Best of Nashville
For the 16th year, we set out to find the Best of Nashville, the best bars, restaurants, media, arts, entertainment and politics. As we combed the streets—Eighth Avenue, Nolensville Road, Woodland Street, 12th Avenue South, Belmont Boulevard—looking for the best falafel, microbrew and pedicure, we found something we hadn’t seen in past years. The best of our city is not just inside restaurants, bars and salons; it is in the dynamic neighborhoods that house them. This year, more than ever before, we saw the transformation of gritty urban pockets into streetscapes, destinations, even points of community pride. So this year, we present the 2005 Best of Nashville, a celebration of our city’s neighborhoods.
ALL PHOTOS BY ERIC ENGLAND unless noted.
Thanks to John Holleman and Company. John Early, Trish Moalla, Wesley Paine, Jack Hoke, Sally Hoke and maskmaker Doug Berky. Thanks to Taqueria Doña Tere, Knock Out Wings, Bar twenty3.
Best Bagels
1. Bruegger’s
2. Star Bagel
3. Alpine Bagel
Best Cheeseburger
1. Rotier’s
2. Fat Mo’s
3. Cheeseburger Charley’s
Best Pizza Chain
1. Papa John’s
2. Pizza Hut
3. Mellow Mushroom
Best Pizza Non-Chain
1. DaVinci’s
2. Pizza Perfect
3. MafiaOzas
Best Catfish
1. Cock of the Walk
2. South Street
3. Sportsman’s Grille
Best Barbecue
1. Whitt’s
2. Hog Heaven
3. Judge Bean’s
Best Ribs
1. Famous Dave’s
2. Calhoun’s
3. Corkey’s Barbecue
Best Subs
1. Jersey Mike’s
2. Subway
3. Sub Stop
Best Deli
1. Noshville
2. Goldie’s Deli
3. Jason’s Deli
Best Place to Buy Bread
1. Provence
2. Bread & Company
3. Panera
Best Dessert
1. Sunset Grill
2. Provence
3. Yellow Porch
Best Ice Cream
1. Maggie Moo’s
2. Baskin Robbins
3. Ben & Jerry’s
Best Bakery
1. Provence
2. Bread & Company
3. Sweet 16
Best Health Food Store
1. Wild Oats
2. Turnip Truck
3. Plumgood Food
Best Produce
1. Farmers Market
2. Produce Place
3. Wild Oats
Best Seafood
1. Publix
2. Wild Oats
3. Harris Teeter
Best Gourmet Store
1. Wild Oats
2. Fresh Market
3. Plumgood Food
Best Williamson County Restaurant
1. Flying Horse
2. Saffire
3. Stoney River
Best Goodlettsville Restaurant
1. Chef’s Market
2. Demo’s
3. Kabuto
Best Murfreesboro Restaurant
1. Demo’s
2. Toot’s
3. Don Pablo’s
Best Nashville Restaurant
1. Margot Café & Bar
2. Zola
3. The Acorn
Best Chinese
1. P.F. Chang’s
2. Chinatown
3. August Moon
Best Indian
1. Sitar
2. Shalimar
3. Cuisine of India
Best Italian
1. Amerigo’s
2. Antonio’s
3. Mama Mia’s
Best Japanese
1. Kobe Steakhouse
2. Goten
3. Benkay
Best Mediterranean
1. Kalamatas
2. Mediterranean Cuisine
3. Anatolia
Best Mexican
1. Las Palmas
2. La Hacienda
3. La Paz
Best Thai
1. Royal Thai
2. Siam Cafe
3. Salathai
Best Vietnamese
1. Kien Giang
2. Miss Saigon
3. Pho Bac
Best New Restaurant
1. Jim & Nick’s
2. tayst
3. Rumours Wine Bar
Best Outdoor Seating
1. Yellow Porch
2. La Paz
3. The Acorn
Best Original Menu
1. Mambu
2. Zola
3. Margot Café & Bar
Best Waiter/Waitress
1. Sandra Costa, The Acorn
2. Matt Swafford, PF Chang’s
3. Tawny, Athens Family Restaurant
Best Chef
1. Margot McCormack
2. Jim Napolitino
3. Deb Paquette
Best Ethnic
1. Sitar
2. Anatolia
3. Horn of Africa
Best Caterer
1. Clean Plate Club
2. Tom Kats
3. Kristen Winsten Catering
Best Seafood
1. Florida Seafood Kitchen
2. Yellow Porch
3. New Orleans Manor
Best Steakhouse
1. Fleming’s
2. Ruth’s Chris Steak House
3. Morton’s
Best Sushi Bar
1. Ru Sans
2. Virago
3. Samurai Sushi
Best Vegetarian
1. Grins Cafe
2. Calypso Café
3. Wild Oats
Best Meat-And-Three
1. Slyvan Park
2. Arnold’s
3. Swett’s
Best All You Can Eat
1. Shoney’s
2. Monell’s
3. Ru San’s
Best Breakfast
1. Pancake Pantry
2. Noshville
3. Cracker Barrel
Best Brunch
1. Margot Café & Bar
2. Red Wagon
3. Tin Angel
Best Power Lunch
1. The Palm
2. Sunset Grill
3. Yellow Porch
Best Romantic Dinner
1. Melting Pot
2. Margot Café & Bar
3. Zola
Best Late Night
1. Sunset Grill
2. Cafe Coco
3. Waffle House
Best Take Out
1. Calypso Café
2. PF Chang’s
3. Bread & Company
Best Delivery Other Than Pizza
1. Off the Grill
2. Plumgood Food
3. Roma
Best Place When Someone Else is Buying
1. The Palm
2. Morton’s
3. Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
Best Cheap Eats
1. Calypso Café
2. Baja Burrito
3. Vandyland
Best Restaurant With a View
1. Germantown Café
2. The Acorn
3. Sole Mio
Best Place to People Watch
1. Virago
2. Bar twenty3
3. Bound’ry
Best Bar to Nurse a Hangover
1. Jackson’s
2. South Street
3. Broadway Brewhouse
Best Bar That Makes You Feel You’re Not in Nashville
1. Bar twenty3
2. Virago
3. The Acorn
Best Wine List
1. Sunset Grill
2. Fleming’s
3. The Trace
Best Bartender
1. Josiah Corbin
2. Stephanie Johnson, The Mirror
3. Hunter Briley, The Acorn
Best Coffee House
1. Fido
2. Bongo Java
3. Starbucks
Best Neighborhood Pub
1. McCabe Pub
2. Corner Pub
3. Family Wash
Best Brewhouse
1. Boscos
2. Broadway Brewhouse
3. Blackstone
Best Place to Buy a Keg
1. Frugal MacDoogal’s
2. J.J.’s Market
3. Yazoo
Best Dive Bar
1. Springwater
2. The Villager
3. Red Door
Best Sports Bar
1. Sam’s Bar & Grill
2. Bailey’s
3. Jonathan’s
Best Happy Hour
1. Chili’s
2. Sam’s Sports Bar & Grill
3. Red Door
Best Selection of Beers on Tap
1. Flying Saucer
2. Broadway Brewhouse
3. Beer Sellar
Best Margarita
1. Rosepepper Cantina
2. La Paz
3. Las Palmas
Best Martini
1. The Trace
2. Mirror
3. Virago
Best Knowledgeable Server in a Wine/Liquor Store
1. The Wine Shoppe at Green Hills
2. Frugal MacDoogal’s
3. Midtown Wine & Spirits Superstore
Best Grocery Store
1. Publix
2. Kroger
3. Harris Teeter
Best New Bar Club Opened Since Oct. 2004
1. Decades
2. City Hall
3. Layl’a Rul
Best Honky Tonk Club
1. Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge
2. Robert’s
3. The Stage
Best Pick-Up Bar
1. Tin Roof
2. Virago
3. Bar twenty3
Best Gay Bar
1. Tribe
2. Play
3. Lipstick Lounge
Best Lesbian Bar
1. Lipstick Lounge
2. Tribe
3. Cabaret
Best Strip Club
1. Ken’s Gold Club
2. Christie’s Cabaret
3. Deja Vu
Best After Hours Club
1. Faded
2. Kiss
3. Exsess
Best Karaoke Bar
1. Ken’s
2. Lipstick Lounge
3. Lonnie’s
Best Place to Throw Darts
1. The Villager
2. Blue Bar
3. Beyond the Edge
Best Place to Shoot Pool
1. Buffalo Billards
2. Blue Bar
3. Bailey’s
Best Place to Dance
1. Play
2. Bar twenty3
3. Johnny Jackson’s
Best Place to See Independent Films
1. Belcourt Theatre
2. Green Hills Regal Cinema
3. Sarratt Cinema
Best Place for a Cheap Date
1. Centennial Park
2. Baja Burrito
3. Belcourt Theatre
Best Bowling Alley
1. Melrose Lanes
2. Strike & Spare
3. Dave & Buster’s
Best Day Trip
1. Chattanooga
2. Fall Creek Falls
3. Jack Daniels Distillery
Best Public Golf Course
1. McCabe
2. Harpeth Hills
3. Hermitage
Best Private Golf Course
1. Legends
2. Governors Club
3. Richland Country Club
Best Charity Event
1. Artrageous
2. L’ Ete’ du Vin
3. Swan Ball
Best Local Sports Team
1. Titans
2. Predators
3. Sounds
Best Park
1. Centennial
2. Percy Warner
3. Shelby
Best Place for a Jog
1. Percy Warner
2. Shelby
3. Centennial
Best Place to get a Ticket
1. Belle Meade Blvd.
2. West End
3. Briley Parkway
Best Community Role Model
1. Steve McNair
2. Brock Kidd
3. Martha Ingram
Best Local Politician
1. Phil Bredesen
2. Bill Purcell
3. Adam Dread
Best Local Politician You Love to Hate
1. Adam Dread
2. Bill Purcell
3. Bill Frist
Best Local Sports Celebrity
1. Steve McNair
2. Eddie George
3. Drew Bennett
Best Local Liberal
1. Larry Woods
2. Mary Mancini
3. Phil Bredesen
Best Local Conservative
1. Steve Gill
2. Phil Valentine
3. Bill Frist
Best Free Fun
1. Movies in the Park
2. Centennial Park
3. Shakespeare in the Park
Best Thing That’s Changed in Nashville in the Last Year
1. Plumgood Food—launch of local online grocery delivery service
2. 12th Avenue South
3. Traffic
Best Category We Forgot
1. Organic and Natural Grocery Delivery Service
2. Best Outdoor Club
3. Best Dog Park
Best Neighborhood
1. East Nashville
2. Sylvan Park
3. Belmont
Best Next Mayor
1. Bill Purcell
2. Howard Gentry
3. Bob Clement
Best Metro Council Member
1. Mike Jameson
2. Adam Dread
3. Ginger Hausser
Best Metro Council Member You’d Like to See Gone
1. Ludye Wallace
2. Adam Dread
3. Carolyn Baldwin Tucker
Best Country Radio Station
1. 98 WSIX
2. 95.5 The Wolf
3. 650 WSM
Best Rock Pop Radio Station
1. WRLT Lightning 100
2. 96.3 Jack FM
3. 107.5 The River
Best Urban Radio Station
1. 101.1 The Beat
2. 92Q
3. 96.3 Jack FM
Best Radio Deejay
1. Gerry House
2. Coyote McCloud
3. David Hall
Best Talk Radio Host
1. Dave Ramsey
2. Phil Valentine
3. Mary Mancini & Freddie O’Connell
Best Local News Channel
1. WSMV-Channel 4
2. WTVF-Channel 5
3. WKRN-Channel 2
Best Local News Anchor
1. Demetria Kalodimos
2. Dan Miller
3. Chris Clark
Best Local TV News Reporter
1. Darian Trotter
2. Ben Hall
3. Larry Brinton
Best Local TV Weatherperson
1. Bill Hall
2. Lelan Statom
3. Lisa Patton
Best Local Sports Writer
1. Joe Biddle
2. Hope Hines
3. David Climer
Best Local Columnist
1. Brad Schmitt
2. Ms. Cheap
3. Gail Kerr
Best Local Music Writer
1. Peter Cooper
2. Jason Moon Wilkins
3. Lucas Hendrickson
Best Local Feature Writer
1. Kay West
2. Jim Ridley
3. Ms. Cheap
Best Local Political Writer
1. Larry Daughtrey
2. Liz Garrigan
3. Roger Abramson
Best Local Media Celebrity You Love to Hate
1. Brad Schmitt
2. Steve Gill
3. Mindy McCready
Best Recent Scandal
1. Perry March
2. Tennessee Waltz
3. Mindy McCready
Best Scandal Not Yet Reported
1. Various Frist illegalities
2. Ethics in Bredesen’s cabinet
3. Corrupt police department
Best New Retail Shop Opened Since Oct. 2004
1. Mega Used Books & Discs
2. Apple Store Green Hills
3. Mad Mod
Best Fitness Workout Club
1. YMCA
2. Gold’s Gym
3. The Club
Best Martial Arts Studio
1. David Deaton Karate Studios
2. Conrad Jones Karate
3. Moss Tae Kwan Do
Best Yoga Pilates Studio
1. Hot Yoga
2. 12 South Yoga
3. Willow
Best Metaphysical New Age Store
1. Magical Journey
2. Galactic Gateways
3. Earth Stuph
Best Cool Hotel
1. Hermitage Hotel
2. Opryland Hotel
3. Loews Vanderbilt
Best Adult Video Store
1. Hustler Hollywood
2. 21 Up
3. Purple Onion
Best Place to Buy a New Stereo/Television
1. Best Buy
2. Circuit City
3. H.H. Gregg
Best New Bookstore
1. Davis-Kidd
2. Borders
3. Barnes & Noble
Best Used Bookstore
1. BookMan/BookWoman
2. Mega Used Books & Discs
3. Rhino Books
Best Sporting Goods Store
1. Academy Sports & Outdoors
2. REI
3. Bass Pro Shop
Best Bicycle Store
1. Cumberland Transit
2. Gran Fondo Cycles
3. Bike Pedlar
Best Shopping Mall
1. The Mall at Green Hills
2. CoolSprings Galleria
3. Opry Mills
Best Department Store
1. Dillard’s
2. Hecht’s
3. Parisian
Best Vintage Clothing Store
1. Hip Zipper
2. Vintage
3. Venus & Mars
Best Local Men’s Clothing Store
1. Levy’s
2. Oxford Shop
3. Vintage
Best Local Women’s Clothing Store
1. Posh
2. Jamie
3. bamboó
Best Place to Buy Jeans
1. Posh
2. bamboó
3. Boutique Bella
Best Consignment Store
1. Designer Finds
2. Designer Renaissance
3. Goodwill
Best Dry Cleaner
1. Village Cleaners
2. Nicholson’s Cleaners
3. Dove’s
Best Shoe Store
1. Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse
2. DSW
3. Posh
Best Jewelry Store
1. Village Jewelers
2. Genesis
3. Jared Galleria of Jewelry
Best Florist
1. Emma’s Flowers & Gifts
2. The Tulip Tree
3. Ilex
Best Antique Store
1. Carissa’s Armoires & Antiques
2. Gas Lamp Antique Mall
3. Pre to Post Modern
Best Place to Buy Eyewear
1. Image Optical
2. LensCrafters
3. See
Best Hair Salon
1. The Edge of Belle Meade
2. Dion’s South Hair Design
3. Elan
Best Hair Stylist
1. Bill Vandiver at The Edge of Belle Meade
2. Richard Dion
3. Chuck Williams at Dante’s Image Studio
Best Manicure/Pedicure
1. Venetian Nails and Spa
2. Charles Scarbro at The Edge of Belle Meade
3. Illusions Salon & Day Spa
Best Skin Care Center
1. Elan Skin & Laser Center
2. Gold Skin Care Center
3. Apropos Advanced Skin Care & Day Spa
Best Spa
1. The Edge of Belle Meade
2. Blue River Canyon Day Spa
3. Illusions Salon & Day Spa
Best Waxing
1. Mindy Norris at The Edge of Belle Meade
2. Gracie’s
3. Wafa at Tiba
Best Tanning Salon
1. Cool Tan
2. The Edge of Belle Meade
3. Tan 2000
Best Therapeutic Massage
1. Charles & Sherry Scarbro at The Edge of Belle Meade
2. Illusions Salon & Day Spa
3. Essential Therapy
Best Tattoo/Body Piercing Studio
1. Lone Wolf Tattoo
2. Icon Body Piercing
3. Forever Yours
Best Doctor For a Nip & Tuck
1. Dr. Glenn Buckspan
2. Dr. John David Rosdeutscher
3. Dr. Joe Delozier
Best Dentist
1. Dr. David Dickerson
2. Dr. Ben Cannon
3. Dr. William Manning
Best Lasik Surgery Center
1. Loden Vision Centers
2. Wang Vision Institute
3. Arrowsmith Eye Institute
Best Divorce Lawyer You Don’t Want Representing Your Spouse
1. Rose Palermo
2. Jim Martin
3. Robyn Lynne Ryan
Best DUI Lawyer
1. DUI Mike
2. Roger May
3. Erik Herbert
Best Auto Dealership
1. Beaman Automotive Group
2. Lexus of Nashville
3. Carmax
Best Pre-Owned Auto Dealership
1. Beaman Automotive Group
2. Carmax
3. Global Motor Sports
Best Auto Service Center
1. Beaman Automotive Group
2. Firestone Tire & Service Centers
3. Alexander Chrysler Plymouth
Best Bank
1. SunTrust
2. AmSouth Bank
3. Bank of America
Best Place for Continuing Education
1. Nashville State Community College
2. Vanderbilt University
3. Belmont University
Best Real Estate Agent
1. Richard Courtney
2. Pat Skow
3. Larissa Lentile
Best Apartment Complex
1. Laurel House Apartments
2. The Grove
3. Nashboro Village
Best Loft Urban Living Space
1. Laurel House Apartments
2. Werthan Mills Lofts
3. The Bristol on Broadway
Best Place to Buy Cool Home Accessories
1. Global Soup
2. Pier 1
3. Urban Decor
Best Place to Buy Furniture
1. Sprintz Furniture
2. Global Soup
3. Urban Decor
Best Nursery Garden Center
1. Bates Nursery & Garden Center
2. Home Depot
3. Lowe’s
Best Pet Store
1. PETsMART, Inc.
2. Nashville Pet Products Center
3. Wags & Whiskers
Best Pet Grooming
1. Wags & Whiskers
2. PETsMART, Inc.
3. Doggie Doo’s
Best Veterinarian
1. Value Vet
2. Berry Hill Animal Hospital
3. Murphy Road Animal Hospital
Best Pet Boarding Day Care
1. The Farm
2. Miss Kitty’s Bed & Bath
3. Four Paws
Best Art Gallery
1. Frist Center for the Visual Arts
2. Art & Invention Gallery
3. Plowhaus Artists’ Cooperative
Best Local Visual Artist
1. Juliana Ericson
2. Brenan Sharp
3. Bryce McCloud
Best Professional Performing or Musical Arts Group
1. Nashville Ballet
2. Nashville Symphony
3. Nashville Opera
Best Local Theatrical Acting Group
1. People’s Branch Theatre
2. Nashville Children’s Theatre
3. Tennessee Repertory Theatre
Best Local Band
1. Luna Halo
2. The Features
3. Will Hoge
Best Local Songwriter
1. Sam Brooker
2. Darrell Scott
3. Marcus Hummon
Best Chain CD-DVD Store
1. Tower Records
2. Best Buy
3. Media Play
Best Non-chain CD-DVD Store
1. Grimey’s New & Preloved Music
2. The Great Escape
3. CD Warehouse
Best Place to Buy Vinyl
1. Grimey’s New & Preloved Music
2. The Great Escape
3. Phonoluxe Records
Best Place to Hock Used Music
1. Grimey’s New & Preloved Music
2. The Great Escape
3. CD Warehouse
Best Place to Buy Used Musical Instruments
1. Nashville Used Musical Instruments
2. Corner Music
3. Sam Ash
Best Musical Instrument Store
1. Corner Music
2. Sam Ash
3. Guitar Center
Best Writer’s Night
1. The Bluebird Cafe
2. Artist Revolution Good Music Night
3. 8 off 8th at The Mercy Lounge
Best Place to Have a Showcase
1. 12th & Porter
2. The Bluebird Cafe
3. The Basement
Best Place to Hear Live Music
1. Ryman Auditorium
2. 12th & Porter
3. The Mercy Lounge
Best Concert of 2005
1. Coldplay at Starwood
2. Bonnaroo
3. Dave Matthews at Starwood
Best Local Music Celebrity
1. Sam Brooker
2. Keith Urban
3. Joshua Payne
Best Church Music
1. Christ Church Cathedral
2. Grace Church
3. Bellevue Community Church
Best Place to Worship
1. Christ Church Cathedral
2. Grace Church
3. Bellevue Community Church
Best Pediatrician
1. Dr. Frank J. Haraf Jr.
2. Dr. Robert Mallard
3. Dr. Nancy Beveridge
Best Daycare
1. Creative Care Center
2. Cooperative Child Care
3. Holly Street Day Care
Best School K-4
1. University School of Nashville
2. Julia Green Elementary School
3. The Ensworth School
Best Middle School
1. University School of Nashville
2. The Ensworth School
3. Franklin Road Academy
Best School 9-12
1. University School of Nashville
2. Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet
3. Hillsboro High School
Best Teacher
1. Evelyn McGregor
2. Frankie Holloway
3. Laura Deitrick
Best Playground
1. Fannie Mae Dees Park (Dragon Park)
2. Red Caboose Park
3. Parmer Park
Best Summer Camp
1. YMCA Camp Widjiwagan
2. Whippoorwill Farm Day Camp
3. Superstars at Hillboro Presbyterian Church
Best Local Toy Store
1. Phillips Toy Mart
2. Toys R Us
3. KB Toys
Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant
1. O’Charley’s
2. Chuck E. Cheese’s
3. McDonald’s
Best Place to Take Kids When It’s Raining
1. Adventure Science Center
2. Bellevue Center
3. Chuck E. Cheese’s