After its long-awaited return, an old Knoxville favorite, the Knox Mason, is back and open for business.
This November, the Knox Mason restaurant reopened its doors to the public in its new location. From its original spot, the Knox Mason has moved down Gay Street and now resides inside the new Embassy Suites in downtown Knoxville.
Although the new Knox Mason includes a new location and updated menu, it has stayed true to its roots by upholding the same upscale, Southern inspired theme of the original restaurant.
“I wanted to preserve as much as we could about the charm of the original location,” Chef Matt Gallaher, owner of the Knox Mason, said in an interview with knoxnews.
The new Knox Mason location is bound to draw the public’s attention with seating that overlooks one of downtown Knoxville’s most famous streets, as well as a view of the stunning waterfall of lights in the Embassy Suites lobby.
“The lights were what drew us in,” said Knoxville resident, Libby Smith, after dining at the new Knox Mason location. “The lights were beautiful and then we got to sit in the outside area that overlooks downtown. It was just so nice.”
The new spot also includes amenities that are suitable for larger crowds such as an expanded kitchen, twice the seating capacity, balcony seating, and large windows in every direction so that every table has a view.
Although the decor and colors that flow through the restaurant can be described as subdued and mute, this allows for more emphasis to be put on the new food at the Knox Mason.
Along with a new location, the Knox Mason is also introducing a new menu, which includes a vast array of Southern inspired dishes.
Chef Matt Gallaher is calling the new menu his “greatest hits” from the first six years of the restaurant, according to an interview with knoxnews. By converting specials such as the smash burger and fried chicken sandwich into permanent menu items, long time fans of the Knox Mason are able to get a taste of their treasured favorites.
“I got the smash burger. That’s what I got at the old Knox Mason and I loved it so I had to get it again,” said Libby Smith. “I couldn’t stray away from a favorite.”
When Gallaher opened the original Knox Mason in 2013, he infused the restaurant with a farm to table concept and a seasonally changing menu which utilized locally sourced ingredients. In the new Knox Mason restaurant, Gallaher will continue this tradition by sourcing locally and plans on buying more produce than ever from local farmers.
Gallaher also created a menu that consisted of traditional, Southern inspired dishes for his original restaurant. His new menu matches the style and theme of the original menu by including traditional dishes such as deviled eggs and a Mississippi catfish sandwich for those who love a Southern taste.
Although the style and values behind the food are the same, the new menu is larger than the original, as a result of a kitchen that is three times the size of the old one, and will change less often. The new menu also includes updated versions of old dishes and some new additions.
Despite changes made to the location and menu, the new Knox Mason will continue its original commitment and serve as an old Knoxville favorite that is making its comeback.
Carlyn Anderson 
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