Food with a view
Located high upon a hillside in Haletown, aka Guild, Tenn., Look Out Winery and Wood-Fired Pizza looms — a sand-colored structure with a labyrinth of levels. Framed by rock walls and the silvery serpentine river, Look Out’s entry almost feels like that of some romantic, exotic village.
But, make no mistake — once you enter the winery, it becomes clear: You are still very much in Tennessee territory.
New to Look Out’s dining hall is a large TV for screening Saturday and Sunday football games. To complement those sport showings, there are now chicken wings on the menu.
“But not fried wings!” owner Chuck Bordoguiia is quick to point out.
These wings, he told me, are healthier alternatives, roasted with caramelized onions and spiced with rosemary — ingredients channeling the same upscale vibe as Look Out’s wine bar.
The extensively stocked wine bar runs adjacent to the dining hall. Recently, its bottle selection was expanded to include two new wines: an unoaked cabernet, which Chuck describes as very soft and unusual; and a moscato, with hints of lemon and grapefruit, and a back-taste of pineapple, finished with a tinge of sweetness.
Soon, said Chuck, he will also introduce a new pinot noir and a new pinot grigio.
But, like its names suggests, Look Out has more than just great wine.
Creative wood oven-fired pies include the prosciutto con pineapple, blending salty and fruity flavors; and the breakfast pizza, made with scrambled egg, prosciutto and cheese.
“It’s like an egg frittata,” said Chuck.
While the drinks and dishes are, first and foremost, what attracts diners to Look Out, its mountaintop view alone is worth the drive.
Outdoor dining is available on a second-story patio overlooking the water, as well as inside a large tent perfect for private affairs. Look Out’s catering menu can be found online and features recipes such as broccoli Alfredo penne, Moroccan chicken breast and more.
And when the weather begins to cool, that tent can be heated, and that deck can be covered in thick clear plastic, so that your party is still comfortably afforded that view: the silhouetted bridges in the distance, the silvery river far below. It may make you feel like you’ve traveled to some remote destination; but rest assured, you are still very much at home.