Bellevue, TN October 2024 by City Lifestyle

N O W O P E N

I N B E L L E V U E

( 6 1 5 ) 6 2 1 - 1 6 9 3

O P E N D A I L Y : 8 a m - 6 p m

F e a t u r i n g Q u a l i t y M e a t s , F r e s h

S e a f o o d , G o u r m e t S u n d r i e s , a n d

B o t t l e d W i n e s p l u s a n e x t e n s i v e

s e l e c t i o n o f p r e p a r e d f o o d s t o t a k e

h o m e a n d r e h e a t f o r y o u r c o n v e n i e n c e .

( 6 1 5 ) 5 6 2 - 2 2 3 3

( 6 1 5 ) 5 6 2 - 2 2 3 3 O P E N D A I L Y : 6 a m - 6 p m

O P E N D A I L Y : 6 a m - 6 p m 7 7 4 5 H W Y 7 0 S , N A S H V I L L E T N , 3 7 2 2 1

B e l l e v u e ’ s n e w e s t d r i v e t h r o u g h

c o f f e e s h o p s e r v i n g c r a f t c o f f e e ,

a r t i s a n t e a s , p a s t r i e s , s a n d w i c h e s a n d m o r e !

c o f f e e s h o p s e r v i n g c r a f t c o f f e e , a r t i s a n t e a s , p a s t r i e s , s a n d w i c h e s a n d m o r e !

Food for the unofficial start to the holiday season

If your household is like mine, October marks the unofficial start to the holiday season. But who am I kidding? October IS the official start to the holiday season.

Much of the celebration is centered around school activities and the spookiest of all holidays which is looming mere weeks away. But, even if you’re an empty nester or don’t have children, those events have a way of influencing the general pulse and pace of the city at large. There are festivals everywhere and anyone who complains about the weather in October needs to get out and get some fresh air.

Of course, a jam-packed calendar (my favorite activity: attending football games) requires extra energy and nourishment. In ancient times, this was the season where humans put on their winter weight. Today, many of us use it to justify eating a little more than we might throughout the rest of the year.

A couple of years ago we had gobs of candy leftover from Halloween, and I was mesmerized every time I opened the pantry to admire it. I was like Wayne Campbell in the old Wayne’s World movie, ogling a 1962 Fender Stratocaster guitar. (Wasn’t Wayne Campbell played by Mike Myers? And wasn’t Michael Myers the villain in the old Halloween movies? Talk about spooky!)

But I put up a good fight, vowed not to touch any of it, and I prevailed! I haven’t had any candy since. Asian and Mexican fare? That’s another story.

This is a long-winded way of saying that October is a fine month for dining, and our annual food issue is up to the task.

This month we’re bringing you a story about Han’s Vietnamese Deli. Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to something special. See if you can decide if this little restaurant in One Bellevue Place is a lunchtime deli or a fine dining destination. We’re also taking you on a tour of some of Bellevue’s best Mexican restaurants. Finally, did you know that there are several Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms in the Bellevue area? You can learn about them in the pages that follow and make a quick trip for seasonal produce that’s among the best available.

So, everything in moderation. But take some time this month to explore and try some new cuisine. The best part is you don’t have to travel very far to do it.

October 2024

PUBLISHER

Doug Waterman | doug.waterman@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Ed Atlas | ed.atlas@citylifestyle.com

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Lindsey Baydoun | hello@lindseybaydoun.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Ed Atlas, Emma Balkenbush, Kellie Walton

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Ed Atlas, Lindsey Baydoun

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Zach Miller

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen

Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.

ED ATLAS, EDITOR

1-7: The Nashville Corvette Club toured Bellevue on a recent Saturday morning. Photography by Erick Goin

business monthly

While traditional stretching methods attempt to make you more “flexible,” we work to adjust the stretch reflex. This way, the Stretch Zone Method gradually increases your active range of motion.

Consider how a car seatbelt works. If pulled too quickly, the belt locks. If the belt is forced, you are just stretching the material itself, and that’s where injury happens. When a car seatbelt is pulled smoothly and controlled, the belt will fully extend. It’s the same with your body’s stretch reflex.

Lee Company Celebrates 80th Anniversary

HVAC service provider Lee Company marked its 80th anniversary in August. Founded in 1944, Lee Company has a significant presence in the Bellevue area, including a regional dispatch office at 7071 Old Harding Pike. “Throughout 2024, we will celebrate this significant milestone by honoring our past, appreciating our present, and looking forward to our future,” says Richard Perko, Lee Company president and CEO. With $370 million in sales and 1,600 employees, Lee Company is one of the nation’s largest specialty contractors. LeeCompany.com

Scan to read more

New Nissan Stadium Reserved Seat Memberships Now On Sale

Following a sellout of premium seat memberships, Wave 2 of seating options for new Nissan Stadium reserved seat memberships are now on sale. Current season ticket members in Wave 2 will be contacted on a rolling basis to book their appointment at Titans House and view their seating options. Nonseason ticket members can express their interest in seat memberships by visiting NewNissanStadium.com. A deposit is not required to be placed on the new Standard Access Waitlist. More information can be found at tennesseetitans.com/ newstadium/FAQ

by Tennessee Titans

Here’s

(across from McKay’s Bookstore)

Photography

Bethany L Harbin CLU, Agent

With A Myriad Of Possibilities, Bellevue’s Mexican Restaurant Lineup Is Vast And Deep

Mexican Restaurant Tour

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY ED ATLAS

Of all the dining options in Bellevue, none are as plentiful as Mexican restaurants. We’ve counted and can confirm, there are a lot of them! From fast food to local chains and one-offs, the lineup is vast and deep.

So, we thought that our annual food issue presented a great opportunity to visit a few and report our findings to you. And as the editor of Bellevue City Lifestyle, I knew exactly who I wanted to embark on this Bellevue Burrito Bonanza or Taco Tour. That writer would be me.

Due to the constraints of time, budget and diet, it was impossible to visit them all. To narrow the field, we eliminated fast food chains. Hasta la vista, Taco Bell. Of course, that only reduced our candidates by two. To trim the list further, we settled on full-service restaurants with full bars as those tend to feature a more elevated level of cuisine. To select our finalists, we chose restaurants that were somewhat separated by distance and style.

After careful consideration, we settled on three. Let us know whether or not you agree with our assessments, or if we should have considered other options.

Editor’s Note: No tequila was consumed during the research or preparation of this story.

MESTIZO’S MEXICAN CUISINE

Our tour began just outside the Bellevue footprint at 699 OHB at the intersection of Charlotte Pike. That’s where you’ll find Mestizo’s Mexican Cuisine. “Mestizo” refers to a mixed-race person, particularly of European and Latino heritage. Mestizo’s has a relaxing but welcoming ambience and a menu that leans toward traditional fare with some notable upscale offerings. Ingredients are sourced locally whenever possible. I thought it made sense to begin the tour with the basics: a ground beef burrito and ground beef taco. They were fresh, flavorful and plentiful. In fact, this was the only stop on the tour that required a take-home container for leftovers! MestizosMexicans.com

CONTINUED >

Mestizo's Beef Burrito & Taco.

The bar at Mestizo's Mexican Cuisine

“This list is not intended to be comprehensive or the last word. But we hope we’ve introduced you to a restaurant or two that you haven’t tried previously.”

LOUIE’S TACO SHOP & BAR

Louie’s Taco Shop & Bar, which specializes in “California Style” Mexican cuisine, could be just the ticket if you’re looking to unwind after a hectic day, or to hang out with friends into the evening. Located at 7105 Highway 70 South, Louie’s strikes a nice balance. It’s like having the best street tacos in the comfort of your favorite neighborhood dive. The interior lighting is dim, but not dull, making it a great escape on the scorching afternoon of my visit. I ordered the Tres Tacos, paired with a Pacifica. The spices and sauces were enough to enhance, not overwhelm, the beef, pork and chicken. And the veggies tasted like they had been harvested that morning. LouiesTacoShop.com

TEQUILA’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT

Our tour terminated at Tequila’s in One Bellevue Place. Tequila’s features the flavors you know and love with a contemporary flare and matching vibe. This is where to go if you want a lively atmosphere or to celebrate a special occasion. I celebrated with the Enchiladas Tres Carabelas, a relevant name for a dish that featured a wide variety of style, color and flavor. Tequilas also featured the most adventurous menu of the three restaurants I visited. Don’t misunderstand; you can play it safe here. But you’re likely to find an interpretation of an old favorite that’s unlike anything you ever experienced. TequilasTn.com

Tres Tacos from Louie's Taco Shop & Bar

Enchiladas Tres Carabelas at Tequila's Mexican Restaurant

Tequila's Mexican Restaurant

Louie's Taco Shop & Bar

ARTICLE BY EMMA BALKENBUSH | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LINDSEY BAYDOUN

PROUDLY PRESENTING BELLEVUE WITH THE FINEST IN SOUTHEAST ASIAN CUISINE & CULTURE

HAN’S VIETNAMESE DELI

If you’ve been looking to expand your food palate, Tommy Nguyen hopes you’ll stop into Han’s Deli located in One Bellevue Place and give his menu a try.

“I

Growing up, Nguyen said his family would often eat meals made up of rice, fried eggs and fish sauce that had a strong smell that he didn’t like as a kid. He was also bullied at school for what

WENT FROM NOT LIKING ASIAN FOOD...TO WANTING TO SHARE IT WITH

EVERYBODY.”

You may even see him creating the items on the menu in real time.

The head chef and co-owner says the restaurant specializes in authentic Vietnamese flavors and has an open kitchen where customers can watch their meal come to life. Nguyen specializes in fusion cooking and says many of his dishes have a unique twist on a traditional Vietnamese dish.

He says there’s truly nothing better than watching someone enjoy his cooking.

“When I see the food get to the customer’s table and I can see that they like it, it makes me feel so good,” he says.

While creating culinary art through Vietnamese food is his life’s passion now, it wasn’t always that way. Nguyen says that, because of his childhood, he had a difficult relationship with the cuisine until he was a teenager.

His family came to the United States as refugees from Vietnam in the 1970s and settled in Louisiana where Nguyen was born.

his family ate, which started a deep resentment for any Asian food.

“Kids would see my food and stretch their eyes out at me and make fun of me,” Nguyen said. “I really hated Vietnamese food for a long time.”

At 16-years-old, Nguyen’s father kicked him out of the house, forcing Nguyen to stay with his siblings and friends and even living out of his car for several months.

“There was a local Vietnamese restaurant where I could buy a sandwich for $2.50 that I would get every day,” he says.

He worked at numerous Asian restaurants as a dishwasher and eventually became a cook. Over the years, he lived in multiple cities, including Atalanta and Houston, discovering new ways of creating Asian cuisine. He even opened his own restaurant that didn’t make it through the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It was a very dark time..., “ he said. His luck would turn around in 2023

CONTINUED >

when met Han’s Deli founder and owner Anh Le. At the time, Nguyen had been working as head chef at his sister’s new restaurant in Atlanta after her chef never showed up for the business’s opening.

“Everything happens for a reason because I ended up pretty much running her restaurant and that’s how I met my current business partner,” he said. “He had a business proposition for me to come to Nashville and work at Han's Deli in Bellevue, and I was desperate to turn my life around and needed to rebuild my life from the ground up.”

Nguyen’s relationship with Asian and Vietnamese food has now come full circle.

“I went from not liking Asian food at all to wanting to share it with everybody,” Nguyen says. “I have lost a lot of family and friends to health issues, and I see a lot of people with high cholesterol and diabetes, and I want people to know the food is very healthy.”

Nguyen said he’s always working to educate new customers about the ingredients in his dishes and that he doesn’t cook with a lot of grease and sugar like other cuisines.

“MY GOAL IS TO...TEACH OTHERS WHAT THE FOOD IS ABOUT”

In the few months he has spent working as head chef at Han’s Deli, Nguyen feels a new sense of purpose and hope for the future.

“I come from a very troubled childhood so to be where I’m at now is a blessing,” Nguyen said.

For those who may be interested in his menu but don’t know where to begin, Nguyen recommends trying the grilled pork or the shaken beef with rice and eggs.

When it comes to his favorite Vietnamese dish of all time, Nguyen says it’s easily the pho soup, which is a beef broth or bone broth soup with noodles, veggies and meat. He jokes the dish also works as a great cure after a night of drinking.

“I would love for people to come check us out and give us a chance; my goal is to become one of the first people in Nashville to really teach others what the food is about,” Nguyen says. “I’m very proud of the Vietnamese culture, and I want others to know about our food.”

HansVnDeli.com

Where to Find Farm Fresh, Local Produce Around Town

CSA Farms are thriving in Nashville

If your visits to the grocery store are anything like mine, they consist of browsing rows of products with a laundry list of ingredients you can’t pronounce and marketing buzzwords you don’t really understand. Piecing together a simple healthy dinner can sometimes feel daunting, but one nationwide initiative is helping take some of the guesswork out of good decision-making at the grocery store: Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) allows you to purchase fresh, local foods directly from farmers.

The “share” process varies between programs, but usually includes a bushel of fresh produce weekly. It’s a fun way to mix up your meals, get creative in the kitchen, and try things you may not see at your everyday grocery. Plus, it benefits local farmers and community agriculture – a win-win for everyone.

Meet our area's CSA options and local farms to support.

S.E. DAUGHERTY & SONS

This farmstand and marketplace is located right at the convergence of Highway 70 South and Charlotte Pike in Bellevue. The CSA program here varies by season, and

currently, the fall block is in full swing. The annual 21-week program is broken down into three seasonal blocks (or you can opt for the full package) with spring, summer, and fall offerings, and we’re anxiously awaiting the release of details for the 2025 season. In addition to the CSA, the community is invited to pick flowers and strawberries onsite when they’re in season.

FreshAndLocalNashville.com

BELLS BEND FARMS

This West Nashville farm near Scottsboro has one of the most comprehensive CSA programs around. Bells Bend offers options for 28 weeks or 14 weeks at both full shares and half shares that can be picked up at their main barn, at the East Nashville Farmers’ Market, or the Richland Park Farmers Market. Crops vary every month, but might include seasonal produce like carrots, lettuce, tomatoes, beans, and garlic, plus fresh flowers and herbs. With a CSA membership, you also get free admission to the farm’s sweet southern events like harvest festivals, potlucks, and square dancing.

BellsBendFarms.com

ARTICLE BY KELLIE

WALTON

PHOTOGRAPHY

Photo courtesy of S.E. Daugherty & Sons

Photo courtesy of Bell’s Bend Farm

OLD SCHOOL FARM

There’s no set CSA program here, but when you support Old School Farm, the community impact goes far beyond farming (though that’s there, too). Known as a “care farm,” the team here uses therapeutic farming practices to support vulnerable community members. It provides jobs for adults with disabilities, teaching skills like working and managing a regenerative farm. While most of the produce is donated to local food programs in support of families in need, you can also purchase some at Juniper Green. OldSchoolFarm.org

HARPETH MOON FARM

This local farm is just down the road in Kingston Springs, tucked between Highway 70 and the Harpeth River. In years past, Harpeth Moon Farm has hosted a CSA program in the summer months with 8 to 12 produce items per box. Currently, the vibrant goods can be purchased at the Richland Park Farmers Market and the Kingston Springs Farmers Market most weeks, including stunning flowers, crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and so much more. Keep up with their whereabouts on Instagram, @harpethmoonfarm. HarpethMoonFarm.com

Photo courtesy of Old School Farm

Photo courtesy of Harpeth Moon Farm

realty

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

VARIOUS DATES THROUGHOUT OCTOBER

Nashville Symphony

SCHERMERHORN SYMPHONY CENTER, DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE

From classical to pop, the Nashville Symphony plays something for everyone in October. Wednesday 9: Violent Femmes; Saturday 12: Vivaldi's The Four Seasons & Gloria; Sunday 13: Arturo Sandoval (presented without Nashville Symphony); Thursday 17-Saturday 19: Stravinsky's The Firebird; Tuesday 22: Tower of Power; Thursday 24-Saturday 26: Pink Martini featuring China Forbes. NashvilleSymphony.org

VARIOUS DATES THROUGHOUT OCTOBER

October Events At Warner Parks Nature Center

7311 HIGHWAY 100

Nearly two dozen events are on tap at the Nature Center in October! Every Tuesday: Fall Bird Branding, 8 a.m.; Friday 4: Fall Family Picnic and Campfire, 6 p.m.; Friday 11: Spook-tacular Forest Friends, 10 a.m.; Thursday 17: Hunter’s Moon Hike, 7 p.m.; Saturday 19: Vol Call: Pullin’ Party, 10 a.m.; Saturday 26: Reset and Renew Yoga, 9 a.m.; WarnerParks.org/upcoming-events/

VARIOUS DATES THROUGHOUT OCTOBER

Nashville Area Concerts

VENUES THROUGHOUT METRO NASHVILLE

RYMAN AUDITORIUM: Saturday 5: The Warren Haynes Band; Thursday 10-Sunday 13: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit; Tuesday 15: Experience Hendrix; Tuesday 22: Badflower; Sunday 27: Barenaked Ladies; Wednesday 30-Thursday 31: Cory Wong. BRIDGESTONE ARENA: Wednesday 9: Twenty One Pilots; Friday 11: Jeff Lynne’s ELO. MARATHON MUSIC WORKS: Sunday 6: Nothing But Thieves; Thursday 10: The Wonder Years & The Menzingers; Friday 25: Hatebreed.

EVERY FRIDAY IN OCTOBER

High School Football

LAWSON HIGH SCHOOL, NASHVILLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, ENSWORTH SCHOOL

LAWSON LIGHTNING: October 4 vs. Page, 18 at Nolensville, 25 vs Columbia Central, November 1 vs. Glencliff. NASHVILLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL EAGLES: October 4 vs. Goodpasture, 11 at Columbia Academy, 18 vs. Fayetteville, 25 vs. Clarksville Academy, Thursday 31 vs. Donelson Christian Academy. ENSWORTH TIGERS: October 4 vs. First Baptist Academy (Fla.), 11 vs. Father Ryan, 25 vs. Briarcrest Christian, November 1 at Christian Brothers.

OCTOBER 3RD-5TH

The Nashville Oktoberfest

BI-CENTENNIAL MALL, 600 JAMES ROBERTSON PKWY, NASHVILLE

A Germantown tradition since 1980, The Nashville Oktoberfest claims to be the longest-running party in the Southeast. Highlights include live music, a pup parade, a 5K Bier Run, food from dozens of restaurants and vendors. Bring your own stein but leave your beer at home; there will be plenty of draft imports from Germany. TheNashvilleOktoberfest.com

OCTOBER 5TH

Bellevue-Harpeth Chamber's First Annual Pig Roast

CORNER PUB, 8058 HIGHWAY 100 | 11:00 AM

Patrons will enjoy slow-cooked whole hog or chicken, plus sides and two drink tickets. It'll be a great way to hang out with friends and neighbors and watch all the games on Corner Pub's large screen TVs. Tickets are $35 for Chamber members, $40 for non-members and may be purchased online. BellevueHarpethChamber.com