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MAC Nashville - Dining & Drinking
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The Music City may have earned its fame through country music, but eating here is every bit as much a "foot-stomping" good time. You can find virtually every type of food imaginable, from a spicy lunch at a Mexican cantina to a romantic dinner at a French bistro. The requisite tourist restaurants like Planet Hollywood and Hard Rock Caf¨¦ are on Second Avenue, but they are certainly not the kings of the strip. Popular local establishments such as Mulligan's Pub and Big River Grille & Brew Works offer relief for diners who can't stomach another high-priced cheeseburger.



Local Cuisine

From fast food to upscale dining, all the options are within your reach. However, Nashville's real strength is not in how its chefs prepare succulent lobster bisque or construct a perfect phyllo pastry, although they do those sorts of things quite well. It's the Southern heritage, and the food that goes along with it, that sets Nashville apart.

You'll be hard pressed to find a physician who would prescribe Nashville's brand of cooking. Southern people love to eat and they love their fried food. And don't look for petite cuts of steak in the city's restaurants, more than of few of which brag about their 40-ounce Porterhouses. It's not exactly "heart healthy" cuisine, but it is certainly delicious. Look under the category of "Local Traditional Cuisine" to find restaurants serving the following local favorites:



Tennessee Barbecue

This is practically a food group in Nashville. Lean pork, beef and chicken are hand pulled from the bone and smoked in a rich, tangy sauce. Every chef has his or her signature, prepared in secret so that no one can steal the recipe. A typical meal includes an enormous helping of barbecue, baked beans and a slice of cornbread.



Deep Fried Catfish

Virtually every kind of food in Tennessee gets dropped into a vat of hot grease at some point, but catfish is especially made for deep-frying. Indigenous to the rivers surrounding the Tennessee Valley, catfish have a very sweet taste. The light flaky texture inside is perfectly complemented by the crispy breading outside.



Fried Chicken

This is yet another food that falls victim to the hot oil treatment. You may think you have eaten fried chicken, but fast food restaurants don't count. Real fried chicken starts with whole chickens, which get boned and breaded and then fried in a cast iron skillet. Served with buttermilk biscuits and creamy mashed potatoes, it is absolute heaven. Sunday afternoon dinner is not complete without a plate full of fried chicken, and nothing tastes better than leftover chicken legs served cold from the refrigerator.



Pralines

A classic Southern dessert that no one can resist. This wonderfully sweet confection has been known to make grown men cry - it's just that good. Rich milk chocolate and brown sugar are poured over fresh pecans. The candy melts in your mouth and takes the lucky eater to euphoric dimensions.



Iced Tea

To many people, this is a strange idea. Tea is usually served hot, right? Not around these parts. Southerners take great pride in their iced tea, and they serve it with everything. Unlike wine, you do not have to puzzle over the issue of pairing food with the right white or red variety, because iced tea pairs well with everything. The only decision you have to make is whether it's served sweetened - with lots of lemon and sugar - or unsweetened. No matter what restaurant you choose, if you order iced tea, you will be asked, "Sweetened or unsweetened?" a dozen times. The best route is to order it unsweetened and add sugar to taste.



Southern Food, Southern Hospitality

As delicious as the food tastes, the real joy of dining in this city is the exceptional service you receive everywhere you go. Folks in the South do things differently. There is a slow and easy style to everything here, and that includes the restaurants. You will seldom find an establishment that does not greet you with a smile and a handshake. Reservations are a courtesy, not a requirement. Servers are actually interested in serving rather than just in achieving a large gratuity. From fast food to more upscale fare, you will quickly discover the intangible quality that makes dining in Nashville different from anywhere else.

It is impossible to list every caf¨¦, eatery and restaurant that follows this philosophy, but here are a few standouts:

The Yellow Porch: Featuring the culinary creations of Martha Stamps, one of Nashville's most sought after chefs, this restaurant has earned a reputation for offering upscale dining in a casually elegant atmosphere. Chef Stamps is known for her distinctive Southern versions of Mediterranean favorites.

Ireland's: As the name implies, this is an authentic Irish Pub, but the Southern influence is still inescapable. The menu features the famed "stake and biskets," among other Irish favorites, but the portions are American-sized. You will never leave this place hungry.

Arthur's: This restaurant, located inside the Union Station hotel, represents the epitome of Southern hospitality. Skilled, tuxedo-clad waiters carry out the silver-domed service from start to finish. You will dine well here, with fine china and exquisite crystal accentuating dining experience. The chef prepares a different six-course meal daily.









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Mulligan's Pub


Grand Irish Pub
 117 Second Avenue North
Nashville, TN 37201
United States
+1 615 242 8010
http://www.mulliganspubandrest... 		For over three decades, locals and visitors alike have enjoyed the comfortable atmosphere and friendly service that typifies the Mulligan's experience. Order a beer at the bar and make your way to a booth or table. Try one of the kitchen's famous sandwiches and relax with friends. The food is pretty standard bar fare, but the Irish chili is something special. Wine, mixed drinks and Irish coffee are offered, and of course pints of your favorite ale. Happy hour is from 3p-6p.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Mulligan's Pub photo by smithereen11
Photo: smithereen11
Mulligan's Pub photo by Steven Warren
Photo: Steven Warren
 

 
Second Avenue Shopping District


Historic Site for Shopping and Dining
 2nd Ave
(between Broadway and Church Sts)
Nashville, TN 37201
United States
 Revitalized and renovated, the historic district of downtown Nashville teems with life. Concept dining and gift shops line Second Avenue and Broadway. Those looking for nightlife can find it at the Wildhorse Saloon, Club Milano, and several honky-tonks, or at theme restaurants such as the Hard Rock Cafe and Planet Hollywood. Gourmet restaurants, coffee shops and bars occupy the vintage buildings, now refurbished and quite trendy. Gift shops, boutiques, souvenir shops, and, of course, country and western apparel stores offer a unique shopping experience for tourists.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Second Avenue Shopping District photo by Liz Ortmann
Photo: Liz Ortmann
 

 
Yellow Porch


Upscale cuisine from Nashville's best chef
 734 Thompson Lane
Nashville, TN 37204
United States
+1 615 386 0260 		Relaxed yet elegant atmosphere is well suited for a romantic dinner or impressing business clients over lunch. Chef Stamps has developed curiously Southern versions of Mediterranean favorites. Her Seared Tuna ($17) is remarkably light and sweet with a hint of spice for heat. The Curried Lamb ($13) with linguini comes in a coconut milk sauce, unusual but charmingly so. Pair it with a glass of the house wine ($6) and you're set for a culinary adventure.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Yellow Porch photo by schnaars
Photo: schnaars
 

 
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Other nearby cities:
Chattanooga (180 miles)
Memphis (310 miles)
Atlanta (342 miles)
St. Louis (418 miles)
Chicago (671 miles)
New Orleans (749 miles)
Detroit (763 miles)
Jacksonville (806 miles)
Richmond (844 miles)
Washington DC (894 miles)

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