Dangerously Smooth––Mason's at The Loews Vanderbilt

If you live in Nashville, you know the hardest decision you face every day is "where am I going to eat?" Well, I've got a new option to throw into the list of places to choose from; Mason's at The Loews Vanderbilt. 

Probably not somewhere you'd think of unless you had guests in town staying there. However, with new Executive Chef Gavin Pera, you're going to want to re-think that. It's dishes like his Tuna “Tartare” Tacos (bite-sized with cucumber gel, Serrano peppers, and lemon aioli) and Pork Belly Rillons that keep me coming back. The menu is well equipped with all the comforts of Southern food with a twist to give them a different kick. I have decided the only way the Pork Belly Rillons (served over strawberry jalapeño jam) could taste any better, is if after a long, adventerous day in Nashville, it came to you in bed, via room service. 

And the cocktails are Mason's are so dangerously smooth, you just might be tempted to stay the night and find out. (That's okay, the Loews is well equiped for this.) Take the Wanderer, for example. Made with Botanist Gin, cucumber, rice wine, and hopped grapefruit bitters, it holds the essence of cucumber as though it were created with a shrub. Made with all fresh ingredients (as are all of the cocktails at the Loews), it’s wonderfully refreshing and pairs great with the Tuna Tacos. Now, the Summer Crush cocktail is downright dangerous (Pickers Vodka, elderflower, and strawberry-citrus soda). Sweet and smooth, I could easily make the Summer Crush, my summer staple. 

When you visit, be sure to ask for Lois as your server. She has been with the Loews for over 25 years and knows her way around the menu. She can guide you from drinks through dessert for a exceptional tastebud experience. Don't miss her favorites like the Catfish Poboy and the seared Salmon (served on a bed of creamed califlour––yum). As she guided me through my experience, I gained a great appreciation for how well intertwined the drink and dinner menus are. Ingredients cross over, and when paired perfecly, the result is a wonderfully rounded out symphony of flavors in your mouth. 

Here are my personal favorite drink and food pairings at the Loews:

Summer Crush Cocktail (Pickers Vodka, elderflower, and strawberry citrus soda) & the Pork Belly Rillons (strawbery jalapeño jam, malbec reduction) 

The Wanderer (Botanist Gin, cucumber, rice wine, hopped grapefruit bitters) & Tuna “Tartare” Tacos (cucumber gel, serrano peppers, lemon aioli)

Mason's Mule (Pickers Vodka, lime ginger beer) & Salmon (cauliflower, heirloom tomatoes, chard, ginger, mandarin)

Iroquois (Vida Mezcal, Belle Meade Bourbon, lavendar, lime) & Bourbon Caramel Bread Pudding (vanilla ice cream, candied pecans)