Oodles Uncorked (Knoxville, TN)

Oodles Uncorked bills itself as an Italian American restaurant, with a menu that focuses on pasta and wine. Oodles is located in Market Square, an ever popular portion of Knoxville known for dining and upscale nightlife. Based on its location and menu, we decided on reservations a few weeks in advance knowing we would be in Knoxville. Unfortunately, everything about the experience was underwhelming.

First the service was slow, and surprisingly unfriendly. It took an unusually long time t seat a party of two, considering reservations a few weeks in advance. Then we were seated in basically in the corner of an inside hallway, at a wire outdoor table, directly next to the mailboxes (who's mailboxes, remains to be known). Both food and drink came out excruciatingly slow, especially given the quality of preparation; which leads to my next point.

The quality of food was just subpar, no other way to put it. For an appetizer we ordered smoked crawfish dip, which was pretty good; except that it tasted nothing like crawfish at all. It was basically a cheesy dip, which is fine, but not what was expected.

For entrée, we ordered a duck club panini and chicken fettuccini served with 3 cheese alfredo. The duck Panini was mediocre at best. The chicken fettuccini was largely tasteless, with the chicken obviously a piece of frozen, processed chicken that would be found at your local discount grocery. Frankly, it tasted like something you would expect at Pizza Hut, Gatti's, etc. Just subpar altogether, but especially for a market square restaurant where most locations tout local sourcing. The only saving grace was the decent wine list. Yet even that was subpar, at least for a restaurant touting itself as a wine bar.

Why go? Tough call, because there are a multitude much, much better food options within a stone's throw of Oodles. Maybe if your date wants a glass of wine. Maybe. Even so, there are a couple options in the square with a comparable wine list; and much better food. The only other conceivable reason would be for a cheap first date. But if that's your line of thinking, you may as well just show up in pajamas while you're at it.