Day 549: Echo

To celebrate my birhtday, we enjoyed appetizers, dinner, and after dinner drinks at 3 fabulous locations. The first was Echo. It was my first time at this upscale bistro and wine bar, which is conveniently located in the District in Bearden. It was worth the wait. It was also the perfect place to kick off what promises to be a wonderful weekend, celebrating my wonderful husband's birthday!

Here's a little more about Echo:

Legendary local Chef's Seth Simmerman & Deron Little have teamed up to bring you Echo Bistro & Wine Bar, Knoxville's newest upscale eatery.

As co-owners Seth & Deron bring over 50 years combined experience to your table every night. Serving "contemporary classics" ~ dishes you know and love from decades past ~ Steak Diane, Beef Wellington, & Dover Sole with a modern twist, and offering an extensive wine list.

Echo has an intimate, neighborhood feel that welcomes you the second you walk through the door. Sit down at the bar and you are sure to see a friend or make a new one!

Seth & Deron invite you to come enjoy all Echo has to offer. Once you try it, you are sure to become a regular!

Located in The Shops at Bearden Place - directly across from Buddy's BBQ - old Mango location.

Reservations Recommended. 865-602-2090

Source/www.echobistro.com


Then, we headed over to Chez Liberty, for another first time. It is also in our neighborhood. It's way trendier than anything we normally do, but such a distinct menu. Brad gave up meat on Fridays for Lent, so their seafood selections hit the spot. Here's more about Chez Liberty:

"Chez Liberty is a unique dining experience without the ordeal of dress, time, planning, or wait, with a menu that is gripping, fresh, seasonal, and diverse."

Located in Bearden's Homberg Place at the corner of Mohican and Kingston Pike, we opened our doors in March 2010 as a small dinner-only establishment. We soon added lunch to our line-up, and now offer brunch and Sunday Supper as well. What sets Chez Liberty apart from other restaurants in the area is our unique approach to food preparation. Our dinner menu changes every other Wednesday, with high-quality ingredients chosen specifically for their freshness and seasonal appeal. We also frequently rotate the wines on our wine menu to best complement our current food selections. Every Sunday, we host a family-style supper where our diners can all join together and enjoy home-style southern French cuisine, in serve-yourself, single-seating fashion. The courses change every week, so please sign up for our weekly email newsletter for a special preview of this week's Sunday Supper menu! **Sunday Supper is currently on hiatus, but will resume this summer. In the meantime, come enjoy our regular dinner menu every Sunday from 5-9pm.**

In addition to great food, Chez Liberty also hosts frequent special events such as wine dinners and live music by local talents, as well as private parties and catering. Please see our Food menu page for the latest special event menu. Call or email us for more information.

Source/chezliberty.com

Source (image)

Finally, we ended the evening with friends at Crown and Goose. A favorite, with some of my favorite people.
Happy birthday to me!

Day 526: Glass Bazaar

Friday I wen tot one of my favorite shops in Bearden and a realized - I have not blogged about this yet!
It is the Glass Bazaar! Located on Bearden Hill, they have more than everything you need for your kitchen, for entertaining, and for gift giving. It is also a great place for advice on products and creative table spacing ideas. Or you can take a cooking class there - which I would love to do! Friday, I picked up some cute and versitle wicker chargers, I used them for a dinner party that night. Plus, I think they will be a nice mix to dress down our fine china for Easter. I also put some cute monogrammed coffee mugs on my "wish list." In case anyone is looking for a birthday idea for me...

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Day 224: The Southern Market

a. I finally have a monogrammer I like here in Knoxville that is timely, reasonably priced, and convenient.
b. She works out of the Southern Market
c. I could love at the Southern Market
d. How have i not blogged about this yet?

The Shops at the Southern Market is a unique collection of interior design shops. It included Initially Amy Faye, fabulous pillows, great hostess gifts, nice serving pieces, great art, and lots and lots of local specialities!

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Day 506: The Orangery

Saturday night was the Knoxville Men's Cotillion (worth the read, one of my fav posts). Yes, men's cotillion. It's a Knoxville Tradition and a reliably fabulous party. These folks can party.

Beforehand, Brad took me out for a romantic dinner with another Knoxville tradition, the Orangery. Neither of us had been there since this restaurant reopened last year. It was wonderful. Romantic. Lovely. Established, but still fresh and unique

The best part of an epic evening...dessert.

Wow.

I had the Chocolate Orange Crème Brûlée.

Brad had the Strawberry Shortcake.

Both were out of this world.

I love crème brûlée.

I love my husband.

I love my life.

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Day 505: Boutique Blowout

Today I wen to see what all my fav shops have been hyping all week. it was worth it. While it is obviously things you have already seen, they are now at price you can't believe. Like $25 or 75% off. Seriously. From the boutiques of Bearden. Really. right deals in the District in Bearden.

Day 501: Bistro by the Tracks

By brother has great taste when it coming to dining out. He should after all, he is a chef and has been in the midst of the Knoxville restuarant seen for almost half his life. so, to celebrate that life on Friday night, we headed out to Bistro by the Tracks, a fabulous restuarant right in our neighborhood.

Here is what the birthday boy had to eat...

Calamari
Graham flour, smoked tomato sweet and sour, cucumber salad

Lobster Corndogs
Apple mustard dipping sauce

Rack of Lamb
Chermoula, Israeli couscous, cucumber mint salad

...and Humingbird Cake for dessert.

Yum. the rest of our meals were fabulous too. Happy birthday little brother!!

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Day 492: Ace Hardware Bearden

Friday I popped into my favorite local hardware store, Ace Hardware of Bearden. They took time out to help me with what I needed, but they are in full moving mode. This super helpful neighborhood store is now on the move even closer to our house. Wednesday they will be up and running right next to Earthfare. Bearden Ace, a good thing...that just gets better!

Here's more, on their page->

Day 484: Era by Kristi

Thank you! This boutique might be the best concept that has ever come to the District in Bearden.
Well, first let me explain...
Kristi is back, and they are in their original location. Circa 1999 (I think) and my days of working retail in the district before is was the district.



And they have start something new.



Era by Kristi.

It's "The Fahsion Forward Approach to Designer COnsignment." Not only do you get a good deal on great items, but when you show up in something new to you, no one is going to say - "oh yea, I just saw that in the window at _______."
I picked out a cute little dress for $37. I admit, I never thought I would see a recipt from Kristi for $37. But, it I look forward to many more wonderful finds at Era. And, I am glad to have Kristi back too and look forward to seeing what's new and what's new to me.

Here are a few items from their Facebook page.





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Day 482: Starbucks (Confessions of a Chain Connoisseur Part II)

Well, the confessions continue as I must admit, I love this place...



Yep, i am all but addicted to Starbucks. And come in often enough to have conversations about engagements and taking out the trash and the weather with the lovely staff at the Knox Plaza location near our house.
My favorite time there is Sunday mornings. I go before church, have my quiet time, pray for the day, oh, and load up with a "venti pikes peak with room for cream." Sunday mornings are fun for me, but they are a bit of a marathon, so this is a perfect way to start the day.

Honestly, coffee, my BIble, and my journal...that is the perfect way to start any day!

Day 479: Panera (Confessions of a Chain Connoisseur)

I didn't know what to call this post...
...Confessions of a Chain Connoisseur?
...Kumbaya food?
...places where I secretly spend vast amount of time?

I honestly didn't really want to admit this. I want to be that person who only patronizes local businesses. I want to be cool and different. But I am not. I go here...



A lot.

I love to meet the girls from West High School at Panera in Merecedes Place. In fact, yesterday morning, I think we really made our presence known as we enjoyed breakfast there before school. i also love to meet other friends and church members there or at another Panera somewhere in town. They are everywhere and they are reliably a good choice. And the soups. I love the soups. I also love the new little card where they are tacking what I buy and trying to market to me in some complex fashion. I love it, cause I get lots free goodies.

So, yes, I confess.

My name is Katie and I frequent Panera Bread.

Next, well, tune in to see my other favorite. Hint: look across the street.

Day 470: Sweet Cece's

Their modo is "making sweet memories one cup at a time." That's exactly what we had today. I got to hang out with some of my favorite 2nd Pres girls at Knoxville's newest yogurt shop, Sweet Cece's. It is just down the street from the church, and we have did not hve church tonight. So, it was a perfect Wednesday for frozen yogurt. As Hyatt and I headed over, it was snowing. Yep, frozen yogurt in the snow. That's when you know that fun is more important than logic.
We laughed a lot and talked about our plans for the year...lunches, our small group, and pajamas. Then, we prayed for tests and spelling bees and snow days. Then, Elizabeth prayed, "Lord, let there be snow - snow up to my waist!" Elizabeth is about 3 and half feet tall. That is a lot of snow. It's 11pm now and I think there is still a chance that her wish just might come true!

Day 406: Bellacino's

I don't know how this is possible. But today was the first time we went to Bellacino's. It is steps away from our neighborhood, so i am so glad we finally went. Plus, I really always love gettting out for lunch with my husband!
Next time, I am trying Bellacino's pizza! They looked and smelled great!

Click here for their menu->

Day 403: Chic Boutique

I was driving down Kingston Pike over the weekend and I spotted a new little shop in the heart of the district in Bearden. It had just popped up, so I had to pop in. Then I saw their line under the sign, "Stylish. Unique. Affordable." I walked in, a half a dozen shoppers were buzzing about and I fell in love. Loved the leggings. Love all the choices in UT orange. Loved several cut sweaters. And, I loved the price point. Welcome to the neighborhood Chic!!

Learn more on their Facebook page (source)->

Day 383: Exit 383

According to my calcalations, October 18, 2010, is day 383 of my life back in Knoxville. Exit 383 is my interstate exit, when I am coming from West Knoxville and Farragut, back to "slightly less west west Knoxville, a.k.a. the heart of Bearden, where we live now.

Day ???: One Tree Grille

No, it's not a CW favorite, it's a new restaurant right in our neighborhood. Sunday after church, we headed to One Tree Grille, to see if it would be our new favorite. Brad loved the hamburger (which is his ultimate test) and my crab cake egg benedict, from the brunch menu, were perfect. And their fresh fruit was simply amazing. It takes a lot for fresh fruit in a restaurant to really be that good, but this was.
As this new location looks exactly like the restaurant that formerly occupied the space, it still must be doing something right, because it is still unique. There was a fun crowd, with lots of folks we knew, from ages 25 to 75. And it carried a very neighborhood feel.
The Shops at Western Plaza is one of my favorite strips in all of Knoxville, with the Fresh Market, Mary (aka Day 20), Runner's Market (how have I not blogged about Runner's Market???), and Natural Alternatives (aka Day 34). And One Tree Grille will be a welcome addition!



Oh, wait, I almost forgot - we also had the key lime pie for dessert. Yum!! You've got to check this place out!

Click here for the website and menu at www.onetreegrille.com->
Check out the facebook/photo credit->