Brentwood, TN October 2023

FOOD + BEVERAGE MEET SOME OF NASHVILLE'S FINEST CHEFS

COCKTAIL CRAFTMANSHIP WITH LIQUOR LAB

NASHVILLE'S THRIVING ITALIAN CUISINE

LIFE + CULTURE

CUL2VATE BUILDS COMMUNITY THROUGH FOOD

The Food and Drink Issue

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GUIDING YOU HOME

October 2023 -

Food and Drink

Welcome fall! With the changing seasons comes a change in what we are craving, and with fall that often means comfort food. October is our most delectable issue of the year, filled with some of our favorite dishes and beverages around town. We had the pleasure of sitting down with Chef Deb Paquette at etch restaurant, who was the first woman in Tennessee to qualify as a certified executive chef. We also included a few new recipes for you to try at home, whether you're cooking for just your family or for entertaining guests.

The smells of fall brings memories to my mind of being in high school and baking with my mom, the aroma of pumpkin, cinnamon, and apple brings me right back to her kitchen.

There is definitely an art to creating a flavorful dish that not only satisfies our taste buds but evokes memories. The aroma of certain spices and foods can bring us right back to our childhood,  which can be incredibly powerful and comforting. Food brings us all together, and whether we are sharing a meal with loved ones or enjoying a night out on the town, the time spent while enjoying food is invaluable.

As always, thanks for reading, and we'll see you around town!

October 2023

PUBLISHER

Jennifer Downs | jennifer.downs@citylifestyle.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Sophie Brock | sophie.brock@citylifestyle.com

COPY EDITOR

Julie Brown Patton | julie.patton@citylifestyle.com

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Stephanie Krejci | Stephanie.Krejci@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Sue Baldani, Sophie Brock, Delia Jo Ramsey, Julie Brown Patton, Myra Simmons McEntire

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Olivia Butcher, Reed Brown, Kris Rae Photography, James Williams, Matt Haas

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein

CONTROLLER Gary Johnson

AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsi Southard

|

SOPHIE BROCK, MANAGING EDITOR @BRENTWOOD_LIFESTYLE

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Where the Land Connects Us All

Outside of Nashville in historic Franklin, Tennessee, Southall is a 325-acre resort with an inn, one-of-a-kind cottages, dining and spa experiences inspired by the land, and a working farm at the heart of it all. A place to gather, connect, and explore, Southall offers a wealth of nature-inspired activities that foster a deep appreciation for the land. From tours of our working farm, orchard, and greenhouses to culinary experiences, such as cooking demonstrations and seasonal tastings, Southall will ignite your curiosity and invite you to pursue new passions.

Adventure awaits with an array of activities, ranging from hiking and biking to a challenging aerial ropes course. Beautiful Lake Mishkin provides a picturesque setting for fishing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and more. Grounded in wellness, Southall will guide you to find balance with mindful pursuits that nourish the soul. Here, you’ll enjoy a celebration of inventive cuisine, wellness experiences, and outdoor adventures that immerse you in nature.

Join us on the journey. Visit www.southalltn.com or call to learn more.

Who says September is a slow month in

EXTRAORDINARY ADVANTAGE PROGRAM

Success in a changing market requires a unique and proven strategy.

From painting and cleaning to landscaping, staging, photography and both print and social media exposure, Paula and her team understand that going above and beyond for a home’s first impression is fundamental to it’s successful sale. While other real estate companies may offer programs to help get a home ready to market, often the homeowner still finds themselves managing all of the work AND then paying for the services, once the home closes.

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city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

1: Heritage Ball Legacy Luncheon: Bari Beasley and David Garrett. 2: Heritage Ball Legacy Luncheon: Candie and Larry Westbrook. 3: Heritage Ball Legacy Luncheon: Glenn Flittner and Nancy Smith. 4: Heritage Ball Legacy Luncheon: Grant Martin, Tyrus Sturgis and Troy Cunningham.

5: Heritage Ball Legacy Luncheon: Loy Hardcastle, Linda Tracey and Ed Underwood. 6: Heritage Ball Legacy Luncheon: Mary Michael Cross and Caroline Cross. 7: Heritage Ball Legacy Luncheon: Mayor Senator Bill, Tracy Frist, Jennifer and Jamie Parker.

Photography by Kris Rae Photography

Want to be seen in the magazine? Tag your Instagram photos with @brentwood_lifestyle

9: Tanner Weber at Country Boy, Zolo Italian. 10: Brandon Styll at Mere Bulles. 11: Vru Surati at Barrels & Brews. 12: Elizabeth Greene, Sophie Lange and Rob Hazard at Hazard Law. 13: Mike Farley at John Hancock Funds. 14: Luke and Brandon Ketchum, Chad Roberts at Powell Nashville.

O’Delle Holt Generosity Recognized With Naming Of Library Study Room

O’Delle and John P. Holt married in 1924, and the couple spent 60 years on a farm where Raintree Forest and Witherspoon neighborhoods now stand. After John passed on in the early 1980s, O'Delle stipulated in her will that Brentwood would receive $4.2 million after her passing if it renamed the library as the John P. Holt Brentwood Library. Now, a new library study room has been renamed in her honor as well.

Photography by John P. Holt Brentwood Library

round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Nothing’s cozier than a warm home in the fall. Whether you’re looking for your first house, ready to build or find an investment property, Melissa can get it done before the season’s out. Pull on your autumn sweater and give her a call.

State Names Brentwood Bridge After Late War Hero

On Sept. 9, 1950, Major Samuel Logan, a young Tennessee pilot, flew a war plane from Yokata Air Base in Japan. It was the early months of the Korean War, when bombers were shot down on their mission. The major appeared to be held as a POW but was never recovered. Brentwood residents, including his son, David Logan, now are honored by the war hero’s sacri fice whenever they cross the Little Harpeth on Hillsboro Road.

Brentwood Eagle Scout Provides Flag Retirement Box To City Hall

Taylor Wimsatt, a Brentwood Academy senior, built a Flag Retirement Box for his Eagle Scout project. That impressive wooden box, with a brass deposit slot, now sits in the Brentwood City Hall lobby at 5211 Maryland Way. "As I got older, I appreciated the importance of preserving the honor and dignity of our nation's flag. Installing the flag retirement box gives everyone in the community confidence their cherished flag will be retired properly," says Taylor.

Photography by City of Brentwood

Photography by City of Brentwood

Ellie Launches New Mental Health Program In Brentwood

Ellie Mental Health officials launched a new Nashville West location in Brentwood at 5300 Centennial Blvd., Suite 210. Franchise representatives indicated they plan to open a total of 10 locations in the Williamson County-Greater Nashville area. Staffers there provide therapy for individuals, couples, grief/bereavement, PTSD, burnout, stress, anger management, depression, bipolar disorders, social anxiety, self-harm, relationship counseling and more. They offer online, trauma-informed and EMDR therapy as well. The company's founders started in Minnesota.

Bone And Joint Institute of Tennessee Adds New Physical Therapist

Micah Washington, PT, joined the Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee. He's treating patients at the Institute’s Brentwood location, 101 Creekside

understand that purchasing a home is one of the biggest investments in a lifetime. We’ve streamlined our process to ensure that the experience of obtaining your mortgage is as smooth

Crossing, Suite 1100, in the Publix shopping center. He graduated from Tennessee State University in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in exercise science, and earned his master's in physical therapy in 2007. Micah has worked with people of all ages and various orthopaedic conditions, and has a passion for working with athletes and active populations.

Brentwood Commissioners Supports Local Schools, Organizations With Budget Contributions

Brentwood and Williamson County schools, recreational and social service providers received financial boosts for annual budgets. Schools, totaling $237,015, were: $62,400 to Brentwood High; $62,400 to Ravenwood High; $15,600 to Brentwood Middle; $15,600 to Sunset Middle; $15,600 to Woodland Middle; $10,400 to Jordan Elementary; $10,400 to Lipscomb Elementary; $10,400 to Scales Elementary; $10,400 to Crockett Elementary; $10,400 Edmondson Elementary; $10,400 to Kenrose Elementary; and $3,015 to Sunset Elementary. Community groups received a tally of $205,350.

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Brentwood

Photography Courtesy of Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee

Photography by City of Brentwood

Meet The Chefs

Food, like music, is a part of culture. It nourishes bodies and feeds souls. Fortunately, there are plenty of talented chefs in the Nashville region who create many, varied meals to enjoy.

Here, Brentwood Lifestyle shares details about four of these local, culinary masters who love what they do, and love doing it for others. Although they may have diverse backgrounds and skill sets, the end result is the same: dishes that delight every time.

GET TO KNOW THE PEOPLE BEHIND INCREDIBLE FOOD

ARTICLE BY SUE BALDANI

Chef Deb Paquette

DEB PAQUETTE

While in college, Deb Paquette says she was trying to figure out what she wanted to do with her life. When she came across information about the Culinary Institute of America, she knew instantly what that was. “My heart rate boomed as I pictured myself as a chef on a ship, hotel or even a four-star restaurant,” she says.

After graduating from the institute, her first job was in a macrobiotic restaurant in New York City. “My mom managed a health food store, so our family was on top of taking our vitamins and eating carob cookies,” she says. After a year, she moved home to Florida to attend Florida International University and earned a management degree. “I finished school and found my way to Nashville in 1982. I accepted a job as banquet chef at the Hyatt Regency. Yes, I was on my way!”

Deb became the first woman in Tennessee to qualify as a certified executive chef, and has since won countless awards and accolades.

Food, she says, can be both simple and complex. “I love the diversity. I love that I have the ability to inspire guests to reverse their fears of trying new foods. I love how condiments, herbs, spices, salt and sugar can change one simple carrot into a piece of art. So many different species of fruits and veggies have been brought back to our tables. Education and the science of food have made a huge difference in our decisions of meal planning. The food world is unstoppable.”

Today, she oversees the kitchen at etch, a globally-inspired restaurant located in Nashville, as well as its sister restaurant, etc. “We like to challenge the palate,” says Deb. “We also have incredible service and a great location. Quality food, service and atmosphere are the three keys to a happy restaurant.”

While being a chef is hard work, she does have advice for those looking to follow in her

footsteps. “Balancing kitchen life with home life may be difficult. Long hours can be necessary, but make time to spend with your family and friends. They are your greatest supporters!”

etchRestaurant.com

MARGOT MCCORMACK

For Margot McCormack, hanging out with her mom in the kitchen was the initial inspiration for her career as a chef. Later, she would build on that foundation by graduating from the Culinary Institute of America.

Today, she owns Margot Café and Bar, a Frenchinspired restaurant with Southern influences in Nashville. “Our menu changes every day,” she says. “We put our ideas down, based on buying the best ingredients from our farmers and purveyors. The weather and the season play the next part in the development. We have a lens which we formulate everything through. My chef, Hadley Long, calls it the ‘Margot lens.’ It helps define everything we do.”

While she loves to test out new things in the kitchen, the restaurant doesn’t try to be trendy. “The fact that our menu changes every day informs our decisions if we continue on with an ingredient or an idea,” she says.

Margot believes food is not just about pleasure but also about sustenance and nourishment, not only for the body but also the soul. “It’s inspiring to realize the impact you can have on people’s lives with a plate of food. Definitely the most rewarding part of the job is the relationships and connections I have formed with the guests, the staff and our family of craftspeople.”

While pleasing others is wonderful, she also believes it’s important to take care of yourself. “Getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, eating well, exercising and managing your own stress is key,” she says.

“Quality food, service and atmosphere are the three keys to a happy restaurant.”

Even after all these years, she still finds a lot of joy in being a chef. “I love to work hard and think that what I get to do every day is fun,” says Margot.

MargotCafe.com

CHUCK WHITE

After graduating from the Opryland Hotel Culinary Institute, Chuck White says he honed his skills first in Nashville and then in Colorado, where he eventually became a sous chef in a five-star, five-diamond restaurant. But, upon returning to Nashville, even more exciting things were on the horizon.

In 2008, he joined Sheryl Crow and John Mayer on tour as their personal chef. When the tour ended, he continued to cook for Sheryl while launching his private chef business. He found his summers being spent on tours cooking for musicians, such as the Jonas Brothers and Kid Rock, as well as big acts like WWE and Cirque Du Soleil.

When not on tour, Chuck’s niche became cooking for those with special diets. This led to him being hired full time by Sheryl while on tour to cook with foods to help with cancer prevention. They also collaborated on the New York Times bestselling cookbook, If It Makes You Healthy.

“I love the diversity. I love that I have the ability to inspire guests to reverse their fears of trying new foods. I love how condiments, herbs, spices, salt and sugar can change one simple carrot into a piece of art."

Chef Margot McCormack

Today, he cooks primarily for people who are focusing on their health and/or fighting illnesses. “My specialty is to take comfort foods and put a really healthy spin on them by using cleaner ingredients and trying to stay away from animal products.”

Chuck finds it rewarding to help others by providing them with healthy dishes that also delight. “Finding joy in someone else's joy, and even going a step further, to work with a client who is ill and through food, hopefully getting them better, is great.”

After being a chef for 24 years, he enjoys being able to pick and choose what he does and how he cooks. It’s very different from his time spent in restaurant kitchens, he assures.

“It's a pressure cooker; there's a lot of stress,” he says. “You have to love food and love what you do.”

ChefChuck.com

JULIA

SULLIVAN

As a high school student, Julia Sullivan spent two summers abroad. “The first time I was in France and living with a family that grew their own food, cooked at home and lived among vineyards, so I became intrigued with the world of food and wine,” she says.

Later, as a college student in New Orleans, she started pursuing a career in food. “The whole scene there was so vibrant and had

so much history and cultural heritage that it really got me excited about the restaurant world. I started working in restaurants and then eventually decided to pursue culinary school.”

After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America, Julia went on to cook for many acclaimed restaurants, and was named one of the Best Young Chefs in America by Robb Report and by Food & Wine, and was recognized as a 2019 semifinalist and a 2020 finalist in the James Beard Foundation Awards Best Chef in its Southeast category.

Since 2017, she has co-owned Henrietta Red in Nashville, which has been recognized by Bon Appetit and GQ , and was a James Beard Foundation Award Semifinalist.

“We have a wonderful team at the restaurant and we really approach our dishes as seasonally as possible depending on what’s available from the local farmer's market and the food hub,” says Julia.

The restaurant is also known for its amazing oyster bar. “I still find that so exciting and the relationships with our growers and farmers are so rewarding,” she says. “Just getting to know what they do and seeing the kind of innovation and progress happening in Southern aquaculture is so exciting. I also just really love working with people.”

HenriettaRed.com

Chef Chuck White Chef Julia Sullivan

New Cocktail Bars To Try

ESCAPE HONKY-TONK CROWDS AT THESE

HOT NEW COCKTAIL BARS

ARTICLE BY DELIA JO RAMSEY

New Nashville's got abundant loud singin', hot chicken-toutin' and celebrity-named honky-tonks, but for those seeking shorter lines, a little less honky-tonk and a little more upscale cocktail bar with an absolute vibe and world-class bartenders, Nashville's got plenty of those, too. In the last couple of months alone, several new cocktail bars opened. Here are a few exquisite new cocktail bars in town to check out for a fun night in Music City (no pedal taverns required)!

4. Rivière Rooftop - Four Seasons Hotel Nashville

1. THE LATE GREAT (LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT OF THE VIRGIN HOTELS NASHVILLE):

The Late Great is the trendy Midtown Virgin Hotel Nashville's exclusive speakeasy establishment, hidden away in the vibe-y hotel's basement. Created in collaboration with the iconic Cash Family and designed by Hannah Crowell, Johnny Cash’s granddaughter, the Late Great's bartender-in-residence, Hope Rice, recently launched a new cocktail menu spiked with savory flavor profiles to engage all the senses. Add yourself to the guest list via Seven Rooms on The Late Great's website, or else seating is only available on a first come, first served basis. Dress to impress! (@thelategreatnash)

2. FOUR WALLS (TUCKED INSIDE THE JOSEPH HOTEL):

A spaghetti-western-inspired cocktail den hidden within the immaculate SoBro hotel The Joseph, Four Walls is an intimate cocktail bar created "for the knowing."

The so-much-more-than-a-bar's name is a tribute to the song "Four Walls" by the late American country music singer-songwriter and a founder of the Nashville sound, Jim Reeves. Find fringe on the ceiling, hide on the walls, and meticulously crafted drinks served on the exquisite blood red, Rooso Levanto Italian marble bar. Adding a touch of Italy, “La Famiglia Negroni” features nine variations of the timeless cocktail, while the “Old Favorites” honors forgotten classics with a house twist. (@fourwallsnash)

3. HEIRLOOM ROOFTOP AT HOLSTON HOUSE:

Downtown's cozy boutique hotel Holston House’s rooftop bar Heirloom is a mid-air lounge with a stunning city view just steps away from Lower Broadway, featuring garden-inspired cocktails and mocktails alongside well-planned southern tapas. Georgia-born chef Shannon Williams pours her Southern influence, heart and soul into everything she does at the historic hotel, and her menu here at Heirloom is no different. (@heirloomrooftop)

2. Four Walls, hidden inside the Joseph

4. RIVIÈRE ROOFTOP AT FOUR SEASONS HOTEL NASHVILLE:

The al fresco French Riviera-inspired restaurant and bar located on Four Seasons Hotel Nashville’s seventh-floor pool deck opened in May, with a fresh and fun all-day menu and spectacular city views of the Cumberland River and downtown Nashville. Chow down on oysters with cucumber granita, "Nashville hot" fries, and popsicles dipped in pop rocks while living that luxurious life, sipping Veuve or refreshing zero-proof drinks. (@fsnashville)

5. REUNION BAR (FORMERLY HOME TO THE VANDYKE):

Snag a seat at the new neighborhood bar or on its second-floor rooftop in East Nashville's Five Points neighborhood, and settle in for a proper evening of people-watching. If feeling the need to linger longer, eight exquisitely decorated Airbnb-style rooms await on-site. This East Nashville hang comes from the owners of WedgewoodHouston’s Never Never, and has an extended happy hour worth mentioning. (@reunion.bar)

“Four Walls holds the tension between elegance and edge...offering a layered experience that intrigues and inspires with an exciting environment, cultural connection, and refined cocktails.”  —Beverage Consultant Kenneth Vanhooser.

3. Heirloom Rooftop at Holston House

5. Reunion Bar in East Nashville's Five Points neighborhood

1. The Late Great, beneath Virgin Hotels Nashville

Le Studio Food-Lover Finds

SECURE FULL SERVICE INTERIORS AND DÉCOR FOR ECLECTIC, CUSTOMIZED TASTES

ARTICLE BY JULIE BROWN PATTON

PHOTOGRAPHY BY OLIVIA BUTCHER AND REED BROWN

Food and drinks can be extra enjoyable when consumed in the ambiance of aspiring kitchens, dining nooks, entertaining spaces, outdoor patios or home coffee bars. As the role of food and drink areas continues to evolve, one Nashville team of interior design experts affirms that bespoke designs, color preferences and the range of sought-after materials or finishes keep adding innovative personalizing options for these family activity hubs.

The broad range of design and interior services of JFY Designs' professionals can be accessed at Le Studio, 2826 Dogwood Place, in Berry Hill, along with furniture, home accessories, original art and curated gifts.

Marie-Joe Bouffard, Le Studio founder and principal designer, reveals that her driving force is to create timeless designs uniquely tailored to each client's story and style. "Each project, no matter its scope, is truly a one-of-kind experience," she assures. "We love to think outside of the box and rise to any challenge, but we take the time to listen to our clients and understand them so we can express their true points of view through our custom-designed spaces and homes."

Stemming from her French Canadian ancestry, MarieJoe confirms she loves to entertain, including the accompanying cooking and creating sensational experiences. "As they say, 'We eat with our eyes.' I enjoy producing interesting tablescapes, even for small gatherings. My ideas often are inspired by my own dining experiences in varied restaurants all over the world."

One of Le Studio's current items that works well in kitchen areas is Montes Doggett pottery. Handcrafted for looks and durability, Marie-Joe says the Montes Doggett mugs are perfect for coffee or tea lovers.

"Artful and functional, our teak bowls from Montes Doggett also are one-of-a-kind kitchen staples. They can serve as a striking centerpiece on a kitchen or dining room table, or as a fruit bowl on an island," she suggests.

Le Studio coffee table book collection, with dozens of topics from which to choose, also make excellent companion pieces for food and drink areas. "Typically, books are one of the first pieces we add when styling shelves," Marie-Joe adds.

She says they often curate dishes, glassware and bar tools for clients, based on their wishes about displaying as well as serving from dynamic choices. "I'm a huge fan of mismatched dishes, especially introducing handmade platters into the mix," she adds. "It's exquisite when pieces are different heights and textures, which allows for new items to always be added."

She affirms a popular trend is to add vintage or antique flair to table settings.

Marie-Joe says as everyone heads into larger seasonal gatherings for the holidays, she and her team are happy to assist clients with new accessories that provide quick facelifts for cuisine-oriented dinnerware and entertaining items.

615.730.6915

JFY-Designs.com/Le-Studio

ROSEBROOKEBRENTWOOD.COM

ARTICLE BY JULIE BROWN PATTON PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY TENNESSEE TITANS

touchdown WITH FOOD

At least nine cuisines and locally inspired flavors await Tennessee Titans fans among concessions at Nissan Stadium. The Titans intentionally incorporate small businesses as food options to support the Nashville community and expand access to quality dining options.

“We aim to offer our fans a true Nashville experience when they step inside Nissan Stadium," says Savanna Howie, Tennessee Titans public relations and corporate communications manager. "From the hallmark hospitality and friendship our city offers to dining at locally owned and operated businesses, we continue to be intentional in creating an authentic fan experience.”

“Giving back to the community is always a top priority for our organization, and our concessions business is no exception. Nissan Stadium welcomes volunteers from local nonprofit organizations at every regular season home game to assist in staffing a variety of our food vendor locations. Volunteering organizations receive a portion of the sales made that day. In 2022, the proceeds for participating nonprofits exceeded $474,000. Those funds can make a big difference for many of these organizations," Savanna adds.

Nashville is home to many barbecue enthusiasts, most namely perhaps, Pat Martin of Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint. Martin’s opened in 2006 in Nolensville, Tennessee, and quickly became a Nashville favorite.

Guests at Nissan Stadium can look forward to smoked Wings, BBQ Nachos, and Martin’s Homemade BBQ Chips with Ranch Dip. Quarterbacking the Martin’s menu is its signature Pulled Pork Sandwich. The restaurant actually smokes all of its meat overnight on location at Nissan Stadium in a rig parked in the middle of North End Zone. Due to the 24-hour period needed to smoke great barbecue, Martin’s has limited quantities for each game.

Culinary Selections At Nissan Stadium Are Welcome

Gourmet hot dogs are a perfect companion for a fall football game. Fans can check out local business, Daddy’s Dogs. From a classic chili dog to a Mac Daddy dog topped with mac and cheese, sauerkraut and tons of cheddar, these treats take a ballpark classic to a new level.

For game-changing pizza, fans can stop by Slim & Husky’s. Started by Tennessee State University alumni and childhood friends, EJ Reed, Clint Gray and Derrick Moore, Slim & Husky’s has taken the pizza world by storm with unique pies and mouthwatering ‘drizzles.’ The local favorite also recently opened Nashville’s first-ever black-owned restaurant in the Broadway district.

Hot chicken has become as synonymous with Nashville as country music icons, and fans looking for some extra bite can visit locally owned and operated business, Party Fowl. Their signature hot chicken tenders and bourbon-glazed beignets anchor the menu for gamedays and events alike.

Heard about the Titans exclusive "The Foolish Club" for wine enthusiasts? In honor of the original owners of AFL franchises, the Titans' wine club is proudly called The Foolish Club. Its handcrafted, premium wine array provides members the opportunity to receive three or six premium Napa Valley wine bottles twice a year, along with other special benefits.

For this fall's release, the club is slated to introduce Columbia Blue, a 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as Union & Church, a 2021 Cuvée Blanc. Both are Napa Valley wines.

To receive discounted wine shipments and additional lifestyle benefits from this initiative, one must be a member of The Foolish Club. A $50 one-time, non-refundable deposit is processed to secure one's first shipment, and is deducted from that first club shipment cost.

The Foolish Club wines are released in two 3-bottle or 6-bottle shipments each year based on the club level selected. Costs range based on individual selections. The cost of a bottle spans $29 to $75, plus tax and shipping.

Each club shipment for 3-bottle members arrives in a cardboard shipper that can be upgraded to a fire-branded, vintage Tennessee Titans keepsake wooden crate for a discounted price of $25. All club shipments for 6-bottle members arrive in a wooden crate at no additional cost. A portion of the purchases go to the Titans Foundation for community improvements. The Titans Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that also powers ONE Community, the Titans' multi-faceted philanthropic platform that reaches many of Nashville's most underrepresented and marginalized communities with a focus on three areas: Opportunity, Neighborhoods and Education.

Wine selections can be completely customized. New, library and special edition wines are offered. There is no long-term commitment, and club memberships may be canceled at any time.

Club members gain special access to Titans-only events and functions, and receive exclusive access to limited releases and library wines.

Memorable wine-driven gift packages, including items such as branded wine keys and truffles, also can be purchased.

PUMPKIN PICKIN' PLACES

ARTICLE BY SOPHIE BROCK

FALL IN LOVE WITH THESE FAMILY-OWNED FARMS

October is here, which means it’s time to pick pumpkins to carve or to use as decorations.

A trip to a pumpkin patch on a family farm is a magical tradition that brings families together and marks the beginning of fall. The two farms highlighted here offer more than just being a place to pick pumpkins, they provide opportunities for families to create lasting memories. From selecting the perfect pumpkin to wandering through a corn maze, a farm is the perfect way to spend a beautiful autumn day.

While Tennessee has an abundance of incredible farms from which to choose, both of these farms are family-owned and cater to providing fun for fall days.

Lucky Ladd Farm

The Wilson Family Farm:

Nestled in College Grove is the Wilson Family Farm, which has operated for 130 years. Due to this, it's considered a designated century farm, meaning it’s been an active farm that’s stayed within the same family for 100-plus years.

Besides being a venue that can be used for birthday parties, field trips, date nights and weddings, it’s also a perfect fall destination due to its pumpkin patch, corn maze, hay rides and fall treats.

The Wilson Family Farm being open to the public during the fall is a relatively new thing as it originally started with their friends coming over to pick some pumpkins a few years ago. Now, everyone is welcome to join in on the fall fun there.

“In the fall season, we have people come and make memories along with us,” Lynn Wilson says. “It’s a very special place for a lot of different people.”

Those who come to the farm also get a chance to meet Camo, the famed farm dog who is referred to as “the heart of the farm.” Camo greets all who visit the farm, making them feel as though they’re a part of the Wilson family.

TheWilsonFamilyFarm.com

Lucky Ladd Farms:

Located in Eagleville, Lucky Ladd Farms is where families of any shape and size can come and experience a unique “ag-venture.” Fall is the busiest time of the year at the farm and offers so many fall-related activities. Guests can expect pumpkin patches, plenty of photo ops and many fall treats and specialty drinks.

“We like to think of it as our own fall wonderland,” Amy Ladd says. "I wait all year for the caramel apples, pumpkin spice donuts, apple cider slushies, s'mores lattes, hot cocoa, so many good things!”

This year, Lucky Ladd even has some new exciting additions. They’ve expanded their nature trail to include native wildlife, so patrons can expect to meet the resident animals on the farm.

Make sure to get tickets in advance though, as tickets for prime weekends at Lucky Ladd Farms tend to sell out quickly. LuckyLaddFarms.com

Wilson Family Farm

Lucky Ladd Farm

NEW LUXURY RESIDENCES ON SMITH LAKE

Only 2 hours South of Brentwood

SMITH LAKE’S NEWEST DEVELOPMENT NEAR I-65

Overlooking a wide expanse of water, one of the most sought-after addresses in Crane Hill, Serenity Pointe is a destination within a destination. Positioned on 60-acres along Smith Lake, this luxurious new community provides a mix of beautifully designed homes nestled amongst premier amenities.

Justin Dyar, the leading Realtor® on Smith Lake with over 1 Billion in Waterfront Sales.

Bite-Sized Bliss

SLIDE HUSTLE NASH TAKES MINI BURGER BUSINESS BY

In a city filled with culinary delights, Heidi Barrette carved out a special niche for herself: sliders. Her company, Slide Hustle Nash, has been stealing people’s hearts and filling their stomachs since it started as a pop-up in February 2022. As the Slide Hustle Nash tagline says: they have really, REALLY good sliders.

So good in fact, that every time Heidi flips on her open sign at the Nashville Farmers’ Market, a handful of loyal customers hurry to her and gush about how much they love her sliders.

“They (the customers) make it a point to get up and come across the room and be like ‘we just wanted to tell you that’s the best food or slider we’ve ever eaten,’ and that’s my goal, to serve the best,” Heidi says.

After owning a gourmet food truck in California that specialized in gourmet sliders for six years, Heidi found herself in Nashville. After only being here for a little more than a year, Slide Hustle Nash has managed to develop a loyal

STORM

customer base, was invited to be a vendor at the Music City 2023 Grand Prix, and was even the burger of the Christmas Eve 2022 Titans game.

“Putting love and passion into something as little as a little slider has been so rewarding,” Heidi explains. “If you eat my food, you’re gonna’ love it, and its room for conversation and bringing people together over good food.”

As a certified and classically trained chef, Heidi loves how creative she can get with her slider recipes. “It’s so different than a regular burger, and it gives me the freedom to be super creative with anything between any two pieces of whatever kind of bread. Like two bagels or rolls, the sky is the limit!”

To celebrate that Slide Hustle Nash will be the upcoming burger of the Titans game on Nov. 26, here are two slider recipes that are sure to wow folks at any tailgate this football season.

ARTICLE BY SOPHIE BROCK

Ingredients :

• 12 2-ounce beef sliders, seasoned with kosher salt and finely ground white pepper on both sides

• 12 quality brioche rolls, sliced and toasted

• 12 slices double-cream Brie cheese

• Fresh baby roquette (wild arugula)

• Herbin' Sauce

• H-Rad Sauce

• 12 3-inch bamboo skewers

THE HENRY HUSTLE

(Herby-Garlicy Cheeseburger Sliders; makes 12 sliders)

HERBIN’ SAUCE:

• Sprig each of fresh oregano, tarragon, thyme, rosemary and marjoram, no stems/leaves only, combined with four to five whole, peeled garlic cloves

• ¾ cup EVOO

• 2 teaspoons  kosher salt

• Add all ingredients to a food processor or good blender, pulse and blend until it becomes a runny sauce (not pureed)

Directions:

Whisk together well mayo and horseradish. Grill the first side of the patty nicely. Flip and while finishing the second side, top each patty with 1 teaspoon Herbin' sauce and a slice of Brie. Cook until medium rare and

H-RAD SAUCE:

• ½ cup quality mayo or homemade aioli

• ½ cup prepared horseradish, drained of extra liquid

the Brie is melted. H-Rad goes on top AND bottom of each roll. Roquette/arugula goes on the TOP roll, and patties on the bottom of the roll. Close, skewer and serve.

THE TANNEJAM:

(Bacon & Whiskey “Jam” Cheeseburger Sliders; makes 12 sliders)

Ingredients :

• 12 two-ounce beef sliders, seasoned with kosher salt and finely ground white pepper on both sides

• 12 quality pretzel slider rolls, sliced and toasted

• 12 slices Smokey Cheddar cheese

• 12 tablespoon Bacon Whiskey Jam

• 1 cup Dijonaise

• 12 3-inch bamboo skewers

BACON WHISKEY JAM:

• 5 pounds sweet onion, julienned

• 3 pounds applewood-smoked bacon, cut ¼-inch slices

• 2 fresh red Fresno chili (or jalapeno) peppers, minced

• 2 cup packed brown sugar

• 1 can stout beer or 2 cups whiskey

• 3 tablespoons balsamic reduction

Directions:

Reduce whiskey to ½ cup (ish); reserve. Cut bacon into ¼” to ½” slices, sautee and drain fat. Add julienned onions and peppers; cook 15 minutes on medium, stirring constantly until cooked through. Add sugar whiskey reduction and balsamic reduction; cook another 30 minutes on low, stirring.

DIJONAISE:

• ½ cup quality mayo or homemade aioli

• ½ cup Dijon mustard

Directions:

Whisk together well the mayo and mustard. Grill the first side of the patty nicely. Flip and while finishing the second side, top each patty with a slice of cheddar. Cook until medium rare and the cheddar is melted. Top with a tablespoon of warm “jam." Dijonaise goes on top AND bottom of each roll. Close, skewer and serve.

Heidi Barrette

COCKTAIL CRAFTMANSHIP

Liquor Lab Elevates The Cocktail Experience

Ever dreamt of becoming a cocktail connoisseur?

Liquor Lab Nashville will make that dream a reality, one cocktail class at a time. One elevated cocktail class at Liquor Lab teaches participants how to make three impressive cocktails that will wow friends! Those who attend a class will leave being able to recreate the bar-quality cocktails at home. Due to their rotating class schedule, patrons are able to attend multiple classes, making it so they will experience and learn new cocktails every time they come in.

Liquor Lab’s Freddie Sarkis describes the experience as “edutainment,” which stands for education and entertainment.

“People are afraid of cocktails,” Freddie says. “When you say cocktail to someone you think it’s gonna' be really complex, or think it’s not gonna' be something I can do at home. So we decided to demystify that and give people the at-home experience and give them a glimpse of what our world is like, and take some of these bar-quality cocktails and bring them home to you.”

Each class is taught in an intimate setting. This makes it easier to interact with the class teachers, all of whom are professional bartenders who are beyond knowledgeable in cocktail history.

Freddie is incredibly proud of his staff. “We are so fortunate to work with some of the biggest names in our industry at one point or another,” Freddie says. “We have an absolutely killer group of instructors so when you come to a class, you’re in the hands of a professional, not just a professional mixologist, but a professional bartender.”

Liquor Lab Nashville is set to spice up Sundays with an exciting new brunch experience called "Sunday Reverie," where the pleasures of brunch eating meet the art of brunch cocktail-making. This unique experience promises to be the perfect way to shake off those Sunday scaries, and unlock inner bartenders.

“We have an absolutely killer group of instructors so when you come to a class, you’re in the hands of a professional, not just a professional mixologist, but a professional bartender.”

ARTICLE BY SOPHIE BROCK | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

Malachai’s Old Fashioned

The weekend before Halloween, Liquor Lab Nashville is scheduled to offer classes on “Fright Night” cocktails based on popular Halloween movies.

Liquor Lab Nashville even provided two spooky cocktail recipes here to impress at any Halloween party.

LiquorLab.com

La Gran Calabaza:

Inspired by the great pumpkin Charlie Brown, "La Gran Calabaza" is a playful yet delicious take on the flavors of pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice. Crafted with care, this bewitching brew features the following tantalizing ingredients:

• 1.5 ounces Blanco tequila

• 0.5 ounce pumpkin agave syrup*

• 0.75 ounce lemon juice

To conjure up this tantalizing elixir, combine the ingredients and shake vigorously with ice. Strain it over fresh rocks and add an enchanting touch with a line of mole bitters as garnish.

*To create the pumpkin agave syrup, toast one cracked cinnamon stick, 2 cloves, 5 cracked allspice berries, and other desired pie spices in a dry pot for 30 seconds. Add one cup of water and one cup of pumpkin purée. Allow it to simmer and then remove it from heat. Let it infuse for 20 minutes before straining. Mix the resulting liquid with 2 parts agave nectar to craft this spellbinding syrup.

Malachai's Old Fashioned:

For those seeking a cocktail inspired by the eerie allure of Malachai from "Children of the Corn," Liquor Lab presents this mysterious libation that showcases a unique blend of flavors.

• 1 ounce Mellow Corn bonded whiskey

• 0.5 ounce Demerara Rum

• 0.25 ounce Corn silk syrup**

• 2 dashes of aromatic bitters

To bring this enigmatic concoction to life, gently stir and strain it over fresh ice, and garnish it with a captivating swath of orange zest.

Corn silk syrup: In a cauldron of flavor, bring 1 cup of water to a boil with 5 corn silk tea bags.

Once boiling, add 2 cups of raw sugar and reduce the heat. Stir until the sugar is entirely dissolved. Afterward, fine strain and store for bewitching mixology needs.

La Gran Calabaza

Luxe Food Lovers' Guide To Visiting Disney World & Orlando

ARTICLE BY DELIA JO RAMSEY

HOW TO STAY, DINE AND PLAY EXQUISITELY, EVEN ON A BUSY FAMILY TRIP

Millions of families travel to Orlando, Florida each year to visit the area's endless theme parks and family-friendly attractions, and there are plenty of "Disney on a budget" guides out there — but for those looking to mix a little relaxation and indulgence into their "vacation" — look no further than this luxurious food lover's guide to visiting Orlando and the Disney Parks.

The story begins with Four Seasons Resort Orlando at  Walt Disney World Resorts  — boasting the only Michelinstarred restaurant on Disney property, plus the sole adults-only pool on any local Disney resort, and complimentary scheduled resort transportation is offered to the four major Disney Theme Parks (with 30-minute early entry to any theme park of choice, daily). Nestled in a secluded, residential setting within 26 sprawling acres, the AAA Five Diamond Resort is a pristine lakeside escape dotted with gardens, pools and towering pillars of palms and cypress. Of course, there’s also the exclusive Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club Orlando, a worldclass Spa, and a five-acre Explorer Island water park including slides and a paradise-found lazy river.

The Pool Bar and Grill provides an escape from the madness and undoubted 20,000 steps you'll rack up in a day at a Disney Park, with excellent cocktails and zero-proof drinks with relaxing views. Of course, there’s exquisite room service, and Park View Suites provide an introvert’s dream for watching the fireworks at multiple parks, from the privacy of your own balcony.

Downstairs at Ravello, the resort’s award-winning Italian restaurant, Chef Fabrizio Schenardi serves up modern

Four Seasons Orlando's Parkview Deluxe Suites provide park views and exquisite room service

and classic Italian cuisine from woodfired pizzas and house focaccia to handmade veal ravioli, grilled meats, and stunning desserts from the resort’s standout Executive Pastry Chef Rabii Saber. Twice a week, Ravello hosts an on-site character breakfast, while every other day serving a sprawling breakfast buffet with Truffle Forager Omelettes, Vegan Breakfast Sandwiches, and Belgian Waffles.

Take the elevators up to the 17th floor rooftop to visit the Spanishinspired steakhouse, Capa , which was recently awarded a Michelin star for the second year in a row. Feast on traditional Spanish tapas with modern flair, plenty of Spanish charcuterie and cheeses, fresh seafood, and grilled meats. Be sure and plan your reservation time accordingly to toast the nightly Walt Disney World fireworks views over coffee and dessert (as with most recommendations on this list, book reservations ahead of time).

Of course, EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is the prime time for food lovers to visit the park, with tons of roaming shirts of folks "drinking around the world" while sampling as many bites from the booths as they can muster. This year, there’s a cheese crawl! Emile’s Fromage Montage allows you to explore the parks with dairy in mind, while Remy’s Ratatouille-themed "Hide and Squeak" also provides a game plan for dining throughout EPCOT. For sit-down meals on Disney World’s parks and resort properties, there are a few "worth it" reservations to plan well in advance.

Nestled inside EPCOT’s Japan Pavilion, find Takumi-Tei , with two options for lengthy omakase meals. Enter the impressive wooden door to be transported from any trace of a crowded theme park. Also within the Japan Pavilion, find the newly opened Shiki-Sai Sushi Izakaya , inspired by the seasonal festivals of Japan with opulent bridges of sushi and park views. Or, settle in for a quick casual meal beside the koi pond at Katsura Grill with the kids for a sushi roll and udon noodles before jumping on to ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

Elsewhere on Disney property, schedule a visit to Victoria & Albert's at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort for an unparalleled fine dining experience. The multi-course tasting menu paired with impeccable service is a must-try for food connoisseurs, and The Chef's Table is the hardest-to-get reservation on park property (so call daily to check on cancellations).

Find XO-style clams, jumbo oysters with steamed ginger-soy-black bean sauce, Peking duck, and much more, plus magical Cantonese-style dim sum.

Michelin-Starred Soseki Modern Omakase

Crispy, juicy, and divine Sweet & Sour Prawn Indulgence at YH Seafood Clubhouse

But the food magic doesn't stop on Disney property. In fact, it's just the beginning. If you have a car, take a ride to Winter Garden's Plant Street Market for a casual progressive dining and drinking experience, sans theme parks. The food hall is kid- and dog-friendly, but you might want to plan a date night to experience one of Orlando's best, most exclusive dining experiences -- Norigami. Chef David Tsan's tiny sushi, sashimi, and handroll spot has been open just less than a year but already secured the spotlight with a 2023 Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand Award. The chef counter staged in the food hall seats just 8, where you can have the chef curate a special omakase experience just for you. The forms are endless - just like origami.

Head to Winter Park to experience The Ravenous Pig , which features classic pub fare with creative Southern spins. Also in Winter Park, find another of the city's four Michelin-starred selections:  Soseki Modern Omakase . At Soseki, which means cornerstone in Japanese, it's an intimate 10-seat multi-course dining experience featuring a modern take on omakase by Chef Michael Collantes. The “chef’s choice” dinner explores the local Florida Terra through its partnerships with farmers, fishermen, cheese and ceramic artisans. Soseki's beverage director, Michelin Guide Florida Sommelier 2023 winner, Benjamin Coutts pairs the dining experience with an unmatched global sake and wine program.

The Whole Truffled Chicken at The Ravenous Pig is divine.

There are two more Michelin-starred Orlando dining destinations:  Kadence, another snug reservations-only Japanese restaurant featuring multi-course sushi meals, and Knife & Spoon , a signature steak & seafood restaurant conceived and led by award-winning Chef John Tesar, located in The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes Domu (a slang term for "a dream come true) is an excellent neighborhood restaurant and bar offering housemade noodles, creative takes on small plates, and seasonal cocktails in a stunning blush pink setting.  YH

Seafood Clubhouse is a great, family-style source for fine Cantonese dining in Dr. Phillips. Find XO-style clams, jumbo oysters with steamed ginger-soy-black bean sauce, Peking duck, and much more, plus magical Cantonesestyle dim sum.

As you can tell, it's quite easy for a kid-focused Walt Disney World vacation to intertwine with plenty of luxury — providing a well-balanced vacation the whole family can enjoy that also allows adults to relax and indulge in Orlando's incredible restaurant scene.

Head to Winter Garden to visit Norigami for next-level sushi and hand-rolls.

Italian Cuisine Thriving In Nashville

WHERE TO FIND HOMEMADE PASTA, CREAMY RISOTTO, AND MEATY LASAGNA

ARTICLE BY DELIA JO RAMSEY

Grab a pasta-twirling fork and a reservation stat, because Italian food is having its moment in Music City (insert chef's kiss). Decades ago, it was far more difficult for those seeking a sleek Italian meal with fresh pasta not served out of a box. However, today in Nashville the absolute trend for folks in bigger cities is to bring "great Italian food" to carb seekers here. And it seems like Nashville is certainly here for this notable moment in time.

THE OLD GUARD

In decades past, Middle Tennessee diners had more limited options when palates craved a night filled with real-deal Northern Italian risotto, hearty braciole, Naples-inspired pizzas, spaghetti alla carbonara, or gnocchi made fresh in-house. But a few old standards have survived "new Nashville's" Wild West-like dining scene.

Giovanni has been serving up the best lasagna since 2008 in Midtown. Chef Giovanni Pinato uprooted his Manhattan restaurant after 27 years and relocated it to where it still stands today. All of the restaurants around Giovanni have changed, but the Tuscan Villa-esque digs remain the same, cranking out delightful risottos and homemade desserts below the custom handmade orange Murano glass chandelier.

Pelato just opened in Germantown serving "Italian tapas".

Yolan at the Joseph is Tony and Cathy Mantuano's exquisite "love letter to Italy"

Culaccino brought neighbood Italian dining to downtown Franklin in 2021.

Tutti Da Gio's Pasta alla Giovannina(Meat Ragu)

Open since 1990, Valentino's Ristorante relocated from West End to Hayes Street a few years back (to the former home of what was another excellent fine Italian dining spot, Tartufo) after three decades of serving upscale Italian food. They packed up their pasta pots and settled in, continuing to crank out table-side Caesar salads, osso bucco, veal saltimbocca, and wine with occasional live music.

Since 1999, Sylvan Park's Caffe Nonna  also has offered a proper old-school Italian dining experience. Founder/Chef Daniel Maggipinto named the restaurant after his grandmother (Nonna) Esther Carapella, who developed her family recipes in the Abruzzi region of Italy during the 1920s. Today the restaurant still offers the same Old World Italian recipes, including an array of "mix and match" pastas, sauces and an excellent lamb shank Toscana.

One key Italian restaurant that's gone from Nashville but certainly not forgotten is Savarino's , which closed in Hillsboro Village in early 2017. Award-winning food journalist Jim Myers describes it fondly for "the role it played as a clubhouse for all the East Coast Italians who longed for the small joints back home."

Highly acclaimed  City House has served its Southern spin on rustic Italian food since 2007 and made Nashville native Tandy Wilson the first Music City-based chef to take home a James Beard Award. M Street's Moto also was early on the scene, opening in The Gulch in 2015, where they became quickly well-known for a unique take on lasagna that featured blueberries. And New York-based  Trattoria il Mulino was an early NY-based restaurant to set its sights on Nashville in 2015.

Another award-winning chef Tony Galzin and his wife/partner/hospitality veteran Caroline

moved to Nashville from Chicago in 2013, and the duo opened up  Nicky's Coal Fired at the end of 2016, where they continue to crank out coal-fired pizzas and bagels (it was the first coal-fired oven in Tennessee), foccacia, Mama G's meatballs, and seasonally rotating pasta and desserts.

St. Louis-based Pastaria opened in 2017 with a focus on pizzas, fresh pasta and small plates from acclaimed chef Gerard Craft. “We opened Pastaria with a dedication to La Verità , or 'the truth' of Italian cuisine, celebrating the simplicity and quality of great food. We had no idea that would lead to a sense of community at Pastaria," Gerard says. "The restaurant has become as much about the people as it is about the food. We have our guests to thank for that."

On a most fast-casual/Italian market side, partners from birth (brothers) Ryan and Danny Nicoletto spent years touring the country playing rock-and-roll before pursuing separate dreams. After the death of their father, Tony, the brothers reunited, combining their talents to open the eponymous Nicoletto’s Italian Kitchen , doing things "the right way," with everything made from scratch. The brothers scoured the globe from their Illinois roots to Italy to find vintage machines, refurbish them, then perfect their methods for dried pasta, marinara, focaccia and sausage that would become the cornerstone of their business. It grew quickly from farmer'smarkets to now, two locations, in East Nashville (2016) and a brand new spot in Donelson.

Open since 1995, many longtime locals recall date nights at Coco’s Italian Market and Café , while others remember Amerigo from its early days. Amerigo now has a handful of locations, with over three decades cranking out food on West End (it’s actually the longest-standing restaurant on the street).  CONTINUED >

A plate of pasta from newly opened Pelato.

"I love the variety of Italian cuisine in Nashville from old-school to haute, we have it all. But, Amerigo holds a special place in my heart. My first boyfriend took me there for our first date in the early 90s. My family took me there to celebrate my graduating Belmont. And, now it’s a go-to for late lunch after Daddy’s doctor appointments," recalls Nashville-based journalist Melissa Corbin.

In 2008, Campione’s Taste of Chicago brought fast-casual, Chicago-style Italian food to the "Far South Side," in Gallatin, Tennessee. The family incorporated all the taste of home they missed, such as Italian beef sandwiches, sausage and peppers, real deal Chicago dogs, spaghetti and meatballs, and even pizza puffs.

In 2011, Staten Island native Nick Pellegrino created Mangia Nashville as an immersive, family-style, Italian “pop-up” dining experience. Today, in its brick-and-mortar Melrose spot, the Italian family-style feast continues on Friday and Saturday nights.

THE NEW GUYS

In the last four years alone, even more of those moving to Nashville have sought to recreate Italian-accented memories from their own parts of the world. Many new Italian-inspired restauranteurs and big-name chefs from other cities have flocked to Nashville to spread the gospel of pasta and Italian heritage, adding far more depth to the Middle Tennessee Italian dining scene. No, there's not a local Little Italy to speak of, but spots are peppered all across the city today, from Hermitage to Franklin, and of course, the downtown area.

In this most recent stretch of time, Michelinstarred chef Tony Mantuano and his wife

Open since 1999, oldest Italian restaurant in Nashville

City House opened in late 2007 in Germantown.

came to Nashville with their own "love letter to Italy" in the form of Yolan . Meanwhile, James Beard Award-winning chef Chef Andrew Carmellini brought an outpost of popular Italian Chophouse  Carne Mare to the Gulch. Just steps away, Anthony and Theresa Scotto slid into a restaurant space that has been relatively unsettled the last few years, bringing Luogo's duck pappardelle and sunny bright decor to the masses before also setting up shop, most recently, in Germantown's "cursed" space with Pelato. Just opened in August, Pelato is already getting loads of attention from neighborhood visitors for its shareable Italian "tapas" and Sunday suppers.

"After opening Luogo just eight months ago, we are so excited to open our second location in Nashville, bringing our favorite Brooklyn Italian recipes to this community,” says Anthony Scotto of their new restaurant, Pelato.

The Four Seasons Nashville's flagship restaurant Mimo opened in the fall of 2022, boasting another Michelin-starred chef. Aniello Tuco shines a light on Southern Italian cuisine here, doling out clam-crowned risotto and eggplant Parmigiana alongside opulent seafood towers and charred whole bronzino. Iggy’s is another brand-new one in town, a Wedgewood-Houston spot serving inventive, Italian-inspired shareable plates, stellar pastas, and wine from industry veterans the Poli brothers.

Il Forno began as a mobile Neapolitan pizzeria, but the family-friendly food truck garnered so much attention it set up a brick-and-mortar location in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood in late 2021, adding standouts, such as octopus carpaccio, cioppino, and fettuccine verde with lamb ragu to its former pizza-focused roster.

Owner Andrew Ackerman said the mission of Chrysalis Modern Italian is to provide a transformative experience for its guests.

Luogo's duck ragu pappardelle

In downtown Nashville, Ophelia’s and Sinatra’s both brightened up the touristy restaurant scene this past summer. Ophelia’s brings truffle-topped pizzas, stacked-high lasagna Bolognese, and antipasti aplenty, while swanky Sinatra’s Bar & Lounge (business casual attire recommended) serves lamb caserecce and veal piccata with a side of live Sinatra-style music and a fun "My Way" martini menu.

Many other Italian-inspired spots also joined the scene, including a Sicilian sfincione spot with a Southern twist, St. Vito Focacceria , a real deal Italian market and deli in Germantown, Little Hats and PennePazze , a farm-to-table Italian spot serving Roman-style pinsa (like an oval-shaped pizza), pasta and salads inside Sylvan Park's L&L Market.

Culaccino and Chrysalis spread the trend to Williamson County, both bringing neighborhood Italian dining to downtown Franklin and Cool Springs in 2021. Also not to be missed in Hermitage, Tutti Da Gio is the Italian dream of chef/owner Giovanna Orsino, with authentic recipes all from Milazzo, Sicily. Orsino's pasta and wood-fired pizzas continue to draw those seeking great Italian food from multiple hours away for the family's authentic Sicilian experience.

"All the food is made like our grandmothers made it in the past, and that's really important to me. I’m a very traditional person and love Sicilian history. The name that I chose (Tutti da Gio) means 'everyone comes to Giovanna' because I believe that food is love, family and friends are love, so the food brings everyone together, with love. We work with passion and dedication, we love what we do, and we love to share it with everyone."

CULTIVATING COMMUNITY THROUGH FARMING AND FOOD

to Tennessee, Joey wondered what this would look like if this were done domestically.

CUL2VATE MAKES

STRIDES IN CHANGING COMMUNITY ONE POUND OF FOOD AT A TIME

ARTICLE BY SOPHIE BROCK | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

To create change in a community, one needs a domino that puts the domino effect into motion. In middle Tennessee, that domino is Cul2vate.

For the past seven years, Cul2vate team members have selflessly worked hard to ensure they are giving back to their community in numerous ways. In fact, the number two in the name signifies more than a numeral, it represents the twopronged mission of Cul2vate: growing food for under-resourced communities around the area and helping people within the community grow.

On a typical day, this two-pronged mission looks like donating one pound of food for every pound of food sold, as well as providing work opportunities for those who have been incarcerated and need guidance with getting back on their feet.

Thirteen years ago, Cul2vate Executive Director Joey Lankford was living in Africa and was trained by a Zimbabwean farmer. They then built a training and development platform located in Cape Town. These platforms aided in helping people find jobs locally. After returning

“I just love the concept of loving your neighbor and seeking the interest of others who are around you,” Joey says. “When I started out doing this stuff, I really went into it thinking ‘What can I do for those around me who may be in need of whatever circumstance they find themselves in.'” Joey and some friends then got together, sat in the dirt, he says, and discussed potential concept ideas.

Then, Cul2vate was born.

Between the beautiful 8 acres that Cul2vate sits on and the temperature-controlled greenhouses, the nonprofit is able to grow food yearround. Once the food is grown, it is distributed in several ways so it can reach as many food deserts across middle Tennessee as possible. Their food goes out to farmer's markets and distributors who then present the food to local chefs to use.

They also deliver food to those in need, whether that be high schools, churches or even local companies. Along with that, people also can purchase the food directly from the Cul2vate retail shop located on their property. If people wish to donate, they are able to make donations directly on the Cul2vate website.

The community is one of the most incredible things about Cul2vate. None of this food could be harvested without the people working on the farm, and many of those people go handin-hand with the second prong of their mission. “Many hands make light work,” Joey says. “And it’s always a blessing to see people in the community helping.”

Those who are coming out of incarnation for non-violent felony offenses are offered the opportunity to take part in a program where

they are provided guidance and training that will help them with job placement down the road. This program has a lot of success and takes place in three phases.

“Many times we find that people just didn't have the right counsel when they were growing up, so for the last seven years we’ve had the pure joy of welcoming people into a learning environment,” Joey says. “We see success anytime we can move someone into a living wage job in the area and we can continue to support them with community.”

For the program, the recruitment and planning begin at the start of the calendar year. They then interview and recruit candidates for the program until May 1, then the first phase begins.

The first phase goes until the middle of October and is primarily where most of the farming takes place. Then, the second phase starts, and due to the farming slowing down, those involved with the program start to take classes to gain more skills. These classes typically involve worker readiness skills, such as hospitality, to better prepare them for future job placement. Cul2vate is currently in the process of building a commercial kitchen for this second phase. Once built, the kitchen can be used to teach food processing classes. For those who don’t find a job during the first or second phase, they go on to phase three where they can become even more involved within the organization.

“We have four farms now, and a lot of community gardens in and around Nashville, but we’re looking for leaders to grow within the organization that we can job place over certain aspects of our continued growth,” Joey says.

By 2027, Cul2vate hopes to have a million pounds of food and have 50 graduates per year for their program.

“I would just encourage those who come across this story that you will be the most blessed anytime you engage with those around you when it’s not in a self-seeking way,” Joey says. “It gives you the opportunity to give back and you always walk away feeling more blessed.”

Joey Lankford

Soul Excited

AWAKEN WITH MARIA: EMPOWERING, WOMEN-FOCUSED RETREATS IN GORGEOUS LOCATIONS

ARTICLE BY MYRA SIMMONS MCENTIRE PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

Following the birth of her youngest daughter, Maria Mercedes experienced postpartum depression and crippling anxiety, leading her to yoga and meditation. After becoming a certified yoga instructor, she says she realized her clientele was mostly women struggling silently. After taking many courses, attending retreats, and working on herself, she took a leap of faith and found her soul’s purpose: leading women through self-healing journeys.

WHAT CAUSED YOU TO MAKE GATHERING WOMEN PART OF YOUR LIFE'S WORK?

"I am 52, so I have lived through a lot. I am a mother of two beautiful women and grandmother to five amazing beings. I have been 'initiated,' which I call the transcending that occurs when a woman faces obstacles and accomplishes the unthinkable."

Maria Mercedes

HOW DOES ANCIENT WISDOM INFORM HOW TODAY'S WOMEN LIVE?

"I bring ancient wisdom to the modern woman to help her recall, release and renew. I use a somatic approach to help women connect to their bodies and process suppressed emotions. Huge shifts occur when women are permitted to feel it all. I guide women through yoga, breathwork and meditation to find their strongholds."

HOW DO YOU HELP WOMEN DISCOVER THEIR WORTH?

"I want each woman to heal the parts of her that were not given space to grieve and feel. No more self-degrading due to people-pleasing, feeling unheard due to not speaking their truth, or apologizing to make other's lives more comfortable. I want women to start living their most unapologetically authentic lives, knowing they are worthy of all the joy, all the peace, and all the love they desire. Truly learning to love themselves builds so much self-confidence. This is when the self-sabotage stops, and the healing selflove begins."

WHAT CAN WOMEN EXPECT WHEN THEY ATTEND A RETREAT?

"At my retreats (I call them soulful pilgrimages), women can experience full transformations. The woman who arrives is not the same one who departs. A powerful shift occurs. Each day focuses on a theme, something women can relate to, resentment, forgiveness, or overwhelm, and I strive to create a safe space or a 'container' for women to share freely and without judgment. Women come to me because they find themselves at a crossroads and are unclear about the next steps. My retreat is a perfect place to discover how to move forward."

AwakenWithMaria.com

“I want women to start living their most unapologetically authentic lives, knowing they are worthy of all the joy, all the peace, and all the love they desire.”

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Mark Edge Jewelry Trunk Show

October 26-28, 2023

Mark Edge will be in store with his latest jewelry collection He can also create a piece just for you! Bring any coins, medallions, cameos, or special keepsakes for Mark to customize a special piece as a gift or for yourself!

A Style That Stands Out

This Local Artist Incorporates Her Love Of Music Into One-Of-A-Kind Paintings

S Beck, The Artist, says she fell in love with painting as a young girl. It was her foray into professional modeling at the age of 15 with Elite Modeling Agency that opened up her world and influenced her style. Traveling to Europe and most major U.S. cities sparked a curiosity inspired by the various cultures and artwork she discovered.

A major component of her growth as an artist was music. “I found music was a common core or language that united people together,” she says. S Beck and her husband, Bryan, an accomplished concert pianist who was trained classically in his teens by a Juilliard professor, share a love for R&B, funk, country and gospel genres. He is a No. 1 Billboard artist, writer and producer who has worked with such artists as Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder, Kylie Minogue, Justin Timberlake and *NSYNC.

With Bryan’s recording studio, aka “the lab,” which showcases collected and treasured musical instruments on the wall, plus being around such an

eclectic group of musicians, S Beck was destined to find her own abstract style of painting the musical instruments that surrounded her.

When the couple moved to Nashville in 2008, S Beck found even more inspiration. “I fell in love with the people and the heartbeat of this city…MUSIC,” she says. “To me, the guitar is Nashville’s logo; it’s everywhere. Being in Nashville, mixed with all of my life experiences, seemed more of a calling to express music on a blank canvas and to feature the beautiful, complex, detailed, sexy instruments that so many amazing human beings here play to create something that moves and unites us all.”

Over the past three to five years, her paintings have focused primarily on guitars and piano keys. When people view these paintings, she wants them to be taken back to a live event, a concert they attended, or to a time in their lives when music helped them overcome challenges and motivated them to persevere.

ARTICLE BY SUE BALDANI

“The local DNA landscape in middle Tennessee is just breathtaking,” says S Beck. “That alone inspires me. The rock, the limestone, the hills, the people, the cultures, the music, all of it.”

She blends these elements into her paintings. “My paintings are certainly not flat,” she says. “They have tons of character, mixed media and multiple layers.” Along with oils and acrylics, she mixes in ink, graphite, plaster, glass, foils, spray paint, rocks, sand, earth and basically anything else that captivates her.

“I’m self-taught and have my own signature style,” says S Beck. “None of my paintings are identical, they are custom and one-of-a-kind.”

Her husband is her biggest fan. “We’ve raised six children and are now raising the newest addition to our family: a European Doberman named Ava.” During the pandemic, Bryan encouraged her to start selling her paintings again and they had an art studio built on their property.

“Being artists, we are good for each other and connect in a special way that pushes and brings out the best in us both,” says S Beck. “That is why this began to flourish. Bryan’s musician friends loved my work and it simply took flight within our own private community.”

Her newest exhibits are available on her website, Instagram and may be seen in various locations.

“As people, I find we have so much in common, yet still are so very different,” she says. “Music has a special way of uniting our hearts together and speaking an unspoken love language. I hope my works open a conversation, bringing people together. The combination of music and art has a unique way of doing that.”

SBecktheArtist.com

Porsche of Nashville

A Porsche Perfect Experience