Chef Matt Bolus. The 404 Kitchen, 404 12th Ave S., the404nashville.com/kitchen
Just Eat It ... Outside!
Grabbing a seat on the patio in the height of a Nashville summer feels like dining with the devil, but on those days when the burn of the sun is alleviated by a cooling breeze, here are some of the best places to sit when you want to feel some freon-free air on your skin.
Headquarters (4902 Charlotte Pike): I am reluctant to tell you about the back patio behind Headquarters, the tiny coffeeshop on Charlotte, because it seats about 10 people at most. But it is adorable. The narrow outdoor area has just a few vintage metal chairs and two old diner booths set amid potted plants and wild flower-filled vines. It's the perfect setting for a quiet recharge. And because the space is so narrow, there's plenty of shade, too, so long as it's not high noon.
Bella Napoli (1200 Villa Place): Taco Mamacita has a great patio, but it's not rare to have to wait 45 minutes (or more!) for a seat outside. No worries, just head around the corner to Bella Napoli, the cozy and delicious Neapolitan pizza spot in the back of Edgehill Villlage. The alleyway with its twinkling white lights overhead will make you feel like you're eating pizza on a historic street in Italy ... or at least Little Italy. Sometimes there's live music, too.
The Pharmacy (731 McFerrin Ave.): We just praised The Pharmacy's patio in our recent food and drink issue (April 9) as a great place for dining with kids, but it's worth mentioning its greatness here, too. During the day big trees protect you from blinding, burning sun, and at night strings of white lights cast everyone in flattering soft light.
Baja Burrito (722 Thompson Lane): The patio at Baja Burrito always feels like a party scene out of a movie. Festive lights are strung about, there are plenty of umbrellas offering shade, and everyone's laughing, drinking cold beer and having friendly battles over who gets the last of the amazing pineapple salsa. Don't want to shove a giant burrito into your stomach on a 90-degree day? Understandable. Get the Peasant Plate, which comes with rice, beans and avocado salad (guacamole, iceberg lettuce and tomatoes). It's the perfect accompaniment to a basket of chips and a tall, cold glass of horchata.
Acme Feed & Seed (101 Broadway): The pros of Acme Feed & Seed far outweigh the cons ... usually. Just know that while you're there, taking in the sun and riverfront views, you also might have to battle a bachelorette party or five for a decent spot. Since it's one of the best places for outdoor eating and drinking on Lower Broad, it's worth the hassle.
More patios Scene staffers love: Rumours East Wine Bar, Pinewood Social, the Stone Fox, Pub 5 and Rolf and Daughters. MEGAN SELING
The Pharmacy patio
Nashville Scene Margarita Festival
nashvillemargaritafestival.com
More than a dozen of the city's finest margarita purveyors will serve up samples at the Nashville Scene Margarita Festival, presented by Don Julio Tequila. Your ticket includes a sample from each, then you get to vote on your favorite. QDP DJs will rock the street party, food will be available for purchase from Cantina Laredo and Party Fowl, and if you're still thirsty after those samples, there's also a cash bar. Proceeds benefit the Nashville Phoenix Club. 6-9 p.m. Saturday, May 16, on Pine Street in the Gulch. DANA KOPP FRANKLIN
Brew at the Zoo
There will be beer, yes (more than 100 craft beers on tap, in fact, from places like Dogfish Head, Fat Bottom, Tin Man and Goose Island) and several local food trucks (another impressive list that includes The Grilled Cheeserie, Crepe a Diem, Riffs Fine Street Food and Hoss' Loaded Burgers), but the real stars of this sunset beer party are the animals. Pet snakes! Make friends with a monkey! Just keep your cups far away from the red pandas. Those dudes wobble around like little drunk babies enough as it is. 6:30 p.m. May 29, Nashville Zoo at Grassmere MEGAN SELING
Taste of Music City
Founded in 2003 (when Nashville's food scene was just beginning to soar), the Taste of Music City festival celebrates summer by bringing together an array of local food and beverage purveyors to serve up samples in a festive outdoor atmosphere. June 20 at Public Square Park DANA KOPP FRANKLIN
Hot Chicken Fest
Every July Fourth since 2007, the Music City Hot Chicken Festival in East Nashville's East Park has brought together all of Nashville's finest spicy-bird establishments — a roster that has expanded to include Prince's, Bolton's, Pepperfire, 400 Degrees, Chicken Shack Express, Hattie B's and Hot Stuff — for one big celebration of fiery poultry. In addition to free samples for the first 500 attendees, the fest features food from other vendors, beer from Yazoo, music from local bands and more. Two pieces of advice? Get there early, and stay hydrated. July 4 at East Park D. PATRICK RODGERS
Yum! East
Start stretching your stomach now — at Yum! East you get to gorge yourself on unlimited food samples, beer and wine from all your favorite East Nashville eateries for less than $50. Take a look at this lineup: Five Points Pizza, Marché, The Local Taco, Khan's Desserts, Mitchell Delicatessen, Olive and Sinclair, The Wild Cow, Yeast Nashville and so many more. Seriously, wear your stretchy pants. Or hell, don't wear pants at all. Best of all, all proceeds benefit the Fannie Battle Day Home, which helps provide child care for at-risk children. 6 p.m. June 4, Pavilion East MEGAN SELING
l'Eté du Vin
The Nashville Wine Auction is a charity with a simple slogan: "uniting the wine community to fund the fight against cancer." And boy, does it deliver: In 2014, the nonprofit raised $1.1 million. Most of those cancer-fighting dollars were generated by l'Eté du Vin, a splashy weekend of parties that culminates in a massive wine auction that marks its 36th year in 2015. Running July 23-25, this year's events feature a Vintners' Tasting, a super-swanky Patrons' Dinner, and of course, the auction. July 23-25 at various locations DANA KOPP FRANKLIN
Two More Beer Festivals
On June 27, the Predators are bringing back their own Craft Beer Festival at Bridgestone Arena, with even a bottom-tier ticket ($55) getting you a voucher for an early-season game (September or October). And on July 25, Mafiaoza's presents the 14th Annual Music City Brewer's Festival, in Walk of Fame Park (the park across from the Country Music Hall of Fame). Tickets for the two different sessions start at $39. All three events feature VIP packages and food ranging from food trucks to restaurants. Steve Cavendish
Other stuff to check out!
12South Farmers Market: Tuesdays through October, Sevier Park
East Nashville Farmers Market: Wednesdays through October, Shelby Park
Street Food Thursdays: Every Thursday in May, Deaderick Street in downtown Nashville
Pick Your Own Strawberries: Thursdays-Saturdays through May 19, Green Door Gourmet
West End Farmers Market: Saturdays through October, Vine Street Christian Church
Richland Park Farmers Market: Saturdays through October, Richland Park
Strawberry Festival: May 15-17, Nashville Farmers' Market
20th Annual RC Moon Pie Festival: June 20, downtown Bell Buckle on the Square
Nashville Rib and Jazz Festival: June 25, Cumberland Park
Anthony Bourdain: Close to the Bone: July 7, Tennessee Performing Arts Center
Red, White and Zoo: July 10, Nashville Zoo at Grassmere
Nashville Originals' Restaurant Week: Aug. 24-30, various locations
Matt Bolus’ grilled peperonata
Ingredients:
4 each: Bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange)
4 sprigs: Oregano, fresh
12 sprigs: Thyme, fresh
4 sprigs: Basil, fresh
2 cloves: Garlic
1 cup: Extra virgin olive oil
To taste: Salt and black pepper
4 to 6 ounces: Mozzarella, fresh
Method of Production:
1. Heat the grill and quickly char the peppers in the coals. Once charred on all sides, place the peppers in a zipper-lock bag and allow them to cool down slightly.
2. While the peppers are cooling, thinly slice the garlic and cut the mozzarella into quarter-inch thick slices.
3. Wash all the charred skin from the peppers using cold water. Cut the seeds out and cut the peppers into 1.5-inch strips. Season the peppers with salt and black pepper.
4. In an oven-proof dish place the oregano, thyme and half the basil in the bottom of the dish. Scatter the peppers over the herbs. Scatter the garlic over the peppers. Drizzle all the oil over the peppers.
5. Collect all the coals to one side of the grill. Place the peppers on the side without the coals. Close the grill and cook the peppers for 15 to 20 minutes.
6. Remove the peppers from the grill and place them on a plate. Put the mozzarella directly on top of the peppers, season the cheese with salt and pepper. Drizzle the oil all over the cheese and peppers. Garnish with the remaining basil and enjoy.
