An Adventure in Taste

PHOTOS BY JAMI-LYN FEHR HALL

Rigatoni with Pancetta, tomatoes, basil, 110 and | NASHVILLEEDIT.COM pecorino.

Take a global flavor tour without ever leaving Music City

Italian

When thinking of an authentic Italian atmosphere, images of big families enjoying meals at a gorgeous table overlooking a Tuscan landscape are instantly transporting.

In the reality that is Nashville, Giovanni may be as close as it gets to experiencing genuine Italian hospitality and hand-prepared fare that feels and tastes like what we believe that trip to Italy would offer. Our editor first met the proprietor (fondly called ‘Gio’ by friends and patrons) when dining with her own family in New York City over a decade ago. It’s still one of the most unforgettable meals in her memory. From the welcoming service to the endless bowls of pasta—there was love in that cozy room favored by discriminating palates in Manhattan for over 27 years. Fortunately, Gio was drawn to the South and to Nashville by several mutual friends and decided to shutter NYC in order to open Midtown’s Giovanni Ristorante and Bar in 2008.

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There is nothing pretentious about Giovanni despite the pristine white tablecloth covered tables and stunning chandeliers. This is a gathering spot. Yes, it’s a favorite for special occasions and romantic dinners but it’s also a spot to feel comfortable popping into alone for a glass of vino and a (fabulous) pizza at the bar. It seems that everyone is relaxed- and that goes double for those utilizing the intimate private space on the second floor for celebrations and dinner parties for both business and pleasure. From evening gowns to jeans, you will see it all. We like to get in the spirit and dress up a little when dining here at night—it just feels so elegant that we love to pull out the latest little black dress on rotation. But truth be told, we have been known to show up in our yoga pants for weekday lunch gatherings in the bar area. No shame and no worries—it’s all good according to Gio.

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This is where Giovanni truly stands out. Almost every afternoon you will find true wine aficionados sitting at the bar swirling something bold around in a gorgeous goblet. One of the things that Gio himself takes pride in is the development of their wine program. While you will see familiar brands on the extensive list, the vintages offered are distinct and unique to the market. Selection by year and harvest is paramount and the cellar is boast-worthy without being intimidating.

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You can never go wrong with any of the pasta items on the menu (yes, they offer gluten-free options on most everything) including daily specials. We also highly recommend Gio’s version of Calamari as an appetizer— where serious heat from red cherry peppers livens up what can often be a bland dish at other restaurants. For an indulgent experience, go for the whole Mediterranean Sea Bass. It’s steamed under a sea salt crust and feels so decadent when served at the table. For lunch, our team loves to share a variety of salads featured on the menu and maybe a bite or two of their incredible Tiramisu on a really good day.

CELEBRITY CLASS

This list could take up a page or two as almost every famous face in town ends up at Giovanni on occasion if not every week. Our fall 2019 cover girl, Lily Aldridge can be found regularly with her extended family as this is a home-away-from-home for her and her husband (and his Kings of Leon bandmates). Reba is a fan and Kenny Chesney likes to host private dinners upstairs for his friends. And look out for other notables like Eric Church and even old-school crooners like Billy Dean who always stops in when passing through town.

Giovanni Ristorante, giovanninashville.com

Japanese

The arrival of O-Ku to Germantown last year brought a fresh, innovative take on Japanese cuisine to Nashville.

The O-Ku experience is filled with good music, masterfully crafted cocktails and traditionally inspired dishes with a modern take. While the menu highlights sushi and seafood, there are plenty of options for those who prefer veggies or meat. This dining experience is certainly an “eye’s bigger than one’s stomach” situation, but we won’t say choose wisely, because you truly can’t go wrong.

PLayboy and Shrimp Tempura Makimono

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Upon entering, you’ll be greeted by several adorable Maneki-Neko cat figurines guiding your eyes to a bustling sushi bar. The atmosphere in the actual dining room is moody and upscale, but simultaneously approachable and beautiful. Outside, the patio offers a bit more of a relaxed and bright ambiance. Patron attire swings from casual to dressy-casual, depending on where you’re seated. The patio allows for the opportunity to lean more towards the casual side, and you’ll find people dressed both casually and slightly dressy indoors.

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In true Japanese fashion, we like to order a round of Sake for the table. O-Ku’s incredibly smooth, gold-flake infused, Daiginjo sake, ‘Two Cranes’ is a top choice. If you’re lucky, you’ll see one of the two gold flakes that live in every bottle inside your glass. An overwhelming favorite we like to order from their cocktail list is the Shogun.

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To start, we like to order the Usuzukuri perfectly plated, thinly sliced salmon seasoned with black lava salt and garnished with wasabi stem over a truffle ponzu sauce. For a veggie-based option, order the Tomorokoshi, their take on street corn. While the dish isn’t entirely traditional, it is entirely delicious. From the sushi portion of the evening, we’d recommend the Shogun, Playboy, and the Shrimp Tempura as no-fail choices. For a sweet finish if you’ve saved room, O-Ku’s chocolate crépe cake is worth the inevitable calorie intake.

Crispy Pork Belly

O-ku Nashville, okunashville.com

Spanish

If you’re looking for one of our team members in the late afternoons or early evenings this fall, there’s a good chance you might find at least a couple of us cozied up in a booth at Barcelona Wine Bar in Edgehill Village.

Paella 114 Mariscos

With a menu built on authentic Spanish favorites and an emphasis on small, shared plates it suits our curious personalities and desire to try new things weekly—and is just a couple of blocks from our office.

One exciting thing that’s recently been added is their own private marketplace where you can pick up gourmet treats to take to coworkers or family. The selection also includes hand-cast cookware and beautiful books for the kitchen and home that will solve any gift-giving dilemma. Our favorite items in the market are the handcarved cutting and serving boards, which are also used for that cheese plate you’ll order at the table.

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The scene here feels more ‘big city’ than you would expect from a Music Row area locale but definitely reflects something you might find tucked away in West Hollywood or NYC’s West Village. The dress code is definitely casual but most of the patrons seem to be welldressed even when the ensembles are jeans or leggings that are wardrobe staples for the Music Row set. The crowd is lively but not rowdy and likely made up of young professionals with office locations in and around the area. Due to the location, it’s also likely that you will see at least one famous face in the crowd as recording artists are frequent patrons.

Basque burnt cheesecake

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We can’t be mad about any restaurant that has a specific portion of the menu devoted to day drinking, with cocktails, sparkling wines, and sangrias suited for pre-sunset toasts. As women, we especially appreciate Barcelona featuring a select collection of premium European wines exclusively from female winemakers. They are also launching a special bar cart service for gin and tonics this fall, which promises to delight and surprise even those who swear that they just don’t like gin. And for cooler days, nothing beats a big vessel filled with one of their bold red wines. Happy hour, indeed!

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This is where Barcelona really gets fun, especially for a group. Their ‘build your own’ cheese and charcuterie boards boast an array of flavors and options while the extensive tapas menu includes a variety of well-seasoned samplings of some of the chef’s most creative dishes. From vegan to keto followers, any food plan is easy to follow due to so many choices, and the portion control is built-in, so it’s easy to keep from overdoing it. For candlelit dinner service, there are amazing entrée selections such as the mussels and impressive paellas—a house specialty! Just save a little room for one of the sweet finishes—our suggestion is a big slice of the Basque burnt cheesecake, which is truly a perfect finish and worth splurging a little for the calorie-conscious.

Barcelona Wine Bar, https://barcelonawinebar.com/location/nashville/

Lebanese

If you haven’t visited this quaint but distinctive Lebanese dining hotspot tucked away on 12South, you’re missing out.

You can get a hint of spice scent just walking past Epice's well-appointed patio. Count on much more once you’ve chosen a few items from their simple but impressive menu. The flavors are global, but the personalities are very local, with the family of owners always on hand with a smile, joke or menu recommendation. We love it as much for a romantic dinner as we do for a girl’s night happy hour—as the tables are situated to suit couples as well as small groups. The intimate space flanked with blond wood feels fresh and inviting no matter what the occasion or time of day.

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This is a true neighborhood restaurant with a strong local following. The crowd is a mix of 12South dwellers, area professionals and a continual stream of entertainment industry artists and execs. The atmosphere calls for casual but chic attire, with a clearly well-heeled crowd often choosing to relax in jeans, which are totally appropriate attire here. Anything goes as long as you keep ‘city chic’ in mind.

Falafel and Sweet Peppers

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We have lots of menu favorites, and our order depends on what the savvy servers suggest that day. Standby items (always ordered for the table) are the hummos (try it with the ground sirloin and pine nuts), stuffed grape leaves, and the Manoushi—which is a spiced-up version of flatbread known to be addictive. When you’re ‘being good’ or sticking to a veggie regime—the Peasant Salad or Roasted Vegetables are guilt-free but delicious and filling. And when

you arrive with an appetite, don’t even think about skipping over the Lahmeh. This perfectly prepared rack of lamb crusted in pistachio and served with lentils is quite possibly one of the best entrees in the city.

Lahmeh

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The cocktail menu is typically comprised of only five specialties—but they are each actually special and hand-crafted for pure enjoyment. Go throwback chic with a French 75 or go wild with the ‘Don’t ya wanna, wanna Mezcal.’ Where Epice truly stands out is the wine offerings. With choice sparkling and fine wines by the glass (reasonably priced), you can try more than one.

Epice epicenashville.com