Monday Menu: News From Skinny Dennis, Turkey and the Wolf and Taste of America

The only constant in the Nashville hospitality industry is apparently change, but it’s not all necessarily bad. This week we have examples of restaurants rejiggering their menu offerings, collaborating with spots and gathering as a group with some out-of-towners to exalt our entire restaurant scene. Read on for nothing but good news for a change!

After a few fits and starts to nail down the food offering at Skinny Dennis at 2635 Gallatin Pike, proprietor Zeph OHora and his team have decided to bring the service entirely in house. They’ve designed a fun menu that features shareable plates, classic bar apps, salads and a showpiece burger they are calling The Dennis Smashburger. 

The burger features a beef patty, melty American cheese, shredded lettuce (“shrettuce” on the menu,) pickles, onion and SD special sauce. Even better, to celebrate the middle of the work week, Skinny Dennis is offering a Halfway “House Special,” where you can enjoy that burger with an order of curly or regular fries from just $8 from 5 until 9 p.m.. Draft beers and Lone Star bottles will also be half-price until midnight on Wednesdays.

Monday nights feature $1 fried chicken wings — all you’d like as long as you get at least eight per order. Wash down those wings with a Montucky Cold Snack beer for just $3, and you can get out of there for less than $20 including a tip.

Guests can now order food at the bar or at the window as usual, with the kitchen open from 5 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Monday through Friday and from noon to 1:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

In a collaboration for the ages, the beloved New Orleans imports at Turkey and the Wolf Icehouse are hosting hometown favorites Black Dynasty Ramen for one night only on Wednesday, Nov. 18, starting at 5 p.m. at the Icehouse (800 Meridian St.).

Black Dynasty will be ladling bowls of duck shoyu wontonmen crispy onigiri served with miso-basil mayonnaise, and Hōjicha tiramisu, along with drinks from the Icehouse bar. Get there early, because when they run out, not even Rooney at Black Dynasty can whip up another batch of 48-hour broth.

Finally, we have an update on the big James Beard Foundation “Taste of America” dinearound coming up at Saint Elle (1420 Third Ave. S.) on Nov. 19 starting at 7 p.m. Earlier this year, I shared the news that Fancypants executive chef and James Beard TasteTwenty honoree Mathew Meeker would serve as host chef for the event, which features food stations from both local and visiting chefs to raise money for the James Beard Foundation’s efforts to elevate the reputation of chefs across the country.

Back in August, the list of participants was unfinished, but now I can share the full roster of incredible talent that will be cooking for the event. It’s definitely an august gathering of culinary talent! 

• TasteTwenty Host Chef Mathew Meeker, Fancypants

• Ana Aguilar and Josh Cook, Tantísimo

• Kahlil Arnold, James Beard Award Winner Arnold's Country Kitchen

• Jessica Benefield and Trey Burnette, Two Ten Jack

• Fleetwood Covington, Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood, presented by Visit South Walton

• James Beard Award Semifinalist Leo Davila, Esencia, presented by Travel Texas

• Nick Guidry, A. Marshall Hospitality

• James Beard Award Semifinalist Julio Hernandez, Maíz de la Vida

• Hal Holden-Bache, James Beard Award Semifinalist Lockeland Table

• Kamal Kalokoh, Riddim N Spice

• Bill Laviolette, Shotgun Willie’s BBQ

• James Beard Award Semifinalist, Vivek Surti and Adam Hercik, James Beard Award Semifinalist Tailor

• John Welch, Stationairy, presented by The Union Station Nashville Yards

There will also be beverage stations positioned around the venue featuring drinks from Belle Meade Bourbon, Fever-Tree/Gold Drop Vodka, Mijenta Tequila, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and Tennessee Whiskey Trail (Leiper’s Fork Distillery, Gate 11 Distillery, and George Dickel Tennessee Whisky).

Some tickets are still available, including at the premier level, which allows entry an hour early at 6 before the rabble like me arrive. Get your tickets at the event website before they sell out!