Usually Offers a Pleasant Dining Experience
We usually have a pleasant dining experience at the Italian Market and Grill, whether for a "big night out" or a casual meal on a shopping trip.

The college-age serving staff are noteworthy for their knowledgeable advice -- it's clear that they are well trained.

Portions are always sumptuous. We've found that some menu items are overly elaborate -- they might be more enjoyable if there were fewer exotic ingredients.    [08 Jul 2001 15:32:55]

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Recommended Dishes: pizzas

     ­Anonymous   

Excellent Service and Very High Quality Food
We throughly enjoyed the Saturday morning breakfast buffet prior to a round of shopping. The staff was very helpful in orientating us to the many delicious choices offered on the buffet. The food was great as well as the very cordial and professional staff. I would recommend to everyone! I'll be back real soon.    [21 Mar 2002 09:07:31]

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     ­mtleconte hiker   

A brunch worth skipping 2 previous days of eating!
I'm not sure how to properly allow enough stomach room to sample everything at the Italian Market Sunday brunch, but I'm going to find a way to stretch it for my next trip to Knoxville. The quality and variety of the food offered was excellent! I had a great made-to-order omelette, intoxicatingly sweet waffles & french toast (with all sorts of fruit toppings) and many side dishes including salmon and trout. Absolutely wonderful. Will go out of my way to make sure I enjoy the experience again when in Knoxville :-)    [17 Feb 2003 10:35:51]

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     ­Mike Mc.   retro_daddy at hotmail dot com

Good food can never make up for poor service
I have been frequenting this restaurant since it opened over 7 years ago. The food has always been why I keep going back. But lately, however (6 months or so), the service has been so bad that I can't even bring myself to go back. The wait staff seems so untrained and incompentent they can't even get a drink order correct.

Even during a buffet, in a 1/2 empty restaurant, it took over 10 minutes for our waiter to visit our table the first time so we could order coffee. After my first cup of coffee, my cup sat empty for another 15 minutes while our waiter promptly ignored us to go flirt with the hostess. When it came time to get the check I had to wave my arms in the air. I mean, come on! What does a table full of empty plates mean? It took him another 10 minutes to bring the check after I flagged him down, then after he puts it down, before I can get out my wallet, he disappears again to go flirt with the hostess. Another 10 minutes go by. My wife finally grabbed the check and marched up the hostess stand and handed to him. Another 5 minutes and he finally returns and we can be released from this brunch from hell.

On two other occasions, dinner this time, the service was equally poor. Screwed up drink orders, wrong entres brought, wait staff disappears when I'm ready to go, etc. Just damning evidence of a poorly trained and incompetent wait staff.

I have always enjoyed the food at the Italian Market, but I will not be returning. The terrible service absolutely ruined my meal each time. If you decide to go there, have a little talk with your server before the meal starts and tell them your expectations; it seems to be the only way to get a decent meal in this place.    [21 Apr 2003 10:01:03]

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Recommended Dishes: Don't waste your money

     ­Anonymous   dcollins at springmail dot com

Bad experience, but situation resolved satisfactorily
I've been eating at this restaurant since it opened. On a recent visit my food was brought out very cold. I informed the waitress who promptly returned the entree to the kitchen. After the rest of my party had nearly finished their meals, she returned my food -- it was the same plate of food, cooked again, and now mushy and overcooked!

When I complained, the manager came over to our table to introduce himself and apologize. Imagine my suprise when they charge me for the meal!

Later, however, manager Grant Palmer phoned me at home to express what I thought was a very sincere apology. It was never intended that I be charged for the meal. This kind of "above and beyond" service is what I was anticipating out of a fine restaurant such as this. I guess after nearly ten years of dining there with acceptional food and service I should have allowed one bad meal. I feel this situaton has been resolved with great customer service.    [22 Aug 2003 16:54:48]

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Recommended Dishes: Pollo Arabiata

     ­Darren Loposser