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    Lilou

    4.0 (97 reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 12:00 pm, 4:00 PM - 11:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

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    Recommended Reviews - Lilou

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    Bob V.

    All around good to go. Everybody working here was invested in the customer's satisfaction and it was a genuine concern for perfection. All the food at the table received rave reviews and it was a great dining experience.

    Wagyu steak
    Cindy L.

    The service was great and the place has a lot of potential, but I have to say I expected more from the food. We had the wagyu steak and the pappardelle and they were both underwhelming. I did enjoy the caviar martini and my friend loved her espresso martini. I'd like to go back to check out the cheese selection and enjoy another cocktail, but probably eat a full dinner again.

    3 cheese plate
    Jen H.

    Rolled up to the bar around 5:30 on a friday evening and found plenty of room. Happy hour runs until 6pm and they have some great deals. I got the 3 cheese plate and glass of wine for $25 and it was plenty for sharing. The creme brûlée for dessert was also fantastic. The bartenders were very nice and stayed on top of everything even after they got busy.

    Menu
    Clau R.

    My partner and I were visiting his parents in Knoxville recently, and they took us out to Lilou for a nice dinner. They had all been there before, but it was my first time. We made a reservation in advance for 4 people at 6:30. We found parking in a nearby parking garage, which ended up being free because of the holidays (we assumed). It was a short walk to the restaurant (less than 5 minutes). I appreciated how close the garage was, because it was less than 30 degrees out and pretty chilly! I believe the restaurant also offers a valet parking service, which we could have opted for and would have eliminated the need for the chilly walk, but it really was not bad at all. We were seated as soon as we walked in. The entrance way is beautiful, as well as the rest of the restaurant. The walls are covered with pictures and paintings arranged in a stunning gallery wall that runs through the entire restaurant. There are various seating options, including tables, booths, and bar seating. We had a booth, which was pretty comfortable! We ordered a $20 cheeseboard that included 3 cheeses, some cornichons, and delicious fig jam, as well as two whole bagguettes (made in-house) with French butter (imported directly from France). The cheeses were delicious, and the bread was even better than the cheeses. For starters, we ordered some French onion soup and the escargot. I did not have the chance to try the soup (I wanted to save room for my main) but the escargot was perfectly cooked and very tasty. As our mains, two of us ordered the duck, someone ordered steak frites, and someone else ordered the chicken. Everything was cooked to perfection, although the portions are on the smaller side (typical for a nice place, though). To top it off, our cocktails and wine were spectacular. I ordered The Little Emperor, which was fruity (but not overly sweet) and not too boozy at all -- it was perfect! I highly recommend Lilou if you are in town and looking for a place to have a nice, upscale meal. Keep in mind that it is definitely on the expensive side (mains were all $38+), but if that matches the budget in mind, it is definitely worth it!

    Comfortable velvet booze, full service bar, quaint French restaurant lots of original oil paintings in a boutique hotel
    K S.

    Adorable French restaurant with upscale seating and menu. Nice historic fell with oil paintings and velvet cubicles. Private feeling. No rush dinner. There is a Wine expert as well as a cheese consultant. Yes, very unusual cheeses available. Great for a romantic night out.

    Onion soup with Emmental cheese and a small slice of toasted brioche
    Susan C.

    We made reservations two weeks ahead for the very night of our 50th wedding anniversary and hoped this "classy" French restaurant would offer a spectacular intimate dining experience. Not so. The host seated us two tables from the bar whose patrons became louder and more lively as the evening progressed. We were dressed "in our Sunday best" for this special occasion while some guests wore shorts and polos, particularly those who joined their friends at the bar. So much for classiness. For starters, we both ordered Soupe a POignon or onion soup with Emmental cheese and toasted brioche. While delicious, my $13 soup arrived five minutes BEFORE my husband's. We brought our own $75 bottle of wine but found the $25 corkage fee a fair amount higher than most upscale Knoxville restaurants that average around $15. My husband settled on the Filet au Polvre or filet mignon coated in pepper, peppercorn sauce and puréed potatoes. His steak was cooked exactly as he ordered, yet the meat wasn't as tender as he'd expected for a $65 cut. My Navarin D' Agneau Printanier or lamb stew with small potatoes and carrots over turnip purée tasted good, especially the purée; however, this $36 entree might have come with fewer potatoes, more pieces of lamb and additional purée. Our server was attentive and friendly, albeit knowing no French nor how to pronounce several items on the menu. As the evening progressed, the bar crowd became livelier, so we decided to forgo dessert there (nothing complimentary for this special occasion) and headed for another more intimate dining establishment for sweets and an end to our anniversary outing.

    Many examples of art within the restaurant
    Errol J.

    I have been longing for a good French restaurant in Knoxville. Welcome LiLou, you are embraced with the longing of an old friend. I love that the restaurant was built into the boutique hotel CLEO. As you walk through the interesting display window lobby your attention is pulled to the hostess and the at the beautiful dark wood check in desk. The two hostesses were friendly and full of smiles. They immediately confirmed our reservations and seated us in a spacious table for two. Our waitress was Kate and she had the distinct position of working in the back of the house as a pastry assistant and in the front of the house in the evening. We were thrilled with the inside information on the food and the pastry delights. Her knowledge was extensive because she graduated from CIA in New York. She was fantastic at her recommendations and brilliant on explanations. The menu was so rich in choice, you wanted to have it all at one time. We have already planned our next meal here. Our first starter was the French Onion soup that was the chefs grandmothers recipe using chicken broth instead of the traditional beef. This is one of the best French Onion soups we have had. It was so light and sweet with the Emmental cheese hugging the toasted brioche floating on top of the deliciously cooked onions. We then struggled with the choice of Escargots with a parsley foam and Frog legs. The frog legs won, delicate legs resting in a parsley jus and a creamy sweet garlic centered in the middle. The garlic was so sweet and creamy we thought it was an onion. As if the first two appetizers weren't enough we decided with the octopus. A Sous vide octopus favorable and so smooth to chew. We didn't care for the small golden potato resting under the octopus, so we just ate the delicious octopus. We also indulged in the bread basket with incredible sourdough bread, rye baguette and herb Fougasse, served with herbed butter. Going into our Main course made us feel like the spirit of gluten had fallen on us, but we continued. The veal sweetbreads cooked to perfection with the spinach fondue, lovingly wrapped in a warm beef and Foie Gras sauce.Finally we had the Duck breast with a triangle Croquette Dauphinois and Lilly sauce for note. We had to complete this incredible meal with Crème Brûlée. I felt the crack as I was back in Paris. I do have a confession though, this review is almost a year old. I started it and thought I uploaded, but I didn't. The restaurant is a success and we will be returning with an addition to this post. Knoxville is moving up in the national food scene and Lilou is taking them there.

    Wall art
    Yulia B.

    Food was amazing! We came there to celebrate birthday and our experience was great . My personal favorite was escargot with all that garlicky butter, mouthwatering! My stake was tender and delicious as well, definitely a good option for a dinner to celebrate occasion or just great dinner spot !

    Sydney W.

    What a swanky restaurant!!! The food was good, but it is just very different. If you have a picky eater, I probably wouldn't bring them here!!! But I did really enjoy it!!! The vibes are 10/10 and so is the service!

    Lotte - Monkfish, Fennel, Armoricaine Sauce
    Jared M.

    What an awesome first trip in to Lilou! It's awesome to get to be here within its first month of opening. Giving a solid 4.5/5 here on the inaugural visit and date night. +0.5 - Food and Drink - Beverages were amazing! Food was all really really good with the exception of the steak from the main course (coming almost cold from sitting), would definitely recommend the Beef Tartare for an appetizer, the French Onoin soup for a pre-course, and the monkfish for sure. +1 - Venue and vibe - everything, even down to the lighting and artwork, was giving me vibes that took me back to some of my french travels +1 - Cleanliness - everything end-to-end looked great, nothing I observed of any concern +1 - Staff and service - enjoyed getting what felt like VIP treatment from walking in until we were finished, only quirk was at a couple points the wait was a bit too long in between topping off beverages or sitting between courses +1 - Location and parking - there is valet available or two parking garages behind the venue, should you wish to do it yourself Will be back! Would recommend trying!

    Duck
    Chris O.

    Packed into the large "clam shell" pink velvet booth last night to finally see what Lilou is all about. A large group sharing everything family style was the way to go. I tried things I wouldn't normally order and it ended up being the most delicious thing I've ever eaten in Knoxville. First off: the ambiance. Once we got over the naked lady portraits surrounding us, we were able to really appreciate the set up. From the light fixtures to the velvety booths, the decor is fantastic. We did experience a little issue heading back to the restrooms - the swinging doors to the kitchen made for a tight squeeze and slight surprise when they swung open abruptly. Overall, loved the vibe. Drinks: These took awhile to arrive. I realize we were a large party, but appetizers were ordered before drinks were put in - interrupting the flow somewhat. We also brought our own bottle of wine and had to ask for it to be opened and decanted. The sommelier arrived a tad too late into the dinner. We just felt it was a missed opportunity because we would have ordered a lot more drinks had the focus been on those. I attempted the caramelized onion martini because I was curious but it was not for me. Cornichon Martini was in interesting alternative to the dirty martini - think pickle martini. Appetizers: The Gravlax. This was a showstopper and one of the tastiest dishes I have ever eaten. Very unexpected to mix grapefruit and trout but it worked beautifully! The selection of cheese was delicious. I especially loved the creamy cheese on the sourdough. We of course had to try the French onion soup but unfortunately it fell flat. Definitely needed salt and maybe more seasonings? Lastly, ordered beef tartare to try to convert myself but realized that it is not for me. Mains: Most everyone ordered duck cooked rare and it was very tasty. The potato pave on the side was fine but doesn't compare to Thomas Keller's recipe. I don't know if I was crazy about the deep fried outer layer. Salad was bright and a good pairing I thought. Also tried the mushroom tortellini and it was fabulous. Very small portion but enjoyed it very much. Would order this again but would need something else with it to feel full. Desserts: Profiteroles. Hands down. I probably will never try anything else. This was the perfect way to end the meal. The warm dark chocolate ganache is heavenly. Extras: The cute small plates and actual "silver"ware are a nice touch. The Fromage connoisseur was also impressive. Lilou's addition to Knoxville has definitely been an upgrade. Look forward to trying it again after it's had time to grow a bit.

    Sweetbreads-- delicious but wish I had a pic of the steak/frites to show the big difference in entree sizes.
    Kelly F.

    We were very pleased with our visit, though not awed. Sat at the bar, had cocktails and two entrees. Would love to try more of the traditional French dishes on future visits. Loved the absinthe drink and the Pernod. Steak frites-- steak was very good and big-- bigger than I would expect. Lots of fries although frankly they didn't seem as crisp and fresh as should be at this sort of place. Loved the sweetbread entree, although it seemed the size of that dish was very small compared to the large steak frites plate. Just sweetbreads in a lovely sauce and some greens under. We had already had appetizers elsewhere so were full. Next time we'll definitely save space for dessert and coffee.

    Croque madame

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    2 months ago

    Such Parisian ambiance !! Lovely menu and stellar service. The best place to walk off Gay Street into Paris!!

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    10 months ago

    Staff was very nice and recommended alot. Escargot was fantastic as well as the baguette. Nothing beat the duck fat fries with my steak!

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    Ask the Community - Lilou

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    I love a kitschy bar and this is definitely it. They have fully committed to the theme and the gift…read moreshop next store is filled with Alice and wonderland themed trinkets and treasures. It's quirky and the staff is super friendly making this all around a great experience. I got a magic potion drink because you got to keep the glass bottle it came in and it sparkled which came out to $12 plus a tip. What more could you want really. The drink was some kind of party punch, it was a little stiff but pretty tasty. If you're in the area this is worth checking out. It's a one of one and the drinks were reasonably priced for it being a novelty experience.

    So I didn't actually get the chance to try a drink here: I came on Thurs around 3p because Google…read morelisted Thurs hours as 11a-2a. They are wrong, they don't open until 5 on Thurs and I had to get back to the airport by then! That said, there is an adjacent gift shop store that is also Alice themed - it was quite cute! I didn't buy anything but the clerk told me all this about the hours. I could see inside the bar and it looks really cute and fun - shame I couldn't actually get a drink because the menu looks awesome! Overall even though I didn't try anything I am certain this bar would be a great spot to hang in Knoxville if trying to unwind or hang around the social scene.

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    Monkey’s Bar

    Monkey’s Bar

    4.6(5 reviews)
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    I love Monkey's bar!! It's the perfect meet in the middle between fancy cocktail bar and relaxed…read moreenvironment! Bartenders are so friendly and even let me sample a pre batched cocktail to ensure I'd like it! Will definitely be back!

    If you like near downtown and own a dog, this will become your go-to spot! It is pretty bare-bones…read moreinside, with a few high-tops and bar seating, a separate space you can step up into with more wooden tables and bench seating and not much in the way of decor. They have some really fun drinks with pop-culture references, a sizable list of mocktails, booze list galore, and keep beer flowing , too. The service is friendly and the prices in line (if not cheaper) with other bars downtown ($11-12 per cocktail). We loved that people are allowed to bring in their own food (they have a few snacks you can order) and that dogs are welcome. In fact, word has it that the bar is named after the owners' dog, Monkey, so it makes sense that they pass along their pup love to our community. Note that huge (but very sweet) dogs may be freely roaming and were knocking into people carrying full drinks and begging strangers for food. Also, we were with a group across from the bar and I will say that it was absolutely deafening. We were next to each other and were yelling, "CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW!?" They could use a few items to soak up some sound like cushions on the bench seating, some rugs, etc. It would also make the space a bit more homey and inviting.

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    Monkey’s Bar - Monkey likes the pizza!

    Monkey likes the pizza!

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    PostModern Spirits

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    We stopped here as part of the Whiskey Trail experience, and not only was it the worst customer…read moreservice of the 28 distilleries we visited, the female bartender (red hair, black glasses) was the rudest bartender I have met in my 20 years of being in hospitality. When we walked in, she glared at us as if we had interrupted something. She didn't greet us, didn't ask what we'd like to try, only gave us one word answers to any question that we asked. Never once smiled or tried to engage us. My friend was so frustrated with trying to get information from her that he stood up and almost walked out. I kept trying to engage her and even complemented her cute dress. Nothing. Stone face. I wanted to try the amaro flight and asked for it. She prepared it, set it in front of me, and said "so you'll want to close out now?" I told her "yes, that would be great, when I'm finished with my tasting". She proceeded to lean up against the bar with her back to us and didn't say another word. I had to get up and walk to the register, and when she finally turned around, I asked her "have we done something to upset you?" She said "no, why?" I said "because you seem REALLY annoyed that we're here". Her only response was to turn the register screen around and tell me the total. I'm so sad about this because I really wanted to taste other items and get a cocktail, but she was SO unpleasant and we felt SO unwelcome., Seeing all of the other great reviews, I can only imagine that they were with other people. I wish those other bartenders had been there.

    Boozy grapefruit slushy? YES. Just say yes. This cocktail bar distills their own booze right next…read moredoor (you can be a creepster and peek in!). They sell bottles of varying sizes at the bar and also at other places around town, including Total Wine. We love that they offer sampler flights with different liquors and also different size pours. They give you a tray with a sheet that describes the flavor profile for each offering. We also were given slushy samples and a customized gin sample, mixed with another shot to sip. We ordered slushies to enjoy on the patio and a flight with Hi Rye Whiskey, Ginferous Gin (favorite!), Uproot Gin, and Barrel Rested Cacoa Liqueur. I can't believe the differing flavors they can produce within the same type of booze. Masterful! The bartenders are friendly and so dang knowledgable. We purchased a bottle of Ginferous Gin and have kept the party going at home. Can't wait to go back! What a cool spot.

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    PostModern Spirits
    PostModern Spirits
    PostModern Spirits

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    Lilou - french - Updated May 2026

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