Went to the Kennedy for a friend's birthday and had a blast! Beautiful place and great food (especially the pizza!)! The manager Lindsey made sure my friends were celebrated for their birthday and took the time to take our picture! Incredible service! read more

Excellent from the ambience, the cocktails, appetizers, main entrees and service. So good we wanted to return the next night but our schedule would only allow a late dinner. Upon checking the website, we were excited because it stated they were open until midnight, however, upon arriving at 10pm, we were told they were closing - this was shared with us by other guests who apparently tried to go in just before we did. We will try again while we are here this week. read more

My husband picked out this restaurant and made reservations for a joint birthday dinner. We had a fabulous time and the service was amazing! Ask for Shay! She gives the best food recommendations! read more

Simply put: amazing food, helpful staff, fun vibe inside and good for small groups. I was a sucker for the chicken and carrots and must admit I may have stolen a couple bites off another plate (I asked!). Kidding aside, would recommend a visit and supporting a good option in Knoxville. read more

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Well, we rolled into Knoxville a little late for happy hour -- which, frankly, should be considered an act of negligence in our household. God knows happy hour is more than a time slot; it's a way of life. But fate, or maybe thirst, led us across the street to a place called The Kennedy. The building looked like it had been around long enough to have some stories of its own, the kind of place where you half expect to find George Washington's initials scratched into a brick somewhere. Inside, the lighting was soft, the vibe relaxed -- like folks who had nowhere to be except exactly where they were. The menu looked fine enough, but then we saw the cocktail list and realized we'd struck liquid gold. They had more seasonal craft concoctions than I've seen since that time my brother Sean decided he was a "mixologist" and nearly burned down the garage. Now, the "TK" Old Fashioned? I swear if heaven has a minibar, that's what'll be on it. And my wife -- bless her sweet soul -- took one sip of something called "Milk and Honey Bath Time" and announced it was the finest thing she'd ever tasted. The only time I'd heard her sound that happy was the day I agreed to buy throw pillows without asking the price. The food was nothing short of remarkable. Her vegetarian pizza was apparently the best she's ever had -- and coming from a woman who once declared lettuce an emotional support vegetable, that's saying something. We parked ourselves at the bar, and I tell you, those three fellas behind it moved like they were in a NASCAR pit crew. Not a wasted motion -- shaking, pouring, wiping, laughing -- all like choreography dreamed up by a bartender who once studied ballet. By the end, we were converts. The Kennedy didn't just give us a meal -- it gave us an experience, the kind that makes you want to come back just to see what happy hour feels like in a place that already seems pretty happy all on its own. read more

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The Kennedy is elegant, beautiful and the home of the GREATEST burger in Knoxville. When you're approaching The Kennedy it has such a classy look that draws you in, normally the look doesn't match the food but there is a reason that there is long wait on a busy night..... the food My lady and I both got the Wagyu burger and I got the upgraded truffle fries, we both took a bite of the burger simultaneously and said "wow" The flavors pouring out of this masterpiece made me go cartoonish in thought. Our service was provided by Sinjin and he was top tier professional and efficient, we are now trying to get a later checkout to come back tomorrow read more

The Kennedy - The Wagyu burger - Wine Bars Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

The Kennedy was good, a bit in the pricey side, but overall can't complain. Mostly everyone's plate was good, however, my daughter ordered fillet mignon and was raw , we did asked for it to be pink, however over all, I can't be 100% Baden in me plate. My wife's salmon was hit on the dry side, my burger was good, and my other daughter's place was also good . Service was quick, and the ambiance was set to enjoy with some good quality family . Come check them out, perhaps you will have much better luck than me. I will try them out one more time and re-review them. read more

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I usually don't exactly love fancy places, don't get me wrong they aren't awful, but this place is a great experience. The quality of the food is top notch, service is quite helpful and polite, and the overall atmosphere tones down the super fancy top, with TV's playing sports. It's overall a great experience. read more

The Kennedy - All White Pizza - Wine Bars Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

We decided to do a little cocktail hop around downtown on a Saturday night. I had tried walking into The Kennedy before and was turned away--even as a solo guest--so this time I made sure to book reservations. Thankfully, we were able to grab an early seating on short notice. Our waitress was wonderful. She graciously tolerated our delays in ordering due to some emotionally charged conversation, and her sense of humor put us at ease. She even joked that she enjoys a good debate, which made us feel less guilty about our prolonged decision-making. Despite our slow pace, we still managed to get two rounds of drinks in on time! The cocktails were excellently executed. I ordered the Beneath the Olive Tree, essentially a classic vodka martini with blue cheese-stuffed olives. It was perfect--not too dirty, just balanced and flavorful. I had to remind myself to sip and savor. My friend had the Prickly Pear Affair and really enjoyed it as well. For snacks, we shared the Goat Cheese Croquettes, Devils on Horseback, and Truffle Fries. Every dish was delicious and left me wanting just a bit more. Although we moved on to continue our cocktail hop, this experience definitely made me want to return. Until next time--I'll savor the memories (and that martini)! read more

The Kennedy - Devils on Horseback - Wine Bars Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

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Such a cool, classy environment, even though there are TVs that might be reminiscent of a sports bar. Very fun and friendly staff. The bar food is excellent - don't miss the bacon-wrapped dates or the Brussels sprouts! Unfortunately a few of the cocktails missed the mark. The TK old fashioned left much to be desired. But, if Jared is behind the bar, you don't need to worry about a thing! Follow his lead with whatever he suggests! read more

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What a fun meal this was! We had a big group (12 people) and they managed our reservation perfectly. One big table with plenty of space for the thousand appetizers, entrees and drinks. Everything was flavorful, fun and fresh. There were some unique combos - the pasta dish was spicy and fun and delish - and we devoured everything. One of our friends did the bone marrow Buffalo Trace bourbon luge and that was just super wild and cool, I've never seen that before. Our server was attentive, got everything perfectly right, never left us waiting or wanting. I was really impressed and surprised - that doesn't seem to be the norm these days. The space itself was pretty big, deceptively big, and we were seated upstairs and away from the main room. It was great for us, as the smaller space was mostly our table and a few other small two tops. Loved it. read more

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The Kennedy is really a Knoxville treasure that needs to be protected at all cost. I have gone there on two different occasions and both times it was out of this world delicious. I will start with tonights visit since it is still fresh on my mind and will footnote the first experience. My boyfriend and I had a 7:30pm reservation on a Wednesday, we decided to get there a little early and we walked in at 7:15pm. The place was pretty crowded for a Wednesday, but they had a table ready for us, even though we were early. We were escorted to the back corner to a two top. I was facing a curtain which kind of sucks but that was probably the only negative thing I have to say about my experience. Josh was our server, and we basically knew what we wanted. My boyfriend loved the Pepperoni Hot Honey pizza, so he without even contemplating it, got it this time. I was in between a few things, but I ended up getting the Philly Cheesesteak pizza. I asked Josh about it, and he was honest, and gave a great suggestion to put the cheese sauce on the side (which was my main concern that would make the pizza soggy), I also asked for the Hot Honey Ranch for $1 more. Josh delivered our food and got everything perfect. He checked on us, he cleared the table to make room, and when i finished my drink, he anticipated my needs and got me another soda without me having to ask. That is what makes a great server, anticipating the needs of your customer. All in all, the Philly Cheesesteak pizza was good, but the Pepperoni Hot Honey is undeniably the best. I am glad i tried the Philly, but next time I would definitely get something else. Over all the food was phenomenal (my boyfriend was singing praises to the heavens between each bite, and the entire walk to the car and drive home) the service was excellent, and the ambiance was bustling/ energetic but the lighting soothed the mood. my footnote from our first experience there, service was amazing, great seating upstairs over looking the entire place as well. What I really loved and still think about months later was their Salmon. I am from Florida and am picky with my fish, but that had to be the best salmon (in reality fish) I have ever had in Tennessee (the entire state). They even asked how i wanted it cooked (medium rare) which I don't remember if I have ever had been asked how I wanted my salmon cooked before. it was tender and perfectly cooked, and not chewy/tasteless. 1000/10 will be coming back again. read more

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I got spoiled staying at the Hyatt off Gay St. because it's so close to The Kennedy. I went here last year when I was here for work and I had to come check it out again. It's a really well done upscale restaurant and bar. The decor and tall ceilings makes you feel fancy but also casual enough to stop in for a quick bite and a drink. The bartenders have been awesome and have had great charisma. I met a couple new friends there and we decided to order Vegas bombs (which isn't typically on the menu of a craft bar lol) they sorted it out and hooked us up. The food was great across the board. The bacon wrapped dates are incredible, wings are on point, the salmon was cooked to perfection and the crab rice cakes were absolutely delicious. I definitely want to try more of the menu out. I heard the filet was amazing so I'll likely grab that next. read more

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Food, ambiance and service A+ Bacon wrapped dates are fantastic and the wagyu burger was definitely top notch. read more

The Kennedy - Wagyu Burger - Wine Bars Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

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I moved out here for a project at work this year and this place was recommended by coworkers for me to try. It was primarily the women coworkers and I can see why. I've been here 2x now and I always see a group of women absolutely enjoying themselves. I came here on my own and even coming solo I had fun. Sitting alone isn't awkward and it's so cute inside. read more

The Kennedy - Wine Bars Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

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GET YOURSELF A RESERVATION!! This place is always packed apparently. Ambiance: Beautifully done interiors. I loved how they utilized the existing space and tall ceilings. Food: the main entree/food took about 30-40 minutes to get to our table. We were quite disappointed by that, especially since no one told us that it would take that long. 1) Goat Cheese Croquettes- DELICIOUS- order it! 2) Crispy Half Chicken- DELICIOUS! I loved the Brussels sprouts. The herbed jus from the chicken made for a great gravy for the mashed potatoes. The chicken was juicy and well flavored. Service: The service was alright. Our server was bouncing around everywhere. The restaurant was busy, but lots of empty tables at 8:30 PM. Not sure why the kitchen and service were backed up. read more

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Was there on a Thursday night in early March. Weather had warmed up but they didn't have their AC on. Unpleasantly warm inside. Service was spotty and inconsistent. Overall slow with everything. The highlight was the food. Had the French dip which was very good served with an especially flavorful Au jus. Would give them another try but this recent visit left me annoyed. read more

We stopped in for a snack -- ordered smoked wings, bbq wings, the sip sampler and fried mushrooms. Everything was great! We would definitely come back to try other things! read more

The Kennedy - Fried Mushrooms w/ Honey Mustard dipping sauce - Wine Bars Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

We were sat at the front behind the podium since we had no reservation, yet others seemed to be able to walk in and get a booth etc. We were one of those tables where no one would claim us. So after seeing 2 other tables getting waters etc. We kept trying to get someone's attention to find out who was our wait person. We finally met her and things were a bit slow but she did have a big table to deal with. This was my final meal visiting TN for the first time and it was Good. Had the Half French Dip and Half Chop Salad. Was so good! And a starter....I can't recall. Then there is this delicious Purple~Prickly Pear Cocktail that I had to try. Refreshing but on the tart side but nice, rather than being sickly sweet. I would give it another go. Nice inside but would never accept that table again and I would probably ask who my server is before I commit. (I was heading to the Airport afterwards so... bit panicky). And yes, our server apologized profusely... when it was time to pay. read more

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Sat at the bar and service was fantastic. The bartender was so nice and made great recommendations. I had the burger and fries which was so good. The drinks on the menu were a little sweet but they can make whatever you want. Atmosphere was really nice and it wasn't to crowded read more

The Kennedy - Wine Bars Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

When researching Knoxville eateries the Kennedy came highly recommended. And for GOOD reason! The food was very tasteful, prepared and presented well. The waitstaff was very friendly and attentive. The decor and atmosphere was perfect for a leisurely lunch date with friends. Bright sunny front windows make it a cheery sunlit spot to eat. The warm light surrounding the bar in back and various seating options were great. Layout design of the whole venue was wonderful. A must experience when in Knoxville. read more

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So, both the food and the service were great. With a caveat. We had a drink at the bar and waited for takeout. The drink was OK, and i got a pizza which, while the bottom was a little soft, was an excellent pie. My wife got a salad, and emphasized no cheese, she has an allery. Of course we are back to our hotel room before we find out it's filled with shredded cheese. So instead of a nice meal we spent an extra 15 minutes fishing shredded cheese out of the salad so she could eat it. So really a five star, except that they screwed up an allergy on a $108 check bill and pair of drinks. In their defense we did not leave the hotel and hike the two blocks back to complain (it was storming), but for the reputation and price we thought we didnt need to double check our order before we left. This the three instead of 5. read more

The Kennedy - In process of removing cheese in takeout on a cheese allergy order. (Dairy) - Wine Bars Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

I would have easily gone 5 stars, if it hadn't been for the accoustics. It seems most downtown restaurants suffer from bad accoustics, making conversation very difficult. That being said, I was most impressed with the food and service. The decor and atmosphere was fantastic. The Wagu Beef Burgers were amazing as were the Truffle Fries with Garlic Aioli. The Goat Cheese Croquettes were delicious. The Brussels Sprouts were bitter and not as enjoyable as the rest, but I would still highly recommend this restaurant! read more

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We tried this new restaurant that is located in the Old Blackhorse space on Gay Street recently on a Sunday night. The motif is elegant casual. A very old space that has been updated. We tried the Devils On Horseback app which might be the best app in Knoxville, basically it's a Date wrapped in Bacon on top of a Basil Tomato sauce, sweet and savory and so good. I had the Chicken Parm sandwich substituting Onion Rings for the fries, the Onion Rings were good, but I prefer beer batter. The Chicken parm came out hot enough to burn the mouth which is good nothing worse than a cold hot sandwich. My wife hade the G.O.A.T. Salad the fried goat cheese croquets were superb in Spinach with a light balsamic vinaigrette light and delicious. The service was excellent and the deep craft draft beer taps were superb for a more elegant space read more

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Love this place. GOAT in Knoxville. Great food, better drinks, awesome ambiance. This place is a true staple

We went based on what we were told and the reviews on here and have to say we were completely disappointed. Our server 'Chance' was at our table almost immediately, was friendly, courteous and a great start to our experience. The place was clean, lively and a great atmosphere. We ordered 2 VERY DELICIOUS drinks: "Prickly Pear Affair" and "Margarita Al Pastor"-BRAVO!!! My wife and I were literally 'Jonesing' for the French Onion Soup as everyone we spoke to recommended it. So we ordered it to share as an app and ordered the French Dip and Chopped Salad as entrees. Well, now our experience went south! Our entrees were served. My French Dip (I ordered Onion Rings instead of Fries) was very tasty!! The beef was piled in the roll and dripping with cheese. It was served with a small 'bullet' of au jus, a piquant and a tasty sauce for the Onion Rings. The Chopped Salad, for $16 was a COMPLETE RIP OFF. The size was more of a side salad, there was BARELY ANY bacon bits included, and was absolutely NO DIFFERENT than a quick salad you would make for yourself at home! Seriously, a VERY SAD EXCUSE for a $16 entree salad. Whenever either one of us has had a 'Chopped Salad' , it's loaded with fresh tasty goodies, a salad that you wouldn't want to make for yourself because it's too much to do. THATS THE KIND OF ENTREE SALAD I WOULD EXPECT, especially for $16! I give that salad a 1 out of 5. It truly angers me that a BS salad WITH NO DEPTH like this is even on the menu of a restaurant for more than $5-$6!! So you're thinking "What about that famous French Onion Soup that you REALLY went there for??? Well, we said the same thing because they forgot to bring it to us!!! We definitely repeated the order back to our server because we wanted to split the soup, thinking our entree portions would be a lot larger. So with all the hype, forgetful server and a Totally Crappy Entree salad, I'm going to give these folks a 3/5. We're here for 3 more days but we have too many more restaurants to try than to give them another chance! read more

The Kennedy - French Dip - Wine Bars Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

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Very good experience here. Food is fantastic and service and atmosphere is incredible.

This place has a great vibe. Bartender was on point. Our server was fantastic too! Fell a little short on the meal. Potato chips didn't seem fresh and very thin for a dipping chip. French onion did was tasty. The French dip...super greasy. I couldn't pick up the sandwich. Brussels were just ok. I will come back and try something different because the service was really great! Just wasn't a huge fan of my meal. read more

The Kennedy - French dip...what you can't see if the pool of grease it's sitting on top of. Bummer - Wine Bars Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

The al pastor margarita was good. The salmon delicious! Today's special braised short rib was so tough we couldn't even cut it with a steak knife! A fly took a kamakaze dive into the sauce so we got to watch him drown. The atmosphere is great, we sat on the second floor and over looked the bar and dining room. Our servers were really attentive and immediately replaced our short rib with another salmon. They did take the rib off the check but made us pay for the salmon, I feel like both of those should have been comped We got there at about 330 and unfortunately the creme brulee that was on the special menu wasn't done by the time we were done eating. I would go back for the specialty cocktails and atmosphere but probably not the food. read more

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Well, I think we would have enjoyed it very much. Aesthetically, it looked amazing. Very well-appointed design and cool vibe. The food I saw looked fabulous. Unfortunately, we never made it past the hostess stand. So here is what happened: my husband, my son and I arrived tonight at 6:30. We are visiting Knoxville to tour the University. We were more than happy to wait the quoted hour time because we were fully aware that we did not have a reservation and were satisfied to walk around. I couldn't have been more pleasant. After 30 minutes I realized I had stated that we had 4 people (my mistake) because we only had 3. I ran back to let them know of the change (out of courtesy to them) and THEY ADDED AN HOUR TO OUR WAIT TIME. THEY LITERALLY DROPPED ME FURTHER DOWN THE LIST. And, to add insult to injury, sat a table of 4 -also without a reservation- ahead of us in front of me! WHO does this? Rather than responding kindly, they were a-holes and refused to see a patron's point of view to this illogical decision. I argued with them because I was so taken back. Thanks so much for ruining our first impression of Knoxville. Nice job team. Hoping karma will do a job here. I'm about to skewer you across the WWW. read more

The Kennedy - Knoxville, TN: The Speakeasy-Style Steakhouse That Just Became My Religion I've eaten in a lot of "great" steakhouses. The Kennedy didn't just join the list; it burned the list and started a new one with only its name on it. Hidden behind an unassuming door in the heart of downtown Knoxville, you step through a velvet curtain and suddenly you're in a 1920s fever dream: crystal chandeliers, deep leather booths, live jazz floating through cigar-lounge air, and a bar that looks like Jay Gatsby and Don Draper had a very expensive baby. The vibe is pure seduction from the first second. Then the food arrives and everything gets unfair. Start with the oysters Rockefeller topped with absinthe butter or the wagyu beef tartare with smoked egg yolk and black truffle; both are flawless. But the real reason you're here is the steak. The 45-day dry-aged, bone-in ribeye is the single best piece of beef I've eaten south of the Mason-Dixon: thick charcoal crust, crimson center, insane marbling that renders into liquid gold, served with a tableside pour of melted bone-marrow butter that should be classified as a controlled substance. I ordered it medium-rare and it arrived exactly that, edge to edge, with a flavor so deep and nutty I actually stopped talking mid-sentence. Sides are mandatory: the lobster mac & cheese is pure decadence, the truffle-parmesan fries disappear in 90 seconds, and the creamed spinach with benton's bacon is life-changing. Cocktails are theatrical perfection (order the Expresso Martini Pictured Below), and the all-American wine list has gems at every price point. Service is the gold standard: polished, warm, and genuinely thrilled to watch you fall in love with every plate. The Kennedy isn't just dinner; it's an event you'll recount for years. Knoxville, you've been hiding a world-class steakhouse dressed like a speakeasy, and now the secret's out. Five stars feels too small. Book early, dress sharp, bring someone you want to impress forever. I'm already counting days until I'm back. This place is magic. read more

The Kennedy - Expresso Martini - Wine Bars Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

One of our new favorites! In the former Black Horse spot across from Cruz. The space is well thought out, comfortable, and classy, while still keeping some historical elements of the building intact. The service was friendly and prompt and the menu had so many unique and tasty options. We ordered a TK old fashioned and the margarita al pastor. Both were very good, just note that the margarita has bits of herbs in it, which was a tad texturally off-putting. For food, we got the wagyu burger with fries, the chicken parm sandwich with fries and split a side of the charred goat cheese carrots. Honestly, the chicken parm sandwich was one of the best things I have eaten in Knoxville in our almost five years living here. Pounded thin, perfectly tender, breaded, and cooked with such delicious sauces and toasted bread to complement it. The sandwich was absolutely enormous, so next time I would do the lunch combo with half sandwich. Hubby liked the burger, which was perfectly cooked and the meat such a high quality with no gristle. The fries and sauce that came with it were amazing, too. Our only complaints would be that most of the fries were those broken, sharp shards like what's found d at the end of a frozen bag, and the carrots weren't cooked long enough or well-seasoned. Overall, this was a great experience and we can't wait to go back! Glad they are open during lunch hours as well as dinner, so we can go while our kids are in school. read more

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Great service and amazing food. I received the wrong receipt but called the next day and it was sent to me right away. I dreaded that and thought it would be a hassle but they were very nice and helpful. read more

We dined here for my birthday and had an overall lovely experience! I made a reservation ahead of time and we were seated right away when we arrived. Our waitress was prompt and polite. The drinks were tasty and we enjoyed the Devils on Horseback appetizer. For our entrées we had the Wagyu burger, spicy rigatoni, and chicken parm sandwich. Everything was delicious and we all enjoyed our meals. They gave me a complimentary flourless chocolate cake for my birthday and it was so rich. I love how they offer traditional American dishes with an elevated and unique twist. There is something for everyone! I will definitely dine here again and think it's a great addition to downtown. read more

The Kennedy - The Devils on Horseback appetizer - Wine Bars Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

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The food: delicious, worth the higher price The ambiance: so nice, it's a classy place that has lived music The service: fantastic. I spoke to bartender earlier in the night telling her my favorite garnish, came back later with a friend, and she added it to my cocktail without mentioning it. read more

The Kennedy - Faroe Island Salmon - Wine Bars Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

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Food is good overall, favorites are the soup and pastas. Pizza can be good but occasionally oily. Prices are fair for being located downtown and the ambiance is upscale but still casual. Staff are great and on top of their service. 9/10 recommend. read more

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The food is fantastic! Great variety on the menu. I recommend the French onion soup. Service is always top tier, too.

I've been wanting to try this restaurant since it opened and it was worth the wait! I stopped in with my 2 teenagers and a friend for lunch on a Wednesday, we had reservations but at 12:45 we didn't need them, it was pretty quiet. The waiter was kind and sat us quickly, he took his time walking us through the menu and the lunch specials, in addition to giving us his personal favorites. The kids both got the Blueberry Thyme cocktail and I ordered a sparkling Rosé, as well as some Truffle fries for the table while we browsed the menu. I absolutely love that they have the 1/2 & 1/2 menu for lunch, it allowed me to try more than one thing without the portions being too large. Everything we ordered was very flavorful and perfectly prepared. This would definitely be a good date spot or a place to stop for an evening cocktail. The interior design is gorgeous and tasteful! I'll be back. read more

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Wonderful food and service. I can see why they are a successful, busy place. Attentive service. Very cool location and ambiance. We will be back! read more

Great place in downtown Knoxville! The environment is very cozy and cute. Big menu with lots to choose from. We started with their prickly pear cocktails which were very good. GET THE MINI CORN DOGS! They are the best you'll ever have I promise. For an entree I did the chicken parmesan sandwich which was fantastic. read more