Picture Perfect
Look Out Winery and Wood Oven Pizza has scheduled its second annual Italian Fest for Saturday, April 8. And its schedule of events is as robust as, say, a good cabernet.
“Live like an Italian for a day!” Look Out Winery’s event flier proudly proclaims.
Built high on a hillside overlooking the Tennessee River, the restaurant itself could be likened to an Italian villa. Its outdoor dining — or dining all’aperto, as they say in Italy — has recently expanded, featuring a covered patio large enough to accommodate up to 100 people.
And during its festival, those features will be complemented by live music, engaging classes and, of course, food. The event begins at 11:30 a.m. CST with a special wine- and Italian cheese-tasting class. Participants will be treated to tastings as well as learn about pairings. The class costs $25 per person.
Then, at 1 p.m. Look Out’s outdoor buffet begins, offering all-you-can-eat house-made sausage, meatballs, wood-fired pizza, a trio of pastas and salad. The buffet also costs $25, or $10 for children 12 and under.
Live music begins at 1 p.m. with a live opera, followed by a singer and a classically trained harpist.
At 3 p.m., Look Out will host its second class of the day: a reservation-only Italian-themed painting class. A local artist will lead participants in painting scenes of Tuscany, which is often represented by images of quaint cobblestone streets or colorful rolling hills — either of which Look Out’s setting could easily help inspire.
The painting class is $35 per person and includes a wine flight. Those who choose to both take the class and enjoy the buffet receive a $5 discount.
Festival-goers who RSVP to the event get the buffet for $21, plus a free dessert. Homemade Italian desserts include Lady Locks, cannolis and pizzelle waffle cookies. Such dessert spreads, said Look Out owner Chuck Bordogna, are traditional in Italy. For instance, he said Italian weddings often showcase vast cookie assortments — which is good to know.
If you cannot live like an Italian for a day, the next best option is to marry one.
Noted for its tasty wine and spectacular view, Look Out Winery was recently named the 4th best winery in Tennessee by bestthingstn.com. Naturally, the write-up also included mention of Look Out's pizza and gelato, "... should you get a case of the munchies after your tasting."