Tony and Caroline Galzin, veterans of the Chicago restaurant scene, and Christy Thurman (formerly Shuff), a fixture of Nashville’s, converted a late 19th century house in The Nations into one of Nashville’s best and most intimate eateries. Caroline runs the front of house, Tony the kitchen; the menu is small and focused, the flavors bright and intense, the interior warm and delightful (a testament to Rumours co-founder Thurman’s skill at creating an inviting atmosphere). The menu rotates depending on what’s fresh: Recent standouts have included a fabulous whole snapper with caper-fennel relish and heavenly chanterelle tortelli. Meanwhile, on the East Side, Brad and Sarah Gavigan opened Little Octopus in their POP event space on Gallatin Avenue, where they formerly ran the ramen shop Otaku South (which will reopen in the Gulch this fall). The Gavigans brought on veteran Miami chef Daniel Herget, who has developed an inventive menu focusing on fresh ingredients and simple, healthy preparation (but not too healthy to be good!). The moqueca — a Brazilian-inspired dish featuring grilled shrimp on a creamy coconut-infused rice — and the pan-roasted chicken with salsa verde are divine.
Best New Restaurant (tie)
Fifty First Kitchen & Bar/Little Octopus
Fifty First Kitchen & Bar
