While we often reminisce about the days of walking to Starbucks for a morning latte and stopping to browse through Saks on the way home (we miss you, Chicago), we are finding local hangouts in Knoxville that give a southern charm to our new city.
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| www.theplaidaproncafe.com |
The Plaid Apron has been in Knoxville only slightly longer than we have, and we are so hyped they are here. Within walking distance of our house (a slightly treacherous jaunt, however, as sidewalks are scarce), their Lattes can rival any coffee house we've haunted. Internationally trained, the owner prides himself on using the "freshest products available" and being" as local as possible". The decor is fitting with vintage Mason Ball jars transformed into bar lighting and paintings of farm animals on the walls. With menu offerings such as tomato egg benedict and hamburgers served on a whole-wheat bun with pickled watermelon rind and red amaranth, any foodie could fall in love with this local treasure.
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| Mike and Egan in front of the Plaid Apron counter |
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Ella, Victoria,Egan and Shea enjoying pizza at the Tomato Head.
www.thetomatohead.com |
Another dining favorite is located in downtown Knoxville's "Market Square".
The Tomato Head has been around since the 1990's and was first intended as a French Bistro. Its success, however came in the form of Pizza. We love their crust, fresh tasting sauce and extensive list of toppings. You will find more than than pizza dough, though at
the Tomato Head. Besides offering many other tasty, healthy entree choices they have unique bakery items such as orange dreamsicle cupcakes. A note for our vegan loved-ones: they even have vegan cupcakes.
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Ella in front of Bliss
http://shopinbliss.com |
Before we had even made the move to Knoxville, Bliss Home was on our radar. This small store located also in Market Square is filled with unique products for the home, including furniture, lamps, bedding, and accessories. It is rare for us to walk out of this store without a shopping bag in hand. Our favorite purchase is the "Gurgle Pot" which cleverly gurgles as it pours. Their sister store across the street (also called Bliss) is filled with clothing and gift items and is equally difficult to walk out empy handed.
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| Maryanne--our favorite peach vendor |
Meet
Maryanne.... We make regular treks to her peach stand on Kingston Pike. Maryanne moved to Knoxville from Las Vegas to help her sister sell this luscious fruit. These peaches are not the kind that are picked when green and ripen in a truck as they travel across the country or world. No, very early every morning while the rest of us are still tucked in our beds, Maryanne's sister drives to South Carolina to pick up the tree-ripened peaches. By 10am, Maryanne has her stand open and is ready for business. We eat peach cobbler, peach salsa, peach pesto, peaches in salad and on our pancakes, but our favorite way to eat nature's candy is straight from the basket.
