Since opening almost three years ago, Blue Plate Diner has been serving some of the most creative diner food in the city. While most diner menus rarely change, one of the concepts behind Blue Plate is to constantly update its offerings. The goal is to serve home-style fare that still incorporates the latest culinary trends. Thus, a couple of new items have been added to the menu, with more to come.

THE MENU

You won’t find country-fried steak here. Instead, you’ll be tempted by the new flat-iron steak marinated, grilled and topped with freshly fried onion straws. Rather than chicken and dressing, you can get some of the best turkey in town. It’s cooked over a rotisserie. Just watching it go around, with juices dripping and skin getting crispy, is enough to make your mouth water. And yes, you’ll get made-from-scratch dressing alongside.

I was looking forward to the pork loin, one of the new menu items and a change of pace from typical diner pork chops. The entree came with two good-size medallions of pork loin, tender and delicious. It’s served with a mild, delicious mustard sauce, bringing excellent flavor and texture to each bite.

Two sides come with the pork loin, as do all dinner entrees, and I chose turnip greens and french fries. It’s perhaps an odd combination, but the fries, fried in olive oil, are among my favorites in town. And the greens, fresh with no greasy fat, are always good.

Chef Joseph Black and owner Rob Gentry are in the process of testing new menu items. In the near future, there will be additional salad selections. Breakfast, which is served all day every day, will have appetizer-size pancakes with different fillings, such as blackberry compote or sausage, on the menu. Potato cakes made with fresh potatoes and served with flavored ketchups will be a new side dish. Added to the selection of sandwiches will be a mojo pork served with Creole slaw.

SERVICE

The service couldn’t have been better. Even though we arrived around 8 p.m., when staff members were at the end of their day, they were as fresh and friendly as if they’d just arrived.

THE SPACE

Located on Chattanooga Green with a tremendous view of Chattanooga Pier and the river beyond, Blue Plate Diner offers one of the best seats in the city. When there are events surrounding Ross’s Landing, this is the place to be. Even in winter, when activity slows to a snail’s pace, there’s a certain comfort to be found here.

The decor is modern with lots of neon and glass tiles. Blue, naturally. I like the open kitchen design and the floor-to-ceiling windows. It gives the eatery a clean, bright, open feel.

THE VERDICT

Gentry knows the restaurant business. As a former co-owner of Big River Grille, he has been in the industry for 17 years. It’s little wonder that in this stage of the economy, when many restaurants are closing, business remains good. Even when many tourists on his end of town have retreated for the winter, locals continue to enjoy the diner. That says something.

IF YOU GO

* Where: Blue Plate Diner, 191 Chestnut St.

* Phone: 648-6767.

* Price range: $6-$9 (breakfast, served all day); $6.50-$16 (lunch and dinner).

* Payment: Cash and major credit cards.

* Hours: 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday, 8:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday.

* Alcohol: Full bar.