Two of Knoxville's most talked-about restaurants are quietly teaming up. The crews behind A Dopo and Potchke are preparing to debut a small French bistro called Au Bon Coin, a project they have kept deliberately under the radar as it inches closer to serving its first official guests.
Local Teams, One New Bistro
The operators of A Dopo and Potchke are steering the Au Bon Coin project, according to the Knoxville News Sentinel, and have been quietly developing both the space and the menu. That outlet also notes that both restaurants have recently attracted national attention, including mentions on USA Today's lists of notable restaurants.
What Potchke Brings
Potchke - the much-discussed, dairy-forward deli that started life as a pop-up - is led by chef-co-owner Laurence Faber and Emily Williams and has quickly become a downtown staple for elevated comfort food. The team's website outlines its downtown deli and bagel shops, while profiles in Edible Memphis trace how Faber's background and pop-up origins built a loyal following.
A Dopo's Role
A Dopo is a compact, dinner-only wood-fired pizzeria known for naturally leavened sourdough crusts and seasonal small plates, and its tight, craft-focused style is expected to influence Au Bon Coin's approach. Area listings such as FindKnoxville spotlight A Dopo as an Old City favorite.
Soft Openings and Early Chatter
Local diners on the r/Knoxville subreddit have reported soft openings and early tasting menus, with commenters describing a four-course prix fixe and indicating that reservations could open in August. A community thread collected first impressions and pointed to an Instagram account linked to the project, offering a preview of diner buzz before any formal announcement. Reddit
Why It Matters
The collaboration highlights how Knoxville's dining scene continues to gain wider attention as local chefs and small teams test new formats and cross-concept partnerships. Local guides and tourism listings charting the city's restaurant landscape list both A Dopo and Potchke among Knoxville's most talked-about spots, pointing to strong interest in what Au Bon Coin might add. Visit Knoxville
For now, anyone hoping to snag a reservation or preview the menu will want to keep an eye on the restaurants' official pages: Potchke and A Dopo. Details on formal reservation links, operating hours, and full menus are expected to follow from the teams.
