Marvel-ous Movies

There is nothing like escaping the world and immersing yourself in a great film at the movie theater. For most, going to the movies is not the thing to do anymore, but it happens to be one of my favorite past times when I have the time and the funds.

With the evolution of movies has come the evolution of how we experience them. The Regal Cinemas Riviera 8 in downtown Knoxville has the ultimate set up. With its food selection and equipped with its own bar the downtown Regal has plenty to sustain your needs.

Recently I went to see the Captain Marvel movie as I attempt to keep in the loop on all things Marvel as the famed mega movie series is coming to an end this month. The theater was super clean and the staff wonderfully helpful, as we made our way back to our theater.

Because going to see this movie was a last minute, late Tuesday night decision, there were a few questionable characters both in the theater and watching the movie with us, but after alerting the staff there were no issues!

Regal has played such a huge part in the Knoxville community that they often us the downtown theater as a red carpet for the latest flick to hit. Their Instagram (@regalmovies) also shows highlights for the newest trailers, snacks, and tickets on sale! Head downtown for your next movie outing and you won’t regret it!

A big thank you to
https://klausvandenberg.wordpress.com/rivieraregal-cinema/ for this photo!!

Let Chivo’s be Chivo’s

Street tacos have taken the country by storm as a trendy way to enjoy Mexican cuisine. This trend has spread downtown through restaurants like Babalous and a newer addition of Chivo Taqueria. Both are on Gay Street and offer street tacos but their similarities end there as each offers different queso, entrees, and beverages from the bar.

Chivo’s has an amazing queso with chorizo, that is so melt in your mouth good, if you don’t order it you are doing yourself a disservice. It comes with homemade corn tortilla chips that are seasoned with the perfect amount of salt for the spicy meat and cheese.

But the best thing on the menu is not Mexican at all. The Korean BBQ street tacos are to die for. I’ve been to Sweet P’s BBQ and had their Korean BBQ and if Chivo’s gave me a full plate of the meat, the competition would be fierce between the two.

If you would like to follow Chivo Taqueria on Instagram and Facebook @chivotaqueria they post about their great food, cool restaurant set up, and their involvement in the community.

Prescription for Ice Cream

This week has been full of disappointments after criticism after rejection that only ice cream can fix. When you have one of those weeks in the Knoxville area, head downtown and in the heart of Gay Street is your ice cream savior, the Pharmacy. Full of old timey vibes, antiques, homemade sodas, other desserts, and a fully functioning medicine pharmacy in the back, the Pharmacy is like taking a trip back in time.

I arrived at this joint on my ice cream escapade because I had seen so many friends post about it on their social media, and conveniently without inviting me, but I digress. And while there are many places that I have visited for this blog that haven’t lived up to the hype, the ice cream here was not a let down. However the menu does need to be a little more clear on the menu when ordering a float, whether you’re receiving their homemade sodas or a brand soda. But seeing as that’s my only complaint (because yes, I can complain about any and everything), I find this spot to be another A+ on the bucket list to check off.

This post unfortunately does not come without a warning label. As many Knoxville residents know, the homeless population is very prevalent downtown. So avid readers, (AKA Mom and Carson) please take precautions when out on Gay Street at night. Use the buddy system, phone a friend, let someone else know your location. With news stories like the past few weeks, you never know, when your ice cream pity party could turn into a real life nightmare.

Chick(en)s & Waffles

Chicken & waffles is a classic combo, but one of the newest places in Knoxville has designed their whole restaurants around the meal. Myrtle’s Chicken and Beer has filled a spot in Downtown’s luxe area of Market Square.

Everything on the menu spans many variations of chicken sandwiches, wraps, salads and of course waffles. I honestly ordered a lot more at this restaurant than I have at any other because every item looked SO GOOD.

My dinner date and I started with a basket of cheddar bacon biscuits. They were all gone before our meal came out. While the biscuits might have tasted like a glorified Bisquick biscuit and not as cheesy as my date would have preferred, but still so so good.

Next up was my chicken and waffles meal that is the featured photo of this post. Now I was a person who growing up ordered chicken and waffles anytime I saw it on the menu because, I mean chicken tenders and waffles to a kid was a great invention. I find it a perfect merger of breakfast food with all other times of the day. However, these chicken and waffles were not the best I had ever had. The disappointment was all over my face as my dinner date could tell I was sad.

This does NOT mean that the meal was bad, but I just honestly was not impressed. My dinner date ordered something different than I, and munched on a hot chicken sandwich he believed would give Chick-fil-A a fierce competition. While that is obvious blasphemy, the bite I stole from the sandwich while he was very good, and dare I say better than the chicken and waffles!

The food item I will rave about is actually very surprising. Pimento cheese mac and cheese sounded good when I read it on the menu but my taste buds in no way could have imagined the fireworks about to be consumed. Honestly I plan to go back only to eat copious amounts of it.

If you’d like to try this new restaurant out, Myrtle’s Chicken and Beer can be found on Instagram as @myrtleschickenandbeer and on Facebook as Myrtle’s Chicken + Beer, both providing chicken photos galore.

Uptown Girls Don’t Eat Well

When you want the good eats in Knoxville, Downtown is where you need to be. More specifically, Downtown Grill & Brewery, a staple in Knoxville’s Downtown dinning scene. Perched in the middle of South Gay Street, it is the spot to go after a movie at the Regal Cinemas, a show at the Tennessee Theater or before going to an event in Market Square, like Shakespeare plays or movies on Market Square. The menu boasts many different plates from burgers, pasta, appetizers, salads, and of course a wide variety of beer.

I have a favorite for every course from this restaurant as it has been across the street from the office I have been interning for. Their $5 lunch specials are not only amazing deals, but since they differ every day one can try many things! These lunch specials also include percentages off a meal for different downtown offices. Sundays include a brunch with waffles and mimosas.

My favorite items from this restaurant could be a long list but I’ll spare you and tell you my top two picks! For an appetizer, the beer cheese and pretzels are delicious. In the happy hour version, the pretzels come in mini bites, and when served at other hours, the appetizer comes with whole pretzels. For a main meal, the classic Dan’s Pasta is my absolute favorite meal every time I have it. Dan’s Pasta is a twist on chicken Alfredo, served with grilled chicken, mushrooms, and penne pasta.

If the draw of great food wasn’t enough DGB offers Poker Night ever Monday, Trivia every Tuesday, and a Jazz themed happy hour doing the previously mentioned brunch on Sundays. And to keep up with these events their Facebook is the place to go to stay informed, and see their cool pics like the one posted with this blog. Like them on Facebook to see what’s coming next! (https://www.facebook.com/downtowngrillandbrewery/?epa=SEARCH_BOX)

Foundry Fundraisin’

This weekend I was able to help out a UTK alumnus while having so much fun! Akima is a local group that raises monies for agencies in the Knoxville area. Thanks to Akima’s Casino Night at the Foundry on the Fair Site, so much money was raised to help those in need!

While volunteering at the event I was able to experience the functionality of the event space. The stage was perfect for our raffle give away and announcing silent auction winners, as well as the wine bidding war! Additionally, the event space boasted so much space to spread out, eat, dance, and gamble for tickets.

The Foundry on the Fair Site is also known to host many other events from weddings, award ceremonies and some great fundraising events like the one above! Their website offers an exclusive look into the ways venue can be transformed.

Visit their website to book your next event! http://www.foundonfair.com/

Merchants of Beer (and Good Times)

Merchants of Beer is quite possibly THE COOLEST building in Knoxville, located at 137 S. Central Street. This retro 1950’s dinner on the outside turned sleek modern bar on the inside, has over 50 taps of wine, cocktails, and beers. The unique venue also is a local hot spot for cigar lovers to enjoy!

Merchants of Beer, or MoB as locals call it, is welcoming from the moment you walk in. The retro bar is still there but has been updated with a glossed wood bar top that I imagine a skilled bartender has slid a pint across. As you sit at the bar, your choices await as all 50 taps are listed on the chalkboard above the massive line of taps that take up the wall behind the bar.

If you are like me and STRUGGLE to find a beer you like, then this is the place to go for experimentation. From lagers, IPAs, stouts, pilsners, and ciders (my favorite), the list of 43 brews MoB offers is not only listed on the chalkboard but on a menu that goes a little more in depth about the products. But if you are as uneducated on beer as I am, then the staff could be your new best friend.

The MoB staff assisted me in finding an adult apple juice the Tailgate Sweet Cider – 9, but also let me sample some local brews like the Shield Series: Imperial Stout- 38, the Tessellation IPA – 24, and the Dunkel lager – 36. With they have a plethora of 38 unique beers as well as a few staples MoB also offers a few select wines and craft cocktails which make up 1-6 on the 50 taps numbered.

Another cool feature to this Knoxville only joint is its market! If you find your new favorite IPA or ale, MoB keeps a walk-in fridge stocked with 6-packs and singles that you can purchase. The walk-in has three walls, with five shelves each, full of the local and staple beers offered.

MoB is active on Facebook, and Instagram rarely going two days without posting about their variety of events, the cool exterior, google reviews, or their amazing customers. They are hot on the hashtag trend and have created one of their own #mobknox. Hosting a weekly Wednesday Wine and Cheese Party, and multiple watch parties from sports like soccer to the currently #1 ranked University of Tennessee Men’s Basketball team, the bar shows their support.

This local spot is soon to be one of my favorite places in Knoxville, and I cannot wait to go back!