in the new Holiday Inn & Suites and will serve as the hotel’s restaurant. It will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week. It was described as having a fun atmosphere where meat will be carved at the table and customers serve themselves at a salad and sides bar.
On 10th Street, Stone Fort Inn received a new beer license in the name of the new owner, Siena Lisa Ojanpera. She said that some hotel services and amenities will change, but the restaurant Terra Mae has done very well and no changes will take place there. Ms. Ojanpera said this restaurant is known for fine dining and most alcohol sales are expected to be in high-end cocktails and wine.
Another downtown restaurant, Thai Smile, 219 Market St., also has a new owner which requires that the business apply for a new permit. Nussasi Numpituckchaikul said the restaurant will be open Mondays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. Under the previous owner, during a compliance check, the business was penalized by the Tennessee ABC board for serving a minor. The new owner was warned to expect that more checks will be made. She assured the board that training in alcohol sales will be given to every server.
Salsarita’s Fresh Cantina in Northgate Mall is a fast, casual Mexican restaurant serving customized burritos, nachos and quesadillas. All service will be from the counter so IDs will be checked for each sale of beer. This will be the second location of Salsarita’s in the Chattanooga area, the other being at Hamilton Place Mall. Hours of operation are 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
A consumer beer license was approved for Carla Pritchard, owner of the Grandfalloon, 400 E. Main St. It is flexible space that will function as an event hall hosting private events and will be open only when the space is rented. Additionally, in six to eight weeks, a small eatery named Adele’s is planned for lunch that will be serving crepes and ice cream.
On Dec. 5, Main x 24 will take place on Chattanooga’s South Side for the seventh year. Dawn Hjelseth received a special events beer license on behalf of GreenSpaces, 326 E. Main St., for the Main x 24 Heavyweight Chili Cook-off that will take place during the day from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. This year there will be live music. In addition to beer, Bloody Marys will be sold. Ms. Hjelseth said that IDs will be checked at the door where wrist bands and drink tickets will be issued and taken to the bar for being served beer.