Month: December 2022

Fine Dining in Maryville, TN

by Lacey Spear
Various white plates with fresh food on them including fish, vegetables, scallops, and more.
Photo Courtesy of RT Lodge
  • Maryville, TN, boasts several stellar fine-dining restaurants:
    • The Walnut Kitchen
    • Foothills Milling Company
    • The Restaurant at RT Lodge

Farm-to-table dining reaches its pinnacle in Maryville, Tennessee. Situated near the stunning Fort Loudoun Lake, these restaurants take the region’s vibrant flavors and transform them into a Southern culinary delight. So, if you’re a food enthusiast who wants to move to Fort Loudoun Lake, rest assured that you have plenty of stellar restaurants nearby. If you want to learn more about these Tennessee hotpots, journey with us as we explore fine dining in Maryville!

The Walnut Kitchen

Fish with leeks over rice with a purple sauce---an example of The Walnut Kitchen's excellent food.
Photo Courtesy of The Walnut Kitchen
Cow walking through a green field.
Photo Courtesy of The Walnut Kitchen
Fresh peaches and bananas with jams in the background.
Photo Courtesy of The Walnut Kitchen

Renowned chef David Rule opened The Walnut Kitchen to counteract the influx of chain restaurants crowding the Maryville menu and infuse local flavors into east Tennessee’s restaurant scene. Accordingly, The Walnut Kitchen has a fresh seasonal menu, incorporating products from local butchers and farmers. Since there are endless new dishes to try, no visit to this Tennessee gem is ever the same.

  • Hours: Tuesday–Thursday, 4–9 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 4–10 p.m.; closed Sunday & Monday
  • Location: 606 High Street, Maryville, TN, 37804
  • Popular Dishes: The menu is seasonal and subject to change; however, many customers order steak, chicken, and scallop dishes.
  • Reservations are not required but are recommended. You can make them here.

Foothills Milling

Juicy pork with greens and grits---an example of Foothills Milling's stellar menu.
Photo Courtesy of Foothills Milling Company
Lemon drop martini in front of bar.
Photo Courtesy of Foothills Milling Company
Carrot cake on a white plate.
Photo Courtesy of Foothills Milling Company

In the past, the mill was the epitome of Southern communal living—a place where people would gather to grind the corn that served as the staple of their diets. Today, Foothills Milling Company is the new cornerstone of the South’s finest dining. Sourcing ingredients from local businesses such as Benton’s Bacon, Cruze Farms, and Vienna Coffee, this Tennessee hotspot marries meaningful community with robust flavors.

  • Hours: Tuesday–Thursday, 4–8 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 4–9 p.m.; closed Sunday & Monday
  • Location: 315 S. Washington St., Maryville, TN 37804
  • Popular Dishes: Lobster Tails, Short Rib Stuffed Meatloaf, Pork Shoulder, and Tempura Lobster.
  • Reservations are not required but are recommended. They can be made online or by calling 865-977-8434.

The Restaurant at RT Lodge

Fried Chicken, vegetables, and Salmon on picturesque plates at Tennessee's RT Lodge.
Photo Courtesy of RT Lodge
The outdoor setting at Tennessee's RT Lodge, which features white tables cloths, brown chairs, and vibrant greenery.
Photo Courtesy of RT Lodge
A Moscow mule on a wood table.
Photo Courtesy of RT Lodge

RT Lodge’s beloved chef Trevor Stockton grew up in a family of farmers and chefs. From an early age, he learned how to utilize the freshest regional ingredients in his signature dishes. Today, he incorporates local farmers’ products, including some from his family’s farm, Stockton. Plus, his innovative menu is only enhanced by the tranquil environment at RT Lodge. After feasting in the picturesque dining room, guests can venture to the cozy fire pit to enjoy a coffee and complimentary s’mores.

  • Hours: Tuesday–Thursday, 5-9 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 5–9:30 p.m.; closed Sunday & Monday
  • Location: 1406 Wilkinson Pike, Maryville, TN 37803
  • Popular Dishes: Buttermilk Fried Chicken, 45-day Wet-Aged Prime Rib-Eye, and Housemade Charcuterie Boards.
  • You can make reservations online.

Now you know where to find fine dining in Maryville. All you have left to do is find the perfect Fort Loudoun Lake home, and you can experience all this vibrant region has to offer!

FAQs

The Walnut Kitchen, Foothills Milling Company, and The Restaurant at RT Lodge.

Hours: Tuesday–Thursday, 4–9 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 4–10 p.m.; closed Sunday & Monday

606 High Street, Maryville, TN, 37804

The menu is seasonal and subject to change; however, many customers order steak, chicken, and scallop dishes.

Reservations are not required by recommended. You can make them here.

Hours: Tuesday–Thursday, 4–8 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 4–9 p.m.; closed Sunday & Monday

 315 S. Washington St., Maryville, TN 37804

Lobster Tails, Short Rib Stuffed Meatloaf, Pork Shoulder, and Tempura Lobster.

Reservations are not required but are recommended. They can be made online or by calling 865-977-8434.

Hours: Tuesday–Thursday, 5-9 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 5–9:30 p.m.; closed Sunday & Monday

1406 Wilkinson Pike, Maryville, TN 37803

Buttermilk Fried Chicken, 45-day Wet Aged Prime Rib-Eye, and Housemade Charcuterie Boards.

You can make reservations online.

Family Home Hotspot: East Tennessee Lakes

by Lacey Spear
Older woman and man fish with three grandchildren at the lake.
Photo Courtesy of Shutterstock | Monkey Business Images
  • These three Tennessee lakes are great for raising children and hosting grandchildren:
    • Tellico Lake
    • Fort Loudoun Lake
    • Watts Bar Lake

Imagine living on pristine waters near premier cities and college football games. You invite the whole family to go boating on the lake and spend evenings together at top-rated waterfront restaurants. This is what life is like in the ultimate family home hotspot: east Tennessee lakes. Nestled near Knoxville, Lakes Tellico, Fort Loudoun, and Watts Bar showcase the state’s finest lake living and provide many family recreation and relaxation opportunities. So whether you want to spend Saturdays cheering on The Volunteers or taking a day trip to Atlanta, Nashville, or Charlotte, you are in the ideal location. If this sounds like your ultimate lifestyle, learn more about why these three lakes are perfect for gathering as a family.

For the Family Looking for a Retirement Home: Tellico Lake

An aerial shot of Tellico Lake in Tennessee, featuring large homes and clear blue waters.
Photo Courtesy of Karen Packett

With top-notch communities such as Tellico Village and Rarity Bay, Tellico Lake attracts retirees from all over the nation. Although Tellico Village is more exclusively a retirement destination than Rarity Bay, both feature attractive amenities, such as recreational facilities, wellness centers, golf courses, hiking trails, marinas, and more. Many locals also enjoy hosting progressive dinners, participating in sporting events, and going on boating adventures. In addition to these activities, retirees love sipping coffee on the back porch while soaking in the magnificent Smoky Mountains views. A Tellico Lake home is an unparalleled place to host children and grandchildren. They can enjoy boating, kayaking, skiing, and tubing on the water and have quick access to major Southeastern metropolitan hotspots. With all this fun and more, the entire family will never want to miss a trip to Tellico Lake!

For the Family Who Loves Local Events: Fort Loudoun Lake

An orange and pink sunset over Fort Loudoun Lake.
Photo Courtesy of Karen Packett

Fort Loudoun Lake has been synonymous with family from its earliest days. The lake derives its name from the 18th-century British fort constructed during the French and Indian War. At one point during the war, many Cherokee tribes abandoned the fort to fight skirmishes against the French. Their departure left the British significantly more peacetime than they had experienced before. As a result, soldiers’ wives journeyed to live at the fort, and several had children. Many believe their offspring to be the first English children born west of the Appalachian Mountains.

Today, families love attending the numerous festivals and fishing tournaments that occur every year on Fort Loudoun Lake. Known as a boat-centric lake, Fort Loudoun hosts dragon boat races and the annual Rockin’ The Docks—a favorite local event featuring food, fireworks, and live music. Plus, each year, the lake residents celebrate the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day together. These events offer meaningful opportunities to gather as a family and stay in touch with loved ones.

For the Family Who Loves the Outdoors: Watts Bar Lake

Photo of Watts Bar Lake taken from a lake home balcony featuring large white columns and wooden floors.
Photo Courtesy of Karen Packett

Spanning 39,000 acres, Watts Bar is the size of Tellico and Fort Loudoun combined. The lake typically attracts younger families than the other two and boasts vibrant waterfront restaurants and natural landscapes. Consisting of many wild, undeveloped areas, Watts Bar is ideal for families looking to experience peaceful, rural lake life. Watts Bar Lake is one of the most popular fishing lakes in east Tennessee, and it offers bountiful opportunities for catching striper, largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, and spotted bass. Plus, it provides excellent duck hunting opportunities in the winter and birdwatching endeavors year-round. If you value teaching your children and grandchildren about fishing and wildlife, there’s no better place to live than Watts Bar Lake.

Although Lakes Tellico, Fort Loudoun, and Watts Bar feature different specialties, they are all experts in one thing—being a family home hotspot. So, whether you’re raising kids or hosting the grandkids, there’s no better place to live than on an east Tennessee lake!

FAQs

Atlanta, Nashville, and Charlotte make for an easy day trip for Lakes Tellico, Fort Loudoun, and Watts Bar residents.

With top-notch communities such as Tellico Village and Rarity Bay, Tellico Lake attracts retirees from all over the nation.

Although Tellico Village is more exclusively a retirement destination than Rarity Bay, both feature attractive amenities, such as recreational facilities, wellness centers, golf courses, hiking trails, marinas, and more. Many locals also enjoy hosting progressive dinners, participating in sporting events, and going on boating adventures.

The Cherokees’ departure left the British significantly more peacetime than they had experienced before. As a result, soldiers’ wives journeyed to live at the fort, and several had children. Many believe their offspring to be the first English children born west of the Appalachian Mountains.

Today, families will love attending the numerous festivals and fishing tournaments that occur every year on Fort Loudoun Lake. Known as a boat-centric lake, Fort Loudoun hosts dragon boat races and the annual Rockin’ The Docks—a favorite local event featuring food, fireworks, and live music. Plus, each year, the lake residents celebrate the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day together.

Spanning 39,000 acres, Watts Bar is the size of Tellico and Fort Loudoun combined.

Watts Bar Lake is one of the most popular fishing lakes in east Tennessee, and it offers bountiful opportunities for catching striper, largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, and spotted bass. Plus, it provides excellent duck hunting opportunities in the winter and birdwatching endeavors year-round.