WORDS Anna Lowder PHOTOS Harvi Sahota
Nashville is a town of Now. If you’re over a certain age, or haven’t visited the World Wide Web in a bit, you may not know. Otherwise, I’m telling you something that’s obvious.
What may not be so obvious is exactly what makes Nashville Now. Our esteemed MADE Columnist tells you this month about Pinewood Social. It is no doubt one of the finest establishments in Nashville today. Or anywhere in the US for that matter. But for all its delicious food and cocktails and coffee and young people, Pinewood Social is just doing the best job at what Nashville does best: being fun.
It is a city of music, design, craftspeople, chefs and artists. That’s fun. That creates events and rituals. That makes neighborhoods and brings new ideas. Set against a backdrop of a financial institutions, state government, industry, tourism, and universities, it’s a city were everything feels possible. Nashville is the Atlanta of ten years ago, the next Austin, the Brooklyn of the South.
That’s why its food festival, Music City Food & Wine, surpasses all others. Dropped in the center of downtown, it celebrates Southern food and drink with the third fist of music. And not just any music: founded by Caleb and Nathan Followill of Kings of Leon, the band curates the live music line up and plucks from their friends and Nashville headliners. Performances by Kings of Leon paired with the likes of Bobby Bear Jr. and Sr. bring a diversity of ages and techniques, that sings of the new Nashville spirit. And hanging out with Frank Stitt, Iron Chefs and food media from all over the country isn’t too bad either.
Here’s MADE Paper’s picks for the best at this year’s Music City Food & Wine.
Upstarts: The Ones To Watch
Otaku South - This new spot at POP in East Nashville is a ramen shop serving the best Tantan Mazeman. The menu is simple and cheap but stars quality ingredients and technique. otakusouth.com
Alon Shaya - Amazing guy with a work ethic to match, Alon (head chef and partner at Domenica and Pizza Domenica in New Orleans) showed up nationally renowned chefs with his chilled, charred octopus. domenicarestaurant.com
Hattie B’s - Modern take on Nashville’s famous hot chicken. The weak order it “Southern” (no heat), the strong order it “Damn Hot” (firestarter). Gallon of tea or pitcher of beer required for success. hattieb.com
Nashville Flavor
Tandy Wilson - City House head chef and owner, Tandy has the arguably the hottest restaurant in Nashville. Located in Germantown, it serves cured meats, pizza and simple food done right. cityhousenashville.com
Olive & Sinclair - Chocolate. Add bourbon, salt, pepper, other things. Magic. Especially the chocolate truffle that explodes bourbon chocolate lava in your mouth. oliveandsinclair.com
Martin’s BBQ - These guys set up a BBQ pit in the middle of a packed food festival, giving tastings of pulled pork, sausage, beef, ribs, chicken, branzino, and brisket all day. Think they were popular? martinsbbqjoint.com
Yazoo Brewing Co. - Nashville’s favorite microbrewery serves good beer. All you need to know. yazoobrew.com
Classics and Standouts
Ashley Christensen - In an industry crowded by loud men, Ashley breaks the mould. 2014 James Beard Winner Best Chef: Southeast, she oversees eight operations including Poole’s Diner in Raleigh. ac-restaurants.com
Frank Stitt - He plates a lovely trout salad, but his ping pong backhand is actually more impressive. This legend of Southern cooking parties like a genteel rock star (at least at Pinewood Social). highlandsbarandgrill.com
Kings of Leon & Harvest Night - King of Leon organized this year’s after party concert, held outdoors in the center of Nashville’s booming downtown. Nights like this make you happy to be in the South. kingsofleon.com
The City of Nashville - Get here now. Something for everyone, and a damn nice place too.
