When I first moved to Nashville more than a decade ago, I was a frequent diner at Tin Angel, the restaurant on West End. Any time I’d talk to others about where I’d been, they’d reply, “Oh yeah, I keep forgetting about that place until I drive by.” I don’t drive by much anymore and I visit even less often. I probably haven’t been there in about eight years. It’s not that it’s not good (the food has always been good, as has the service), it’s just that there are so many other restaurants to visit now. With new restaurants and dining hubs developing all over the city, many of the old stand-bys get pushed back on the list.
With that in mind, I decided to come up with this very arbitrary list of restaurants that seem to be doing just fine, but I rarely see pop up on Instagram, Twitter, or even in conversation. If you’ve been to any of these restaurants lately, tell me what your favorite items are. If you haven’t been, why not?
1. Yellow Porch in Berry Hill. I’ve been one time for lunch (also about eight years ago). It was fine — good, actually. But I never remember that it’s there.
2. Sperry’s in Belle Meade. Before it was revealed to be a favorite of wealthy, old, white Republicans who are politically connected, I wondered who ate there. I’ve driven by many times but have never gone in. It’s always busy. Same for Sportsman’s Grille just down the street.
3. Amerigo. While Amerigo has the well-trained staff and well-executed menu of a large chain, it’s actually a small regional chain based in Nashville. Did you know they have $4 brunch cocktails? I only discovered this a couple of weeks ago.
4. Chaffin’s Dinner Barn. It's been around for 50 years. Is it a tourist trap? Is it fun?
5. Sole Mio. The last time I went to Sole Mio was about 15 years ago in the old location that had a really good view of the city.
6. Wild Iris in Brentwood. This fine dining restaurant is tucked away in a strip mall in old Brentwood. I have no idea how vegetarian-friendly it is or anything about the atmosphere. The same goes for nearby Mere Bulles. Wasn’t there a Mere Bulles downtown? Though I tend to confuse it with Merchants, which I haven’t visited since the first time I lived in Nashville in 1999. A few years ago it was rebooted by the Goldberg brothers of Strategic Hospitality.
7. The Picnic. I used to live walking distance from this restaurant, but I’ve visited exactly once. I had a pimento cheese sandwich that was served with a Jell-O salad (that I didn’t eat). It was almost painfully quaint and filled with ladies who lunch.
8. Jackson’s. I went there on my second date with my husband and have only been back one time since then (though I used to go more frequently). It’s a great restaurant, but the parking situation in Hillsboro Village is soul-stealing. See also: Cabana.
9. Eastland Cafe. Wait, I think I’m the only person who’s never been there. Everyone else says it’s fantastic. But what’s the parking like? This is a question I have about every restaurant on the east side.
10. The Garden Brunch Cafe. I have driven by several times to see crowds waiting for tables, but I’ve never been. Mostly because I hate waiting for a table. But it must be good.
11. Cori’s Dog House. Unless you’re near a location, you probably never go. But you should.
12. Kalamatas. Like Cori’s, if you’re not in Green Hills or Brentwood, you probably never go (so much traffic), but you should.
13. Wholly Chow in, um, what do you call that neighborhood? Hundred Oaks? I swear, some day I’m going to drive by at a time when I’m not in a hurry to get somewhere and actually try this place out.
14. Tin Angel. You keep driving by, but stop next time.
OK, so what am I forgetting? Or, more importantly, what else are we forgetting?
