Red Oak Bistro — Restaurant in Gatlinburg

Wow! Wow! Wow!

I have been visiting Gatlinburg on and off for the past 45 years. Don't get funny I am only 54 years old! I never expected to run into a place like this. My girlfriend and I were standing on the strip looking at a 2 hour wait at the Mexican place rooftop. I went online to find an alternative and saw Red Oak Bistro pop up and got a good feeling. We called at about 6:30 p.m. and they said they could take us as a walk-in. The drive was about 15 minutes. When we turned down Glades Road we immediately knew we were on the right track. We pulled up the Steep drive as the sun was setting and it was like we were two kids in Disney World. My girlfriend is from Sweden and has lived in Manhattan. I am from Miami and have lived in Manhattan and Paris. This is only to note that we have extensive dining experience. We are not jet-setters by any means. I love a great dive joint like BJ's in Cherokee as much as anyone else. Red oak would be considered amazing in any international city. A lovely young gal who we spoke to on the phone greeted us at the door and walked us through a cozy yet elegant dining room complete with lounge area in front of a beautiful fireplace. We walked through what looks like a Parisian Bistro to the deck on a beautiful summer Sunset evening. We couldn't decide whether to sit inside or out because both were so lovely. We decided on the fresh air. When we saw the menu we were so delighted. We wanted to try virtually everything. We decided on three different plates and the waiter, we later found out was the owner, suggested a plate and a glass of Cabernet. Rather than drone on and on let's cut to the chase. We loved every second of our experience. The food was unique, fresh and delicious Sidebar; we've read reviews mentioning portions...c'mon! The two of us had too much food sharing three plates. If it's not enough, you need to eat less. I'm not trying to be mean or condescending. I'm a medical professional and believe it's a factual statement. I care about your health!) The crowd was casual and mature. The music, lighting and ambiance, perfect. We had two more nights in Gatlinburg and when we asked for the check we also asked for reservations for our last night which was a day before my birthday. My girlfriend took me two nights later. We sample two more plates and a bottle of the Cabernet. Again, perfect. The owner, Mike, took our photo and my girlfriend and I closed the place. To make everything even more special, Olga, the owner and Chef, came out and we started chatting. She was an absolute Delight! When my girlfriend told her it was my birthday dinner, Olga poured us all a champagne for a toast . We chatted for about thirty minutes and fell deeper in love with Mike, Olga, and The Red Oak. No joke! Olga sent us on our way with a warm hug. We want to go back in the winter to see the xmass tree and have wine in front of the fireplace with our newfound...

BLUF - A completely unique location near Gatlinburg, TN with a simple seasonal tapas menu that reflects the operators Bulgarian heritage.

Service - 5/5 The waitstaff and (I assume) the owner/manager were attentive but not obsessive, politely checking on us and assisting as needed. They were able to explain the menu items clearly, partly as a result of the focused selection.

Personality - 5/5 The restaurant is nestled in it's own location and is a beautiful building with decor reminiscent of upscale fine dining establishments. The high ceilings and visible wine cellar give it a singular vibe and make it stand out amongst the other more touristy restaurants in the area.

Quality - 4.5/5 If you know Spanish Tapas don't expect papas bravas or champignones al ajillo, but the selections are definitely in the tapas style reflecting Bulgaria's proximity to the Mediterranean. We had the Salmon Bruschetta (delicious but perhaps missing a drizzle of olive oil or fresh pepper) Caprese Flat Bread (again missing a little garlic, olive oil or pepper) Banitza (Bulgarian take on spanakopita.. flawless) Kebache (sausage with cabbage slaw .. excellent) Charcuterie (French term for a meat platter, nothing exceptional but tasty.. a nice olive oil drizzle would have highlighted the well cured meats) and the chocolate mousse (nice dark chocolate flavor without excessive sweetness). The food was very tasty and the relaxing pace and atmosphere made it a pleasant experience.

Recommendation - 4.85/5 If you are in Gatlinburg I highly recommend this restaurant for the food (unique and delicious) the atmosphere (inviting and relaxing) and the overall quality of this...

My girlfriend and I had the absolute pleasure of dining at the Res Oak Bistro to celebrate our 2 year anniversary together. We were visiting Tennesse from Orlando, FL and have read many great reviews.

This is an amazing restaurant with a great vibe, friendly and knowledgeable staff, a large list of wines and beer, and food prepared by a chef that truly a master of her craft.

We made a reservation a few days in advance for an 8pm dinner, and upon arriving, we were immediately seated to our table. The menu had a nice variety of European inspired tapas dishes and a large list of wines with a surprisingly large list of available beers, and well as whiskey and bourbons. We decided to get a bottle of Pinot Grigio and ordered 3 dishes. The Baked Brie, the Bistro Sampler, and the Banitza. We finished with 2 orders of the Chocolate Mousse for dessert. (We ordered one but it was so delicious we ordered another. lol)

The food is amazing. And all prepared by an amazing chef named Olga. We were so amazed by how delicious everything was, that upon letting our server know, she let us know that we could approach the kitchen and speak with Olga herself! We were elated. Olga was so appreciative of our compliments and even spoke to us about how she made the chocolate mousse. I couldn't stop raving about it, so she decided to give me a THIRD chocolate mousse to go! On the house!

This restaurant is so special. If you find yourself passing through Gatlinburg, TN then you owe it to yourself to come here for dinner sometime. You will be amazed at the...