Savor the Flavors of Greater Chattanooga: A Global Culinary Journey

©Journal Communications/Nathan Lambrecht

Greater Chattanooga’s culinary scene is expanding beyond Southern comfort food, embracing a world of flavors thanks to international influences. Inspired chefs are bringing the tastes of the Mediterranean and Levant to the Chattanooga area, offering unique dining experiences that showcase the region’s growing diversity and a new and unique approach to the ancient dishes from some of the oldest civilizations in the world.

Nathan Lambrecht

Calliope: Breaking Barriers Through Food

Chef Khaled AlBanna takes inspiration directly from the food he grew up eating in the Levantine region, which encompasses Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and surrounding countries. His modern Levantine restaurant, Calliope in Chattanooga, was the culmination of a vision that developed while he worked in restaurants for pocket money while in college.

“I wanted to put my inspiration and what I learned through my journey and my career into it, including influences from other cuisines, techniques, recipes or life experiences,” AlBanna says.

Classically trained in French cuisine, AlBanna brings a new twist to the food that he grew up cooking and eating. Classic staples like falafel, feta and fava beans can be found on the Calliope menu. The menu incorporates seasonal ingredients from local farms and lemons preserved in-house.

Nathan Lambrecht

“Levantine cuisine is really focused on greens, root vegetables, fruits and so on,” AlBanna says. “So all that exists on my menu and in my own way.”

His menu was designed to appeal to “foodies” as well as standard diners who wanted to try something new.

©Journal Communications/Nathan Lambrecht

Calliope’s brick walls and darkened atmosphere offer what AlBanna refers to as a “softened industrial” vibe. The restaurant is the perfect setting for romantic dates, drinks with friends or a simple meal alone. With a strong local clientele, Calliope also attracts visitors on day trips from surrounding communities who are looking for an opportunity to experience international cuisine in the heart of Tennessee.

AlBanna credits Greater Chattanooga’s entrepreneurial spirit and supportive community with giving restaurants like his a chance to grow and succeed.

“This is what it’s all about: bringing the community together, breaking barriers of culture through food,” AlBanna says.

©Journal Communications/Nathan Lambrecht

Indigo Cafe: Introducing a New Way of Dining Out

For Angie Schuelke, owner of Indigo Cafe in Cleveland, Tennessee, menu options can be limited when dining out.

“I was raised vegetarian, so I know that, sometimes, going out can offer some challenges,” Schuelke says.

After managing Cafe Roma in Cleveland for 20 years, Schuelke hoped to bring her own vision to the region’s restaurant scene. The result was Indigo Cafe, a downtown restaurant specializing in Mediterranean cuisine with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.

“I wanted to create a restaurant that Cleveland didn’t have — something that based its menu on the Mediterranean diet, which is one of the healthiest in the world,” Schuelke says.

The menu offers a variety of dishes for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. One of Schuelke’s favorites is the fritter sampler, a seasonal collection of cheese and vegetable fritters that works great as an appetizer. The restaurant caters to all palates with seasonal salads, falafel sandwiches, burgers and the signature butternut squash ravioli.

©Journal Communications/Nathan Lambrecht

Indigo Cafe uses produce from nearby farms, including year-round, locally grown mushrooms that are incorporated into dishes like the Lion’s Mane.

“The farmers pick produce from the garden in the morning, bring it to us in the afternoon, and we’re prepping it up for dinner for the next day or two,” Schuelke says. “I love being able to be a part of that.”

The historic building where Indigo Cafe is located once housed Model A Fords, and Schuelke frequently opens the garage doors during warmer months.

The European vibe offers cozy booths, an open floor plan and a large bar area that creates a casual but refined atmosphere. For Schuelke, being able to add to the restaurant scene in a unique way has always been important.

“With Cleveland being such a beautiful area and growing so tremendously over the last 20 years, I think that more and more, it’s a place that can support businesses that are privately owned and offer something a little different,” Schuelke says. “There’s enough diversity here to support that.”