After Vibrant, Young, Proud and Loud, 10 Do's and Don'ts of Tel Aviv by Gili Brenner we land in Nashville for 10 Do's and Don'ts of the city by Matt Bolus, chef of The 404 Kitchen (housed in a former shipping container).
Nashville 10 Do's and Don'ts by Matt Bolus:
Do's:
1. Hot chicken:
Hattie B's consistent flavor plus local beer
Bolton's chicken plus fish
Prince's, why not, they got a Beard Award
2. Parthenon:
Where else can you see an exact replica of a Greek temple? Especially in the south or mid west?
3. The Ryman:
Everyone wants to play there.
4. The Grand Ole Opry:
History
Acts
Shopping
5. Broadway:
Honky Tonks, you have to go to Roberts Western World first and foremost (Brazilbilly?)
6. Restaurants:
The 404 Kitchen, everything
Rolf and Daughters, the octopus
Lockeland Table, community kitchen and bar, for the chicken liver pate
City House, everything, Sunday supper, pizzas
Catbird Seat, try to get in, 20 bar seats surround U-shaped kitchen, you meal is prepared as you watch
Pinewood Social, the Italian Soda, Pork Belly Sandwich
7. Meat and three:
Arnold's, first and foremost
The Copper Kettle, putting the South in your mouth
Wendell Smith's
8. Ethnic food:
Las Americas, El Salvadorian cuisine, specializes in pupusas
Guantanamera, Cuban cuisine
Ethiopian restaurants
Middle Eastern bakeries
Back to Cuba, Cuban cuisine
9. BBQ:
Martin's: try to get there by noon on Saturday to get the first pull off the hog.
Peg Leg Porker
Hog Heaven, since 1986
Edley's
10. Catch a great game:
The Tennessee Titans, football
Nashville Predators, hockey
Nashville Sounds, baseball
Dont's
1. Take Taxis:
Worst in all of the entire world. You will have a better time on a scooter in Rome, Italy during rush hour than you will in most Nashville cabs. Take Uber Cab!
2. Rent a car:
The interstates around Nashville are some of the hardest to figure out. Plus Nashville is home to some of the worst drivers in the world. Stick to Uber Cab. But if you just have to rent a car consider Music City Dream Cars were you can rent the most exotic cars one can think of. Ferrari, Maserati, Rolls Royce, Bently, Lamborghini, etc are all available for your city driving pleasure
3. Think Nashville is all about country music:
The Kings of Leon, Jack White, The Black Keys, Shelly Colvin, Courtney Jaye, etc all live, work, and record in Nashville.
4. Come early in the week if you want to visit the Local Breweries or Distilleries:
Jackalope Brewing Co (founded 2010)
Yahoo Brewing Co (since 2003)
Corsair Distillery (Gin, Red Absinthe, Pumpkin Spice Moonshine…)
Collier and McKeel (Tennessee Whiskey)
Belle Meade Bourbon at Nelson's GreenBrier Distillery
5. Miss these live music venues:
The Station Inn
The 5 Spot Live, Alabama Shakes private concert
90 seats Blue Bird Cafe, Steven Tyler show, Willie Nelson and Khris Kristoferson show
6. Miss the food and wine events:
Pairings (2014 edition took place in February)
L' ete du vin (July 31-August 2)
Music City Eats (September 20-21, 2014)
Nourish Nashville benefiting Nashville Food Project
Iron Fork (April 16, 2014)
7. Don't forget about all the local farmers markets and artisan stores (not just food):
Nashville Farmers Market
Franklin Farmers Market (offering Spring Seedlings and Noble Springs Dairy goat cheeses)
East Nashville Farmers Market (every Wednesday from May 14 to Oct 29, 3:30 to 7 PM)
12th South Farmers Market (Tuesdays, May through October, 3:30 to 6:30 PM)
Lazzaroli Pasta Shop (Handmade pasta and ravioli)
Legato Gelato (today's Featured Flavors: Snickerdoodle, Peanut Butter and Honey, Coconut, Mango)
The Bloomy Rind, Artisanal Cheese ( Located inside Porter Road Butcher)
Crema Coffee (Sean and Winston, Roasters, recently competed in the proclaimed “Olympics of Coffee” and brought home a prestigious Brewers Cup third place finish.)
The Barista Parlor (established 2011)
Imogene and Willie (Clothing and accessories)
8. Pass on touring the country music hall of fame. I know I said that Nashville isn't all about country, and it's not, it just happens to be the home of one of the best halls of fame in the world.
9. Miss fall in Nashville. The weather is perfect, the leaves are beautiful, the food and drinks are flowing, and there's great sporting events and concerts. All around it's the perfect time to be here.
10. Leave with out planning your next trip to Nashville!
(* Photo credits (top to bottom): Prince's Hot Chicken Shack from their Facebook page, Roberts Western World from Facebook page, Lockeland Table from their Facebook page, Martin's BBQ Joint from Facebook page, Corsair Distillery 'Tasting Room' from Facebook page, Barista Parlor from Facebook page)