Design Matters
A Taste of October
How lucky are we in Nashville to be able to experience every season? I’m sure everyone has had conversations with newcomers that the seasons are one reason they chose to move here. Seasons cultivate memories in our lives and connect us to the world around us. My favorite thing about this particular season is the beautiful Tennessee landscape as fall arrives—stunning colors within the hills, brisk evenings around a fire, and countless visits to the pumpkin patch with my kids.
Our food & drink issue is always an exciting one—celebrating the individuals and spots within Music City who also cultivate the same kind of connection. To create something with your hands is an expression of love and appreciation for those around you. It sparks conversation, memories, and relationships—things that everyone universally seeks in life.
We are so fortunate in Nashville to have a thriving food scene. People flock to East Nashville, We-Ho, and 12 South to experience award-winning chefs. Yet as this city grows, it still honors its locals. You can still walk into your favorite spots and have the barista know your order. The more people you meet, the more you realize how small this town still feels. This closeness helps entrepreneurs and small businesses avoid getting lost in the hustle—it ensures there’s a seat at the table for everyone.
This season is a time for indulgence! So, I encourage you to indulge. Indulge in this city that we are so fortunate to live in. Make that reservation at the restaurant you’ve been following for so long, plan the dinner party, and create the memories! You’ll never regret surrounding yourself with others around a table.
KAT SEATON GIARRATANO, PUBLISHER @MUSICCITY.CITYLIFESTYLE
October 2025
PUBLISHER
Kat Seaton Giarratano | kat.seaton@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Morgan Raum | morgan.raum@citylifestyle.com
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Matt Giarratano | matt.giarratano@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Morgan Raum
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Lindsey McAlister, Legacy of Love Photo + Film
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Jenna Crawford
LAYOUT DESIGNER Amanda Schilling
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Hannah Leimkuhler
LOCAL
VINTAGE GOODS
Elevate With Tastify
Meet
Kevin Corn ~ Interior Design Services & Antiques
OCTOBER 2025
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1-7: The Noah Liff Opera Center set the stage for a dazzling celebration of Ify’s 50th birthday, where Nashville and Atlanta’s top event vendors came together to create an unforgettable evening. Guests were treated to aerialists, Bond girls, champagne skirts, and martini ladies, all adding to the night’s glamour and excitement. The milestone event blended artistry, entertainment, and elegance for a one-of-a-kind celebration. The Noah Liff Opera Center is an elegant, modern event venue in Nashville, and the home of the Nashville Opera. It is a versatile event space with a sleek design, soaring ceilings, and a spiral staircase. The center hosts a variety of events, from weddings and corporate galas to the operas and community programs of the Nashville Opera.
business monthly
Simon Says Hosts John Varvatos Trunk Show Anniversary Celebration
Simon Says will be bringing beloved brand John Varvatos to Wedgewood Houston on October 3rd & 4th from 12-6 for a trunk show in celebration of the brands 25th anniversary. The show will include both John Varvatos’ world renowned designs as well as their eclectic jewelry line in the store's funky setting to showcase exactly why they love carrying the brand! Refreshments will be served and good times had. Visit Simon Says at 701 Merritt Ave & follow @simonsaysnashville!
Pella Windows & Doors Marks 100 Years with Family Celebration
Pella Windows & Doors of Nashville is celebrating 100 years with a special Customer Appreciation Celebration on October 4th from 10a-3p! Join their team at their Hendersonville and Franklin showrooms for a funfilled day featuring exclusive in-person offers, food trucks, and activities for the whole family. Don’t miss this milestone event as the Pella team thanks their community for a century of support with fun for all ages!
Electric Halloween Workout Party with Body & Ballet Co.
Get ready to light up the night! Join Body & Ballet Co. (BBCO) Midtown at Kenect Nashville on October 2nd at 5:30 PM for a high-energy Glow & Flow Halloween Workout. This fusion of Pure Pilates and Barre features electrifying beats, glowing black lights, and exciting giveaways! Dare to join the fun? Find them on SweatPals for more details and to reserve your spot! Follow along for more @bodyandballetco.
THE SKIN FAIRY NASHVILLE
Novel Eye Care Introduces Opti-Lift and Optilight Treatments
Novel Eye Care is excited to introduce two innovative treatments: Opti-lift and Optilight. Opti-lift is a non-surgical device that tones eyelid muscles and tightens skin using dynamic muscle stimulation with radio-frequency, improving both appearance and function; full-face sculpting is also available. Optilight is an IPL treatment designed to target dry eye and meibomian gland dysfunction, with full-face facials also offered. Both treatments may help prevent future blepharoplasty. Enjoy 10% off exclusively for Music City | City Lifestyle readers!
Transform Your Home
This Fall with California Closets Nashville
Fall is the perfect time to create a home that feels organized and ready for the season. For 27 years, California Closets Nashville has delivered locally crafted storage solutions with unmatched quality and white glove service. From closets to garages, pantries, and offices, every system is designed and built in Nashville and backed by a lifetime guarantee. Experience the difference this fall.
ELEVATED IMAGES THAT STAND OUT.
COMES TO
MEET TYLER KING, FOUNDER OF NASHVILLE’S LUXURY PERSONAL-CHEF AND CATERING COMPANY, TASTIFY.
Elevate With Tastify TASTIFY FOOD
Tyler King has always had a passion for two things: curating delicious meals and providing clients prestige hospitality. In 2018 — at only 22 years old — he founded Tastify, a company committed to delivering a vibrant and extraordinary culinary experience at every occasion. Imagine the intimacy and attention to detail you'd receive if your favorite restaurant only had one table a night – that's the standard Tastify sets for every event.
Moving to Nashville in 2014, Tyler earned his degree in Entrepreneurial Studies at Belmont University. Utilizing the experience he gained in the restaurant industry in high school, Tyler spent all four years at Belmont working full-time for the university’s cafeteria. Upon graduation, the St. Louis native worked for various restaurants and corporate food service companies, with a
ARTICLE BY MORGAN RAUM PHOTOGRAPHY BY LINDSEY MCALISTER
focus on executing large corporate catering events and intimate dinners from both front and back of house perspectives. In 2018, Tyler founded Tastify out of frustration for the corporate red tape and lack of hospitality in the industry. Working three jobs at the time, Tyler started Tastify in a one-bedroom apartment — with only one meal prep client and one dinner party a month. Once 2020 rolled around, Tastify took off due to the at-home aspect of the company.
“I'd say about June of 2020, people started getting antsy,” Tyler shares. “At that point, they had been locked up in their houses for months and couldn't go out to eat or celebrate things. So, the phone started ringing. I hired an assistant and we took everything that we could get — there was no request too large or too small — and we hustled.“
Since 2020, Tastify now partakes in over five-hundred events a year.
TASTIFY FOOD
Your all-in-one solution for exceptional gatherings that outshine any restaurant experience, Tastify offers everything from unforgettable dining crafted with fresh, seasonal ingredients to seamless event planning that covers every detail. Tyler and his team offer luxury in-home dining experiences by professional chefs — whether you're looking for a personal chef in Nashville, dinner party catering, or weekly meal prep, Tastify brings restaurant-quality food to your kitchen.
Taking into account each detail, their skilled chefs will thoughtfully curate a menu that fits all of your needs; From allergies and likes to the decorations and atmosphere, they consider the visual aspects along with the client’s needs to tailor an event perfect for them. With a team of six, Tastify offers the hospitality and service of a five-star restaurant, without ever sacrificing the warmth and sociability for all guests. Serving all of Middle Tennessee, Tastify covers events of every caliber: from dinner parties to birthdays and weddings, corporate events, personal meal preparation, and beyond, Tastify goes above and beyond for their clients, creating a personally-tailored menu that exceeds expectations.
When asked about a common misconception of the food industry, Tyler says, “It's not really about the food… that’s not what people necessarily show up for. The real value is in the
experience, personalization, and customization that guests feel, along with the level of care. Many things have become very automated, and I feel like if restaurants aren't going to step up to the plate and start treating guests with a bit more care, then we'll replace the restaurant.”
On a mission to revolutionize Nashville’s Dining Scene, Tastify believes the most memorable meals are shared with those closest to you, in the comfort of your own home. Built on the foundation of bringing the magic of a world-class restaurant directly to your kitchen, with personalized service, fresh seasonal ingredients, and unparalleled privacy, Tastify is more than a meal; you get an experience designed to elevate your life and create memories that will last a lifetime.
“My cooks are constantly challenged in a really healthy way,” Tyler explains. “Rather than the muscle memory that comes with cooking in a restaurant kitchen, rolling out the same dishes at the time. Being entrepreneurial is one of our core values for all of the team — I want my employees to feel a sense of ownership over the food that they make or over the service that they're providing to somebody.”
For more information on Tastify, visit tastifyfood.com or follow them on socials @tastifyfood .
Our mission is to help you see the world with clarity and confidence in style. Your sight and vision health is our top priority, and we strive to create a warm and welcoming environment for every patient.
Schedule your appointment today, and let us take care of your eyes as you embark on a journey to a brighter, clearer future.
Living Art in Nashville Spaces
ZION BOTANICAL BRINGS INTENTIONAL GREENERY TO NASHVILLE’S DINING AND HOSPITALITY SCENE.
Founded in August 2020, Zion Botanical is a full-service interior plant design company specializing in custom design proposals, installations, and ongoing maintenance. The company serves residential, commercial, retail, and corporate spaces, tailoring each project to enhance its environment. In addition to interior work, Zion Botanical offers small to medium-scale exterior container design, installation, and maintenance. Their services also include plant care consultations, repotting, and educational guidance to help clients better understand and care for their greenery. Believing plants foster positivity and creativity, Zion Botanical approaches every project as a living art piece. With a mission to create sustainable, purposeful designs, the company elevates spaces by blending intentional artistry with the natural beauty of plants—bringing life and balance to every setting.
SHO PIZZA BAR |
EAST NASHVILLE
Sho Pizza Bar, a Neo-politan pizza and cocktail bar with Japanese influences, is the latest creation from Chef Sean Brock & Co. Completed in March, it marked Zion Botanical’s first installation in East Nashville’s Riverside Village. While new to the neighborhood, it was not the team’s first collaboration with Brock—previous projects include the design, installation, and maintenance of Audrey, their inaugural commercial account, and The Continental. At Sho, the plant aesthetic emerged through a collaborative process between designer and client, resulting in a balance of refinement and creativity that complements the restaurant’s unique identity. Beyond live plantings, Zion Botanical introduced a distinctive dried flora statement piece, expanding the design vocabulary. The result is a botanical environment that enriches the dining experience and reflects Sho’s imaginative spirit.
Alesha Sebie, Founder
ARTICLE BY ALESHA SEBIE PHOTOGRAPHY BY
THE GILMORE HOTEL | 12 SOUTH
Avantstay’s new build-out, The Gilmore Hotel, brings fresh energy to Nashville’s 12 South neighborhood. The design team was tasked with creating a courtyard landscape that felt layered, textured, and lush. To achieve this, they incorporated a thoughtful mix of annuals and perennials while accounting for shifting sunlight exposure throughout the year, ensuring each planting thrived in every season.
A distinctive request came from the client: corten steel planters. Delivered in raw steel, these vessels typically require months of natural weathering to achieve their rusted patina. To accelerate the process, designers applied a specialized corrosive spray, creating the warm finish in two weeks before sealing it with polyurethane for durability. The result is an instantly established courtyard, where greenery and corten steel balance texture, permanence, and hospitality.
2
URBAN COWBOY BAR | DOWNTOWN
Urban Cowboy, a boutique hotel brand with locations in the Catskills and Denver, is locally recognized for its East Nashville hotel in Lockeland Springs and the Dive Motel on Dickerson Road. Downtown, the brand expanded into the historic Arcade with Urban Cowboy Bar, a multi-level bar and event venue that also serves Brooklyn’s famed Roberta’s pizza.
For the bar’s botanical design, owner Lyon Porter envisioned a dramatic canopy of cascading pothos vines, appearing as one continuous “monster vine” framing the space. Standard nursery plants, however, rarely exceeded four feet, requiring a special order. Sourcing from a Florida grower, designers secured ten-foot vines that thrived despite Nashville’s climate. The result transformed the bar, softening industrial architecture with a lush, organic statement piece that embodied creativity, persistence, and vision.
3
BILL’S SANDWICH PALACE | EAST NASHVILLE
Bill’s Sandwich Palace has been a local favorite since launching out of TKO in 2020. Known for a playful and ever-changing menu, the spot continues to draw fans with inventive creations.
Chef Aaron Clemins, celebrated for his work at the beloved but now-closed Kuchnia and Keller, leads the culinary vision with creativity and passion. Over time, the restaurant’s atmosphere has evolved as greenery has been added, giving the space a fresh and inviting feel. While the design team often enjoys creating lush, jungle-like interiors, this project highlights the beauty of restraint—proving that less can indeed be more. With its balance of imaginative food and thoughtful ambiance, Bill’s Sandwich Palace has earned a loyal following. “We’re all Bill, Bill.”
4 URBAN GRUB | 12 SOUTH
Urban Grub, a staple of 12 South, partnered with Zion Botanical in Fall 2023 to transform its exterior into living, seasonal works of art. With multiple outdoor spaces, the restaurant has become a canvas for evolving plant installations that change with the rhythm of the year.
Each spring and summer, the beer garden bursts with tropical flair, featuring vibrant annuals, lush perennials, and bold greenery. The design has shifted toward sustainability, prioritizing native species and evergreens for year-round beauty— exuberant in the warmer months, richly textured through fall and winter.
Inside, a fern garden interwoven with hardy vines blurs the line between indoors and out. Serviced twice weekly, the spaces thrive through every season, reflecting both sustainability and Urban Grub’s enduring spirit.
Rustic modern live edge claro walnut dining table.
Ground control to MajorFun
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18
David Bowie Laser
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25
Fright Light Laser
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LET’S GE T CHEESY
Erika Slapar is the heart and hands behind Nashville-based charcuterie company, Board & Cheesy. Whether it's a
cozy girls' night in, a bustling open house, or a dreamy wedding, Board & Cheesy aims to cater to the specific vibe of your event and are committed to crafting an experience that delights and impresses.
A New York native, Erika attended college upstate at SUNY Potsdam, where she met her husband who was attending a neighboring school. Both involved in Greek life, Erika found a love for hosting and themed parties through her sorority — a creative outlet that would eventually lead to something of her own.
In 2019, the pair began a new chapter in Music City. A true entertainer at heart, Erika has always had a passion for hosting; Whether it was turning their home into a speakeasy for a prohibition party or their backyard into an Oktoberfest, the entrepreneur has always loved the creativity that comes along with hosting an event.
From curated cheeses to artful platters, Board & Cheesy offers a tasty element guaranteed to elevate your next event.
ARTICLE BY MORGAN RAUM | PHOTOGRAPHY BY @WONDERLUSTSTUDIOS
“Every time we had a party, I would put out some crazy spread and we would all stand over it and talk about the different cheeses and meats I bought, or what we could combine with what,” Erika shares. “It became more of an activity and was always a great conversation starter.”
With each board she crafted, Erika’s friends and family remained in awe of her capability to not only pair together the perfect blend of foods, but to create a visual that entirely captured the theme of the event. After years of encouragement to take the leap and start her own business— and trying to hire her for their own parties — Erika bet on herself, officially creating Board & Cheesy in February of 2024. On a mission to enhance your event with exquisite charcuterie presentations, Board & Cheesy offers an array of services including charcuterie cups and boards, grazing tables, and private workshops. Whether you're hosting an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, Board & Cheesy helps elevate your event with a personal touch. Collaborating with you every step of the way, Erika is determined to craft a visually stunning and delicious display that feels both indulgent and entirely unique to your occasion.
“I want them to be dazzled,” Erika says, on what she hopes clients feel when working with Board & Cheesy. “I'll be at a setup, guests will start coming in, and the first thing they notice is the spread… I want it to be delicious, but it's the look that they're going to see for the first impression. Of course, you get ‘it’s too pretty to eat,’ but then they try it, and say, ‘wow, it's also delicious.’”
Countless parties and platters later, Erika analyzes each detail, working with her clients to customize and personalize each order. When it comes to the support of the Nashville community, she is grateful to each customer and partner for believing in her vision, making it possible to share her passion in significant ways.
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“I am so grateful for the partnerships I've established through this process, and the people I get to work with and meet,” Erika shares. “If I had not started this side hustle, I wouldn’t be meeting and interacting with so many great people. It's such a good community.”
For more information on Board & Cheesy or to inquire, visit boardandcheesy.com or follow them on socials @_boardncheesy!
MARKET,
We don’t just list homes. We make them impossible to ignore.
Trusted by artists, executives, and the quietly successful.
Luxury Real Estate • Nashville, TN @tylerhenson | Tyler@hensonteam.net
STRIDE Fitness is a treadmill-based interval training concept, delivering a total-body cardio and strength workout designed for every fitness level and led by dynamic STRIDE Fitness cer tified coaches
ARTICLE BY KAT SEATON GIARRATANO | PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF ABA
Aba Finds a New Home in Wedgewood-Houston
A fresh take on tradition arrives in Nashville, where Mediterranean sun meets Southern warmth.
Nashville’s dining scene is about to get a little brighter, and a lot more Mediterranean. Aba, the celebrated restaurant from Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants, is opening in the Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood. Already beloved in Chicago and Austin, Aba brings its fresh, modern take on Mediterranean cuisine with a breezy California influence to Music City. This marks Lettuce Entertain You’s first restaurant in Tennessee, and at 10,000 square feet the Nashville location will be the largest Aba to date.
The project is led by Executive Partner and Divisional President Marc Jacobs and Chef Partner CJ Jacobson, a Top Chef alum whose cooking blends rustic flavor with inventive
technique. “We are thrilled to join the creative and up-and-coming neighborhood of WedgewoodHouston,” Jacobs says. “The innovative food scene in Nashville continues to grow, and we are excited to be a part of the restaurant community.”
Aba, meaning “father” in Hebrew, nods to tradition while embracing reinterpretation. The menu draws from Israel, Lebanon, Turkey and Greece, threaded with Jacobson’s California upbringing, resulting in plates meant for sharing and lingering. Expect house-made hummus and bright spreads, hot and cold mezze, wood-grilled meats and kebabs, along with seasonal desserts that balance comfort and surprise. Signature staples such as Whipped Feta Spread, Muhammara, Greek Village Salad and Char-Grilled Lamb Chops sit alongside Nashvillefocused additions like Spicy Chicken Ragu Hummus, Hot Honey Halloumi, Sweet Potato Hummus, Grilled Beet Steak, Pork Tenderloin Kebab and Black Pepper Braised Beef Short Rib. For dessert, Banana Pudding Cake offers a Southern wink to round the meal.
The beverage program mirrors that mix of oldworld reverence and modern curiosity. Sommelier
John C. Slatter curated a wine list favoring boutique Mediterranean producers, with many selections from women- and minority-owned cellars and an emphasis on sustainable or organic practices. Cocktails lean on regional botanicals and Middle Eastern spices to create drinks that feel exploratory and approachable, while a lineup of inventive zero-proof options ensures everyone at the table has something to savor. Local partnerships, including Jackalope Brewing Co. and Diskin Cider, bring exclusive pours that root the menu in Nashville and celebrate local craft.
Design is part of the story. The two-story space was realized by Jacobs in collaboration with Lettuce Entertain You’s in-house design team and Avril Zayas. High ceilings, steel-framed doors and a skylight create a cathedral of light where Italian Murano chandeliers hang above tables layered with Moroccan lanterns, millwork, curated artifacts and rich finishes of leather and stone. Industrial bones nod to Wedgewood-Houston’s warehouse past while tiered sightlines and warm materials make the room feel intimate and immediate. A wraparound patio
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blurs the line between indoors and out, and an upstairs private dining room for twelve offers a quieter vantage point overlooking the dining room below- a first for Aba.
Since debuting in Chicago’s Fulton Market District in 2018, Aba has earned praise for both cuisine and design; its Austin location won a Restaurant & Bar Design Award for alfresco and biophilic design. The Nashville outpost continues that legacy while folding itself into the city’s distinct culinary personality, leaning into collaboration with local producers and creative neighbors to make a space that feels both familiar and new.
Dinner service will begin first, with carryout and delivery to follow, and lunch and brunch coming
later. Reservations are available on OpenTable and at abarestaurants.com/nashville , with updates posted at @abarestaurant on Instagram.
With layered flavors, thoughtful sourcing, and a design that invites conversation, Aba feels like a natural fit for Nashville — a place where Mediterranean sun meets Southern warmth, where plates are made to be passed, savored and shared. Plan a visit with friends or solo; Aba promises warm hospitality, dishes to share and savor.
Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants looks forward to continuing to expand in Nashville with the opening of Sushi-san in the 12 South neighborhood later this year.
Aba Nashville
HOURS:
Monday-Thursday 4:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Friday & Saturday 4:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Sunday 4:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
ADDRESS:
435 Houston Street, Nashville, TN 37203
Design with
Welcome to this stately Southern Colonial in Brentwood’s Chenoweth neighborhood.
Restored white oak floors, polished marble, and two fireplaces create warmth and character, while the bright kitchen and adjoining flex space invite gathering. A finished basement expands the living area, and a screened porch offers yearround enjoyment. With community pools, tennis courts, and top Williamson County schools, this residence combines elegance, comfort, and lifestyle.
4 Beds | 3/2 Baths | 6016 SqFt priced at $1,899,000
Addy Biggers Broker | Team Leader
