A week does not go by without a new restaurant opening up. Okay, we don’t know if that is true, but it certainly seems that way. Today, we are highlighting 6 menu items from 6 new restaurants that are totally worth adding another night out to your plate! (We can’t pass up good word play!)
HUSK
Kay West wrote a fabulous piece about Husk for us, but now it’s our turn to say what we thought was the best, which is hard, because it’s all just incredible. Consensus for us was the fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese. We devoured every last bite, and now that we have sampled Husk’s interpretation of these Southern classics, other versions have paled in comparison. If you only go for a cocktail and an appetizer, order this one. www.husknashville.com
Sardinia
We’ve been here several times, and the experience has been blow-your-mind amazing to eh, okay. But, the kitchen is getting more consistent, and we keep going back because we like it. They’ve recently added pizzas to the menu, but it’s the presentation and flavor of the Crostini di Burrata, with Parma prosciutto, burrata and pesto that has been the consistent hit. Quick tip: they have tons of room at lunch and the service is quick and the menu reflects lunch prices. It’s a great place to steal away, and you can even eat outside. www.sardinia-ristorante.com
GRAYS on Main
Over 3,000 people attended the grand opening of GRAYS just a couple weeks ago! Housed in a building from 1876, we can’t help but give GRAYS high marks for their seasonally-driven, locally sourced menu. In their own words, they believe in using “locally grown ingredients, so that their knowledge can help each dish’s unique flavor thrive.” Chef Jenkins, if you think no one noticed your clever explanation without the expected trendy description, “farm to table” we wanted you to know that we did, and here’s a virtual high-five standing out! So, while it was toss up between recommending the bourbon burger sliders or the confit duck-fried ravioli, we went with the ravioli. It’s served with with house-made ricotta, tomato fennel sauce, and shaved Parmesan. www.graysonmain.com
Two Boots Pizza
Recently opened in Midtown (which is becoming quite the culinary scene), this is the first Southern location for this NYC-based company, which has 12 other stores in the NYC area, Baltimore and LA. It is locally owned by Sam Boyer, a Manhattan-raised guy who’s a recent Nashville transplant. There are a couple of menu items that are only available here in Music City, and we highly suggest the Kitty Wells, which includes Hattie B’s hot chicken, blue cheese and jalapeños on a white pie and is served with a side of crispy pickle slices. Pizza and hot chicken mixed? Why has it taken so long for this marriage of obvious endurance to come about? twoboots.com
Pub 5
This spot is such a find, just off of lower Broad. It’s the place that locals will drive to meet friends and maybe take in some Honky Tonks afterward, or maybe just go home (i.e., don’t feel as if you have to commit to a night out to enjoy Pub 5). It’s just south of Broadway on 4th Ave, so it doesn’t pull as big of a tourist crowd as eateries on Broadway proper do, and it’s delightful–from service, to food, to atmosphere. It should be, mind you, as we expect nothing less from the owners of their other restaurant, 12South Taproom. There are three floors to check out at Pub 5, but if you only see one, you’ll still be happy. If you are meeting for drinks and want some nibbles, do try their nachos, as they elevate this often-maligned dish and raise it to a new level. Not only are the chips fresh and tasty, they are topped with black eyed peas, smokey cheese dip, diced tomatoes and fresh, fried jalapeño. Gosh, are they good! www.pub5.com
The Slider House
Another recently opened Midtown spot is The Slider House, located on Division adjacent to Soulshine Pizza Factory (yet another new eatery we’ll cover in a post sometime soon. Pizza, live music, great!). With such close proximity to Vandy, this place will definitely cater to the college crowd now that school’s back in session, but it’s the perfect place on a Friday night w/the fam, too. Be prepared for a crowded house on weekends and game days. And be prepared to be wowed by their burgers! They bill themselves as the “tiny sandwich emporium,” and we happily sampled a variety of their small sammies, ranging from the usual suspect, the beef slider, to some unexpected options, like the seared bologna slider with caramelized onions. The table favorites were The King Pin, a classic little burger with cheddar, red onion, tomato and lettuce on the softest Provence bun, and The Muchacha, a beef slider made with spicy jack cheese, jalapeños, pico and avocado. Two to three sliders a person, depending on your appetite, with some shared sides (we loved the fried pickles!) and a cold beer from their great menu of craft beers (all served in cans) is just about perfect! thesliderhouse.com
So, maybe next time we’ll go healthy with our selections! But, these are all tasty!
