gastropub?

Those of us who frequent the cigar shop on Central Ave. have noticed renovation efforts across the street for several months. The guys at the shop, Chris and Jared, have their ears to the ground for all things Old City and told me last fall that they had heard that "a British pub was going in there." Unfortunately, I missed my scoop and read all about it in this week's Metro Pulse.

Apparently it's going to be sweet. I won't rehash what you can read in MP but I will hit the highlights:

It's called the "Crown and Goose" named after a well-known pub in London. The "gastro" part of the pub means that it serves a full menu, like its namesake. The owner is actually English, and he owns the building it will be in. So chances are the pub will be done right and not go out of business in six months. The pub will have doors that will completely open up to the street in nice weather. Cool! And it will have a beer garden (not exactly English, I know) out back which will offer an alternative to Back Room BBQ's courtyard for those late summer nights discussing everything (we'll have to give it a try when you get back, Will).

So cheers to the Old City for the start of its [third?] renaissance. The appeal of that part of downtown is widening beyond the college crowd. Another element of this new Old City appeal will be the Cigar Bar part of the Knoxville Cigar Co., which is tentatively scheduled to open at the end of this month. True to form, yours truly and the majority of the Wig Shop writers will be there for the opening. We plan to bring you an exclusive on this welcome addition to the Old City (and not let those guys at Metro Pulse beat us again).