Home Ovation OVATIONS 2017 | Favorite Restaurant, Food or Drink

OVATIONS 2017 | Favorite Restaurant, Food or Drink

October 26, 2017

No strangers to the Ovations’ winner’s circle, fan and foodie favorite Foglight Foodhouse is back for its eighth consecutive Ovation Award.

Favorite Restaurant, Food or Drink | Restaurants, caterers, bars, and/or craft brew pubs that have mastered the art of quality food and drink while providing excellent customer service.

Social Brew
Cumberland County | 140 N. Main St., Crossville
(931) 456-2739

Take some good friends, a relaxed atmosphere with a little bit of music and an extensive selection of craft beer and you have the perfect recipe for one of the Upper Cumberland’s favorite hangouts – Social Brew. Located in the heart of downtown Crossville, Social Brew offers 10 beers on tap that rotate frequently as well as beer trailers for rent, tours and more.

Opening in late 2015, Social Brew satisfied a niche in Crossville and Cumberland County that was long in need, especially with the recent surge in popularity of the craft beer scene. They also offer packaged beer for sale.

—

Foglight Foodhouse
White County | 275 Powerhouse Rd., Walling
(931) 657-2364

No strangers to the Ovations’ winner’s circle, fan and foodie favorite Foglight Foodhouse is back for its eighth consecutive Ovation Award. In fact, this year Foglight was also the recipient of an Ovation Decade Award for this same category.

Tucked away along the Caney Fork River, and a stone’s throw away from the Warren County line, Foglight Foodhouse touts itself as being the lantern in the woods.

Featured in various publications and documentaries and known for their delicious southern-meets-Cajun style dishes and eclectic décor, the Foglight remains a destination for repeat customers and newcomers alike.

The restaurant celebrated its 20^th year of operation earlier this year. Chef Edward Philpot has been at the helm since the beginning and routinely blows guests away with his unique ability to put together some of the best dishes you’ll ever taste.

—

Yanni’s Grille
White County | 19 S. Spring St., Sparta
(931) 836-3838

Described as a “hidden treasure,” Yanni’s Grille, a steakhouse-meets-pizzeria located just off of Highway 70 in Sparta boasts a mouthwatering menu – including steaks, fish, salads and, of course, pizza – that even the pickiest of eaters can choose from. Not only is the food outstanding, but their prices are extremely reasonable, helping to explain the restaurant’s popularity in the local area.

—

The Bull & Thistle
Jackson County | 102 S. Main St., Gainesboro
(931) 268-7170

Offering the finest fare from across the pond – the British Isles and Ireland, to be more precise – The Bull and Thistle Pub, which opened approximately five years ago, is now a four-time Ovation Award winner. Earlier this summer, Diana Mandli, owner of the popular Upper Cumberland eatery, announced plans to expand the pub into the vacant space next door.

That vacant space was home to Mandli’s other venture, The Vault boutique, which has since closed. It’s absence leaves room for the Bull & Thistle Pub to expand and offer a game room; along the lines of billiards, foosball and darts.

Located in the heart of downtown Gainesboro and in the middle of the Upper Cumberland, the Bull and Thistle Pub is right at home surrounded by Appalachian history which is deeply rooted and bound to Scottish and Irish immigrants and culture. In fact, the restaurant commonly uses the slogan, “Celtic roots, Southern roads” to help explain its fare and ambience.

—

Father Tom’s Pub
Putnam County | 32 N. Cedar Ave., Cookeville
(931) 854-9484

Once the site of an auto body shop, Father Tom’s Pub is now one of the top local hangouts. Opened in 2012 and located in the Historic Westside of Cookeville, Father Tom’s offers a classic pub setting and relaxed atmosphere – complete with an outdoor patio for warmer evenings – with highly-rated food and drink choices.

“Great food, wonderful staff and an amazing brew selection,” said a recent reviewer. The Pub also features a wide range of bourbon, Scotch and whiskey for those who wish to partake. This classic pub with “new age grub” is one of the places to be in the UC.

—

View our other Ovations 2017 category winners here: