Wed
Jul 29 2009
11:01 am
S&W Update: On track for October opening
By: R. Neal

We just checked in with Brian Balest for an update on the S&W Grand restaurant in downtown Knoxville, which will be operated by Brian and Northshore Brasserie owner Stephanie Balest along with Chef Shane Robertson.

Brian said they are still under construction and on track for a mid-October opening. Originally planned for September, he said they are taking their time to get everything right in terms of historical accuracy. This includes everything from the original crown molding to hand making new rails for the grand staircase.

They have dropped "Cafe" from the name, and the new restaurant will be called the S&W Grand. They still plan for an updated "classic American" menu with dinner prices in the $10 to $25 range.

Brian said that interest in the project is amazing. He said lots of people are stopping by to look in on the progress, including just recently a man who worked at the original S&W. Brian said that older patrons of the original are stopping by and some say it is the first time they have been downtown in years.

This project will no doubt bring new life to Gay Street and restore a central part of Knoxville history. The owners have a proven record at Northshore Brasserie, and we're really looking forward to the S&W opening.

PREVIOUSLY: S&W Grand announcement

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A Summers's picture

wish there was a blog

Submitted by A Summers (not verified) on Wed, 2009/07/29 - 12:35pm.

I wish there was a blog with picture updates on it for the S&W Grand project.
Years ago when I worked at a local architect's office we did a survey of the whole building, measured every foot of it, for a client that was thinking of putting a fitness center inside. From those visits I have one of the green glass exit sign globes and some silver ware with the S&W logo on it that was discarded in a pile in the basement. I remember opening one door, and right behind that door was a brick wall, not a room. That was really interesting, and kind of weird. I can't wait to have supper there when it is finished. And to take my mother there also, she tells me about when a trip "downtown" meant a movie and eating at the S&W.

Coury Turczyn's picture

construction photo tour

Submitted by Coury Turczyn (not verified) on Wed, 2009/07/29 - 1:07pm.

Kim Trent, executive director of Knox Heritage, wrote an interesting blog post on the construction (with lots of photos) in June:

(link...)

R. Neal's picture

Excellent. Thanks, Coury!

Submitted by R. Neal on Wed, 2009/07/29 - 1:13pm.

Excellent. Thanks, Coury!

Factchecker's picture

Try some good gelato there too

Submitted by Factchecker on Wed, 2009/07/29 - 12:50pm.

On a related story, Coolato Gelato, which is in the end of the same building and was announced at the same press conference as the S&W, is now open. We went Sunday night and I have been meaning to post about it. It's wonderful! With a thicker, more custard-y texture than ice cream, it seems to be the real-deal gelato, and the place has a pretty nice atmosphere too. They seem to know exactly what they're doing.

I thought it might be decent, but it far exceeded my expectations. Go there for a great treat!

R. Neal's picture

The gelato sounds delish. I

Submitted by R. Neal on Wed, 2009/07/29 - 1:14pm.

The gelato sounds delish. I believe I recall the owners saying they traveled to Italy to buy the equipment and get trained authentic gelato making techniques.

adanovi's picture

I think they've done

Submitted by adanovi on Thu, 2009/07/30 - 11:36am.

I think they've done decently in making the gelato and I like the little cafe but it's frustrating to pay over 4 dollars for a little cup of gelato. Perhaps that's the price of gelato plus the experience of having gelato in Knoxville or having gelato in downtown. In 2006 in most places in Italy I paid one euro 25, at the time about the equivalent of $2.00, for a huge cone of gelato.

I wish their limone gelato had the more robust lemon flavor that I came to truly love in Italy. When I find a place that has great limone gelato, I know I will have found true gelato makers!

Now, if someone would make a real Italian cappuccino; that would be awesome. I would love to be able to replicate my morning walk to class and stop along the way at the cafe for a cappuccino and that wonderful croissant with jam in the middle. But I think given the fact that by Italian definition a cappuccino is small, it cannot be replicated in the United States.

bizgrrl's picture

While in Maryville, try

Submitted by bizgrrl on Wed, 2009/07/29 - 3:06pm.

While in Maryville, try Sweet Celebrations (in the old Kay's Ice Cream building) for gelato. Very tasty!

rocketsquirrel's picture

Russ McBee, a veritable

Submitted by rocketsquirrel on Wed, 2009/07/29 - 8:20pm.

Russ McBee, a veritable fixture at the Brasserie, mentioned to me the other day that you might find some S&W test recipes on the menu at the Brasserie now and then.

If we're in the Northshore 'hood, we'll be sure to stop by. The Brasserie is the real deal, and Sunday brunch is insanely good. West Knoxville is lucky to have them.

I plan on being a veritable fixture at the S&W Grand. A lot of our older friends are genuinely excited. To them, the S&W was uptown. (I don't think they called Gay Street downtown. It was uptown. You dressed for it.)

Russ's picture

Who you callin' old?

Submitted by Russ on Wed, 2009/07/29 - 8:57pm.

The opening of the S&W Grand really is going to be a watershed moment for downtown, and especially for those of us who remember the original establishment. (I plan on kicking Rocketsquirrel's ass for calling me "old".)

Brian Balest wasn't kidding about the historical accuracy thing. He, Stephanie, and Shane are going to heroic lengths to make the new S&W a valid, full-blooded descendant of the original (even though the new incarnation won't be a cafeteria, and it will have a menu relevant to today's tastes).

I could go on for hours about the Balests and how much I think they've contributed to the Knoxville restaurant business, but I'll just leave it at this: I have never been this thrilled about a restaurant opening in my life.

~Russ

Factchecker's picture

While in Maryville, try

Submitted by Factchecker on Wed, 2009/07/29 - 10:15pm.

While in Maryville, try Sweet Celebrations (in the old Kay's Ice Cream building) for gelato.

Thanks for that, we will. Did not know about that place.

rocketsquirrel's picture

where did I call you "old?"

Submitted by rocketsquirrel on Thu, 2009/07/30 - 12:39pm.

where did I call you "old?" I did call you a veritable fixture. and that ain't no lie.

I was, however, referring to some of my friends who graduated high school in the 1940s and 50s. To them, going downtown/uptown WAS the S&W.

ROFLMAO.

Factchecker's picture

$4 or $2, should it really matter to the buyer?

Submitted by Factchecker on Thu, 2009/07/30 - 7:31pm.

it's frustrating to pay over 4 dollars for a little cup of gelato.

I've gotten over scrutinizing prices for this type of stuff too carefully. Maybe I'm lucky not to have to worry about such things, but I think we're all too spoiled on the Wal*f*rt mentality of $1.99 value meals which are of NO value and should be criminal. Has anyone tried to figure out how a small business like this can possibly turn a profit, let alone pay employee benefits that are a fraction of the ones most of us get?

Otherwise I appreciate the perspective of a gelato buff who knows the best. Did you try the strawberry?

(And not to single you out, sorry. Just a standard rant.)

adanovi's picture

I did try strawberry and

Submitted by adanovi on Fri, 2009/07/31 - 2:44am.

I did try strawberry and thought it very good. I always ask for lemon first and then if I am not impressed with the lemon, I usually get strawberry.

Honestly, if I had not been to Italy, I wouldn't consider the prices high. It's just that I do feel like their prices are high compared to most gelaterias in Italy.

In terms of our market square downtown places, I'm actually not sure if Marble Slab, the Gelato Cafe, and Ritas can all stay in business within a stone's throw from one another. It will be interesting to watch that pan out.

bizgrrl's picture

I thought the gelato price

Submitted by bizgrrl on Fri, 2009/07/31 - 5:48am.

I thought the gelato price at Sweet Sensations in Maryville was high. I guess that is the norm locally. I wonder if it is the norm nationally.

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