Vida — Restaurant in Knoxville

I will start with the positive first: We sat at the bar and the bartender was fabulous, friendly and engaging. She went through the menu with us and was very personable. The ambience was peaceful as we came at an off time with not many people. The bar was neat, clean, and very appealing to the eye. For the food aspect: Nothing on the menu really had any WOW factor. As someone who’s traveled the world few restaurants here are putting their heart & soul on plates and a lot of these restaurants are coming up as very monotoned. This restaurant isn’t any different. We had the smoked guacamole to start which was in dire need of salt, lime, and some sort of spice. It was very bland and almost like an avocado smear with some roasted red peppers around it. The tortillas chips weren’t salted and neither was the guacamole so it needed a sprinkle of that and pepper. Next up we had the barbacoa empanadas. Nothing about the dish screamed barbacoa to me. There was no delectable sauce of consomé flavor of Chiles/spices with the meat. I will say the meat was tender and not overcooked but just tasted like it was slow cooked with salt. The pastry itself was a little thick for my liking and there wasn’t enough meat to pastry ratio. The shaved carrots didn’t really go with the theme in my opinion but I ate them anyways. Next was Pulpo(which I love😍) and the octopus itself was cooked PERFECTLY. It was tender and juicy and fabulous. The salsa negro was actually good alone with the octopus and I didn’t enjoy the green tomato aspect. Again salt seems to be the only seasoning used in most of their dishes and it was missing some spices or something to make it pop. Next was the pork belly and this was the dish I liked the most. Pork belly was cooked beautifully with a nice sweet hint of cherries to complement the sweet pork. This one I could order more of. Next we got the Yucca fries and this was my partners favorite. It had a white queso on the bottom with a pico de gallo topping and I’m not a fan of melted queso so for me I wasn’t thrilled about it. The big chunk of yucca were all not cooked evenly, but my partner didn’t seem to mind. Some were hard, some were soft. Next we got the Duck Confit and that was again only seasoned by salt. I will say it was perfectly crispy and almost at the point of being dry but was still flaky/cooked well. The rest of the side additives were VERY disappointing. I ordered it because I saw mole and I LOVE mole. There was no flavor no seasoning and I hardly had any taste of ancho mole flavor. The cherries & sweet potoato combo was too sweet and I just feel like the potato’s turned into mush after sitting in the mole sauce for a while. Again it was missing spices and a pop of something. The presentation was pretty but the flavor was underwhelming. Lastly we ordered the churros and they were so hard to chew. They were the smaller, skinnier(seemed previously frozen)and were overcooked. I think the caramel and chocolate sauce should have been on the side, as they. Were o we drenched in chocolate and not a bite was not covered in chocolate. Overall the $150 dinner bill was overpriced and I left...

In many languages, 🅥🅘🅓🅐 means ⓁⒾⒻⒺ The new restaurant Vida is definitely breathing LIFE into downtown Knoxville! Livin la vida loca! 💃🏻

This pan-latin experience combines Asian and Latin cuisines to offer a small plate and sharing experience unlike any that we have had in Knoxville thus far! 🗺

We had to bring back-up to make sure we could try as many dishes as possible! Thank you Nicole Jones and Harlan Jones for joining us on this adventure! Dylan Klinck

ᑭᗩᖇᗩ ᑕOᗰIᘔᗩᖇ: TO ᔕTᗩᖇT

GUACAMOLE AHUMADO smoked avocado, tomato, red onion, serrano chile, chips 🥑 💨 🍅 🧅 🌶 Great way to start! Fun and got the table excited! Amazing what incorporating more senses can do for a dish!👃🏼👅👆🏼👀👂🏼

ᗩᑎTOᒍITOᔕ: ᔕᗰᗩᒪᒪ ᑭᒪᗩTᗴᔕ

PULPO A LA PARRILLA charred octopus, hoisin bbq, jicama + radish slaw, gochujang 🐙 Interesting texture! If you haven’t eaten octopus before I recommend trying it here! Incredible flavors!

CAMARÓN FRITO panko fried shrimp, unagi, daikon, carrot kimchi, scallion, sesame 🍤 🥕 Light, crispy, and delicious!

EMPANADA DE VERDURAS house-made pastry, black beans, kale, sweet potatoes, oaxaca + cotija, adobo mayo, chile lime aioli 🥬 🥔 🌶 🥐 One of my favorites of the evening! These daily home-made pastries are stunning! A real melt-in-your-mouth extraordinaire!

ᑕᕼᑌᖇᖇᔕᔕᑕO: ᘜᖇIᒪᒪᗴᗪ ᔕKᗴᗯᗴᖇᔕ 𝑆𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑠𝑎𝑢𝑐𝑒𝑠, 𝑠𝑎𝑙𝑠𝑎𝑠 + 𝑒𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑏𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑒

FILETE MIÑÓN 🥩 The most tender and best cooked piece of meat I have had in quite some time.

ᑭᗩᖇᗩ ᒪᗩ ᗰᗴᔕᗩ: ᖴOᖇ Tᕼᗴ Tᗩᗷᒪᗴ

PEQUENA COSTILLA confit 5-spice rubbed beef short ribs, quinoa + farro, roasted bok choy We were all very full by the time this bad boy hit the table, BUT it was well worth making room for! Luscious, delectable, and fit for a king 👑

Dazzling decor! Exceptional service! Elegant evening! And alluring atmosphere!

A big thank you to Matthew our wonderful waiter who added flare and expertise to our dinner experience! We will definitely be back Vida!

Jessica Frankel Our Home Real Estate...

Vida Knoxville emerges as a culinary oasis for those with a penchant for authentic Latin/Spanish tapas-style cuisine. Our recent visit to this vibrant establishment was nothing short of a gastronomic adventure. As a group of eight, we embarked on a culinary journey, sampling an array of about a dozen different dishes. Each dish was a revelation in itself, exuding the rich and diverse flavors of Latin cuisine.

The culinary experience at Vida is akin to a symphony of flavors, where each dish contributes its unique note to create a harmonious melody. We found ourselves ordering multiples of some dishes, a testament to their irresistible appeal. The tapas here are not just food; they are a celebration of culture, meticulously crafted to tantalize the taste buds.

Accompanying our feast was a selection of drinks, each perfectly complemented the dishes. The beverages were not just accompaniments but integral components that enhanced the overall dining experience. The meticulous attention to detail in the preparation of both food and drinks was evident, making our meal a memorable one.

The ambiance of Vida Knoxville contributes significantly to its charm. The staff at Vida are the unsung heroes, their friendly demeanor and attentive service greatly enriching our experience. They navigated our extensive orders with commendable efficiency and a smile, making us feel valued and welcomed.

In summary, Vida Knoxville is more than just a restaurant; it is a destination for those seeking a culinary escapade. It stands as a beacon of quality, taste, and service, making it a fantastic choice for anyone craving the authentic flavors of Latin and Spanish cuisine. The combination of delectable food, delightful drinks, and exemplary service makes Vida an establishment that is not just visited but...