Aaron Thompson and Jessica King canceled a flight to Rome just 24 hours before boarding, and it's a good thing they did. Their planned trip in search of an Italian chef and aperitivo inspiration was scheduled as Italy's COVID-19 numbers were increasing in March 2020. 

Although their Brother Wolf bar and Osteria Stella restaurant concepts seemed to open out of nowhere last weekend in the former Old City Wine Bar and Rebel Kitchen spaces, the couple has been working to bring these unique dining and drinking experiences to downtown Knoxville for more than two years.