The Tree and Vine is open — and it’s so much fun!

Inside The Tree and Vine about two hours after it opened on Thursday

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

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

Owner Paul Karlsson preparing a tasting for a customer

Those silver containers behing him are fustis -- they contain between 5-1/2 and 6 gallons each of olive oil or balsamic vinegar.

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

A fusti of black walnut balsamic

I'm going back for a bottle of this chipotle olive oil!

I'm going back for a bottle of this chipotle olive oil!

Here's my little taste -- yummy!

Here's my little taste -- yummy!

There are about a dozen different olive oils.

There are about a dozen different olive oils.

When a customer selects a certain flavor, the bottles are filled on the spot.

When a customer selects a certain flavor, the bottles are filled on the spot.

Karlsson putting the seal on a bottle.

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.

All kinds of gadgets are offered for sale.

Here's Morgan Fitch answering a customer's question.

Here's Morgan Fitch answering a customer's question.

A wide variety of seasonings can make the olive oil even more interesting!

A wide variety of seasonings can make the olive oil even more interesting!

Gourmet cookware is available.

Gourmet cookware is available.

And pretty kitchen towels.

And pretty kitchen towels.

Of course you also can get some fancy olives, which my friend Laurens Tullock was doing Thursday afternoon.

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!

I'm seeing some quick pasta dishes in my future, which will make Alan happy!

Loved these colorful stoppers.

Loved these colorful stoppers.

Nice to know another place to pick up some fancy snacks!

Nice to know another place to pick up some fancy snacks!

There even are some soaps made with olive oil.

There even are some soaps made with olive oil.

These eye-catchers are in the window.

These eye-catchers are in the window.

Filed under: Business, Downtown, Food, Knoxville. Bookmark the permalink.

13 Responses to The Tree and Vine is open — and it’s so much fun!

  1. AlanCarmichael, on July 12th, 2012 at 3:43 pm said:

    Buy that pasta too.

  2. Shaun Fulco, on July 12th, 2012 at 3:46 pm said:

    Love this. And really love how downtown is growing!

  3. Annette Winston, on July 12th, 2012 at 3:52 pm said:

    Thanks for the tip. Will check it out soon.

  4. Cynthia Moxley, on July 12th, 2012 at 3:56 pm said:

    Alan: I knew you’d say that!!

    Shaun: I agree.

    Annette: You will love!

  5. Tami Hartmann, on July 12th, 2012 at 3:59 pm said:

    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!

  6. Ellen Robinson, on July 12th, 2012 at 4:10 pm said:

    Love this — you know what a gadget freak I am! I’m also going for the chipotle olive oil — thanks for the review, Cyn.

  7. Cynthia Moxley, on July 12th, 2012 at 9:30 pm said:

    Tami: I think Bruce will enjoy some of the pastas and sauces!

    Ellen: I know you will love the chipotle olive oil!

  8. Gay Lyons, on July 12th, 2012 at 11:21 pm said:

    Stopped by twice today. Purchased blueberry balsamic. Love it!

  9. Cynthia Moxley, on July 13th, 2012 at 5:04 am said:

    That sounds great, Gay!

  10. Cynthia Moxley, on July 13th, 2012 at 1:32 pm said:

    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.

  11. Knoxville Urban Guy, on July 13th, 2012 at 4:42 pm said:

    Nice blog Ms. Moxley! Great pictures.

  12. Cynthia Moxley, on July 14th, 2012 at 12:04 am said:

    Thanks, Urban Guy! Like your post on The Tree and Vine, too!

  13. Pingback:Blue Streak » Tree and Vine shop reports phenomenal success; Knox Symphony supporters enjoy its products

Leave a Reply