Local French Favorites

In Quick Bites by Dennis Perkinsleave a COMMENT

Parisian Style Crêpe
The French Market
526 South Gay St., 865-540-4372; 161 Brooklawn St., 865-288-7912
thefrenchmarketknoxville.com
Sweet crêpes have been available periodically in Knoxville for a long time, but the French Market offers an original and complete crêperie experience that’s both sweet and savory. The Parisian crêpe, a hot buckwheat pancake folded around ham and Swiss cheese, is a personal favorite, but the menu includes many options from roast beef and hummus to the classic Crêpes Suzette made with Grand Marnier and whipped cream.

Moules Marinière
Northshore Brasserie
9430 S. Northshore Drive, 865-531-5399
northshorebrasserie.com
Northshore’s menu is full of French delights, including foie gras, escargots, and bouillabaisse. But nothing quite says brasserie like a big pot of steaming mussels with a crusty loaf of bread for sopping the sauce. The mussels can be sautéed in different styles, but my favorite is the simple and classic marinière combination of shallots, garlic, parsley, and white wine.

Filet of Beef Tartare
Echo Bistro
5803 Kingston Pike, 865-602-2090
echobistro.com
Raw beef isn’t for everybody, but if you’re one of the valiant eaters, Echo’s tartare is a fine example. The chopped and chilled raw steak is seasoned and served with an egg yolk along with arugula, mustard, and capers. The texture of this classic hors d’oeuvre is so unmistakably luxurious and buttery that it nearly melts in your mouth. With a glass of mild Cotes du Rhone or Pinot Noir, it makes for a very sophisticated bar snack.

See Also: Dennis Perkins Reviews Cafe du Soleil

Dennis Perkins' Home Palate is a tasty exploration of local options for eating out and eating well by way of restaurant reviews, features on fun or unusual foodstuffs, and interviews with local food purveyors and tastemakers. It’s a candid and personal look at what’s right (and sometimes what’s wrong) with eating 
in Knoxville and its environs. He is also the artistic 
director of the Knoxville Children’s Theatre, has directed and performed at the Actor’s Co-op and Black Box Theatre, and is a foodie par excellence.

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