Connors Steak & Seafood — Restaurant in Knoxville

Let's start with the good! We arrived about 20 minutes before our reservation, we scanned the bar.. no seats open.. but the bartender noticed.. put Napkins out and offered us drinks..... wow! Amazing! Bravo.. loved it! Wasn't long after we sipped on those drinks? That three seats opened up and we took our place at the bar! The bartenders were amazing! I had a glass of champagne, but I wanted something different. I asked the gal at the bar what she suggested.... She made a recommendation and my husband spoke up, honey make sure it doesn't have too much sugar! Sugar and I don't get along! She made me a version of one of their cocktails and I was in heaven! Our reservation time came up, which was 6:30, we still weren't called.. So my mom and I ordered the deviled eggs! Heavenly! Around 7pm, we were seated at our table! The server knew that we had a birthday and she asked us whose birthday it was, We explained that it was mine and my mom's birthday! The server said they had Strawberry shortcake for us for dessert and to save room! We ordered... And everyone's food came out correctly, except mine... I ordered a rare steak with hot Ajou' to bring it up just a touch! The Ajou came out more like gravy.. my mac n cheese was dry... the cream spinach was more like something that looked cold.. yet it was hot!

When my steak was delivered, I immediately cut into it in two places one place was medium. The other place was between medium well and medium.... She immediately took the steak back and said they would cook another one!

The manager or I assume it was the manager brought out another steak that was cooked to perfection with two new side sides! The mac & cheese was creamy and the spinach was creamy too, not like the other sides I've gotten before, But the steak was very little steak and mostly fat! I was just over it at this point! I had nothing to eat while everybody was eating their meals, except for bread and subpar sides!

When the gal who was serving us asked how everything was I said look this steak is all fat. I just don't want to wait on a 3rd steak to be cooked .. rare!

I went to the restroom and then got a business call and stepped outside!

We asked for the desert to be boxed up bc, I was still hungry and I was disappointed and ready to go to Taco Bell!

I had my husband box up our food bc I already felt like I pissed off the kitchen... this is a high end steak house... I thought? Who is quality control.. bc I would not have accepted that all fat steak as a restaurant, and why would you serve that steak?

It's supposed to be "choice or prime cuts.. that was terrible and I regret not taking a picture!

This seems to be the issue with the steak house.... The first time I went, I had the most memorable and amazing meal ever!

The second time I went, it was subpar, and I wasn't sure I'd ever go back! The 3rd time it was so so.. And this last time well everyone else's meal was wonderful except mine!

And to beat it all, I said.. well, I'm looking forward to atleast that Dessert... Then my husband said well, you didn't get a dessert!

Only mom got one! What?

.. and it was 1/8th of the size as a normal Portion.. Which would have actually been perfectly fine had we got two! Two birthdays, two desserts!

The inconsistencies in this restaurant is just not worth going back! Everything is inconsistent from the strakes to the sides!

I was just very disappointed because I really love this restaurant, And when they get it right, it's phenomenal!

I'm just Extremely disappointed!

So what did I do? I went home and brought out a choice ribeye out of my freezer and it was better than any steak this restaurant delivered!

Very...

Well, DARN IT, in my country accent; I was really looking forward to trying a high-end restaurant while visiting Knoxville from Florida, and after hearing so many great things about Connors, I was excited to finally experience it for myself. We chose Connors to celebrate my nephew’s birthday after a long day exploring The Lost Sea. We were all quite hungry, and it seemed like the perfect spot—an upscale atmosphere with a menu that offered plenty of options for both kids and adults.

When we walked in, I was impressed right away. The ambiance was elegant, with dim lighting and beautiful wine displays that gave it a refined yet welcoming vibe. The staff was warm and attentive from the start, and they even brought my nephew a sweet birthday card, which was such a thoughtful touch. Our server was kind, knowledgeable, and accommodating, especially when I mentioned my pork allergy—she made sure the kitchen adjusted my order accordingly, which I truly appreciated.

I ordered the filet mignon with a side of skewered shrimp and a baked potato. My nephew chose the cod tenderloins and, being very hungry, asked if his meal could be rushed. The kitchen obliged, which was great. When the food started to arrive, things were off to a promising start. My salad was fresh and flavorful, and my nephew really enjoyed his cod and fries.

Unfortunately, things took a disappointing turn when my steak arrived well done instead of the medium I had requested. I was very hungry, so I set the steak aside and started on the baked potato and shrimp while they remade it. The manager did come by and apologized for the mistake, which I appreciated. However, the shrimp skewers were a bit overcooked and dry, and while the baked potato was thankfully pork-free, it wasn’t enough to make up for the main entrée being delayed.

About 15 minutes later, my filet finally came out—but at that point, I was no longer in the mood to eat. It’s tough to pause a meal, wait, and then restart again, especially after a long day. I had the steak boxed to go, but truthfully, steak just doesn’t reheat the same, and it lost that special quality I had been looking forward to.

Overall, while the service and ambiance were wonderful and the staff tried their best to make the evening enjoyable, the kitchen mishap really took away from the experience—especially since the filet was the main reason I chose to dine at Connors. I truly wanted to love it, but unfortunately, it just missed the...

One of THE BEST , if not THE BEST restaurant in Knoxville!

The CHILEAN SEA BASS two of us had was pricey, but cooked to such PERFECTION with a light, tasty lemon-cream sauce served with asparagus & two sides, which are themselves OUTSTANDING, that I would order it again in a heartbeat. There are about ten OUTSTANDING choices for sides which is downright ridiculously pleasing in this day & age. The BRUSSEL SPROUTS were some of the BEST I’ve EVER eaten served in a light, caramelized honey coating. The creamed spinach is THE BEST I’ve ever had too. Not overly-salted as other local restaurants are want to do, committing the fatal, culinary flaw of thinking more is better…NOT! Conners is exquisite in their seasonings & avoids this error in all our dishes .

My wife had an equally OUTSTANDING, and a BOUNTIFUL portion of CAJUN GROUPER, again perfectly spiced , not overly “cajunized”, with “Al Dente” perfectly cooked broccoli, and savory mixed rice. Our fourth diner had the tender, delicious sirloin. Even though not a high priced tenderloin or ribeye, it was so tender & flavorful, I dare say it would put any other sirloin in town to shame.

The four of us shared the strawberry shortcake desert which was simply AMAZING!

Poppy, our server, was polished and downright PERFECT herself. NOT hovering over you constantly, and asking all the time, “How is everything?” Instead, she was always there when you needed her, and left us alone to thoroughly enjoy our meal when we didn’t…downright ZEN-Like! Give her a raise or promotion because, frankly she was THAT good!

And then, if that wasn’t enough, Poppy gave my wife & I a cute, apparently, partially hand-designed “Happy Anniversary” card signed by her & about four other servers. NEVER had THAT happen in all my years of dining out for special occasions!

After one of the BEST meals & dining experiences in YEARS, Conners earned my HIGHEST, rarely given, 5 STAR RECOMMENDATION! You will...