Oliver Royale

From the moment we stepped through the doors, it was like walking into a NYC hotspot. The staff was super friendly and very accommodating. We shared the crispy pork belly to start and it was out of this world and full of flavor. Each bite was different and better than the bite before. For our entrees we had the Braised short rib, Dorado, Salmon and Burger. We all shared and I would recommend it all. The Short ribs melt in your mouth like butter. I can’t wait to travel back to Knoxville just to eat here again. Make sure you bring your appetites folks!

Dinner was almost perfect, but brunch was an all around disappointment. My favorite things about the place are the super attentive and helpful services given at the bar and the design of the place. Dinner was delicious — we had the scallops, duck confit, and short rib. The duck was phenomenal, blew everything else out of the water in my opinion.
Brunch was sad. Lackluster horseradish strong Bloody Mary that’s supposed to be so fantastic, and we had an omelet, duck sandwich, eggy bread, and a side of bacon at our table. We all kind of shared everything and not a thing was well executed. The eggy bread was soggy when we tried to make sure before ordering it would be crispy, the bacon was salty/​gamey/​way over done and absolutely gross, and the omelet was just ill prepared eggs rolled up with the stuff on top and the cheese overpowered everything. We were the only table in the place and I see why. Duck sandwich was also overly salty. The only thing I liked was the chantilly cream on top of the french toast. If I wound up here at breakfast time again I’d come full and order a coffee with that cream in it.
Still the 4 stars though cause dinner ruled, and the bar experience was fantastic. My advice is just skip brunch.

I work a block from Market Square so get a good birds eye view of the ups and downs of the area. I was excited to see the Royale come in after Shono’s (miss the chicken bowl for lunch!), especially with the spruced up inside.
Atmosphere/​Look: The Royale looks like something straight out of New York city. Quaint. Comfortable… but my wife (we went on date night) hated the long bench seating. We were the third table seated and she said, «when this place gets busy, you’ll hate it». She was right. Unless you like someone sitting 3 feet from you (think Stock and Barrel), this is a tough call if you are looking for conversation.
Food: Menu is (now) typical Market Square fair: Small portions, ok pricing. I got the duck (carbonara), my wife got the roasted chicken. Salads are extra. No bread (seriously).
My duck was cooked fine. Super salty. The kicker was a slimy egg on top of my noodles/​duck. The salt (y) taste was so over-​whelming, the item was not enjoyable. My wife liked the chicken fine, which I tried and liked better. Weird field greens of some kind with stems (not kidding) left on (I guess for authenticity (?) were left on the dish). Mine was a 3/​10, wife’s was a 6 or 7 out of 10. Not amazing. When you see your plate if your a guy you’ll immediately think, «I’ll have to eat after I eat», but the food is pretty rich so that is a personal call.
My wife ordered Stella $ 5, I ordered Fat Bottom Ruby Red $ 6 per beer (not joking). This to me was/​is the equivalent of selling $ 3 tea at lunch. Fool me once…
Service: Our waiter/​server was attentive. The dress is what I would call «smart hipster» (vs. Oodles which I like a lot for food but hate the service — which is more grunge hipster). I definitely didn’t feel as cool as him… but that is market square for you.
Overall: One and done for me. I love Duck. Bruce Bogartz is the Master of cooking it. Crown and goose does it well, as does Oodles minus the crappy service/​grungy servers… but for $ 70 for two with a couple of drinks, no salad/​soup, or even bread… I would go elsewhere. I wanted to like this place really bad, but it’s just ok.

Not sure what it wants to be. Price points are more formal but half the staff looks like hipsters the other in formal black. Plates are small so be prepared for that. Cocktails are great and the food was good. Service could have been better for the size of the place.

Like whoa! Service was impeccable. Bottle of Wine was very affordable! Food was incredible. I had the roasted chicken on grits and it was to die for. My husband had the lamb shank and said it was the best he had ever had. We also had cocktails and desert, both of which finished the night perfectly. I am thrilled about this fine dining side of Knoxville and cannot wait to try their other menu items!

It’s 2016 ladies and gents. So I started off the year with some fellow Unilocalers for brunch, and it was a great experience! The brunch menu wasn’t quite as extensive, so I felt that lunch was more of my appetite.
I couldn’t decide on two dishes, the Muffaletta or the Cuban. So, what do I do? Order both. Of course, I ate the other halves at home however I did eat both at the restaurant so it counts! The sandwiches comes with your choice of side of either string french fries or potato salad. Have I had either before? I believe I’ve had a Cuban, but then again it was never in Miami or Florida in that case so I honestly can’t really tell you what a proper Cuban tastes like. A Muffa what? Yeah, first timer once again. Complete newbie when it comes to sandwiches, so I definitely need to expand that for my taste buds for 2016.
Now this is what it tastes like. The Muffaletta is filled with salami, ham, prosciutto, provolone, mozzarella, and olive salad. So, first thought that comes to mind? Salty? Yep. Mostly because those meats will definitely have that saltiness taste to them. I thought it wasn’t bad. I enjoyed it, but my fellow Unilocaler told me that there was better out there in the land of sandwiches and in Knoxville. I guess everyone has to start somewhere and this is where I stand now. The sandwich wasn’t quite salty and at the same time had flavor. I enjoyed it, the fries were good as well. I recommend to probably put it in a oven or like mini oven to reheat it all though if you decide to take it home.
Onto the Cuban! The Cuban. Yeah, no experience once again. Here’s what’s in it: Ham, roast pork loin, Swiss, whole grain mustard, and house pickles. To me, it was alright. My first thought of Cuban sandwiches was from that Chef movie where they made it from like a food truck and was drop dead amazing. I wish I had one of those! But I guess I can’t have everything. Anyways, back on topic. I enjoyed the sandwich! I think it’s something that you should get it if the Muffaletta doesn’t sound that appealing. The Reuben is another option I was eyeing at, but I’ve had a proper one before.
All in all, as I said, great experience. Our server was Michael, who was very helpful with all our questions and inquisitive taste buds. I believe that it affected the overall atmosphere, even though we were clinking our glasses to the New Year. The brunch menu needs a little more work, especially with the prices that are currently listed. I think that you would probably be better off ordering the lunch menu, but Michael did inform us that they are still messing around with the Brunch menu so stayed tuned for Oliver’s brunch!

We were very excited to see a new and interesting restaurant open in downtown (something besides burgers and brews!). Our first meal was on New Year’s Eve — a night that usually over-​promises and under-​delivers. Not so with the meal and service at Oliver Royale that night. While I will admit that $ 90 per person is something we couldn’t do every day, my husband and I both felt that the evening was well worth it. It was a pre-​fix menu with four courses and four choices within each course… all were creative and sounded delicious so it was tough to choose. We were blown away at each course — each dish tasted wonderful and was presented in an interesting way. We never felt rushed the entire night (which I anticipated) and the service was excellent (so sorry I can’t remember her name… she was fantastic, friendly, and fun). They offset the price of the dinner somewhat by offering reasonably priced bottles of wine — not sure if that was intentional but was greatly appreciated. While I realize that this was a special meal, I have to believe it speaks volumes about their commitment to quality and we will return soon. Knoxville needs more restaurants like this — locally owned, trendy environment, and a creative menu. Moving from Nashville 6 months ago, we are excited to find this special spot.

From the top:
Décor, beautiful!
Service, garbage, lotta plaid and vests and moustaches. «i dont know what a hoppy beer is.»
Walking around lookin good, please take this dirty dish thats been in front of me for 15 mins! Split check? oh gawd! its not an atom!
theres like 20 tables at this place, it shouldnt take an hour for food to come out. water, in 4oz glasses so everyone was empty the whole time.
Food, increddible! Pasta, salads, pork, fish, incred. big star of the show. small portions tho.
Menu, a short list of the main 5 ingrdnts. no adjective/​descriptions
if i wear the head chef i would strangle the front of the house mngr. ur skills r being squandered!

Everything we ordered was delicious. Can’t find a better atmosphere in market square! Only negative: We felt the price point was too lofty, as we each felt like our entrees were small.

Nice new restaurant, lovely interior. Smoked salmon salad was good, the sweet corn on it was amazing. Nicely presented. Looking forward coming back.

Great brunch experience.
I visited two nights ago and enjoyed my Moscow mule with a couple friends. Bonus points for their pet friendly patio and great server.
I went back for brunch the very next day. The new space is much nicer than when it used to be Shonos. Darker colors and dimmer lights for a more intimate feel. I didn’t really enjoy the long bench type seating arrangement as that seemed to take away from enjoying an intimate meal.
The brunch menu was short but had a variety of options. The meals were a fun modification of every day brunch items. I had the Mr. Toad in a hole. Which was also made with duck confit and came with fruit. It was a small serving but I was actually full by the time I finished the fruit. My friend got the pork and eggs and really liked it. They also have French toast (eggy bread), an egg roll (omelet) and granola and yogurt.
My brunch cocktail was delicious. Can’t remember what it was called but it was the only other cocktail, other than the Bloody Mary on the brunch menu. However, they made their regular cocktail menu available for those who wanted something other than those two.
Service was impeccable and I loved the huge fancy bar. They are also open until 2 am, which still blows my mind. Super excited about late night dinning. My visit left a good impression. I highly recommend brunch and can’t wait to try lunch and dinner.

I had a good experience at Oliver Royale. However, with their price points, I was after an excellent experience. There are many places on Market Square that will leave you satisfied for much less cash. I appreciate that their menu is seasonal and they use many locally-​sourced ingredients, but service was haphazard and the meal as a whole was a couple notches above mediocre.
We took advantage of the freakishly warm weather and sat outside on the patio. The inside may be a completely different experience (it’s really purdy in there!), but outside the patio area seemed crowded with flimsy tables and chairs.
We began with the Meats & Cheeses. Our waiter was very nice but seemed distracted and rushed. He dropped some of our crostini/​cheeses on the ground because he was dodging three large dogs on the patio. I had to ask him for extra crostini rather than him offering. There are many regionally-​crafted cheeses (delicious ones, I might add!), but we were given Saint-​André, a mustard cheddar (Red Dragon, I believe) and a third which I can’t remember a thing about– a goat cheese, maybe? These weren’t bad by any stretch, but I can get them at my local Kroger. The breads were mashed into the cheeses– I’ve never had a charcuterie board served to me this way. This arrived paired with three meats, dried apricots, microgreens, balsamic, an unidentified sauce, pumpkin seeds and some sort of relish/​chutney. One of the meats was prosciutto, but I have no clue what the others were, as there are no descriptions on the menu– I must assume because the offerings change frequently. We were only given the names of the cheeses upon the board being presented to us. It was a pretty lackluster charcuterie experience.
They were out of the Duck Confit, Braised Short Rib and Bison Strip Steak (they were offering a substitute of Strong Stock Farms’ beef). I had the burger, and the boyfriend had the Pork Tenderloin.
The tenderloin was cooked POIFECTLY! While the root vegetable relish was gorgeous next to that perfect pig and carrot purée, I didn’t find it added much to the dish flavor-​wise. And where did those cherries come from?! They were good with the pork, but no mention of any fruit with the entrée description. I have an aversion to cherries and, had it been my meal, I would have been a teeny tiny bit miffed no one told me.
My burger was also a perfect medium, however they forgot the cheese! BOO. Despite this mortal sin, it was still tasty. The Serrano ham and tomato-​apple chutney were salty, sweet and acidy perfection. Personal hang-​up: I NEED a brioche bun.
They just opened last month, so I’m going to stay optimistic. I’m hoping they’ll evolve into a more original dining experience. For a $ 20 – 30 entrée, I need to be wooed– not just fed.

Praise: This place is gorgeous inside and the food was pretty darn good (we had the charcuterie and duck confit appetizer). The servers were attentive and knowledgable. Presentation was on point. Complaints: It *is* pretty pricey (2 appetizers and 1 glass of wine =$ 40) and the place is super echo-​y. In addition, the tables are too close together. I could hear the people next to me and their cell phone use was so bright it lit up my table. Will try it again in a few months and see if they’ve worked out the kinks.

First — the space is gorgeous. The design team is well-​known HoMe, based in NYC. The space is clean and full of Art Deco touches. The seating area in the main dining room features some of the ever-​popular banquette setting that I am not particularly fond of, but it isn’t as cramped as some restaurants downtown. We usually sit at the bar, which is quite roomy and also offers two little standing-​only areas to sip a cocktail while you wait for a table. The bar is especially pretty and provides a good view for taking in the restaurant.
I would recommend the kale salad — even if you’re «over» kale salad, get this; it’s different and delicious. The dressing & mini carrots make it. Also get the scallops! The sear is perfect and they are absolutely heavenly. The fig cake with toffee is one of the best desserts I’ve had in recent times dining out.
I didn’t like the charcuterie plate I ordered shortly after they opened, as the cheese pairings were weird (Maytag blue and Red Dragon, I think. Great on their own, but the two don’t go together for a cheese plate). I also wish that they identified the purveyors for the meats. We were just told «it has some ham and some prosciutto».From where? Regardless, the meats were good but the sum of the parts wasn’t really worth the price.
The bar is it’s own monster entirely from the restaurant, if you are a cocktail fan. You will recognize well-​crafted drinks a la Peter Kern Library, but from the marvelous mind of Zachary whom you will recognize from Armada. He can make some of the best drinks in town! Try the «Remember the Maine», or ask them to make you any classic cocktail. They can be trusted — these guys & girls know what they’re doing. Additionally, their by-​the-​bottle prices for wine cannot be beat. You can get a great bottle of something for under $ 30.
If you cannot tell, I am definitely a fan. What I love most of all is that this place gets it right across the board. There are trendy restaurants in town with decent food and lame cocktails, or good cocktail bars without substantial dinner options. Comprehensively, Oliver Royale is doing everything just right.

This place is so great! Loved the atmosphere, it has a really neat art deco vibe. The service was really good and our server was super sweet.
To start we had the duck confit and I was amazed at how delicious it was. Fell right off the bone which is always a good start. The brussell sprouts were crispy and I even liked the grits it came with. I am not a grits fan but these are delicious.
We had the salmon salad + winter greens salad which were both very fresh and had lots of flavor. The bacon vinaigrette on the salmon salad was so good!
My entrée was the Puttanesca. It was very fresh and had lots of olives which makes me happy. I finished it…
We also got the nutella and lemon dessert. Both had pretty presentation and were tasty. The nutella was super rich.
I loved it here. It is nice to have this addition on market square! I can’t wait to take my fiancée here on a date soon.

You want to go to this restaurant. You need to go here. Hands down this was the best food, ambiance and value I’ve had in a while. My husband and I ate at the bar (first come first served) and it was so enjoyable! Our bartenders were friendly and so helpful… Great wine suggestions and awesome value. We started with the seared scallops (delicious!) and then I had the best burger I’ve probably ever had. The garlic cheese (new that day!) was a phenomenal choice and the bacon was perfectly crispy. My husband had the salmon and it was equally as decadent. We were pleasantly surprised by this spot and would definitely eat here again the next time we visit Knoxville!

I’m a travel junkie and love trying new food anywhere I go. While visiting Knoxville recently, my sister and I stopped by for dinner and split several appetizers and entrées. One by one… The mussels and clams were excellent. They didn’t have any beards and the sauce was very tasty! We also ordered the scallops — my favorite dish of the night. (The order comes with three scallops, so be prepared when sharing with a table.) We split the duck confit pasta and salmon entrées and were not disappointed. Chris, our bartender, also crafted some delicious banana Manhattans for us. Everything totaled around $ 100.

Drinks at the bar.
Had the Louis… too good really. Music and atmosphere are ¹⁰⁄₁₀. Can’t wait to get back.

How exciting to have a unique restaurant in Market Square! First off, the inside is gorgeous! But of course, nothing less is expected from the Oliver ! The inside is very Art Deco and you can’t help but think of what an awesome New Year’s Eve Great Gatsby party this place would make ! The bar is gorgeous, and of course has some of the very best cocktails you can get in Knoxville. I loved the lighting, which is dimly lit with vintage hanging lights to make the atmosphere more intimate. The menu is a little small, but everything we had was delicious ! The salmon was awesome but a smaller portion size then I am used to, especially for a plate over $ 20. The others at my table had the burger and one of the pastas and we’re pleased, along with jealous of my salmon. Now the wine, they have a great wine list that is SERIOUSLY the best wine deal in Knoxville. You save more by purchasing a wine bottle then by glass. A win win y’all! Most wine bottles are under 30. We tried the Natura Carmonere which is an organic red wine. I’m not a huge fan of red wine, but goodness it was great, and now I have a favorite red wine! It is a dry wine, but so smooth, and none of the bitter after taste. And for $ 24 a bottle you should go ahead and try your new favorite wine as well. They are open, but currently do not have a sign up. The Royal is the perfect date restaurant (as this is a $$$ restaurant) and I can’t wait to go back to drink all the wine!

First, the mussels and scallops were very well made and got raves from the people who had them. There was a house-​made tomato-​apple chutney that was also very good. The meats were prepared almost perfectly (they could have used a dash of pepper and salt), and the fries were properly seasoned. The waitstaff was also very attentive.
The problems, most of which will likely be addressed in the near future — first, the menu online is ambiguous. The lunch menu and the the dinner menu are presented together, while they are, in fact, separate. This changes the average price point of the meal drastically, from 10 – 20 per person to $ 23+. In the Knoxville area, this is the equivalent of a three or four $ rating above.
Second, the cheese on the burger is overwhelming. The aforementioned well prepared meats and chutney were completely overwhelmed by the cheese, and the only way I know how well they were made was by removing them from the burger and trying separately.
Another issue is that the staff wasn’t fully prepared. Clams came out empty, and what seems to be their signature dish, variations on duck confit, was unavailable. Similarly, there needs to be another sandwich or other less expensive dish on the dinner menu other than the burger.
On the whole, though, we were there during the first week, and it has a lot of promise. I foresee, in a month or three, Oliver Royale would be five stars.