Fork & Vine — Restaurant in Lenoir City

Had a great time at the opening for Fork & Vine. Would definitely recommend for anyone looking for Italian classics with a feel fresh and unique feel.

The location is right in the heart of Lenior. The outdoor patio on the corner is quiet and market lit. The interior is very inviting with a good mix of rustic wood elements warm earth tones.

We arrived around 5:30 and were greeted by friendly and experience front of house. For this being an opening, I can really appreciate the communication from the staff and their calm demeanor during a busy service.

The bread came out quickly and was hot and fresh and the dipping oil mix was very flavorful.

We started with the salumi board, it is the perfect size for 2 with some excellently grilled costini. Ours had a blueberry stilton and I think a pecorino. For meats proscuitto, spicy capicola, mortadella, bologna, and ham. The tangerine marinated olives were a personal favorite along with the chutney - I think it may have been apricot.

Next we got a margherita flatbread. You can definitely taste the difference a real pizza oven makes. The cust was very flavorful and the toppings were very fresh.

For the mains we got the butternut squash sachetti and the 1809 risotto.

The risotto was perfectly cooked al dente, just that little bit of texture and chew without being undercooked. The mushroom flavor was nice and forward without being overpowering. Mine came with fish, think it might have been branzino, very well seasoned and cooked spot on with a beurre blanc sauce that was luxurious, well balanced with acidity, and no splitting.

The sachetti, "small bag", maybe my favorite italian dish in the area now. Sachetti are a rare find in general and anyone who likes ravioli should give them a try. These ones are stuffed with ricotta, tossed in browned butter, fried sage, candied pecan, and a delicious butter squash puree. If I can convince Chef Jackson to let me add pancetta or guanciale one day I may never leave.

For dessert, we had to go with the cannoli. A true italian classic with a wonderful table side preparation experience. We went with the traditional mascapone, chocolate, and pistachio. The shell is always the make or break for me with cannoli and these were fanstatic. I think there may be just the hint of almond flavor in the mascapone that paired great with the vanilla and chocolate.

Overall, we are extremely excited for Fork & Vine and will be returning soon to try more of the menu. We are already eyeing the burrata, eggplant, and barely missed the last serving of the 25 layer short rib lasagna so we'll definitely be back for...

My husband I debated on going to our favorite restaurants, Bella's in Maryville or Conner's in Knoxville, but decided to drive to Lenoir City to eat at Fork & Vine. We'd eaten there previously with friends with the food & service being very good, and the owner very pleasant. Today we called ahead for reservations for 4:20 and the very incompetent young man definitely did not need to be answering the phone much less making reservations. The restaurant had maybe 4 tables in use and he wanted us to take a tiny two seater (which we insisted on a 4 seater), especially since they weren't busy and had plenty of other available 4/6 seaters. Our server then said they were out of their eggplant entree, which is what I had previously & was looking forward to having today. Apparently, their food truck that delivers their finished entrees didn't show up, she said. You would think the chef would be preparing the entrees on-site. The entire time, 3-4 young servers stood at the reservation stand talking to the young host instead of working or even trying to look busy. The last straw was just that! There were two straws on the floor and the waitress proceeded to pick them up and stick them in her apron with her other straws. Now think about this the next time you open a straw that's been on a dirty floor and you then proceed to pick- up your bread with your dirty fingers from that straw. To spend $100 on this kind of dining experience at this restaurant will be our last. The sad thing is we were just bragging to friends how we really liked the restaurant. Bella's in Maryville will be our go-to Italian restaurant...

Update 2. Yes I handed over my credit card before the bill came to the table. I was with some longtime friends and often we or they cover the whole bill so yes I gave the waitress my card before the other couple we were with could. Bud just stop as you were not there at the table and did not see things.

Update. After reading the owners response I thought I should add some details. Our table did not have any drink menu. If you have a drink menu it was never presented. When we received our bill there was two pieces of paper in the folio and both were identical. I have attached a copy of our Customer Copy. You have the Merchant Copy. Your response just guaranteed that we will not return and that we will certainly inform others of our experience. Quick way to go from a 4 star review to a 1 star review.

Trying to be generous on this as we could use the variety here in LC but as a group of 4 we didn’t feel this deserved a return visit. Food was average. Restaurant was exactly the same as the previous restaurant that occupied the space. No drink menu with prices and to make it worse the final bill comes out and it’s just the price and no breakdown showing the costs. We have no idea what the prices were for the tables drinks or if we were charged correctly. Wish you the best but sadly we can’t see...