5
There are restaurants that feed you, and then there are restaurants that *possess* you. 2nd falls firmly into the latter — in the most delicious, slightly gothic sense of the word.
The space is unforgettable: a dimly lit warehouse lorded over by a ten-foot angel in candlelight, a massive black-and-crimson Canadian goose mural looming over diners, and a bathroom that looks lifted straight from the *Blade* vampire nightclub. This place has a vision and commits to it completely.
The food earns every bit of the atmosphere. The Tomato Pie alone is worth the trip — creamy, umami, and genuinely one of the best things I've eaten. The Hamachi, Mixed Grill (elk, beef, venison), Duck Confit, and a carrot cake that sounds absurd and tastes transcendent all follow suit. The cocktails are equally serious — don't skip the Freezer Door Martini.
Our waiter Max was exceptional — new to Chattanooga but deeply knowledgeable about the food scene and the menu. Attentive without hovering. Ask him what to order and trust the answer.
Worth every penny. The goose approves.