Whereas the pandemic lingered in all our lives to various levels this previous 12 months, I’m pleased to report that the restaurant enterprise did appear to bounce again in 2021 from its lockdown-era lows. In reality, I went from having a bone-dry nicely of latest locations to dine to having eateries lined up practically 5 months forward.
Within the course of, I found plenty of East Tennessee eating places that, for my part, stood out from the gang in 2021. As all the time, I’m pleased to share them with you right here at 12 months’s finish. Following, in chronological order, are the ten institutions that impressed me most out of the 50-plus eating places, meals vehicles and different distributors I visited and reviewed in up to now 12 months.
Bit Burger
I’m a sucker for an excellent burger joint, and this non-franchise, ’80s-themed restaurant didn’t let me down when The Grub Partner and I tried it out in late February. Bit Burger affords a number of distinctive burger creations (together with the one-pound 16-Bit Burger), or diners can cobble collectively their very own recipes. I attempted the half-pound 1-Up burger with Swiss cheese, goat cheese and wine-sautéed mushrooms. That and my creamy chocolate shake had been each yummers.
The Appalachian
The next week, The Partner and I headed to downtown Sevierville and had a lovely experience at The Appalachian. Their culinary workforce makes use of regionally sourced components in getting ready steak dishes in addition to entrees like duck breast, pork tenderloin and grouper. I obtained a 10-ounce filet mignon, whereas The Partner loved the rainbow trout served with child greens. The tastefully appointed eating room and glorious service solely enhanced our night.
Vida
We had been on a roll early within the 12 months. Simply two weeks later, we landed in downtown Knoxville on the newly opened Vida, which specializes in Latin cuisine and cocktails. The menu emphasizes shareable dishes and small plates. Our meal included panko-crusted shrimp, the Empanada de Verduras, a skewer of Brazilian sausages and confit rooster tacos. Dessert: deep-fried churros served with chocolate and caramel dipping sausages. The service and ambiance had been likewise very good.
Tussie Mussie
I’ve to confess that I used to be shocked by how much I enjoyed this restaurant, positioned off the foyer of the Cumberland Home resort. The deep-fried grit fries with Cajun remoulade had been a terrific begin to a meal that additionally included braised brief ribs and blackened salmon. The costs had been typical of what you would possibly discover at any hotel-based eating enterprise, however the high quality of the meals far exceeded that.
Babalu Tacos & Tapas
Yep. That Babalu — the street-taco franchise that was on Homosexual Avenue for some time, then closed as a result of pandemic. It was again in spring 2021 beneath new possession, and though I appreciated the primary model fairly nicely, it turns out that I enjoyed Babalu 2.0 even more. The pan-Latin menu featured a number of acquainted objects but additionally loads of new ones. I had the rice-based seafood paella, whereas The Partner ordered a Cuban sandwich. Aesthetically, the restaurant appears the identical, however I believe they’ve undoubtedly upped their Latin-cuisine sport since returning to Knoxville.
Coal Creek Smokehouse
The Partner and I needed to drive an extended option to get to this small-town barbecue joint, however the journey was nicely well worth the effort and time. Situated in downtown Rocky Prime (nee Lake Metropolis), Tennessee, Coal Creek Smokehouse works magic with its outside people who smoke, serving up rooster, pork, ribs and extra. Between the brisket platter, Granny’s Previous-Normal pulled-pork skillet, the jalapeño cornbread and selfmade banana pudding, we stuffed ourselves and didn’t remorse it.
Osteria Stella
In late summer season, we tried out Osteria Stella, positioned within the former Insurgent Kitchen house on Jackson Avenu. in The Previous Metropolis. Italian delicacies and a curated wine record are their specialty. The Spouse and I savored everything from a home cocktail to a delish gnocchi dish to the veal-based osso bucco. Candy plates of tiramisu and panna cotta wrapped up a meal that was additionally memorable for its heat, intimate ambiance and stellar service.
Redbud Kitchen
I had heard good issues about this Sevier Avenue eatery, and my firsthand skilled did nothing to discredit the constructive buzz. The Partner and I each appreciated the restaurant providing dishes that were not only tasty but also nutritious. The quinoa-enhanced Comfortable Hummus Bowl and the Smoky Mountain Meatloaf checked each these containers, however we did negate our wholesome efforts considerably with decadent servings of chocolate chip brownie and banana pudding.
Firebirds Wooden Fired Grill
My annual favorites typically skew towards domestically owned eateries, however this was one other case where a restaurant franchise won me over. Since grilling is type of their factor, I ordered a seven-ounce blue-cheese filet with portabella mushrooms, and The Partner obtained the wood-grilled salmon. We capped our meal by sharing a slice of crème brulée cheesecake. I believe the standard of the grub is on par with comparable nationwide chains like Fleming’s, Connors and Ruth’s Chris.
Seasons 101
Simply a few weeks in the past, The Partner and I complemented a race-weekend tenting journey to the Smokies with a superb meal at one other gem of a restaurant in downtown Sevierville. Seasons 101, like The Appalachian, additionally leans into regionally sourced objects in creating its seasonal menus. The Partner went with the walnut-encrusted barramundi fish, and I obtained the Hunter’s Platter that includes expertly ready parts of venison, walnut-encrusted lamb, and clove- and shallot-scented duck. The Brie-and-fruit appetizer, the important thing lime pie and the gluten-free chocolate torte had been good bookends to a tremendous dinner.Â
