My last "Out & About" post was Williamson County-focused, so this time I'm taking you up into the city...
Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint - Downtown
I've been to what I believe was the first Martin's in Nolensville, but recently I found myself at the location downtown for a work function. The downtown location often has a line out the door, but there is a TON of space... just head upstairs! I was happy to see plenty of local craft beers on tap.
We ordered a ton of appetizers, so I didn't want to get TOO much food as my entree. One of my favorite meals (I know, it's not traditional BBQ, whatever, it's on the menu everywhere) is a baked potato with BBQ on top of it! Yum. The one thing that makes Martin's a little different is that their sauce is on the runny side. More vinegar than molasses, perhaps! It's definitely one of the best BBQ spots in Nashville, along with Edley's and Peg Leg Porker. Nashville isn't a BBQ destination (Memphis is more so) but you can find some good stuff here.
The Southern - Downtown
I've dined at The Southern a few times, I think always for work! It used to be the only place downtown that I really recommended that people eat, because for a while that area was lacking. Now, there's plenty of upscale and foodie spots there too! Once again, I ate a bunch of appetizers... I love their friend green tomatoes, steak biscuits, and crab cakes. For supper, I enjoyed a small steak, though I was so stuffed that I could barely finish it!For large groups, they'll work out a pre-set menu. So that means dessert is included! The bread pudding was so heavy, but tasty. You should definitely split dessert with someone, as the portions throughout are huge. It's a nice, busy place near downtown with guaranteed good eats.
Tavern - Midtown
I heard that Tavern is where the cool kids hang. It was the only M Street restaurant concept that I hadn't visited, minus their Rosewall venue and their private Citizen club. My friend B and I went to brunch at Tavern before we went to the ballet. The wait was like two hours, naturally, because everywhere the young people want to eat is like that. But we knew that you can sidle up to a bar seat first-come, first-served, so that's what we did. The lower bar was crowded, but we found seats easily at the upper bar area, which serves a full menu. I had the pain perdu, which was basically as if French toast and s'mores had a baby. I'm not sure if I'd go back, given the hipster tax (long wait plus pricey food) but it was yummy!
Rosééééééééééééé all day!
Umami - Lenox Village
Lenox Village is a bit off the Nashville path, but it's a popular little area with a lot of nice shops and restaurants. Umami is just around the corner from Burger Republic, and I went there with my friend P for lunch on a weekend. My friend J had recommended it, especially because they have Korean food!I had some tamago sushi, which I typically love. This one wasn't the best I've tasted, but not bad. It's hard to find good tamago in the middle of the U.S. in general. I think I like a bit more mirin and soy sauce.
The Korean beef tacos were DELICIOUS. I really need to get back to try some of their Korean fried chicken and other dishes. It's possibly a little easier for me to get to Lenox than Antioch for Korean food, and it definitely had a nice Korean vibe to the whole place. (K-pop videos on TV, Korean families gathering, always good signs!) I'll definitely be back to Umami.
Where have you been eating (or drinking) lately?