Hi Bitesters. It’s a big week here at the Scene's food bureau. Don’t forget that the Music City Food & Wine Festival kicks off on Tuesday, April 21, with a series of Intimate Dinners at restaurants around town through Thursday, April 23. Then, Friday through Sunday, the party moves to Centennial Park for three days and nights of food and fun. We’ll see you there!
Sips for Species
If for some reason you’re looking for something else food-and-drink-related to do on Friday, April 24, the Nashville Zoo is throwing a Sips for Species bash to highlight and support the zoo’s conservation efforts to preserve endangered species. The park will reopen after normal closing hours, offering the opportunity to stroll the grounds while enjoying unlimited drink samples, live music and food from local mobile truck vendors.
The 21-and-up event also includes access to the zoo’s animatronic DinoTrek exhibit until dusk — after which, presumably, the dinosaurs are freed from their virtual cages to hunt. Tickets are still on sale at the zoo’s website.
May 2 is Derby Day, and Thistle & Rye at Conrad Nashville is celebrating the Churchill thoroughbreds at a festive Derby and Denim Party from 3:30 until 7 p.m. Dress in your equestrian finery to watch the ponies run while enjoying Derby-themed cocktails like a Thistle & Ride, The Triple Crown and a Neigh-Groni. In a totally appropriate demonstration of excess, there will also be a mint julep fountain.
Servers will circulate with chef-curated small bites throughout the event, and live music will keep the atmosphere festive. Prizes will be awarded for Best Hat and Best Derby & Denim Ensemble, so pull out all the stops! Tickets are $75 and available at the event website.
The last news nugget to share is about something that has already happened but still deserves some attention. I’m not sure how I missed this, but Noko Hospitality (Noko Nashville, Kase x Noko) partnered with Nashville Children’s Alliance on April 9 to host the third annual Dine to Shine event. The Noko team called on many of the most talented chefs in town to help out at the event for the benefit of children and families experiencing abuse.
And when Noko calls, it seems like everyone answers! The evening kicked off with a reception including a Sho Pizza Bar pop-up, passed bites from Fatbelly Pretzel, MaeMax Market, Grey’s Cheese and Kase x Noko, along with espresso martinis from Elegy, wine and Champagne from Sauced, and coffee from CafĂ© Babu. Guests then enjoyed a multicourse dinner featuring chefs from Noko, Kase x Noko, Iggy’s, SS Gai, Butcher & Bee, Curry Boys, Frankies 925 Spuntino, MaĂz de la Vida, International Market, and more, with an eclectic menu that range from wagyu don and ricotta gnocchi to sushi, charred fish, and assorted D’Andrews Bakery desserts.
Between the dinner and an auction that included local and international vacations, private dining experiences and a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle, the 275-plus guests raised more than $300,000. That money will go directly toward supporting the children and families NCA serves. Well done to all involved!
