Gay Lyons, left, and Martha Boggs during the dessert course of our downtown progressive dinner. Martha brought Gay a bottle of Harvey’s Bristol Cream as a result of a conversation they recently had about popular drinks from the 1970s!
Four couples who all live downtown occasionally stage progressive dinners, where each couple hosts a dinner course and we walk from home to home enjoying the food, camaraderie and the ambiance of downtown. We’ve been doing this for over 10 years.
Occasionally, we offer these dinners to a good cause as an auction item. So far, we’ve sold two for the benefit of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, two for the Knoxville Botanical Garden and one for the East Tennessee Historical Society.
But we decided last weekend to do it again for just ourselves. We often invite a guest or two to join us. This time we invited our friend Martha Boggs, the owner of Bistro at the Bijou, a go-to eatery (and drinkery!) for all of us. She brought her longtime pal and former rugby teammate, Delora Cook.
Martha is our hero. A University of Tennessee graduate from Ducktown, Tenn., she worked her way through college as a server at and eventually became general manager of the venerable Old College Inn on Cumberland Avenue. (Trust me, she has stories!) In 1993 she became general manager of Bistro at the Bijou, located in one of Knoxville’s most historic buildings in the 800 block of South Gay Street.
In 2009, she purchased the business. Today, Bistro at the Bijou is a go-to lunch spot for Knoxville’s downtown banking, legal and business community. And it’s a hip and bustling dinner destination and nightspot featuring professional jazz artists on Friday and Saturday nights and University of Tennessee jazz students and faculty on Monday nights.
As veteran downtown residents, all the members of our progressive dinner club know and love Martha and we wanted to do a little something to celebrate our friendship and repay just a small fraction of the kindness and generosity she has shown us over the years. (Plus, we knew it would be a blast!)
Our evening started with appetizers at The Elliott, located at the corner of Church Avenue and State Street at the condo of Jacque and Cliff Hawks. Here are Gay Lyons, left, and Jacque Hawks in the kitchen.
Roses, all! From left, Monique Anderson, Gay Lyons, Martha Boggs and Delora Cook.
It would be impossible to pick a favorite among the four delicious offerings. But the lightly pickled peach slices wrapped in prosciutto and topped with fresh basil and mozzarella pearls were very much a topic of conversation.
All kinds of wine were offered — and poured. I was especially happy to see that Pinot Grigio, second from left, with a fish wearing sunglasses on the label! It’s my favorite — and, unfortunately, is in short supply in Knoxville right now.
Bill Lyons, left, and Cliff Hawks discussing a new Bob Dylan bootleg box set that Cliff, a Dylan super-fan, recently acquired.
I love these little “mini BLTs” that Jacque makes. The secret that brings it all together is the chipotle mayonnaise she puts in the middle of the grape tomatoes.
Jacque leads a quick tour of the condo. Here’s the master bedroom.
A very sweet little patio.
“Dilly” cuke bites were refreshing!
Jacque said this den/library was where they spent most of their time during the COVID lockdown.
Here’s a cute fish Jacque’s father gave her. (If I were that fish, I’d be nervous sitting on the shelf above all those cookbooks!)
Speaking of fish, the smoked salmon tartare atop wheat toast was delish.
I loved this cute glass bird Jacque bought in Asheville.
No visit to the Hawks’ home is complete without a visit with Chopin, their big, sweet Ragdoll cat.
Time to move along to the salad course! It was right around the corner at the condo of Bruce and Monique Anderson.
They live at The Glencoe, also at the corner of State Street and Church Avenue — but facing State Street.
The Glencoe is right across the street from First Presbyterian Church, which was the first church in Knoxville. Notice the turnip logo on top of the gate? That’s because it was built in 1792 upon the turnip patch of James White, Knoxville’s founder!
Inside, salads were on the table.
And Bruce was pouring wine!
Bill Lyons and Martha patiently waiting for everyone to sit down. (Bill would soon assume the position of drill sergeant who would keep everyone moving along during the evening!)
Speaking of moving on, Alan and I dashed out a little early to get to our place and get ready for the entree course, which we would serve. It’s located at 416 S. Gay St., in the J.C. Penney Building. I grabbed a shot of the living room during the calm before the storm!
My friend Madge Cleveland has always given me this advice: “Dinner Party 101 says set the table the night before!” I followed that recommendation!
We bought these plates last year at the Green Thumb Gala benefiting the Knoxville Botanical Garden. They are Italian and were donated to the silent auction by Joan and Victor Ashe. They came from a gift shop that Victor’s mother, Martha, used to own in Florida. I knew I would love to use them in summertime because of their bright colors.
I got these little chicken place card holders years ago at a craft fair. They are made from recycled plastic bags!
Main course was prawn saute chardonnay, a dish I have made since college days. Served over jasmine rice with roasted broccoli as a side.
Martha poses with Alan Carmichael, left, and Bill Lyons at our place.
Then, on to Gay and Bill Lyons’ place at The Overlook for dessert!
Gay displaying the final course: cold lemon soufflé with fresh blueberries.
Delora and Martha in the living room.
Cliff and Martha.
Monique, Alan and Cliff settled in on the deck.
From left, Delora, Martha and Gay on the deck as it was getting dark.
A view of the Henley Bridge.
A look to the east and the Gay Street Bridge.
The best hostess gifts ever! Martha brought every couple a bottle of wine and lovely tomatoes, garlic and herbs from her famous garden. It is that garden that supplies many of the vegetables served at Bistro at the Bijou in spring, summer and fall! We are so lucky to have her as a friend and as a part of the Knoxville community!
Post script: We recommend that, no matter your neighborhood, you have a progressive dinner! As a host, you only have to cook, set the table for and clean up after one course — instead of three or four. Plus, you get to see and enjoy the evening in a number of unique locales. It’s a winning formula!
I had a glass of your favorite at Eatley day before yesterday in NYC!
Beth: I am jealous!
10 years of fun, food, and friends! Always a good time. I don’t recall how we got started doing these, but I’m glad we did.
Martha Boggs is a treasure and a force of nature! She well deserved this fete, and more. Love you, Martha!
I’m so glad you invited Martha as a guest. Good choice!
Indeed, we are lucky to have Martha in Knoxville. She and I were in high school together and I have stories, too!
Eric, Mick, Diana, and Georgiana: We should start a fan club! (Oh, we kinda already have!)
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