“Eat” listings
-
Little River Barbecue
Fork-tender barbecue, homemade sauces and a rustic, screened-in dining area on a quiet stretch of the Little River make this a favorite among locals and leaf-peepers alike. Be sure to save room for the decadent pecan cobbler. $$ (09/2011)
8303 State Hwy 73
865-448- 2500
riverragetu...rbeque.html -
The French Market Crêperie
Build your own crêpe from a long list of classic ingredients or try one of the many specialty creations, like goat cheese and walnuts on a fresh buckwheat crêpe. Too full for a chestnut cream crêpe? Then sample delicate, imported French macaroons. $$ (09/2011)
526 S Gay St
865-540-4372
thefrenchma...oxville.com -
Feast with the Beasts
The Knoxville Zoo cordially invites you to party your tail off at this annual 21-andolder event. Thirty-five local restaurants and vendors ranging from Italian to barbecue will set up shop in the zoo, so you can snack while strolling among the wildlife. Aug. 20. (08/2011)
At the Knoxville Zoo 3500 Knoxville Zoo Dr
865-637-5331
knoxville-zoo.org -
The Original Freezo
This place is true retro, not some yuppie fad. Open since '42, it still sells the same velvety soft-serve dipped in cherry, butterscotch, or chocolate to adoring crowds. $ (05/2011)
1305 N Central St
865-637-6500 -
Altruda's
This rustic spot serves traditional Italian with up-market flair, but it’s most famous dish—garlic rolls—comes free with your meal. Live it up with a fancy dish like veal scaloppine al limone. $$$ (05/2011)
125 N Peters Rd
865-690-6144
altrudas.com -
Pizza Palace
Locals flock to this 1961 landmark (and its vintage neon sign) for made-from-scratch foods like pizza, burgers and spaghetti. It's somewhat out of the way, but the drive's worth it for the hand-breaded onion rings. Pizza Palace has been featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (and is a little bit of each). $$ (03/2011)
3132 E Magnolia Ave
865-524-4388
visitpizzapalace.com -
LuLu's Tea Room
Lunch on ladylike sandwiches, soups and salads—chicken salad croissant, egg salad, quiche, that sort of thing. Or tuck into a traditional tea, complete with sweets and service that's worthy of Queen Victoria. $$ (03/2011)
3703 W Beaver Creek Dr, Powell
865- 947-5858
lulustearoom.com -
SITAR
The best bet for adventurous eaters at this authentic Indian spot is the everyday lunch buffet, replete with soul-satisfying choices and delightfully spiced iced tea, plus desserts like sweet cheese. Two can graze for about $20. The naan is especially addictive. $$ (01/2011)
6004 Kingston Pike
865-588-1828
sitarknox.com -
THE GRILL AT HIGHLANDS ROW
This restaurant serves sophisticated Southern cuisine with understated elegance in an architecturally Old World space. The shrimp and grits is the showstopper, along with the petite tender Highlands Special. To top it off, moonshine cocktails are on the menu. $$$ (11/2010)
4705 Old Kingston Pike
865-851-7722
thegrillath...andsrow.com -
COFFEE AND CHOCOLATE
This tiny café has a sublime selection of exotic premium chocolates, along with some toothsome baked goods (bacon-chocolate chip cookies are a recent example) and darn good cups of java and sweet lattes. $$ (09/2010)
327 Union Ave
865-688-9244
coffeeandch...oxville.com -
CHEZ LIBERTY
A nice blend of easy bistro and swanky eatery, this dining spot offers choice aged beef, foie gras and rack of lamb without the attitude of a fancy French restaurant. A great meal starts with goat cheese fondue. $$$ (07/2010)
5200 Kingston Pike
865-330-9862
chezliberty.com -
CHESAPEAKE’S
For fresh seafood in land-locked Knoxville, you’ll have to visit this nautically themed restaurant. The chef flies in Maryland crabs, fresh oysters and live Maine lobsters weekly. $$$$ (05/2010)
500 Henley St
865-673-3433
chesapeakes.com