Located in the heart of the SoBro district downtown, The Southern Steak and Oyster does all kinds of things just right. Take their Bananas Foster bread pudding for example. Perfectly fine to order in the morning, but you should maybe start with some of their delicious coffee first. Then, move on to chicken and waffles or steak Benedict. Other winners are the oh-so-southern deviled eggs and barbecue shrimp. They take grits to another level when they go red and sweet thanks to berries, tapioca and creme anglaise. The atmosphere is lively but it can tend to be on the cold side the hotter it gets outside. Bring a jacket.
Recommended for Southern because: The fish n'sweet potato grits with braised cabbage and spicy tasso vinaigrette is indicative of what you'll find.
Hollie's expert tip: Go ahead and park in the Pinnacle garage and be sure to ask for validation.
For a truly memorable dining experience, score one of 32 seats with full view of the chefs at this second-story boutique restaurant. This isn't just a meal, but a form of entertainment, where menus don't really exist and multi-course meals and drink pairings are full of delight and surprise. It's not for those who like to play it safe with food, but a treat for foodies and adventure seekers.
Hollie's expert tip: Follow their social media pages to get instant notifications of cancellations.
This hip yet casual bar and restaurant is known for its ambiance, and yes, it's cabanas. The private, semi-secluded cabana dining areas come with sheer drapery that can be closed off for ultimate privacy. The varying decor of the rest of the establishment creates the perfect setting for a casual dinner or a celebrated night on the town with friends. The menu features cuisine with a Southern twist, including favorites like the Day Boat Scallops Benedict, Coffee and Coco Crusted Venison, and Chicken and Black Bean Ravioli. The extensive beer, wine and cocktail lists allow you to find whatever suits your taste to compliment your meal.
Recommended for Southern because: Cabana specializes in casual Southern comfort cuisine in a calm and cozy, yet energetic vibe.
Hollie's expert tip: Try to reserve or secure a cabana at Cabana's. The intimate feel will set the ambiance for the night.
This Southern-influenced, neighborhood bistro in historic Germantown is a savory collaboration between Clay Greenberg, former executive chef of Virago and Lime, and Paul Cercone, previous owner of Normandy Farm Artisan Bakery in Charleston,South Carolina. The farm food is served in a lively, welcoming setting, complete with a community table, a private dining room, a large bar area, two patios and an open kitchen. The chef-driven menu has a focus on local ingredients and the Slow Food movement. The fare is completely southern, including a pulled pork "benedict" with poached eggs, English muffin and jalape�o hollandaise sauce for Sunday brunch.
Recommended for Southern because: This Southern-influenced neighborhood bistro focuses on the bounty of regional farmers and producers.
Hollie's expert tip: The shrimp and grits are done just right with a tomato ragout and house bacon.
Mason's features historic Southern dishes that represent the best of what both home cooks and professional kitchens have passed along for generations. The down home classics are prepared with classic French techniques to create a unique dining experience in modern day Nashville. Chef Brandon Frohne approaches food with energy and creativity, and his passion for farm-to-table cooking is quite clear in dishes like the heirloom tomato and okra panzanella with baby Romaine, mozzarella, olive crumble, sourdough crouton and buttermilk-garlic scape dressing. Chef Frohne isn't afraid to experiment and diners are all the better for it. Just ask anyone who has had the fried green tomato with crab, field peas, feta ans smoked pepper aioli.
Recommended for Southern because: Taste the authentic flavors and indigenous ingredients that make up the Southern food experience at Mason's.
Hollie's expert tip: Get there on Wednesdays for $5 burgers and $3 drafts.
Chef Holden-Bache has made his mark all across Nashville and fans have followed him everywhere, from his first stint in town at the famed Nick and Rudy's Steakhouse before joining Executive Chef Tyler Brown at Capitol Grille at The Hermitage Hotel. After five years as executive chef of Eastland Cafe, he opened his first restaurant, Lockeland Table. Start with a jar of chicken liver pate with Benton's bacon fat, grilled Tuscan bread and smoked peach preserves. A choose-your-own cheese plate is a delicious option, as are any number of the wood fired pizzas. The local Olive & Sinclair chocolate chip skillet is also a winner.
Recommended for Southern because: Roasted chicken with pepper jam, pimento cheese grit cake and collard greens is a perfect example of the new style.
Hollie's expert tip: Hit up Happy Hour for a selection of $6 snacks, like deviled eggs and chow chow four ways and General Hal's chicken wings with pomegranate and orange marmalade glaze.
Chef Tyler Brown and his team are as well versed in the techniques of BBQ, dry-aged beef and smoking meat as they are in sous vide cooking, making the Capitol Grille a favorite among professionals and locals for business lunches and pre-theater. Serving upscale Southern cuisine, the dark-paneled Capitol Grille is located on the lower level of the Hermitage Hotel. Breakfast is a a favorite, with offerings such as the Eggs Benedict "Commander Style," The Nashvillian with two eggs, ham, grits, and biscuits and gravy; and the steak and eggs. Fresh pastries, cereals, and pancakes are also available. The Capitol Grille's relationship with the Farm at Glen Leven lets Chef Brown, who farms his own ingredients, truly link the farm and the table.
Recommended for Southern because: Executive Chef Tyler Brown is a leader in embracing new techniques while honoring the region's culinary roots.
Hollie's expert tip: Make a night of it, order a bottle of wine, and get a romantic room at The Hermitage Hotel.
Does it get more decadent than crispy fried chicken skins, served with honey and hot sauce? If it does, you'll probably find it at Husk, the Nashville outpost of James Beard award winning Chef Sean Brock's Charleston outpost. Southern fare is more than a star here - it's everything. The kitchen takes a modern approach that results in dishes steeped in history but with an innovative new twist. Crispy pig ears come with a sop pepper glaze, Bibb lettuce, cucumber, lime and sweet onion, while a Fudge Farms pork chop, comes with grilled cabbage, buttermilk-potato puree and mustard onions. Desserts are a must-have before leaving, especially if the brown butter pound cake with caramelized Tennessee apples, sorghum swirl ice cream and pecan crumb is on the menu.
Recommended for Southern because: At James Beard award-winning Chef Sean Brock's renowned restaurant, Husk, each dish is a celebration.
Hollie's expert tip: Taking fresh to a whole new level, the menu is updated twice daily.