Tupelo Honey Café is opening a restaurant on the first floor of The Oliver Hotel, a historic boutique property in Knoxville, Tenn. The building, originally the Peter Kern Bakery, was constructed in 1876, and was recently renovated. Tupelo Honey Owner Steve Frabitore says that the new location should be open by this summer.
The Knoxville restaurant will offer the same menu as its sister Asheville locations, and will be managed by Frabitore and his executive team. Tupelo’s executive chef, Brian Sonoskus, will oversee food quality and menu development. Alan Wolf, previously the operating and founding partner of Frankie Bones Asheville, will serve as director of store operations. Asheville architect Patti Glazer is in charge of the work to update the space.
The Oliver Hotel is located in the Market Square district of Knoxville, a city center with a farmers market. Market Square also hosts an International Biscuit Festival. Something tells us that Tupelo will participate in that event.
Knoxville’s Tupelo will seat 150 and boast a bar, The Sweet Spot, which will feature specialty moonshine cocktails and regional micro-brews and wine.
