Inside The Tree and Vine about two hours after it opened on Thursday
The Tree and Vine, located at 439 Union Avenue in downtown Knoxville, opened this afternoon and when I stopped by around 1:30, it already was serving a steady stream of customers.
Proprietor Paul Karlsson was staffing the store along with Morgan Fitch, a downtown resident who is best known as a sculptor but who also has just finished culinary school. There are a couple dozen or so opened bottles of interestingly flavored olive oils and balsamic vinegars offered along with little paper cups and cubes of bread for tasting. “You are welcome to taste as many as you want,” Fitch urged a customer. “There is no limit.”
Karlsson agreed. “You should never buy an olive oil or balsamic vinegar without tasting it first,” he said. I tried a chipotle olive oil and absolutely loved it. It packed quite a kick and I can imagine finishing a piece of chicken or fish with a drizzle of it. I also tried the 18-year-old balsamic and found it thick and sweet and absolutely delicious.
Karlsson and his wife, Terri, also own a Tree and Vine shop in the Biltmore Village development in Asheville, North Carolina. In fact, Terri was at the Asheville store today. Paul is extremely chatty and helpful to his customers, offering tasting tips and impromptu recipes.
An assortment of balsamic vinegars to taste
Here’s his favorite salad: A bunch of spinach, with some kind of seasonal fruit tossed in (“It might be strawberries if they are in season,” he said, “or it might be mandarin oranges.”), with some blue cheese crumbles scattered on top along with a few pecans. Drizzle the whole thing with balsamic vinegar.
Interestingly, Karlsson said he never uses olive oil and balsamic vinegar together. He uses only balsamic on salads — no oil. “And I never cook anything without olive oil,” he noted. “Whether it’s meat or fish or vegetables.”
His tips for storing his precious products. “Don’t worry about the balsamic,” he said. “It’s been alive for 18 years, so another 18 won’t hurt it!” Olive oil, on the other hand, needs to be placed in a dark cupboard away from any heat source, he said. He sells his olive oil in clear bottles so the color of the various oils can shine through.
The next time you are downtown, drop by The Tree and Vine. In Asheville, Karlsson said, groups of women sometimes make arrangements to have birthday parties and such at the store. “If you call ahead, I’ll put some appetizers out,” he offered.
Hours are 10 to 7 Monday through Thursday; 10 to 9 on Friday and Saturday; and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Owner Paul Karlsson preparing a tasting for a customer
Those silver containers behind him are fustis. Imported from Italy, they contain between 5-1/2 and 6 gallons each of olive oil or balsamic vinegar.
A fusti of black walnut balsamic
I'm going back for a bottle of this chipotle olive oil!
Here's my little taste -- yummy!
There are about a dozen different olive oils.
When a customer selects a certain flavor, the bottles are filled on the spot.
Karlsson putting the seal on a bottle.
This is going to be a great place to pick up a birthday present or hostess gift!
All kinds of gadgets are offered for sale.
Here's Morgan Fitch answering a customer's question.
A wide variety of seasonings can make the olive oil even more interesting!
Gourmet cookware is available.
And pretty kitchen towels.
Of course you also can get some fancy olives, which my friend Laurens Tullock was doing Thursday afternoon.
I'm seeing some quick pasta dishes in my future, which will make Alan happy!
Loved these colorful stoppers.
Nice to know another place to pick up some fancy snacks!
There even are some soaps made with olive oil.
These eye-catchers are in the window.
Buy that pasta too.
Love this. And really love how downtown is growing!
Thanks for the tip. Will check it out soon.
Alan: I knew you’d say that!!
Shaun: I agree.
Annette: You will love!
What a great store. Can’t wait to stop by – love the preview on what we will find there. I, too, am seeing some great meals to pick up on the way home!
Love this — you know what a gadget freak I am! I’m also going for the chipotle olive oil — thanks for the review, Cyn.
Tami: I think Bruce will enjoy some of the pastas and sauces!
Ellen: I know you will love the chipotle olive oil!
Stopped by twice today. Purchased blueberry balsamic. Love it!
That sounds great, Gay!
Hey, folks. I just went to The Tree and Vine (to buy Alan his pasta!) and they have gotten a lot more things in since yesterday when this blog item was posted. Including some nice All Clad cookware.
Nice blog Ms. Moxley! Great pictures.
Thanks, Urban Guy! Like your post on The Tree and Vine, too!
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