The Honest Pint comes by their name from the Irish tradition of gathering at the local pub after a hard week’s work to share an honest drink together, be among friends and forget about the concerns of the world for a little while.
This new venue, pub and Irish kitchen located at the Lindsay Street end of Patten Parkway aims to bring this tradition of togetherness to the area.
The former business established in this location was in dire need of remodeling, and the owners of The Honest Pint have done a great job in taking the natural beauty of the location and enhancing it.
The Honest Pint has a main level and an upstairs where there are many new and clean pool tables and several dart boards as well as Mrs. Pac Man and Galaga arcade machines.
The beautiful and huge chandelier of the former location has remained in The Honest Pint and gives the place a level of classiness and refinement. There is plenty of room on both the main and upper floor to fit in many people for the live music shows that are hosted at this venue, but if you are looking to get away from the crowd while you dine, there is a separate room, closed off by a set of doors, for non-smokers. It is located next to the kitchen, from which great smells emanate.
The Honest Pint menu blew my mind. There are so many new dishes to try, and so little time. I had already heard rave reviews of the Pomme Tots fried in duck fat with a trio of sauces including curried ketchup, smoked aioli and Sriracha mayo, and so I knew I had to try these.
Yet there were so many others not chosen that sounded just as mouthwatering as those delicious Pomme Tots turned out to be. The Bonny Scot, comprised of two hard boiled eggs wrapped in sausage, breaded and served with ale mustard was one of these, but there were also the Irish Planks of potato slabs with bacon, aged cheddar, chives and Stout whisky barbeque sauce that also called to me. Yet choosing an appetizer here is only the beginning of the tough decisions.
The Honest Pint has a little bit of everything, from soups like the Irish Sausage Potato and the White Chicken Chili served in a 12 ounce crock, to salads and wings for those looking to go on the light side. There are a slew of burgers and sandwiches as well that have tasty side choices of homemade chips, Amish slaw (made without electricity), tots, smashed taters, baked beans or a baked potato.
The Rube Sammy features house corn beef, homemade kraut, house made Russian dressing, with melted Swiss cheese on artisan Rye. The corn beef is shredded up finely for easier eating, and the dressing makes this juicy sandwich a source of Irish pride.
Boxty is another interesting Irish dish that shouldn’t be missed. It is a traditional Irish pancake cooked on a griddle, stuffed with your choice of Cajun chicken, smoked sausage, grilled flank steak, or grilled eggplant and served with a side.
The smoked sausage I tried inside this pancake dish was covered with molasses barbeque sauce, caramelized onions and Amish slaw. This dish was so filling that I couldn’t finish it all without help, and I was not able to try the sweet-sounding cherry and chocolate bread pudding our server suggested.
Yet all this doesn’t even touch the dinner menu of The Honest Pint where “The Herder’s Pie” is the pride of the menu and many have already given it props on the Chattanooga Urban Spoon Web site. This version of the classic Shepard’s Pie puts into the mix leg of lamb, onions, carrots, and celery in a rich mustard red wine stew topped with smashed potatoes and Irish cheddar. It also comes in small and large size which is good for whatever your appetite may be.
I also like The Honest Pint’s sense of humor. The menu offers fun descriptions of the dishes and the staff is very pleasant to talk to, willing to answer questions and quick to bring out your order. Although a pub, The Honest Pint is clean and has a friendly atmosphere so that the patrons attracted to the restaurant that were dining during the lunch hour I visited ranged from two older ladies, a young couple, and a parent couple with their adult daughter.
I’m excited to visit The Honest Pint again when music will be playing and to try a few of the menu items I saw. For Chattanooga, The Honest Pint is a welcome new addition and will bring out the Irish in us all.
Email Erica Tuggle at reporter@hamiltoncountyherald.com.