Monday, September 1, 2008
Bites Bites To The Rescue: Hit Us With Your Best Shot In "Best Of Nashville" '08
Posted by Jim Ridley on Mon, Sep 1, 2008 at 7:00 AM
Good people of Bites, now is the time for all true foodies to come to the aid of their city. The Scene's 19th annual "Best of Nashville" issue is coming up in October, and readers have until Sept. 10 to fill out the extensive ballot provided online. Voters will select awards in 250 categories, from best movie theater to best park.
Here's where you come in. Nobody knows Nashville better than the Bites brigade, especially where food is concerned. You are hereby deputized to vote, thereby to ensure that the winners truly represent the best of local (and we mean local) dining. If you've ever griped that a certain breadstick-bearing national chain places high in the Best Italian category—or that any out-of-town chain wins any category—the resistance movement begins with you.
Is ballot-box stuffing encouraged? No. None of us gives a rodent's whisker what perennial entrant "Heywood Jablowmi" thinks of whatever greasy spoon is buying his vote this year. (Plus our computer overlords make it harder every year.) Is shameless stumping encouraged? Hell yeah it is! Best restaurant, best chef, best cupcake, best BBQ, best pizza—if you want to try to sway your fellow voters in a certain category, feel free to make a case for your pick in the comments section below.
Happy Labor Day! If you have a grilling mishap, try consulting our back issues to find which hospital has the best burn ward.
Comments (20)
Showing 1-20 of 20
Can't believe DaVinci's always wins this category (Best Pizza). Joey's or Manny's in the Arcade should get this hands down. They are the only ones in Nashville who know what real New York pizza is supposed to taste like.
like
dislike
amen and hallelujah
but
they're not asking for 'best ny pizza' - they're asking for 'best pizza' and obviously for you and me they're one and the same. but i fear we are outnumbered...
My guess is, it's simply a matter of exposure. Manny's is tucked away in the Arcade, and Joey's is hidden deep in the labyrinth of Maryland Way: you pretty much have to know somebody who knows somebody to know about either. But my vote's definitely going to Manny's. Spread the word.
"Is ballot-box stuffing encouraged? No."
Aw, man. You mean Bar-B-Cutie isn't going to win every category?
Say, BP, not to put you on the spot or anything, but who'd be your pick for barbecue or wings?
pink, i went to the place next to edisto's for brisket and they were flat out. they said there'd be more in 8 hours...
i passed on the pork.
For "best overall" barbecue, I would go with Martin's.
Wings? I don't know too much about that. I know the smoked ones at The Slick Pig are good, but you already know that.
I'm still noodling on Best New. I've got some strong contenders in a variety of price ranges. Anyone care to lobby for someone in particular. Didn't a new Bar-B-Cutie open recently?
I'm not sure, but I think the list of eligible contenders includes Andrew Chadwick's, At the Table, City House, Crema, Drink Haus, Edisto, Five Guys, Ghot Wingz, Krayp, Lime, Los Arcos, Miro District, Mitchell Deli, Muddea's, Nashville's Most Wanted Pizza, The Noodle Pot, Sweetgrass Smokerie, Tangredi's Tuscan Grill, Ugly Mugs, The Veggie Cafe, Wild Ginger and Zackie's.
My personal favorite from that list would probably be Mitchell Deli. Their sandwiches are so good!
But Andrew Chadwick's is amazing, and City House is solid as well. I haven't been to Miro District yet, but from the sound of things, it could be the best of all.
Agreed about Martin's—although Dee's Q is mighty good—and about Mitchell Deli, especially around breakfast time when the whole place smells like Benton's bacon.
What about Best Chef? Do they have to be new chefs, or can they be nominated year after year?
What about Boxwood Bistro or 360 in Belle Meade? Are those eligible this year?
Ah, 360. Eligible. Yes. Let me count the ways. I still haven't been to Boxwood Bistro -- tell me more, please
We had a really great experience at Boxwood. The chef was previously at Opryland (chef de cuisine, I think.)
Good wine list, honestly priced food, good service... I think they may be open for brunch, as well.
Everyone forgets about 360 - maybe because it's so out of the way and there are a lot of people who still have never heard about it. It's my favorite place in Nashville. The food is very consistant and it's nice to have a menu with a lot of seafood.
They do not have to be new chefs. Just whoever has impressed you most in the past year. Do you have some folks in mind?
I don't know a lot of the chef's names. But, I do think the chefs of Zola, City House, and 360 deserve consideration.
That would be Deb Paquette, Tandy Wilson and John David Crow, respectively. All would appreciate your vote.
Mary -- Amen. I dined last night at 360, which seems to be becoming a default birthday party venue. Something about the room works well for a long table. The staff is so nice. They split the bill a thousand ways. The food is delicious. The vibe is very friendly. Lots of chatting among tables. (I'll try to resist the urge to keep it our little secret.)
