Back in the days when I used to compile the Zagat Guide for Nashville and write the restaurant descriptions for Google Maps, I was encouraged by editors to use the catch-all word “chainlet” to describe a small restaurant group. I never really liked the term, because I thought it sounded pejorative. But editors are always correct, amirite?
Amerigo is exactly the sort of restaurant that those editors had in mind, a collection of five locations that serve almost identical menus of solid, affordable Italian food. Fancy enough for a date night out, but casual enough that the kids can draw on the paper tablecloths with crayons, it’s always been one of my go-to suggestions for people seeking out an enjoyable meal without the fuss.
That doesn’t mean that they don’t have some real kitchen talent running the show, though. Chef Steven Robilio likes to go off-menu every now and again for special chef dinners at Amerigo’s Nashville and Brentwood locations. The chef scrounges farmers markets and pushes his suppliers for the freshest and most interesting seasonal ingredients for this series and puts together a special menu for a multicourse feast with drink pairings.
At these interactive dinners, chef Robilio introduces each course and describes the ingredients used and inspirations behind the plates, and general manager Brandi Gartman explains the drink pairings. For just $65 plus tax and tip, these five course meals with drinks are one of the best bargains in town. Also, for safety’s sake, reservations will be taken for groups of two, four or six patrons to ensure that each table can be seated separately, instead of family-style like at some other similar dinners.
Amerigo Cool Springs will be hosting their End of Summer Dinners on Aug. 23-24 (call 615-377-7070 for reservations) and Amerigo West End will be holding theirs on Aug. 25 (reservations at 615-320-1740). Dinner starts promptly at 6:30 p.m., and here’s a peek at the menu to help make up your mind:
- Panzanella Salad: focaccia bread, tomato, onion, basil, mozzarella
- Grilled Shrimp: zucchini & summer squash salad, red pepper purée, crispy pancetta
- Roasted Melon Gazpacho: chili cream, feta, micro greens
- Roasted Salmon: summer vegetable pesto pasta, parmesan, olive oil
- Strawberry Shortcake: biscuits, whipped cream, balsamic-macerated strawberry
Amerigo’s sister restaurant (and fellow, sigh, chainlet) Char is also inviting guests for a special meal on Aug. 17 at their location in Green Hills. This five-course dinner will feature the wines of Familia Torres, one of Spain’s most lauded winemakers. The 150-year old Catalonian winery will offer a different wine to accompany each course, and Marta Delfa will be on hand to speak about each wine as a representative of the company.
Unlike the Amerigo dinner, this one will be served family-style, so heads up in advance about that detail. Five courses and five wines for $110 sounds like it’s worth the risk to me, but if you need more convincing, check out the menu:
- Roasted Cantaloupe Gazpacho: Crab, whipped goat cheese, chili oil, crispy pancetta, micro greens
- Confit Duck: Arugula, balsamic roasted tomato, pickled fennel, blackberry, spiced marcona almonds and orange bread croutons
- Porchetta: Merguez stuffed, horseradish mashed potato, apple slaw, romesco sauce
- NY Strip: Cured, ash roasted baby carrots, sweet corn fritter, tomato Jam
- Biscochitos (Spanish Cookies): Spanish chocolate, piñon coffee, Torres brand
Tickets are available at the restaurant’s special event website.
