For the third year in a row, the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp has organized a huge effort to shine a spotlight on the local restaurant scene that they call Dine Nashville: The Music City Way. Stretching throughout February, the event features fun chef collaborations, special restaurant deals and prix fixe menus — and even chocolate and whiskey tastings.
Several of the events have sold out in advance, but there are still plenty for you to pick from if you want to take part in Dine Nashville, which benefits the Music City Inc. foundation in support of The Giving Kitchen and Big Table. Grab reservations for any of the ticketed events and learn more about the specific Restaurant Week offerings at the Dine Nashville website. See a list of events below.
Available Chef Collaborations
Chef Brian Kersey (Stationairy) + Chef Kristian Weldon (Grand Hyatt Nashville)
Tuesday, Feb. 20 | 5 p.m. | $125/person | at Stationairy (1001 Broadway)
Chef Daniel Scannell (Joe Muer Seafood) + Chef Jason La Iacona (Miel)
Wednesday, Feb. 21 | 6:30 p.m. | $125/person or $200/person w/wine pairing | at Joe Muer Seafood (1020 Nelson Merry St.)
Chefs Tony Mantuano and Joey Fecci (Yolan) + Chef Julia Jaksic (Cafe Roze)
Thursday, Feb. 22 | 5 p.m. | $125/person or $205/person w/wine pairing | at Yolan (403 Fourth Ave. S.)
Chefs Hrant Arakelian, Abbas Al Nakhli (Lyra) +Chefs Nello Turco, Nicky Miscia (Mimo)
Thursday, Feb. 22 | 5 p.m. | $150/person | at Lyra (935 W. Eastland)
Chef Julia Sullivan (Henrietta Red) + Chef Andrew Carmellini (Carne Mare)
Sunday, Feb. 25 | 5 p.m. | $105/person | at Henrietta Red (1200 Fourth Ave. N.)
Chefs Deb Paquette, Jess Lambert, Megan Williams (etch) + Chef Jake Howell (Peninsula)
Tuesday, Feb. 27 | $125/person or $175/person w/wine pairing | at etch (303 Demonbreun St.)
Chef Jason La Iacona (Miel) + Chef Daniel Scannell (Joe Muer Seafood)
Wednesday, Feb. 28 | 6:30 p.m. | $125/person or $200/person w/wine pairing | at Miel Restaurant & Bar (343 53rd Ave. N.)
Chef Ryan Poli (iggy’s) + Chef Michael Hannah (St. Vito Focacceria)
Thursday, Feb. 29 | 5:30 p.m. | $85/person | at iggy’s (609 Merritt Ave.)
Chef Mark Vuckovich (Decker & Dyer) + New Heights Brewing
Thursday, Feb. 29 | 6 p.m. | $80/person | at Decker & Dyer (807 Clark Place)
Chef Jamie Lynch (Church & Union) + Chef Alex Belew
Thursday, Feb. 29 | 6 p.m. | $125 | at Church & Union (201 Fourth Ave. N.)
Chocolate and Whiskey Pairings
Goo Goo + Distiller Mike Hinds (Nashville Barrel) and Distiller Madelyne Morris (Ole Smoky Distillery)
Sunday, Feb. 18 | $90 | at Goo Goo Chocolate Co. (116 Third Ave. S.)
Restaurant and Beverage Specials
Fatbelly Deli will feature the Bizzle Bap Sandwich, which includes a trio of Carey Bringle’s Peg Leg Porker pulled pork and Bringle’s Smoking Oasis’ smoked pastrami + the Dutch crunch bun by Fatbelly Deli
W Nashville’s PROOF Rooftop will feature a Negroni Cocktail with cold brew-infused Campari from Barista Parlor beans, as well as a classic Espresso Martini.
8th & Roast will feature a specialty coffee inspired by Common Ground’s Espresso Martini
Common Ground will highlight an Espresso Martini menu featuring 8th & Roast Cold Brew
Restaurant Week Participants (as of Feb. 8)
Acme Feed & Seed
Bavarian Bierhaus
Blanco
Boqueria
Commodore Grille
Condado Tacos
Doughbird
Fatbelly Deli
Hotel Indigo Nashville
Jasper’s
Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse
Liquor Lab
Marsh House
Mimo Restaurant and Bar
Pushing Daisies
Sinema Restaurant & Bar
Stationairy
STK Steakhouse
Superica
TENN
The Fox Bar & Cocktail Club
The Nashville Grange
One of my favorite rites of spring has long been the annual Crawfish Boil at Tennessee Brew Works at 809 Ewing Ave. But as my compatriot Ashley Brantley shared in last week’s Friday Five, it’s not looking like a good year for mudbugs. Excessive temperatures and drought conditions across Louisiana have led to a very late crawfish hatch as the little guys are still hiding in the mud. There are questions as to whether there will be much of a crawfish season at all this year, and any that are harvested are likely to be late, small and expensive.
A handful of opinions about what locals should eat, drink and do — and skip — around Nashville
Rather than exacerbate the problem and have to pass on higher prices, the boilers at Tennessee Brew Works have opted to give the crawdaddys some rest this year and have pivoted to a Cajun Shrimp Boil instead for 2024. This year’s event is scheduled for the weekend of March 2 and 3 and will feature more than a half-ton of shrimp, live music both days and nights and a boil with all the spicy shrimp, andouille sausage, corn and potatoes that you’ve come to expect at a TBW spring festival.
“With crawfish having a challenging year, we want to support our longtime partner, South Coast Seafood, and still throw a big community gathering,” says Christian Spears, founder and president Tennessee Brew Works. “A Cajun shrimp boil surely hits the spot!”
The rain-or-shine event on March 2 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and March 3 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. is free to attend, and in addition to Tennessee Brew Works' fantastic beer offerings, wine, Tennessee cider and cocktails will be available for those seeking gluten-free or beer alternatives. It’s a dog- and family-friendly event, but be advised that due to construction in the area, parking will be extremely limited. Like, almost none. You’ll want to grab a ride-share anyway so that you can avail yourself of an extra brew or two.
Here’s the live music schedule so you can plan your weekend:
Sat, March 2, 11-1 p.m.: Tennessee Warblers
Sat, March 2, 1-3 p.m.: Kelsey Rae
Sat, March 2, 3-5 p.m.: Erin Hazelrig and the Dolly Parton Tribute Band
Sat, March 2, 5-8 p.m.: Mudbug Stompers
Sun, March 3, 11-1 p.m.: Easy Green
Sun, March 3, 1-3 p.m.: Early Roman Kings
Sun, March 3, 3-5 p.m.: Jack Settle
Sun, March 3, 5-7 p.m.: Los Swamp Monsters
Another of my most anticipated tasting events of the year is coming up on March 5 as the Tennessee Flavors benefit for the Beyond Financial Aid Programs scholarship support efforts for Nashville State students moves to a new location in its 12th year. For 2024, the event will be held from 6 until 8 p.m. at the Nashville State Southeast Campus at 5248 Hickory Hollow Parkway in Antioch.
Dozens of local food and drink purveyors will be passing out samples of their wares, and remember not to dawdle since it’s only a two-hour tasting! Early-bird tickets are available for $75 through Feb. 18 at the event website, so grab yours before the price goes up.
Finally, the noodle game in Franklin just got a whole lot better with the Feb. 10 grand opening of Otaku Ramen at The Factory. The enhanced-counter-service-model restaurant features several ramen options along with their craveable Hot Chicken Bun and a lengthy drinks menu including beer, sake, batch cocktails, frozen drinks and boba.
Otaku Franklin will provide walk-in seating, to-go and delivery orders Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., along with happy hour specials every day from 4 to 6 p.m.
“We are so excited to be a part of the new Franklin Factory,” says founder/owner Sarah Gavigan in the official opening announcement. "I grew up coming here as a child, so this place has amazing memories. Making new memories for Franklin locals is what we live for."
Go getcha some!
