This was one of my earliest visits in the Grub Era, and although I haven’t been back since, it’s not because I was dissatisfied with my original visit. The combination of inventive menu, expert preparation, good service and upscale but comfy atmosphere led me to award high marks across the board. These days, the menu will start you out with the likes of fried artichoke hearts or baked clams and move on to an eclectic selection of entrees that includes Neapolitan lasagna, cannelloni and Fettuccine Alfredo prepared with your choice of five different proteins.

125 N Peters Rd, Knoxville, TN 37923 (https://www.altrudas.com/). Named for the restaurant founder's mother Geraldine Ida Altruda, who immigrated to the U.S. from Italy at age 12 and brought with her decades-old recipes and home cooking, Altruda's is a hotspot for authentic Italian cuisine in Knoxville, Tennessee. Their pasta dishes are divided into two categories by the style of pasta they're made with; Primi Piatti and spaghetti.

For 33 years, Altruda’s owner Paul Meyer has rarely taken a day off, indicating the level of attention paid to every plate that leaves the kitchen. There are as many “ravi maris”, “chicken mels”, and “spags” delivered to tables by Meyer himself as by servers. That’s why the Linguine and Clams I ate tasted and looked just as incredible as it did when I first devoured it 20 years ago.

Indulge in authentic Italian dishes like the Veal Marsala at Altruda’s and make sure to get your fill of homemade garlic rolls. Find new Southern favorites like the Pimento Buttermilk-Fried Chicken Sandwich inside a 1950s-era auto garage building at Abridged Beer Company. Sample the Fried Green Tomatoes and flights of whiskey at Not Watson’s Kitchen + Bar in Market Square.

They pay attention to detail at this longtime West Knoxville tradition, which features authentic Italian cuisine and an intimate dining experience. Dim lights and cozy ambiance provide a perfect setting for birthdays, anniversaries, and of course, Valentine’s Day celebrations. There’s lots of love given to basics, like the homemade garlic bread and salad.

Altruda’s is a cozy Italian eatery that offers an incredible menu, making you feel like you’ve been whisked away to a charming trattoria in Italy. When it comes to choosing a dish, it’s hard to go wrong at Altruda’s. A crowd favorite is their Fettuccine Alfredo, while others rave about the Pollo Florentine.

A post shared by Bo Hickey (@tricky.hickey) on Jun 14, 2018 at 5:21am PDT. This restaurant is built with love and passion, as the recipes were passed from one generation to the next. Paul Meyer, the restaurant owner, boasts of rich experience when it comes to Italian cooking.

Altruda’s owner, Paul Meyer, credits his passion for food to his grandmother. Originally from Italy, his grandmother, Geraldine Ida Altruda, immigrated to America as a young girl. Like many Italian-Americans, she installed the values of cooking and together as a family.

Outside of Italy, no country does Italian food as good as the United States. At Altruda’s, the food is so authentic you’ll forget you’re in an American state at all. This traditional Italian eatery is beautifully designed with a wooden hut façade and ivy vines.

125 N Peters Rd, Knoxville, TN 37923Phone: 865-690-6144 Visit Website. A post shared by Always Hungry (@tennesseefoodie). Named for owner Paul Meyer’s Italian Grandmother, Altruda’s is a casual, family-friendly North Peters neighborhood Italian restaurant.

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (300 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)- Type of cuisine: Italian- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 125 N Peters Rd, Knoxville, TN 37923-4908- Read more on Tripadvisor

Besides having the best Italian food ever, Altruda’s has some pretty amazing cannoli. I make it a point to try cannoli anywhere they’re served, and theirs is the best.

The spaghetti carbonara was rich and decadent, while the penne arrabiata had a fiery kick. The service was excellent, making this place a must-visit for pasta lovers.