Party of 4 on a Wednesday night. Very nice decor (grade A), but the music was too loud -- hard for us to talk to each other. Server Ethan was eager and very good, if a bit inexperienced. For appetizers we ordered meatballs (4) which were tasty and the smoked guacamole was really very good. Mains were good -- beef rib was excellent, hanger steak was very good, beef medallions were very good. Sides -- not so much. All were flavorful, but over-cooked. Maybe this is Latin American style, but not what is common for American restaurants. As a person who has eaten in great restaurants in big cities as well as a lot of good restaurants in cities all over the country, overall, I'd give this restaurant 3 1/2 stars. It was a Wednesday night, so I'll visit once more on a Friday or Saturday to see if they pop up a notch. read more

Great experience. Sat at the bar and had a couple of beautiful cocktails. The bartenders took great care of us. We had the Peru Ian chicken which was as good as any I've ever had! Jen had the hanger steak. Bourbon pepper sauce does not denote any Chili's. This was whole peppercorn. It's all she could taste for hours after leaving. Great experience overall but stay away from the hanger steak sauce. read more

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Cool spot with some tasty small plates. The decor and vibe were cool, and the service was friendly, but not quite exceptional. The Oaxacan Hot Crab dip was creamy and rich; the Crab Cake was unique and flavorful; the Patatas Bravas hit the spot, and the Brussels Sprouts were out of this world! The combination of flavors was incredible. The Cuban Old Fashioned was very good as well. read more

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Party of 3 without a reservation on a Wednesday evening. As we entered the hostess area, she asked if we had a reservation. The restaurant was not full, however; we assumed it would be with reserved parties. The hostess said she could seat us only outdoors. As the thunder grew louder and prior to the downpour of rain, we asked our waitress if there was a table inside. She happily walked us inside and found a table in the bar. During our meal, the restaurant had several open tables. It seemed as though we were being snubbed because of our casual attire and age (older) by the hostess. It ended on a high note because we had the awesome bartender as our waitress. The food was delicious; flatbreads, brussels sprouts, and crab dip. Sweet potatoes undercooked. read more

Vida was a VIBE! The first shoutout I would like to give is to the bartender Alex for playing the entire Don Toliver "Octane" album during our visit. The album literally just dropped, and he had it queued up upon entry. Truly was an amazing experience based on that factor alone. Our waitress Sheree was also very kind. The crab dip appetizer may have been the show stopper of the night, as our table ordered two of them. We really enjoyed the beef empanadas, and the brussel sprouts were tasty. I can not forget the delicious mezcal cocktail I had to wash it all down. We had a great time at Vida! read more

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Vida is always a great experience when I'm in Knoxville. It definitely has an upscale vibe, which after a night bar hopping in college town is a nice reprieve. The artwork and decor is modern and eye catching. Great place for a date or business meetings. We sat at the bar, which was a different and great experience as well. The bar tender clearly enjoys mixology which shows through his work. It's always great to see someone in their element. We tried a bunch of different small plates. They were all excellent. Albondigas, Crispy Shrimp, Jalepeno Friters, and Mini Changas all were packed full of flavor. I didn't expect the Mini Changas to be my favorite, but they were awesome. We also got some Queso and Salsa which was pretty good to. We are from Texas so it's hard to beat the queso from our neck of the woods. I highly recommend the experience at Vida. It's a little pricey but worth it in the end. You might also check out the Vault down stairs. It's a bit more fancy but a neat ambiance. read more

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How in the world have I not wrote about this yet...must be dad brain! We have been coming here since the beginning....and will keep coming back as often as the budgets will let us, ha! We are definitely a fan of the small plates to share food and experience the unique interpretations of the food. Generally things are on the spicier side...but there are mild options as well. The staff here has always been amazing. The food has never let us down, not even once (hope I've not jinxed it). GET. HERE. SOMETIME. I assure you that you'll find something you've not had that expands the pallete of your foodie spectrum! read more

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We dined at Vida this evening as part of a large birthday group. We reserved the back room and put a somewhat large deposit down with an established minimum bill requirement; something we thought would ensure great service and a pleasant experience. The ambience of the restaurant was professional and clean and initially felt like this would be a memorable celebration for our friends and family. The experience started to sour shortly after our arrival. The private room we were placed in was extremely hot and despite numerous requests, it does not appear the temperature was ever adjusted to cool the space down. It became readily apparent that having us in a private room gave the wait staff the ability to completely forget about us for long periods of time as we sat there with no drinks and no appetizers for quite awhile. When those items finally came to the table we again sat there with empty glasses and dirty plates in front of us for far too long. Eventually it was quicker for members of our party to walk out to the bar in the main seating area to order our own drinks than to wait for service in our private room. We finally ordered our entrees and it appeared that random wait staff were recruited to bring our food as plates as there was confusion about who ordered what as plates were given to the wrong table and the staff seemed to be annoyed they were pulled in to look after us. One server even refused to grab any of our empty plates and instead said he was going to get our main server. Our group was very reserved, polite, and subdued as we patiently waited for a more attentive level of service. We were supposed to have a dedicated server; however, our server appeared to be working a completely other section and disappeared for 30 minutes at a time, would reappear briefly, then disappear again. At the end of the night he did apologize and confirmed we were supposed to have a dedicated server, but the restaurant was short staffed. Once the food did arrive, the quality was actually fairly good (and the only reason for the single star); however, the atmosphere had already been dampened by the extremely long wait, lack of attentive service, stale room temperature, and seemingly apathetic attitude to our concerns or overall customer experience. It took a while for our dinner plates to be cleared and even though we would have loved to continue the night, it was readily apparent that our patronage was not appreciated or wanted. We had to remind the wait staff that we had a birthday cake in the kitchen fridge and that we needed a refresh on our drinks to toast. Some of the drinks never came out and we ended up cutting our cake with a butter knife. The level of service we received was completely unacceptable, grossly underwhelming, and not equitable to the large amount of money we spent on our total bill. Not a single member of management came to ask how our dinner service was going or to even attempt to smooth over the rough, lackluster service. If the owner of this establishment happens to read this review, I would have major concerns about how management schedules and manages their staff and how such a large group was treated so poorly. Without exaggeration or emotion, this was one of the most disappointing dining experiences I have ever had and I would not recommend let alone return to this establishment. Experience may differ for a smaller group or on a different night of the week; however, all we can comment on was our personal experience which was beyond disappointing. read more

Vida is one of my favorite dining spots in Knoxville! Always great service, tasty cocktails & delicious food! Also, love the unique atmosphere. Definitely recommend! Most recently, server Alexa was incredible and made the dining experience even more pleasurable! read more

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Attractive space, roomy, pleasant looking out to the small park beside. Started with a mango fuego - excellent choice if you're wanting a drink with a little spice, it gives a nice light burn to the back of your throat. Sampled a variety of small plates. We split 5, and frankly it was one more than we really needed, we were both pretty full when the last one arrived. I suppose that varies depending on which plates you order. Smoked guacamole was nice; fresh and good flavor, with crispy tortilla chips. It made us want to explore the queso next visit. The tuna ceviche was also fresh and flavorful, and I'd order it regularly just for the chance to munch on the fried wontons - delightful. The crispy shrimp was the must order - I'm certain it will be a dish we return to on every visit. We agreed we'd skip the patatas bravas and empanadas for other dishes in the future. They both brought a lot of starch and not as much flavor. Shout out to our wait person, Abbie V. She was charming and very helpful making sure we had a great experience as first time diners at Vida. read more

We came for anniversary dinner, and it took us forever to get to our reserved seats, get the menu and order. We got the Paloma to begin with, but it tastes a little too plain. Not sure if it's inflation-related but somehow it's on the diluted side. We got chopped salad (pretty good), tuna ceviche (good), grilled beef tenderloin (good), and yoka fries. It is until after couple days I checked Yelp, saw others posts and then realized they forgot our yoka fries completely that night. At the end, we got the chocolate bowl as the dessert, and we enjoyed the flambé process. However, the alcohol was way too much and too strong, that made everything (cakes and fruits) tastes completely like ethanol. Overall, we enjoyed the ambience, but there are a lot of things that can be improved. read more

Vida - Tuna ceviche - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

Service was great. Beautiful atmosphere. Loved the vibes. Anytime i needed a drink I didn't even have to ask. read more

Vida - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

The tacos, beans, rice, and salsa were incredible! As was the service. The restaurant is very cozy and has a really fun vibe. read more

Delightful evening! We enjoyed our beverages and tapas for our bestie-night-out! * smoked guacamole 9/10 (and I'm a Texan!) * cauliflower gratin (7/10) yummy but heavy * tuna Tacos 9/10 (spicyyyy) * yuca Fries 10/10 It wasn't too loud or too busy! But I did make a reservation read more

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Great service and exquisite food! Complements to the chef and bartenders. We had mini-changas and the shrimp ceviche, both excellent! The Pisco Sour cocktail was as close as what I have had in Cusco, so I highly recommend it. We were seated upon arrival but I highly recommend you have reservations (thru Resy). All in all a good dining experience and got us out in time to see our show at the Tennessee Theater. read more

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Stopped here to enjoy few drinks and was not disappointed ! Piska sour was delicious ! read more

Vida - Great bathroom lighting ;) - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

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I stopped here randomly for a drink but it turned out to be a restaurant with amazing food! Seafood was spectacular. The service was wonderful. I sat with my group outside on the nicely decorated patio. read more

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It was UT graduation weekend, so it was busy and you definitely need a reservation! There's also a bar downstairs that also needs a reservation. The restaurant is in an old bank so the vibes inside are very cool. The service was great, our waitress Twyla, was attentive and helped us pick between entrees. The food was good, we got the shrimp ceviche, carne asada tacos, and lomo Saltado. The carne asada tacos were fine, a little expensive for 2 tacos with tortillas that were a little dry and the carne asada meat was on the smaller side. The lomo saltado was good, not what we expected but flavorful. The rice was a bit on the dryer side, but the potatoes soaked in all the juice. read more

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A little tricky to find since it's doesn't have a big sign. You see the information painted on the side of a the building and to the door to get in is also on the side. We had a very friendly waiter that was quick to clear off table and make sure we had enough to drink. I decided to order a few small plates and also go to try some of the other plates my friends ordered. I ordered the Panko crusted white fish, brussel sprouts, and also patatas bravas. I was able to also try the tuna ceviche. Everything was delicious and flavorful. We started with smoked guacamole too. For dessert, we all split the strawberry cake and the chocolate bowl. I also go their limonda suiza as my drink. Refres The smoked guacamole came out with a lid that they released with the smoke trapped inside. The chocolate bowl was brought over and the caramel flambé was done right at the table. I loved the aesthetics, atmosphere, and everything I had to eat was delicious! I'll be back for sure to try more menu items! read more

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Came here for my birthday last weekend. Nice meal! Kiddo tried both of the NA mocktails on the menu and thoroughly enjoyed each. I had a blackberry mojito. As expected, just a little plain. It's been a while since we'd been here and we didn't quite remember that the entree plates are really designed to be shared - we could easily have had just one of those...instead on the 3 we ordered. Starting with the small plates, tho - we had the tamale (spicy, but dry), the scallops (2 doesn't work well for 3 ppl, but the half I had was tasty), and the pork belly, which clearly stole the show. It was melt-in-your-mouth soft, salty, and delicious. Honestly, I could've eaten 3 of those and been happy. But on to the large plates - hubs got the chicken enchiladas (ate all 3 himself, so obvs no complaints), kiddo got the boneless beef short rib (loved it), and I had the beef tenderloin medallions. These came on a bed of spanish rice with chimichurri sauce. I think the tomato'ey rice/sauce was meant to flavor the meat, which worked well because it was very salty. I couldn't eat more than one, but each "medallion" was a small filet (there were 3), so I didn't feel too bad. We called it quits without dessert since I've had their churros before and wasn't impressed. The decor is always fun here and there was still a crowd from Big Ears over the weekend. We were only a party of 3, and I guess we were small potatoes compared to the tables of 4 & 5 around us. The restaurant didn't seem packed, but I did feel like we were rather left to ourselves. The company was good, the food was tasty, and it was a nice night out. read more

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Such a sexy place! The whole place was just a vibe!! The service was amazing! Good came out quick. And the food was amazing! I wanted to order one of everything!! read more

Service was top notch as well as the food! Went to the Vault first for some creative cocktails! Really sultry and dark vibe. Great service and fabulous menu of drinks and small plates. For dinner we got the tuna ceviche, empanadas, chicken tangas, and Peruvian chicken. All were fabulous! The server was attentive, excited about the restaurant and food, made great recommendations. Definitely a 10/10 experience. read more

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Vida has only gotten better over time. The atmosphere is classy and you can go downstairs to the vault for after dinner drinks. The food is very clean and beautifully presented. I highly recommend the empanadas, crispy pork belly, tuna ceviche, peruvian chicken, elote, and crispy shrimp. read more

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This restaurant is amazing! Especially, the Vault located downstairs. The ambiance of restaurant is cute and the service was A1. I was in Knoxville on work travel and became obsessed with this restaurant. Keep in mind a few things: this restaurant was once a bank (hence the look/design), the entrance is between the park and restaurant patio.. so walking near the park might feel sketchy and seedy... but worth while. I walked through the park and I didn't feel uncomfortable..... read more

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I was not impressed. We started the evening with reservations at the Vault downstairs, which we normally love. However the hostess talked us into dining upstairs at Vida instead. Since it was Mother's Day we thought they would be booked solid but the hostess got us right in. We ordered drinks and an appetizer, ELOTE, fresh cut corn, mixed peppers, tajin, chimichurri, romesco, cotija. We had had this before at the Vault and it was great, spicy, creamy and hot. This was none of those. It was as if a can of Mexican corn was opened and a little cheese was drizzled on top and it was lukewarm at best. They said there was no seating outside, but as we left there were people seated on the patio. All in all it was not a good experience. read more

Yes! We loved this place, and we will definitely be back. We just shared several small plates and loved them all: Corn Croquettes Beets & Burrata Carnitas Tamale Crispy Shrimp Crispy Pork Belly Roasted Carrots & Ricotta Tuna Ceviche Prime Hanger Steak Roasted Broccolini Chocolate Bowl Churros The beverages were also lovely. This was a sleek restaurant with very chic vibe. read more

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What a gorgeous spot with both contemporary decor and outlook on food. A few tips-make reservations and enter on the patio to the right of the building. We wandered aimlessly for a bit until we found the main entrance on the side. There is a vault available downstairs and we were old they often have poker games that guest can join in. We were greeted warmly and seated immediately. The seating is comfy and most include a cushy, velveteen bench of some kind. They are angled in a way that creates intimacy, even if the place was packed. Vida definitely lends itself to a date or special occasion. Note that these dishes are small and served family style. If you go with a group, it can make it a tad awkward to split some of the dishes and then the bill at the end, if that's a concern for you. We ordered the barbacoa empanadas, elote, patatas bravas(crispy potatoes), and the barriga de cerdo (pork belly). The empanadas had an incredible sauce and super tender meat. The pork belly was SO good...we were scraping the plate. The potatoes were perfectly crisp and seasoned in a yummy sauce. The only thing we would avoid is the elote. It lacked flavor and became a pool of grease with corn in it. Lastly, our group ordered the Tazon De Chocolate, which was a chocolate ball they light on fire and it breaks open with fruit inside. It is the priciest dessert partially due to the chocolate-breaking spectacle. Our server (who was fabulous throughout the meal), unfortunately didn't tell us they were out of the chocolate balls and instead brought out a ceramic bowl of fruit that he poured fire-lit booze on top of. No option of changing the dessert was given and it tasted like boozy fruit...not worth full price. Bummer. In general, this place is very pricey for the amount of food you get. We would come back for a special occasion, but couldn't afford this on a regular basis. Overall good experience. We would go on a date alone next time and opt for dessert elsewhere. read more

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Spectacular visit, as usual! Service, decor, vibe, food--all top notch! Smoked guac and churro dessert never disappoint read more

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What a beautiful experience! If our server hadn't kept disappearing for long stints it would have been a five. We had a table of six. Also went we first arrived there was a very loud smell not sure if it was cleaning supplies. Most everything was a win. Favorites: Veggie Empanadas Corn Croquettes Crispy Shrimp Things l'd pass on: Lobster Quesadilla & Chips and Salsa. Great atmosphere and beautiful decor. Definitely check it out! read more

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Had the salmon; it was delicious! Perfectly seared. The horchata was delicious. Sat at the bar, and the service was attentive. It was quite busy, and without a reservation there was only room at the bar, which worked out great. A nice cozy spot -- easy to miss! Makes sense as it shares its location with a speakeasy downstairs. Definitely plan to return. read more

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Our group was seated at a lovely round navy plush booth. Everyone enjoyed their dish. The atmosphere is so nice! For dessert a couple of us had the Chocolate Bowl that has a caramel flambé which was amazing to watch. Great time! read more

Vida - Seared Scallops and Crispy Brussel Sprouts - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

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Great atmosphere! Unique drinks and delicious tapas! Magda provided top notch service.

Delicious food and great Sangiovese house wine. Gluten free. Lots of options for gluten allergy. read more

Vida - ARROZ CON CAMARONES - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

Unfortunately I didn't take a single picture, but don't let that deter you from going. We ordered a variety of drinks, small plates and deserts, and everything was amazing! Service was great and the atmosphere was also. Went down to the Vault afterwards for a drink and had a great time! Highly recommend! read more

I took my wife here on a Saturday night for her birthday, and we had an outstanding evening. We arrived early for our reservation, however, the hostess informed us our table was ready, and sat us immediately. We had a table in the corner on the other side of the bar and away from the main dining room. It was perfect "romantic seating." The atmosphere was a bit 'lively', it being a Saturday and the entire restaurant was filled (including the bar). Excellent, knowledgable and attentive service was provided throughout the evening by our server. We each found a glass of wine we liked. Then, we shared a chopped salad with the most amazing dressing, followed by the crispy shrimp and the barbacoa empanadas. All of the food was presented with a flair. The shrimp has some bite to it, but was delicious. The empanadas were unique and tasted wonderful. A perfect small bite of meat. I might add that we've experienced drinks at the bar on an earlier occasion, and drinks and appetizers once before on the patio. Every experience has been equally praise-worthy. read more

Vida - Chopped salad with an amazingly tasty dressing. - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

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Wow! What can we say?! Let's start with the unreal smoked Guacamole! Amazing! Followed up by the chopped salad which was so tasty and large enough for my wife and I both to split! Then the short ribs and swordfish. Oh my goodness! Each dish was perfectly sized and prepared. Tastes were spot on! Now for the service... our server, Gloria, was fantastic!! Knowledgable of the menu and great suggestions for the wine pairings. We couldn't have asked for a better experience for our early Valentines dinner! She even went above and beyond to set flowers on the table ahead of time to make the setting just right. Go here! Ask for Gloria!! read more

Amazing meal, wonderful libations and great atmosphere. Our server was Grace, who's name is befitting her. She has a sweet and lovely disposition. Grace was very knowledgeable about the menu, prompt and very professional with the service. Their offerings of shareables and small plates allows you to try a little of everything without over stuffing yourself. The Barbacoa empanadas were seasoned perfectly. The Crispy spicy shrimp had just the right amount of spice and the green goddess dressing that accompanied the chopped salad is to die for. This salad dressing is sooo good, it should be served in a tcup with a straw for sipping. read more

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Market Square Knoxville was our destination, and we found that we kind of wandered off a bit in search of a nice drink and maybe dinner. We hit the jackpot. It was a bit hard to find out how to get inside but once we did - holy cow! What we liked was that there are several small plates, you can mix and match and we did just that. Magrid (sp?) was our server and she was very efficient and explained the concept, the local vodka and more to us. Really good martini and then a lovely sparkling rose' - the perfect wine for all food! We enjoyed the shrimp dish - very fresh, not too spicy and quite delish, then we had Bang's Island mussels in a red sauce, flavored with slices of fingerling potatoes and with excellent herbed focaccia, then it was on to the empanada dish and finally the corn croquettes. So good! We learned that downstairs is "the vault" and headed down there to finish our wine, chat w/the bar tenders and try a dessert cocktail. Did we spend more than we intended? Yup - but it was all well-worth it; and we would do it again. read more

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While I always post my own opinions, my significant other's words say it best. I took him to Vida for a special occasion, and they certainly did not disappoint in any aspect. His review is as follows: "Having lived in Knoxville for some time, Vida took my breath away with its atmosphere, flare, and mouth watering options. The journey began with an excellent selection of cocktails and wine. Of which, we opted for the Chef's cocktail of the day, featuring a Mezcal Old Fashioned, that took the traditional drink and elevated it to match the feel and flavor of the succeeding menu. As a starter, the Smoked Guacamole provided a small portion and large effect. It is served encapsulated in smoke which spills out as it arrives at your table. Vida produced main-course, menu selections that left my jaw on the floor, my belt a little tighter, and my culinary bar (for Knoxville) set much higher. The Boneless Short Rib was cooked to melty-perfection, served alongside complimentary vegetables and sauce. Better yet, the Bone In Pork Chop left me astounded. It was juicy, marvelously encrusted, and served with fried okra crisps and purées that made each bite texturally exciting. The Pork Chop is the best meal I have had in the state. Vida, thank you for incredible entrees and service. We will be back!" For my finishing critiques: Vida often requires weekend reservations but is quiet on week nights for a more intimate surrounding. Parking is somewhat distant, as expected with downtown locations. Prepare to spend $40-$60 per person. Overall, a lovely interior, knowledgeable staff, and very unique experience and menu to Knoxville. read more

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Vida: Impressive! From the swanky room decor (blue crushed velvet booths) to the food decor (tiny flowers), this place is bound to be a hit. Cocktails are just as fun as Kefi...I didn't see a flight but that would be my only suggestion to add! Had a kiwi Paloma (fruity) and the Munk (boozy!). Both delicious...and of course came with a teeny tiny flower garnish. Food: -Beef empanadas (husband's favorite) -Arepas (these were good but overshadowed by other two small plates) -Shrimp (reminded me of bang bang shrimp) -Elote corn (not like Mexican street corn - more like a warm comfort food side dish) -Whole chicken (see photo) -Mushroom flatbread (my favorite) Thomas didn't steer us wrong with any of it and we're excited to get back in and try everything else. I heard the guacamole con atún is great so will be trying that and hopefully next time can squeeze in some dessert. The Vault: What a vibe! This place is a fantastic addition to the Knoxville cocktail scene. Decor is impressive with a speakeasy type feel. Had the Red Skies in the Morning and it will be my new go to. Husband had a Manhattan with the classic whiskey cherries found at Kefi. This place is owned by the same person as Vida upstairs and Kefi in the Old City. There are private tables along the wall which make for an intimate and romantic setting and the cocktail menu is found by a qcode on the table. Apparently there is a yearly membership that gets you in without a wait - for $3500. Before you think it's crazy...they are almost sold out of these! read more

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