The Queens’ Table BENNETT JASON
Welcome back to The Queens’ Table, where aces are high and the queens are wild! This month my ladies went luxe in mid-century Polynesian when we dove into the tastes and aloha feels that make up East Nashville’s Pearl Diver. Opened in July 2018, Pearl Diver has already become a staple landmark on the main drag that is Gallatin Ave. Its exterior evokes a beautiful mid-century lounge, transporting you before you even walk in. Once you enter, you recognize immediately that owners Ben Clemons (No.308), Jamie White (No.308), Matt Spicher (The Treehouse) and Corey Ladd (the Treehouse) had Hawaiian style on the brain. Warm woods and exotic Versace wallpaper provide richness and texture. Paired with the sleekness of mid-century design, they didn’t give you a cheap tiki bar, but a luxe vacation bungalow. The ladies took their first cocktails out back and lounged in a cabana. These cocktails included: the Maya Bay, a tropical tequila cocktail with mango, red curry, agave and fresh lime; the Banana! Banana!, a flaming rum crafted moment with
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banana liqueur, thai tea and cream; Lime in da Coconut, frozen beve with rum, coconut, whole fresh lime and cream; and, delivered on fire, in a giant seashell, the Kilauea Bowl was the perfect, sharable island concoction of rum, gin, sherry, apricot brandy and fresh juice. This volcano nearly had Monroe erupting. Some of the drinks offered are a playground for the innovative bar team, while others are authentic mid-century classics. We then headed inside to dine on flawless bar nibbles. “This style of vintage decor and concept can go really wrong, really quickly if it’s not in the right hands. They have done it just right!” Casanova observed as we sat down in a vintage, diner-style booth, watching day give way to night through the nautical porthole windows. We started off with Coconut Shrimp, served with sweet and sour sauce, and grilled fish Street Tacos with fresh cilantro and mango salsa. They were absolutely perfect with our drinks, as these are all smaller dishes, not full entrees. So good, they keep you ordering more. Next came the Veggie Egg Rolls and the Shisito Peppers.
NOVEMBER 2019
PHOTOS: CODY STALLINGS
Pearl Diver
Presiding Queens: The Countess Casanova @casanova_ loves_you, Monroe Fitzgerald @monroe_fitzgerald, Cya Inhale @cyainhale
