Dining
Margaritas and patios claiming to be the best in town, watch your back. There’s a new contender on the horizon. Chris Hyndman, the restaurateur behind Virago and Layl’a, is expanding his midtown mini-empire to a third location. Lime, expected to open in late August, promises a modern Latin-fusion menu in an eye-popping environment with enormous patios, removable walls and an outdoor bar dedicated to mojitos and tequila drinks. Last week, Hyndman & Co. were covered in sawdust as they built custom-designed circular booths and a central island bar in the building next door to Mojo Grill and Broadway Brewhouse.
With nods to the cuisines of South and Central America, the Caribbean and Mexico, Lime’s primary focus will be food. The menu, created by former Layl’a chef Scott Alderson (acting as a consultant), will be executed by chef Clay Greenberg, who mans the kitchens at both Virago and Layl’a. Expect a school of creative ceviches, such as oyster fire ice (oysters with tequila-tangerine mignonette, habañero-prickly pear Icee and tortilla crackers) and snapper key lime (key lime-Scotch bonnet mojo, corn-black bean salsa, plantain chip and parsley garlic oil), as well as tortillas, fish tacos, shrimp enchiladas, moles, mesquite-grilled dishes and various tapas. With a 25-seat main bar and six seats at the mojito-tequila bar, Lime will pour a list of premium tequilas, rums and cocktails with exotic Latin American liqueurs and fruits. Lime will initially serve dinner daily starting at 4 p.m. with late-night specials starting at 11 p.m., and plans to open for lunch.
1904 Broadway.
Doing it all for you
From chef Jeremy Barlow, the guy who brought you Krispy Kreme bread pudding, comes what might be the kitschiest meal on record, the McDonald’s Chant Dinner at Tayst restaurant. Based on the classic jingle—Big Mac, Filet-O-Fish, Quarter Pounder, french fry, icy Coke, thick shakes, sundaes and apple pie—Barlow plans to cook up a seven-course gourmet interpretation. In Barlow’s version, Big Mac will take the form of a sesame-encrusted foie gras terrine and grilled scallop with a chiffonade of basil and mint, accented with tomato gelée, capers and feta aioli. Filet-O-Fish will arrive as salmon cooked in the sous-vide method, with a brioche, tartar foam and a Parmesan crisp.
Thursday, June 28, 6:30 p.m. $85 not including tip. 2100 21st Ave. S., 383-1953.
Hunger strike
Sunset Grill owner Randy Rayburn will host A Tasteful Pursuit, a dinner to benefit Share Our Strength’s effort to end childhood hunger, on Wednesday, June 13. Sunset chef Dustin Pritchette will create a six-course dinner with the help of an all-star culinary team: Deb Paquette of Zola, Brian Uhl of Cabana, Paul Ent of Midtown Café, Tyler Brown of Capitol Grille and Bradford Thompson of Mary Elaine’s at the Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale, Ariz. Tickets are $175 per person or $250 to sit at the chefs’ table, where Rayburn will pour wines from his personal collection. Cocktails begin at 6 p.m. and dinner starts at 7 p.m. Call Sunset Grill at 383-3663 for reservations.
Meanwhile, Rayburn’s Midtown Café is celebrating its 20th anniversary with the sale of gift certificates discounted 25 percent. Gift cards are available online through July 4 at sunsetgrill.com, midtowncafe.com or at the restaurants, and are valid at both locations for two years from date of purchase.
Midtown Café,102 19th Ave. S.; Sunset Grill, 2001 Belcourt Ave.
Eat for Gilda
Mark your calendars for July 9, when Ombi restaurant will donate 25 percent of dinner proceeds to Gilda’s Club, an organization that supports people with cancer and their families. It’s a good time to sample the summer menu of coriander-rubbed chicken with sweet pea and mint risotto; tuna tartare; and sauteed scallops with grilled melon relish, pickled watermelon rind and cumin basmati. 2214 Elliston Place, 320-5350.
Good taste
Perennially generous Nashville restaurants will share their bounty on the Gateway Bridge at the Taste of Music City on Saturday, June 23, from 5 to 9 p.m. Sponsored by Nissan, the event will feature food from restaurants such as Bound’ry, South Street, Dan McGuinness, Boscos and Mafiaoza’s Pizzeria. Tickets are $45 in advance, $55 at the door and $10 for children ages 4 to 10. Fifteen percent of net ticket sales will benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. For tickets, visit tasteofmusiccity.com.