Bistro at the Bijou

Where to Eat and Drink Near Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Eater

"An hour northwest of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Knoxville offers a good mix of the old guard and the new upstarts. Bistro at the Bijou is like a bridge between them: It’s a swanky haven in one of the city’s most historic buildings, located next door to the ornate Bijou Theatre. The restaurant feels sophisticated and regal, thanks largely to the building’s Renaissance-style architecture, stained glass windows, and art that hangs in the dining room. But the bistro maintains a casual air, thanks to owner Martha Boggs, a Tennessee native who aims for a welcoming, watering-hole atmosphere and a farm-to-table approach. The bill of fare includes fried okra Caesar salad, bourbon-glazed pork loin, and fried bologna Benedicts on buttery biscuits. The cocktails are frequently as seasonal as the food menu, with variations like strawberry mojitos and lavender-blueberry spritzes." - Matt Kirouac