Wine Spectator released the winners of the 2017 Restaurant Awards this week, which recognizes the best wine lists from all 50 states and 75 countries internationally. Awards are given at three levels: the Award of Excellence, the Best of Award of Excellence, and the Grand Award.
St.
John’s Restaurant has received the Award of Excellence for the last 13 years in a row. The Award of Excellence is given to restaurants that feature a wine list with a thoughtful assortment of quality producers, as well as a thematic match to the menu in style and price.
St. John’s owner Josh Carter and Sommelier Michelle Richards have worked tirelessly over the past few years to bring new, exciting wines into the Chattanooga market and expand St. John’s wine list. The extensive selection, significant vintage depth, and breadth across multiple regions, along with impeccable execution of wine service have moved St. John’s up a level to the Best of Award of Excellence. This is the second highest honor available from Wine Spectator.
“We are thrilled and honored to receive this award,” Mr. Carter said, “It represents the hard work and unwavering commitment to excellence of our entire team over the last 17 years.”
St. John’s is one of four restaurants in the entire state to receive this distinction; the other three restaurants are all located in Nashville. The award will help bring worldwide attention to the growing Chattanooga culinary scene.
St. John’s Restaurant opened in Downtown Chattanooga in 2000 and sister restaurant St. John’s Meeting Place opened in the same building (the two share a kitchen) in 2004. The restaurants are unique in that they also share a wine list, so wine enthusiasts are able to enjoy the extensive list in the classic fine dining setting at St. John’s or in a more relaxed atmosphere at the Meeting Place.