By the Editors.
Guest Columnist Robyn Singer joins us this month. Find her on Instagram @nashvillenoshes
The Yellow Table Café, East Nashville
Discovered by her mom at an antiques store in Nashville in the 1970s, the iconic yellow table became a centerpiece of Anna Watson Carl’s childhood, and her mother later gifted it to her as a college graduation present. Years later, the cookbook author, blogger, chef and restaurateur named her cozy café in East Nashville’s Eastwood Village Shops for the beloved table and runs her café by her mom’s philosophy: There’s always room for one more. The menu features comforting breakfast and lunch options, such as Nutella crêpes, buckwheat prosciutto galettes and freshly roasted coffee and tea. Guests can enjoy meals in booths, on the patio or at the large, yellow table that lends its name and communal spirit to the eatery.
@theyellowtablecafe – RS
Alebrije, East Nashville
A regular at the Richland Park Farmers Market for years, chef-owner Edgar Victoria now has a brick-and-mortar for his Mexico City–inspired eatery in an unassuming strip center off Gallatin Avenue. Sip elevated aguas frescas (hibiscus-strawberry and horchata-pecan) and snack on shrimp empanadas, chicken mole enchiladas, tacos and more. Sitting at the bar, watch chefs meticulously cook and plate your food. If you happen to meet new chef William, ask for an off-menu pastor taco with cheese. When you’re done, head next door to Coral Club for a cocktail to wrap it all up in style. @alebrijenash – RS
Turkey and the Wolf Icehouse, East Nashville
After earning numerous accolades, including Bon Appétit’s best new restaurant in America and a James Beard Foundation Award nomination, Chef Mason Hereford’s New Orleans–based sandwich concept has finally opened its sister location in East Nashville. While the vibe is laid-back and playful, they’re serious about food and flavors. Expect crowd-pleasers such as the collard greens melt, fried bologna sandwich and wedge salad with “everything bagel crunchy stuff,” but keep an eye out for Nashville-specific menu items. @turkeyandthewolficehouse – RS
Lona, Downtown
Elevated Mexican cuisine has officially arrived downtown at the Noelle Hotel, bringing a much-needed modern revamp to their downstairs dining space, previously Makeready. The yellow corn esquites are a must-try, as is the spicy avocado margarita. As someone who’s on a lifelong mission to eat as much seafood as possible, I especially appreciated their impressive seafood offerings, including lump crab guacamole, shrimp ceviche, tuna tostada and lobster quesadillas, to name just a few. Finish off with churros or a refreshing mango sorbet. @lonanashville – RS
Little Miss Mao at Skinny Dennis, East Nashville
Chef and co-owner of Mister Mao in New Orleans, Sophina Uong is bringing her New Orleans–based Little Miss Mao to Skinny Dennis, a new bar in East Nashville. Dine on “unapologetically inauthentic” Southern and Cambodian cuisine while you take in live music and practice your honky-tonk dance moves. Playful menu items include crispy chicken wontons, garlic noodles with crab, pani puri and cheese-rind fried chicken with za’atar and pomegranate molasses. Shoot a game of pool or shuffleboard while you wait for your food.
@littlemissmao, @skinnydennis_nash – RS
Lola, Sylvan Park
Between our last two visits to Lola, something happened that catapulted the Sylvan Park eatery from our list of favorite neighborhood restaurants to our list of favorite Nashville restaurants. Turns out, it was a menu overhaul that developed a Spanish-forward roster of small and shareable plates, including crispy artichokes with basil-citrus glaze, shrimp with paella cake and seared triggerfish with garlic, tomato, capers and white beans. All tested our ability to share like polite adults. @lola.nashville – CF
Perfectly Fine, The Nations
It’s been too long since we’ve played pool, and we definitely need some coaching, but we’re motivated by this clubby, pubby neighborhood bar with a free pool table, along with creative lineups of artisanal cocktails and mocktails, all-day breakfast and lunch and bar food. @perfectlyfinenashville – CF
Ginza, Green Hills
A few years ago, this low-key, landmark Green Hills sushi bar indulged in some self-care, sprucing up and expanding its menu and dining rooms. Honestly, that was overachieving, in our opinion, because it was already pretty dang perfect in its way, with the wobbly booths and whatnot. Ginza’s a bit sleeker (and pricier) now, with an extra room for hibachi and parties, but it’s still our go-to for fresh sushi and sashimi, followed by a trip to Parnassus next door and, I confess, dessert at Fox’s Donut Den around the corner. @ginza_nashville – CF
Goody’s Café, Joelton
After lunch at Joelton Hardware (page XX), we ambled down the strip mall sidewalk to Goody’s Café, where we chatted at the cash register with owner Milly Combs about her cozy Southern menu of chili, chicken and dumplings and meatloaf, then slid into a booth and went to work on a wide wedge of fudge pie and a square of chocolate cake with fluffy peanut butter frosting—a new menu item that deserves to become a regular. @goodyscafejoelton – CF
Dozen Bakery, Woodbine
It did not take long for bread lines to form at the new location of Claire Meneely’s beloved bakery, which opened right after Valentine’s Day. The new facility has much larger kitchen and dining spaces than the (now-closed) Wedgewood-Houston store, but even with so much lovely, new square footage, opening weekend was crowded to capacity with paniphiles queuing for cherry-pistachio muffins, pains au chocolat and egg sandwiches with avocado and pesto on slices of homemade toast. Happy housewarming, Dozen! You’re worth the wait. @dozenbakerynashville – CF
Otaku Ramen, Charlotte
Sylvan Supply on Charlotte joins The Gulch and The Factory at Franklin in supplying steaming bowls of broth and noodles laced with umami. It’s hard to steer away from the zingy heat of spicy miso—seasoned pork bone broth, ground pork, scallions, roasted corn, sesame bean sprouts, pickled ginger, chili oil and egg—but there’s a case to be made for every item at this concise counter-service eatery, where you can ask for low-carb noodles or veer from noodles and soup altogether, in favor of gyoza, pork and chicken buns and rice bowls. @otakuramen – CF
Karrington Rowe, Brentwood
In a sports bar, we don’t necessarily expect appetizers and entrées as stunning as Karrington Rowe’s chorizo-stuffed dates with romesco and almonds. Calamari, while a familiar bar-food staple, was expertly fried. Entrées lean to Asian flavors, with an excellent coconut curry shrimp and a divine hoisin pork chop. Given that this team also leads Germantown Café and Park Cafe, it’s no surprise these hospitality veterans didn’t miss a beat. Shout out to the assistant general manager, Khalil, the ultimate host. @karringtonrowe – JM
Primitive Coffee/Harding House Brew, Woodbine
Located in the bottom floor of the board game company IV Studio, in the former home of the now-closed Able Restaurant Equipment, this cozy coffee shop and taproom pays homage to both the board game company and the building, with whimsical and delicious coffee drinks infused with house-made syrups. Oh, yeah, grab a grilled cheese, tots or kolaches while you’re there. Need something stronger? Harding House Brew local beer is on tap. @primitivecoffee.co – JM
Café Cheeserie at Frist Art Museum, Broadway
It’s been a minute since we had a grilled cheese from The Grilled Cheeserie in Hillsboro Village, but after a recent museum visit, we stopped in for coffee and a bite at their Frist outpost. Classic gourmet grilled cheese with a trio of new-school American, white cheddar and Gruyère on sourdough bread with a golden Parmesancrust was just as good as we remembered. Service is a bit slow, but then again, at the Frist, who’s in a hurry? @cafecheeserie – JM
Dreamburger, East Nashville
The best damn burger in Nashville. The guys at Dreamburger do something simple and they do it well. Perfection is a lot of little things done right, and everything about this burger is that. Located in a truck outside Vinyl Tap, there is not a better smashburger in town. @dreamburgernash – SB
Grillshack Fries and Burgers, East Nashville
I would sell my soul for the fry recipe here. Thick-cut and simultaneously crispy yet pillowy soft, these fries cannot be beat. Pair with their spicy ketchup, some mayo and malt vinegar and you’re eating good. @grillshackfriesandburgers – SB
Curry Boys BBQ, East Nashville
So much hype with this place, and rightfully so. Sean and his operation hail from San Antonio and come to town already carrying James Beard weight. Think Texas barbecue meets Southeast Asian. They took over the old Lou space and now offer a less stuffy, and more accessible menu for the Inglewood neighborhood. The building is pink, but I won’t hold that against them. @curryboysbbq – SB
Sabell’s, East Nashville
Clean, fresh and delicious Mediterranean fare in Riverside Village. Special sandwiches are on point, and when it’s soup season, any offering they have is worth the $5 a cup. Cozy little bar with ample outdoor seating. Plus, no TV on site means it’s a great place to have a conversation and a great meal. @sabells1301 – SB