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Eat Up: The Best Restaurants in Nashville, According to Me

Many of you are probably coming to Nashville soon for the NFL draft, or maybe CMA Fest or a bachelorette weekend or another excuse for a long-weekend getaway. No matter how you’re experiencing Music City, you must make time to eat your way through it—the food scene is absolutely on fire, and some of the best restaurants in Nashville are also the best in the country.

The restaurant scene is so dynamic, in fact, that many have closed already before I even had a chance to write them up (R.I.P. Kuchnia & Keller, I hardly knew thee, though I loved what little I saw—and tasted). It’s harder than ever to be a restaurant in Nashville and make it long-term, so kudos to those chefs who are killing it.

Looking for where to eat? Nashville has so many good restaurants, it can be hard to decide which one is your best bet. So I broke it down by occasion in hopes of solving all your Music City dining woes.

For a one-of-a-kind experience: Tailor Nashville

For years, Vivek Surti was Nashville’s most famous chef without a restaurant. He worked for the wine auction, he ran VEA Supper Club on the side, and he cooked for just about everyone around town who would ask him. He’s a phenomenal chef who fuses his Indian heritage with other South Asian cuisine for a mashup of tasty dishes unlike any other. All of Nashville rejoiced when he finally bit the bullet and opened up Tailor Nashville, a dining club-type experience in Germantown, with partner Heather Southerland at the end of last year. The eight- to 10-course menu rotates seasonally and features a snack, vegetable, fish or meat, rice dish and a dessert for $60, which does not include sales tax and gratuity. Drink pairings are an additional charge, which I highly recommend. There are only 35 seats available at 6pm and 8:30pm on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, so if you’re coming from out of town, make sure you make a reservation well in advance.

For any occasion: The Farm House

I’ve professed my love for Chef Trey Cioccia’s winning combination of atmosphere and contemporary Southern fare on the blog before, but every time I go back, his ever-changing menu impresses me even more. Pork belly pop-tarts? Pimento cheese beignets? Gnudi of the day? Forget about it! Just give me one of everything, please. On top of dinner six nights a week, TFH serves lunch from Tuesday through Friday and brunch on Sunday.

For your new neighborhood hang: Hathorne

I was a huge fan of John Stephenson’s all the years he was at the helm at Fido, then I followed his food to the Family Wash (R.I.P.), so I was really excited when he debuted Hathorne on Charlotte Avenue last winter. There’s so much to love about Hathorne, from the design that incorporates pews recovered from the church next door to the plates of shaved Brussels, pork pierogis, roasted heirloom carrots and grilled acorn squash that are meant to be shared. Hathorne has a daily happy hour from 5 to 6:30pm, then a “joyful hour” from 10 to 11:30pm, staying true to its mission to bring in the neighborhood locals.

To impress an out-of-towner: Pinewood Social

If you haven’t heard of this restaurant-meets-bar-meets-swimming pool-meets karaoke joint-meets bowling alley-meets cafe, you’ve been living under a rock (or else not reading C&C … or Vogue … or Esquire … or any of the hundreds of publications that have featured it in the handful of years since Pinewood’s inception). The drinks are stellar, the food is great, and the atmosphere is on point—what more could you ask for out of a dining experience?

When you’re feeling indulgent: Biscuit Love Brunch

There’s no nicer couple in town than Karl and Sarah Worley, and it doesn’t hurt that they also have the game-changing recipe for the best biscuits in Nashville. After two years of dominating the food truck market, this dynamic duo launched their own brick-and-mortar in 2015, open seven days a week from 7am to 3pm. There’s never not a line, so you’re better off going on a weekday if you can. Just know: It’s worth every second you wait. Also know: You should order the Lily while your friend has the East Nasty, which was named as one of Bon Appetit’s favorite sandwiches in the country a couple years back. Or have your savory but order a plate of bonuts for the table. If you’re not feeling biscuits, there are plenty of other options on the menu, like the Lindstrom, a seriously decadent shaved Brussels sprouts salad. Want to feel cool? Order the “Nasty Princess” (a mash-up of the Princess and East Nasty) off-menu. Pro tip: Biscuit Love has another location in Hillsboro Village that is often less packed during peak meal times. There’s also a third outpost down in Franklin.

For Sunday Supper: City House

City House is a must-eat any night of the week but it’s especially good each Sunday night when the menu rotates to include even more creative pizza and pasta dishes (I still remember an apple, onion and chili pie I had years ago). You’ll need a reservation to get into Sunday Supper, though you can always nab a seat at the bar if you forgot to call a couple weeks in advance. Note: City House is great for small groups, but can be really loud and not ideal for a first (or second or third…) date. The belly ham pie with a cracked egg on top never goes out of style.

When you’re downtown for lunch: Liberty Common

The fist thing that will catch your eye is just how downright dreamy the interior of Liberty Common is. On my inaugural visit here, I was dining alone and working from the bar, but I couldn’t stop creeping around taking photos of the design. It’s just so damn pleasant. And it boasts murals from one of our favorite artists Tara Aversa, the visionary behind the Manchester Magnolia, too. The food itself is very Parisian bistro style, and the drinks follow form. Traditionally, Nashville didn’t have a lot of great downtown restaurants, particularly ones that cater to the business crowd, so I’m pleased as punch that Liberty Common has joined the fray.

For a stylish diner vibe: The Mockingbird

The tagline says it all: “modern dinner, global fare.” The menu at the Mockingbird is all over the place, which is precisely why I like going there. It’s the kind of restaurant you can dine at with friends who all have very different culinary preferences, whether you want a corned seitan veggie reuben and your bestie is dying for a chicken pot pie. It’s comfort food at its finest, in a very stylish space (and I love that all the food is served on mismatched plates procured from antiques stores). If you have a chance to chat with owners Brian Riggenbach and Mikey Corona, take it—they’re both a riot. And don’t leave without ordering a platter of cookies served in a birdcage.

When you’re in the mood for Italian: Nicky’s Coal Fired

I first met Tony and Caroline Galzin when they were at Fifty-First Kitchen and were instant fans. Not only are the Chicago transplants great people, but they bring a different kind of culinary pizzazz to the Nashville restaurant scene. When they opened up Nicky’s Coal Fired in the Nations a couple years back, they were one of the only restaurants in the area; now, the neighborhood is positively booming, and their seats are packed with those flocking to taste the artisan pizzas fired up in their four-ton, coal-fired oven named “Enrico.” Nicky’s also has a selection of antipasti and seafood dishes, though I usually order one of the seasonal pasta dishes to start and share a thin-crust pie or two with friends as my main. The cocktail menu is on point, and there are always a selection of spritzes from which to choose.

For a classy business affair: Etch

This downtown spot is the brainchild of culinary master Deb Paquette, who whips up inventive fare, such as an octopus and shrimp bruschetta or a cauliflower steak. Deb has led the charge on Nashville’s food evolution and now has Char and Etc. in Green Hills, as well. It’s also one of my very favorites in town—and I’m not just saying it because my college roommate is the ace pastry chef (proud friend alert)! Just ask Zagat or a number of any other ratings guides: Etch is la creme de la creme, whether for lunch or dinner. The cauliflower appetizer is a must-do anytime of day, and my regular lunch order is the creamy, oh-so-tasty Thai Chicken & Quinoa. And tasting your way through the dessert menu, created by my former roommate Megan Williams, is a must-do, so be sure and save room in your stomach!

For the best Indian street food: Chaatable

Maneet Chauhan is a ball of sassy energy, and that energy could not be more apparent than in her latest concept Chaatable, which channels an Indian street market in all its colorful glory and dreamy Indian bites with punny names like the O.M.Ghee, This Spuds For You, Puff Puff Pass and the Go Shorty. She also collected thousands of Indian bangles to build a bangle wall, which serves as the perfect greeting (and so very Maneet, too) when diners walk in. Pro tip: Don’t leave without ordering one (or three) Pani ‘Rita, the tamarind margarita that is currently one of my favorite drinks in Nashville.

To satiate your sweet tooth: Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

Have I gotten the point across yet? I LOVE JENI’S ICE CREAM. And now that there are multiple locations in Nashville, my waistline is in immediate danger. I finally met Jeni Britton Bauer at the opening of her Hillsboro Village store—dangerously close to where I live—and had a major fangirl moment. I’ve tried about every flavor she makes, and while you can’t go wrong, the combo of salty caramel and brown butter almond brittle is always my favorite.

For breakfast/lunch/dinner any day of the week: Fido

The sweet potato waffle can’t be beat, but neither can the burger, or the coffee for that matter. Basically, all you need to know is that Fido is as good as they come, and if you find yourself hungry in Hillsboro Village no matter the time of day, you can pop in and fulfill your craving, no matter what that may be. Then head across the street to Jeni’s for dessert or next door to Hot & Cold for a Las Paletas pop, and all will be right with the world!

For the best $200 you’ve ever spent: Catbird Seat

Before I ate there, I wondered just how any meal could be worth $200 (note: that price does include pairings). Well, let’s just say, I would have paid double that for the feast we had at our inaugural Catbird experience last spring! The restaurant itself is very no-frills, which means the focus is entirely on the food and whatever the chef and his team are whipping up that night. Reservations open up exactly 30 days in advance, and as there are only two seatings of 20 people Wednesday through Sunday, you better get on that if you want to indulge in this sinful experience.

For your green juice fix: Juice Bar

Like every other city in America, Nashville has experienced a boom in juice spots. I do several juice cleanses a year and have yet to find one I like as much as the Juice Bar, which now has multiple locations in Nashville and Williamson County. My go-to location is the Germantown one, as street parking is easy during the day. I also frequent the Juice Bar in Berry Hill, but often there’s nowhere to park (#NashvilleProblems).

For a menu you’ll have to Google: Rolf & Daughters

You won’t understand half the ingredients on the menu, but that’s half the fun. People bemoan the service (or lack thereof) at Rolf—it’s a hipster hangout first and foremost—so know before you go. But that’s never deterred me from heading to RAD when the urge strikes. And if it’s a nice evening, arrive early and claim a spot on the patio, which is first-come, first-served.

For a community experience: Josephine

This 12South hotspot debuted at the tail end of 2013 to much excitement, but its 10-course X|X: Josephine experience is a reason to go back every month or so. Each Friday and Saturday night at 8pm, 10 lucky diners take the table as they are served a steady stream of 10 dishes on a long 2-by-10 wooden board, each presented by theme (e.g., snacks, asparagus, spring, pretzel, morel mushroom, scallop, pork belly). Better yet, the meal is just $90 with an optional $55 for six beverage pairings, an absolute steal for as much food and drink as that gets you. Just be sure and make reservations, as with just 10 spots at the table, they go quickly! I’m also a huge fan of Josephine’s brunch, and it’s one of my top three most visited weekend spots in Nashville.

For bad-ass BBQ and bushwhackers: Edley’s

BBQ purists may call it too trendy, but I don’t care. I LOVE this BBQ joint that now boasts three locations locally, one in Chattanooga and one in Kentucky. The Tuck forever gets my order, and even though I nearly died from bushwhacker consumption a few years ago (don’t ask), I can’t stay away. Love nachos? Can’t go wrong with BBQ nachos, topped with a heaping pile of pulled pork.

When you’re looking to eat on Braodway: Acme Feed & Seed

The walk-up counter on Acme’s ground floor is always a safe option if you’re out on Broadway midday or into the evening and looking to grab a quick bite among a sea of trashy country music star-backed options (though I do like the food at Whiskey Row if we’re being honest).

For a drink on the go: Bajo Sexto

A cocktail I can carry around downtown with me? Don’t mind if I do! Jonathan Waxman’s first Nashville endeavor has authentic Mexican food and delicious drinks, like the bourbon horchata, and it’s conveniently located between the Omni, the Music City Center and the Country Music Hall of Fame, so perfect for those of you staying downtown.

For all. the. meat: Martin’s BBQ

Pat Martin has become legendary in Nashville with his huge of the whole hog and his ever-expanding empire. He’s now got three locations in the Nashville area, as well as has expanded to neighboring states, too. My favorite of his many spots is the downtown outpost with its 13,000 square feet of space for dining, lounging, drinking beer and playing games with your buds.

For beer with a side of tacos: Butchertown Hall

Butchertown Hall is dangerously close to my Nashville yoga studio, and it’s open all afternoon long, something I struggle with in Nashville with weird hours and so many places closed from 2 to 5pm. So it’s become my go-to spot post-yoga when I’m getting a late lunch or drinks with friends. The street tacos are bomb, and the beer selection is mighty. The clean design and so much natural light only makes you want to camp out here for hoursi. On warmer nights, Butchertown’s lovely side patio is perfect for sipping saison after saison.

For the celebrity chef experience: Chauhan House

Every time I’m feeling indulgent and wanting all the curry, I head straight for Chauhan Ale & Masala House, Maneet Chauhan’s first of four concepts to open in Nashville. I particularly love it for lunch, a time of day when I feel like Nashville dining options aren’t abundant. The lunch items may be heavy, but man is that meat-and-three worth it (though I often oscillate between the thali and the chicken tikka masala—both are oh so good). Weekend brunch is also the prime occasion to make a ressie for Chauhan. I crave that Stop Monkeying Around always, and the What Came First, the Chicken or the Egg? is divine.

For a meal in a coffee shop: Frothy Monkey

Frothy Monkey is the coffee shop empire in Nashville, and yet people often overlook them as an option for meals, which is insane as their food is oh-so-good and runs the gamut of sandwiches, salads, soups and heartier entrees. The Nations location has become one of my lunchtime go-tos when I’m meeting a friend for coffee with a side of food. Looking to start your evening somewhere? Consider going to Frothy for Wine Down Wednesday with three pours of wine (or six beer tasters) and snacks for the bargain deal of $15.

For brunch without a wait: Saint Anejo

There’s hot chocolate French toast, there’s chicken and waffles with jalapeno syrup, and there’s a horchata French toast. I say order them all. Also a winning factor? Two-for-one cocktails every single weekend day. Done.

For old Hollywood glam: Sinema

Sinema debuted in the summer of 2014 to become one of the pricier joints in town. It’s definitely a special occasion type of place, but even if you aren’t in the mood to spend $35 in a plate, it’s worth grabbing drinks in the upstairs lounge and popping into the bathroom for a #SinemaSelfie.

For the best chocolate in town: Goo Goo Cluster

I’ve often sung the praises of Nashville’s own century-old candy company but the new chef series, in which they roll out a different Premium Goo Goo every week or two, has me stopping by the downtown shop more often than not to see what these culinary masterminds have whipped up on any given week.

For a true taste of Nashville: The Farmers’ Market

The Nashville Farmers’ Market is open every day of the week and boasts dozens of purveyors of local food and products, from Music City Crepes to Batch. It’s always bustling, and it’s always good. If you need a lunch spot that’s guaranteed to fill you up and leave you satisfy, this one’s for you, and you’ll be surrounded by actual Nashvillians who break from the office to eat here daily.

For a bit of everything rolled into one: Walk Eat Nashville

In Nashville for a short time and don’t have the chance to try it all? Book a spot with Karen-Lee Ryan’s Walk Eat Nashville, and I guarantee you will get the highlights reel in your informative and tasty, three-hour walking tour of East Nashville, SoBro or Midtown.

For pizza, pizza: Five Points Pizza

Nashville used to have hardly any pizza options, and now it’s got several. Five Points Pizza, with a location in East Nashville and one off of Charlotte is by far my favorite. You can order whole pies or from a select menu of pizza by the slice. I often get carryout from the right side of the restaurant, though if it’s not packed and you feel like a brew, settle in at a booth on the left side and enjoy the craft beer selection.

For dinner with a side of champagne: Geist

Germantown is the neighborhood in which I spend the most time, and I was happy when Geist joined the fray back in 2018. One of my favorite mixologists Freddie Schwenk heads up the bar which is set in an old 1900 blacksmith shop, and I often just order “whatever Freddie is feeling today.” I don’t drink a lot of bubbles, but even I can’t deny the attraction of the Champagne Garden, with its champs served outside in a full outdoor garden and courtyard; there’s even the option to saber a bottle if you’re feeling frisky. On the food front, Geist has a small selection of sharable veggie plates, starters (may I recommend the bacon jam and baked brie?), and entrees like salmon, scallops and cavatelli. If the key lime pie is on the menu, you must order it—it poses as a real lime, but is actually pie inside when you crack it open. A true work of art!

For dinner with a dose of history: Woolworth on 5th

The most interesting thing to be about Woolworth is not the food—though, don’t get me wrong, it’s great, too—but the fact that this historic building was the site of many sit-ins during the Civil Rights Movement, and that the owners decided to keep all of those scuff marks intact as a reminder of the turmoil this city (and the South as a whole) went through not that long ago. The Art Deco-y Woolworth on 5th is a great spot for a work lunch as it’s right downtown in Nashville’s version of a financial district, but it’s also a good spot for a pre-show dinner with TPAC right around the corner. Expect Southern fare like fried green tomatoes, fried chicken, and shrimp and grits.

For the best damn rabbit rolls in town: Black Rabbit

Rabbit rolls may seem like a weird thing to be obsessed with, but that’s likely because you haven’t been to Black Rabbit, a chic, 1920s-inspired lounge on the cusp of Printers Alley that will offer small plates, creative craft cocktails and live piano music on any night of the week. With Kathy Anderson behind the design, Black Rabbit’s ambiance is built around the old wood floors and exposed brick walls leftover from the late 1800s and utilizes velvet sofa, leather lounge chairs and plush booths for seating. The wooded chef’s island provides prime seating for those keen on studying the talents of this passionate team of chefs, who will be cooking up various canapes like butterfolds, squab rillettes, rabbit spam sliders, twice-baked patatas bravas, roasted oysters and pickled shrimp. This swanky cocktail lounge off of 2nd Avenue is a much elevated breath of fresh air for downtown with an expansive whiskey collection and a cocktail menu that reads like a tome. Don’t overlook it as a dinner spot, though; you’d be remiss to pass on Chefs Trey and Chad’s elevated fare.

For sushi and other Asian fusion: Sunda

Chef-owner Billy Dec brought his popular new Asian concept from Chicago and opened a Nashville location, as well, last summer. There aren’t a lot of places that will get me to the Gulch anymore—it’s way too hip and far too crowded for this simpleton—but Sunda will do just that. Not only is the interior large, roomy and chic, but the menu boasts dim sum, sushi, nigiri, noodle dishes, curry, ramen and so much more. It’s basically a one-stop lunch, brunch or dinner spot for all kinds of Asian fusion (and a really great sake selection to boot).

For an excuse to dine in a restaurant: Henley

From a style standpoint, Kimpton’s lobby-level restaurant Henley is one of the most polished places in town, weaving in bold art and tile patterns with an equally creative menu to follow suit. Whether you’re staying at the hotel or just looking for somewhere to eat in Midtown any meal of the day, Henley is one of your top contenders.

For the hardest weekend brunch table to land: Tavern

Call it a college bar if you will, but M Street’s Tavern has been a mainstay of mine in the seven years since we’ve been back. It’s consistently delicious, and one of the only places in Midtown open in the middle of the day, so my gal Beth and I have had many a mid-afternoon cocktail with snacks (the buffalo cauliflower has never let me down). It’s also a slam dunk for weekend brunch—if you can get a table. Avoid at all costs on a Vandy home weekend, but any other time, get there minutes before they open and grab a table (or put your name down). If you’re there promptly at 10 (or maybe just before), you should get in just fine. And the hash and the red velvet waffles with cream cheese drizzle are totally worth the wait, too.

For a bakery to die for: Dozen

Dozen is Nashville’s best-kept secret in that every local I know names it among their top lunch spots, but we rarely tell anyone else about it because it’s already packed enough as it is. But you deserve to know about Dozen because not only are the fresh bread and other baked goods mouthwateringly good, but the lunch combos—I always do the half-and-half option with a tartine and whatever grain salad they’re making that week—are some of the freshest dishes you’ll have in all of Nashville.

When you’re feeling Japanese: The Green Pheasant

If you haven’t been to Two Ten Jack, start there—but I’d venture to say I like the food at the Green Pheasant even more than I do the original izakaya and ramen joint in East Nashville. Even better that it’s based downtown and the perfect dinner spot before a night at the Symphony or a show at the amphitheater. The menu is small, but plates are very sharable. On my first visit, I went with five girlfriends, and we ordered pretty much every dish on the menu and shared them. I immediately went back the following week with SVV, because no one appreciates Japanese food more than he does. A few standouts: the spicy crab noodles, chicken wing gyoza and the broccolini. Park in the adjoining parking garage, and you can get your parking validated to make it just $5 for 2.5 hours.

For seafood in a land-locked state: Henrietta Red

Ben and Max Goldberg teamed up with their childhood friend, Chef Julia Sullivan, and her business partner, Allie Poindexter, at the helm a couple years back to open this bright spot in Germantown, an Instagrammer’s dream with its striking tile and abundance of natural light. Sullivan brings her culinary panache, honed at such notable restaurants as Blue Hill at Stone Barns and Per Se, to the kitchen, and the raw bar is laid out to be communal with an additional 70 seats in banquette- and table-style seating in the adjoining dining room. In addition to a dozen or so types of oysters, other seafood dishes like smoked mussel toast, wild striped bass and wood-roasted mackerel round out the menu. My favorite excuse to go to Henrietta Red, though, is the weekend brunch, which I’ll put up against any other in town.

For the best tacos you’ll eat, ever: Mas Tacos Por Favor

Ask an East Nashvillian old or new what their favorite restaurant is, and nine out of 10 of them will tell you: MAS TACOS. You order at a window, then your name is called out, and they move very quickly, so don’t be deterred by the line. Since these are street tacos, I recommend three to make up a full meal—and you can’t pass up on the fried avocado one—as well as a side of street corn and agua fresca. Mas Tacos totally upped its game when it added a bar, and margaritas became part of the mix, though you’ll order those at the back bar. On warm evenings, the patio is the perfect place to dine.

For brats and baseball: Von Elrod’s

One of my qualms with Nashville dining has always been that the patios aren’t big enough. Enter: Von Elrod’s with its massive outdoor space. This beer hall with a focus on German cuisine debuted a couple years ago right across from First Tennessee Park where the Nashville Sounds play, and it’s a great spot to get a brat and a pint or two before you head into the stadium for the evening. Von Elrod’s boasts 36 beers on tap with even more available by the bottle. They’ve also got weekend brunch and offer specialty classes like pretzel-making.

For vegetarians: Butcher & Bee

Let’s state this upfront: Butcher & Bee is not strictly vegetarian, and yet, I feel like it has one of the best menus for veggie-loving diners in town. It’s the kind of place you go for healthy shared plates and a mean cocktail, and you must take my word for it that ordering the whipped feta is a non-negotiable; ditto to the fire-roasted carrots. Another, more under-the-radar veg spot is Sunflower Cafe in Berry Hill.

For all things Greek: Greko Street Food

Nashville restaurant vets and first cousins Bill Darsinos (Southside Grille) and Tony Darsinos (Gondola House Pizzeria in Hermitage) joined forces to bring Greek food to East Nashville. Designed to offer an authentic Athens street food vibe, Greko will serve an array of dishes like fresh-baked pitas; lamb, chicken and pork cooked on a rotisserie over a live fire; souvlaki; and Greek fries with oregano and Myzithra cheese. All of the meats will be cooked over a live vire, and the bulk of the ingredients, such as olive oil and wines from their home region of Nemea, will be imported directly from Greece.

For a happy hour kind of dinner: Lockeland Table

Anytime I’m in East Nashville between 4 and 6pm, you can bet I’m likely kicking it at Lockeland Table with my friend Matt for the daily Community Hour, which features a selection of $5 cocktails and some snacks to share like Korean beef tacos and deviled eggs with chow chow at discounted prices.

For when you need a brunch ressie: Le Sel

French brasseries are not a dime a dozen in Nashville, so Le Sel filled a void in the market when it came to town with a European-influenced menu heavy on the oysters and plenty of wine selections to match. Le Sel offers dinner, though I’m not overly wild about French cuisine, so I prefer it for weekend brunch (if you love ratatouille, though, this is your place). Savory crepes, croque Madams and Bayonne ham Benedicts? I’ll take one of each!

For breakfast any day of the week: Marché Artisan Foods

Margot McCormack is one of Nashville’s food pioneers, and her pair of restaurants—Marché and Margot—in Five Points are always packed, no matter how buzzy their newer neighboring restaurants are. I love this European-style cafe for weekday breakfast, as it’s not too crowded (weekends are another story), and it’s really hard to find places in town that serve a full brunch menu Monday through Friday.

For that international flavor: Thai Esane

I could eat Thai food every day for the rest of my life and never grow tired of it. Unfortunately, while Nashville dining is many things, diverse it is not. Which is why Thai Esane’s 2014 opening was greeted with a collective cheer from those of us who crave Asian food at every meal.

For a swanky night out in the Gulch: Tànsuǒ

Tànsuǒ, another Maneet concept, is sandwiched between Chauhan House and Mockingbird. The darkly-lit, bi-level space is meant to reflect a Chinese night market (albeit, a very cosmopolitan one), and the menu is an exploration of contemporary Cantonese cuisine like Toishan Pork Sui Mai, Peking Duck and a spin on classic Chinese fare such as General Tso’s Chicken.

*****

The above is an exhaustive, though not completely comprehensive list of some of favorite places to eat over the years, but just know, that these are definitely not the only options. And many oldies but goodies like Cafe Coco or Miel that often fly under the radar didn’t make the list simply because I haven’t been there in eons to even know what the food is like anymore (and others like Firefly Grille and Tin Angel have recently closed, R.I.P. to them, too).

Here are a few more Nashville restaurants to check out, depending on what you’re in the mood for:

Hot chicken: Hattie B’s, Pepperfire, Bolton’s Spicy Chicken & Fish, Party Fowl, Prince’s Hot Chicken

BBQ: Jack’s Bar-B-Que, Peg Leg Porker

Burgers: Hopdoddy, Burger Up, The Pharmacy, Gabby’s, Farm Burger, Hugh Baby’s, M.L. Rose, Jack Brown’s

Pizza: Folk, Emmy Squared, DeSano, Slim & Husky’s

Steaks: Kayne Prime, Oak Steakhouse, Bourbon Steak

International: Lyra, Epice, Plaza Mariachi, King Market, Azadi International Food Market

This post was last updated April 2019.

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waynebomberger · 6 years ago

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Eat Up: The Best Restaurants in Nashville, According to Me

For a one-of-a-kind experience: Tailor Nashville

For any occasion: The Farm House

For your new neighborhood hang: Hathorne

To impress an out-of-towner: Pinewood Social

When you’re feeling indulgent: Biscuit Love Brunch

For Sunday Supper: City House

When you’re downtown for lunch: Liberty Common

For a stylish diner vibe: The Mockingbird

When you’re in the mood for Italian: Nicky’s Coal Fired

For a classy business affair: Etch

For the best Indian street food: Chaatable

To satiate your sweet tooth: Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

For breakfast/lunch/dinner any day of the week: Fido

For the best $200 you’ve ever spent: Catbird Seat

For your green juice fix: Juice Bar

For a menu you’ll have to Google: Rolf & Daughters

For a community experience: Josephine

This 12South hotspot debuted at the tail end of 2013 to much excitement, but its new 10-course X|X: Josephine experience really helped keep it relevant. Each Friday and Saturday night at 8pm, 10 lucky diners take the table as they are served a steady stream of 10 dishes on a long 2-by-10 wooden board, each presented by theme (e.g., snacks, asparagus, spring, pretzel, morel mushroom, scallop, pork belly). Better yet, the meal is just $90 with an optional $55 for six beverage pairings, an absolute steal for as much food and drink as that gets you. Just be sure and make reservations, as with just 10 spots at the table, they go quickly!

For bad-ass BBQ and bushwhackers: Edley’s

When you’re looking to eat on Braodway: Acme Feed & Seed

For a drink on the go: Bajo Sexto

For all. the. meat: Martin’s BBQ

For beer with a side of tacos: Butchertown Hall

For the celebrity chef experience: Chauhan House

For a meal in a coffee shop: Frothy Monkey

For brunch without a wait: Saint Anejo

For old Hollywood glam: Sinema

For the best chocolate in town: Goo Goo Cluster

For a true taste of Nashville: The Farmers’ Market

For a bit of everything rolled into one: Walk Eat Nashville

For pizza, pizza: Five Points Pizza

For dinner with a side of champagne: Geist

For dinner with a dose of history: Woolworth on 5th

For the best damn rabbit rolls in town: Black Rabbit

For sushi and other Asian fusion: Sunda

For an excuse to dine in a restaurant: Henley

For the hardest weekend brunch table to land: Tavern

When you’re feeling Japanese: The Green Pheasant

For seafood in a land-locked state: Henrietta Red

For the best tacos you’ll eat, ever: Mas Tacos Por Favor

For brats and baseball: Von Elrod’s

For vegetarians: Butcher & Bee

For all things Greek: Greko Street Food

For a happy hour kind of dinner: Lockeland Table

For when you need a brunch ressie: Le Sel

For breakfast any day of the week: Marché Artisan Foods

For that international flavor: Thai Esane

For a swanky night out in the Gulch: Tànsuǒ

*****

Here are a few more Nashville restaurants to check out, depending on what you’re in the mood for:

Hot chicken: Hattie B’s, Pepperfire, Bolton’s Spicy Chicken & Fish, Party Fowl, Prince’s Hot Chicken

BBQ: Jack’s Bar-B-Que, Peg Leg Porker

Burgers: Hopdoddy, Burger Up, The Pharmacy, Gabby’s, Farm Burger, Hugh Baby’s, M.L. Rose, Jack Brown’s

Pizza: Folk, Emmy Squared, DeSano, Slim & Husky’s

Steaks: Kayne Prime, Oak Steakhouse, Bourbon Steak

International: Lyra, Epice, Plaza Mariachi, King Market, Azadi International Food Market

This post was last updated April 2019.

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The Spring 2018 Restaurant Opening Guide: Boston Proper

Boston cream pie banana pudding, champagne from a vending machine, steak at a table designed for Instagrammers, and more

From Tiki drinks to tacos to a bar that may host toga parties, winter 2017-2018 was an eventful one in the Boston restaurant opening scene. Now we’ve made it to spring, which promises a lot more new food. Check out some regional highlights here, or keep reading for the full rundown, by neighborhood, of what might come to Boston proper this season. Downtown Boston and Jamaica Plain may be the neighborhoods to watch for spring 2018; each has quite a few openings on the horizon, from juice bars to a New York bakery made famous by Sex and the City to a restaurant with a robotic kitchen and acclaimed chef Daniel Boulud as an advisor.

Note that restaurant opening timelines are moving targets, so don’t get too attached to trying a new spot on a specific date; even restaurants initially listed here as spring openings may get pushed to summer or beyond. We’ll be updating this guide frequently throughout the season as updated information comes in, so send any intel our way.

This guide was originally published on April 2, 2018; the date of the most recent update appears above.

Note: The clickable neighborhood table of contents below may not display properly (or at all) on certain mobile platforms. For best results, view on a tablet or desktop.

Jump to:

A sneak peek at later openings: Summer 2018 | Fall 2018 | 2019 | Unknown

Allston

Angie T./Yelp

Pot Bar dish

Kimchipapi Kitchen

81 Harvard Ave., Allston, Boston

This address is coming full circle: While it was most recently home to a Chicken & Rice Guys location, it was once a shoe store owned by Joon Son, aka Kimchipapi. Now he’s opening an eponymous restaurant there, where he’ll serve Korean and Japanese food with risque dish names, from “glory bowls” to “tossed salad.” Projected opening: May 2018

Kung Fu Tea [NOW OPEN]

Super 88, 1 Brighton Ave., Allston, Boston

International bubble tea chain Kung Fu Tea has opened its seventh Massachusetts location (and second in Allston) inside of the Super 88 food court. Opened: Early April 2018

Pot Bar [NOW OPEN]

70 Brighton Ave., Allston, Boston

Allston’s newest hot pot spot — no, it’s not a marijuana-oriented business, despite what the name sounds like — features individual hot pot portions, perfect for those who aren’t into sharing. Opened: Late March 2018

Rabottini’s Pizza (Long-term pop-up)

182 Western Ave., Barry’s Corner, Allston, Boston

Rabottini’s has spent nearly two years popping up on Fridays at Bagelsaurus in Cambridge, serving Sicilian-style pizza. Next up, it’s getting an “extended stay” in Allston, where it’ll operate five nights a week, serving pizza, small plates, and salad. It’s slated to open very soon and remain open into the fall. Projected opening: Early spring 2018

Back Bay

I-CE-NY/Facebook

Rolled ice cream from I-CE-NY

Bartleby’s Seitan Stand (Truck) [NOW OPEN]

Mobile; Back Bay and Downtown Boston locations to start

This vegan food truck focuses on seitan — in sandwiches, in nuggets, etc. Its debut schedule includes two days a week in the Back Bay area and one downtown; consult its website for up-to-date location information. Opened: April 2, 2018

Cusser’s Roast Beef & Seafood [NOW OPEN]

304 Stuart St., Back Bay, Boston

A Back Bay seafood duo has become a trio: Fancy Mooncusser Fish House and its downstairs more casual sibling Moon Bar now have an even more casual sibling on the Moon Bar level — a takeaway window open for lunch on weekdays with roast beef sandwiches, lobster rolls, and more. (Diners can eat inside the Moon Bar space if they wish.) Opened: May 7, 2018

I-CE-NY

217 Newbury St., Back Bay, Boston

More Thai-style rolled ice cream. This company has around 250 locations in Asia, under the name I-TIM-PAD, but it’s also getting a foothold in the United States, starting with New York (hence the US name, I-CE-NY) and a few other states. At one point, it appeared that there could also be an Allston location in the works, but for now, I-CE-NY is only coming to Newbury Street. Projected opening: Imminent. As of the last week of March, I-CE-NY was awaiting final fire and health inspections.

Minigrow [NOW OPEN]

565 Boylston St., Back Bay, Boston

This is one of two Boston locations of a pared-down sibling to Philly-based stir-fry chain Honeygrow, which now has two Boston locations of its own. The other Minigrow, which also opened this spring, is located downtown. The fast-casual chain serves customizable grain/green bowls. Opened: May 1, 2018

Orá Trattorizza

655 Boylston St., Back Bay, Boston

Located next to the Charlesmark Hotel, this will be a two-floor trattoria and pizzeria from the owner of Piattini Wine Cafe on Newbury Street. Projected opening: Originally slated for spring 2017, Orá has faced some delays but is apparently slated for a spring 2018 opening now and was hiring for all positions as of early May.

Boston University

Life Alive/Facebook

A few dishes at Life Alive

Life Alive

888 Commonwealth Ave., Boston University, Boston

The fourth location for this local vegetarian restaurant — which is also in Cambridge, Salem, and Lowell — will be in the former Panera space by BU. Projected opening: Late spring 2018

Brighton

Cafe Landwer/Facebook

Farmer’s breakfast at Cafe Landwer

Cafe Landwer

375 Chestnut Hill Ave., Cleveland Circle, Brighton, Boston

This will be the second United States location for the Israeli cafe chain, which serves shakshuka, pizza, Mediterranean foods, and more. It’ll be part of the Circle development on the site of the former Circle Cinema. (Landwer opened in Boston’s Audubon Circle area of the Fenway neighborhood in January 2018. There’s also a recently opened Toronto, Canada location.) Projected opening: Mid-June2018

Caffe Nero [NOW OPEN]

298 Washington St., Brighton Center, Boston

Yet another location of the London-based cafe chain that is quickly spreading around the Boston area. (It’s also slated to expand to the Symphony area soon.) Opened: April 2, 2018

Pavement Coffeehouse

415 Western Ave., Brighton

This growing local cafe chain has a Brighton location in the works (and a Harvard Square one at the forthcoming Smith Campus Center, too) — but not just a cafe. It’ll also be a roasting facility and commissary, allowing it to roast its own coffee for the first time. The cafe, which will be on the small side, will serve bagels and breakfast but not the chain’s usual lunch sandwiches. Projected opening: Early May 2018

Charlestown

Sarah Storrer/Eater

The Pork & Mindy at the Bacon Truck Cafe

The Bacon Truck [NOW OPEN]

50 Terminal St., Charlestown, Boston

Boston’s bacon-themed food truck has put down roots with a Charlestown commissary and cafe, serving a bacon-centric breakfast and lunch menu as well as coffee. There’s seating for about 20 inside the casual spot, plus a seasonal patio. Opened: April 14, 2018

Charlestown Tea & Treats [NOW OPEN]

1 Monument Ave., Charlestown, MA

This new tea shop — located in the former Evy Tea space — serves “flavorful teas from around the world and scrumptious treats that will surely make your grandmother smile,” as well as Levend bagels and more. Opened: April 25, 2018

Dorchester

Wahlburgers/Facebook

A Wahlburgers burger

Wahlburgers (Truck) [NOW OPEN]

South Bay Center, Dorchester

Eventually, the Wahlberg clan will open a brick-and-mortar location of their ever-expanding burger chain at South Bay Center, but for now, they’ve got a food truck there. When not rented out for private events, it’s stationed at South Bay on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Opened: April 19, 2018

Downtown Boston

Brian Samuels/Legal Sea Foods

“Noodle It Over Shrimp” bowl at Legal Fish Bowl

The Ghost Walks [NOW OPEN]

57 Stuart St., Downtown Boston

A sibling to Committee, Cafeteria, and Bijou has opened up below Bijou, serving theatrical cocktails (such as one disguised as a bag of popcorn), champagne from a vending machine, and “elevated bar snacks.” Opened: April 25, 2018

Legal Fish Bowl

Quincy Market, 4 S. Market St., Downtown Boston

This poke-inspired, fast-casual Legal Sea Foods offshoot began inside of the Kendall Square Legal Sea Foods, and next it’s headed for the Quincy Market building at the Faneuil Hall Marketplace. The stall will serve six noodle- or rice-based bowls (five of which feature seafood, one with chicken), as well as a customizable option, plus bowls of clam chowder. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Magnolia Bakery [NOW OPEN]

2-4 Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Downtown Boston

New York’s famous Magnolia Bakery, a hallmark of the cupcake boom of the early 2000s, has been promising a Boston location for years, and now it’s finally here, located at Faneuil Hall Marketplace. This location serves the same menu as the flagship on New York City’s Bleecker Street, plus some Boston specialties, like a Boston cream pie banana pudding. There’s a small, adorable seating section specifically for Magnolia customers. Opened: March 29, 2018

Minigrow [NOW OPEN]

125 Summer St., Downtown Boston

This is one of two Boston locations of a pared-down sibling to Philly-based stir-fry chain Honeygrow, which now has two Boston locations of its own. The other Minigrow, which also opened this spring, is in Back Bay, and both serve a fast-casual menu of customizable grain/green bowls. Opened: April 27, 2018

Rebel’s Guild [NOW OPEN]

Revere Hotel, 200 Stuart St., Downtown Boston

The five-year-old Emerald Lounge closed in December 2017, and it has now been replaced by a restaurant that the hotel said at the time “will be the next phase of the property’s recent multi-million dollar transformation and will be an iconic destination inspired by the city of Boston’s rich history and innovative spirit.” More recent marketing language promises a “playful conspiracy of witty pub fare and rebellious spirits.” In English: It serves classic New England fare made with local ingredients by executive chef Sean Dutson, who previously worked at the Hilton Boston Logan Airport before landing at the Revere in late 2016. (Also, there’s a cannon in the middle of the restaurant.) Opened: April 18, 2018

Tous Les Jours

24 Tremont St., Downtown Boston

The downtown Boston location of this French-Asian bakery chain has been closed since late 2017 for renovations. Projected reopening: Spring 2018

Downtown Crossing

Boston Chops/Facebook

14-ounce strip steak at Boston Chops

Boston Chops

52 Temple Pl., Downtown Crossing, Boston

Like its big sibling in the South End, the second Boston Chops steakhouse will be in the former home of a bank, although more recently, the Temple Street space was home to a restaurant called Mantra. Expect a private dining room in the old bank vault and a table lit specifically for Instagrammers. Projected opening: Spring2018

Democracy Brewing

35 Temple Pl., Downtown Crossing, Boston

A worker-owned brewpub opening in the historic Windsor Button space. It’ll have a tasting room and event space, as well as a full kitchen, and the team plans to distribute to bars and restaurants. 32-ounce crowlers will be available for purchase on location, too. Projected opening: June 2018

Spyce [NOW OPEN]

241 Washington St., Downtown Crossing, Boston

A restaurant with a robotic kitchen — designed by a group of MIT grads — that churns out customizable bowls. Acclaimed chef Daniel Boulud is an advisor on the project. Those who don’t like talking to people will be pleased to find that the ordering process is computerized. Opened: May 3, 2018

Fenway

Boston’s Restaurant & Sports Bar/Facebook

The “ultimate pepperoni” pizza at Boston’s Restaurant & Sports Bar

Boston’s Restaurant & Sports Bar

1124 Boylston St., Fenway, Boston

The Canadian pizza-focused sports bar chain named for Boston is expanding to Boston; there are two forthcoming locations, one unannounced and one right by Berklee (and not far from Fenway). Projected opening: June 2018 (the mystery location is slated for 2020)

Energize

265 Massachusetts Ave., Symphony/Fenway, Boston

This Brighton-based juice bar is adding a second location near Symphony Hall. Projected opening: Early May 2018

Fenway Johnnie’s

96 Brookline Ave., Fenway, Boston

West End Johnnie’s, a sports bar near TD Garden, is expanding in Boston with a Fenway counterpart that will open in the former Tilted Kilt space. The new location will have a slightly different menu than its West End sibling, but expect burgers, steak, and other bar fare. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Fool’s Errand

1381 Boylston St., Fenway, Boston

Tiffani Faison is adding to her Boylston Street restaurant duo — Sweet Cheeks and Tiger Mama — with Fool’s Errand, a small space next to Sweet Cheeks that was originally announced back in late 2016. Per a spring 2018 job posting, it will be “an intimate American style tapas bar with a focus on wine and fortified spirits.” The restaurant’s Instagram account doesn’t have any posts yet, but its main image shows neon signage with the words “adult snack bar” under the restaurant name. Projected opening: Late spring 2018

Two Saints Tavern and Dos Diablos

52 Gainsborough St., Symphony/Fenway, Boston

These adjacent sibling spots in the former Our House East space will be a beer hall and taqueria respectively. Brian O’Donnell and the Dropkick Murphys’ Ken Casey are behind them (as well as Yellow Door Taqueria, Lower Mills Tavern, Lion’s Tail, and McGreevy’s). Projected opening: May 2018

The Westland

10 Westland Ave., Symphony/Fenway, Boston

From the group behind Hopewell Kitchen & Bar, the Avenue, and more comes a “classic American tavern” in the long-vacant Symphony 8 space. Projected opening: June 5, 2018

Hyde Park

Coffee Break Cafe/Facebook

Coffee Break Cafe’s tart berry iced tea, frozen Reese’s peanut butter cup “craving,” and iced caramel latte

Coffee Break Cafe

680 Truman Pkwy., Hyde Park, Boston

This small local coffee chain already has locations in Milton and Quincy; Hyde Park’s next. The cafe serves a range of flavored coffees (rainforest crunch, salted caramel, chocolate banana, and more), frozen cocoa and other frozen drinks, baked goods, and more. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Jamaica Plain

Wild Pops/Official Website

Wild Pops popsicle

Achilito’s Taqueria

38 Hyde Park Ave., Jamaica Plain, Boston

Describing itself as “fresh and spicy,” this taqueria will open within new construction by the Forest Hills MBTA stop, serving “spicy salsas,” wood-fired dishes, and more. (Breakfast and juices, too.) Projected opening: May 2018

Bar Orange

3698 Washington St., Jamaica Plain, Boston

Bob O’Guin, who is behind Common Ground in Allston and Arlington, will open Bar Orange in the former Tonic space in Forest Hills — more recently the home of the short-lived Grass Fed expansion. Despite the name, it’ll be more restaurant than bar, featuring local ingredients and local microbrews. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Evergreen Eatery

154 Green St., Jamaica Plain, Boston

From the owners of JP Seafood Cafe comes a farm-to-table restaurant serving classic American diner food with some Latin, Caribbean, and Asian influences. There’ll be an express coffee and juice bar for customers in a hurry. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Evy Tea Bar

253 Amory St., Jamaica Plain, Boston

After a lengthy closure for renovations, Evy Tea Bar will reopen this spring with more seating, more draft lines, and more pastries. Projected opening: May 2018

Juicygreens

57 South St., Jamaica Plain, Boston

This Jamaica Plain juice bar, located in the former Harvest Co-op space on South Street, will also serve toasts, salads, acai bowls, and more, with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options available. Projected opening: May 2018

Little Dipper

669 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, Boston

Centre Street Cafe owners David Doyle and Mari Perez-Alers (who are also behind Casa Verde and Tres Gatos) have teamed up with Robyn McGrath and her wife Leila Asher to transform Centre Street Cafe into a space-themed all-day diner, serving dishes such as a fried chicken sandwich with dill-chive ranch dressing, blackened redfish with braised collard greens, and perhaps a fried shrimp po’ boy, as well as Centre Street’s house-made pasta (a favorite of Doyle’s young son). Centre Street will close at some point in May for the necessary renovations. Projected opening: May/June 2018

Pikalo

3160 Washington St., Jamaica Plain, Boston

This Dominican empanada and sandwich spot already has one JP location (as well as one in Lawrence), but it’s expanding to JP’s Egleston Square. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Santia’s Bakery

3381 Washington St., Jamaica Plain, Boston

The forthcoming bakery’s online presence is full of decorative cakes. It’s connected to similarly named bakeries in the Bronx and in the Dominican Republic. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Wild Pops [NOW OPEN]

3212 Washington St., Jamaica Plain, Boston

Wild Pops’ popsicles can be found at various events and locations around town, but now its previously seasonal storefront has reopened too — and it will stay open year-round. Opened: May 2, 2018

Mission Hill

Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Chilacates tacos

Chilacates

The Tremont, 1480 Tremont St., Mission Hill, Boston

This acclaimed Jamaica Plain taqueria duo will open a third location, this time in Mission Hill. (It’s also expanding to Chestnut Hill in 2018. Plus, Chilacates owner Socrates Abreu is taking ownership of Grass Fed on Centre Street but doesn’t plan to make changes to the burger-and-boozy-shake joint.) Projected opening: Early 2018

North End

Alcove [Official Photo]

Tom Schlesinger-Guidelli at Lovejoy Wharf

Alcove

131 Beverly St., North End/West End, Boston

Longtime Boston restaurant industry vet Tom Schlesinger-Guidelli (Island Creek Oyster Bar and more) is opening his own place within the Lovejoy Wharf condo building near TD Garden, right near the border of the North and West ends. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Tre Monte

76 Salem St., North End

Woburn Italian restaurant Tre Monte (with two sibling spots under the moniker Tre Monte Pizzeria in Tyngsborough and Lowell) will expand to Boston’s North End, taking over the former Limoncello 2 space. It’ll serve pasta and lots more, not to mention plenty of wine. Projected opening: May 2018

Roslindale

Distraction Brewing Company/Facebook

Distraction Brewing Company pins

Distraction Brewing Company

2 Belgrade Ave., Roslindale, Boston

A new brewery will take over the corner space that was once home to an Emack & Bolio’s ice cream shop. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Shaking Seafood

19 Poplar St., Roslindale, Boston

Another Vietnamese-Cajun seafood boil restaurant, which are growing in popularity in Boston. This one will have a variety of seafood (crab, lobster, shrimp, and more) and sauces from which to choose, as well as appetizers such as fried oysters and fried calamari. The restaurant will seat around 90 and may have live music. Projected opening: May 2018

Roxbury

Google Maps

The future home of 119

119

2302 Washington St., Bolling Building, Roxbury, Boston

Taking the place of Dudley Dough, this Dudley Square restaurant will serve pizza, soups, salads, and more, and it’ll have a full liquor license. Dudley Square manager Luther Pinckney is reportedly staying on to manage the new spot. Projected opening: Early 2018

Backlash Beer Co.

152 Hampden St., Roxbury, Boston

This longtime contract brewer is in the process of opening up its own brewery and taproom. Retail sales began in September 2017, but there’s more permitting and construction that has to happen before the taproom debuts. Projected opening: Mid-May 2018

Fasika Cafe [NOW OPEN]

51 Roxbury St., Roxbury, Boston

Befekadu Defar, owner of a longtime Ethiopian restaurant called Fasika in Somerville, has opened a Roxbury cafe that is “essentially a fast-casual extension of its sister restaurant,” serving egg dishes, salads, sandwiches, and more, along with American and Ethiopian coffees and teas. Defar eventually wants to get a beer and wine license. Opened: Mid-March 2018

Seaport District

D’s Keys/Facebook

The future home of D’s Keys

Cardullo’s Gourmet Shoppe

101 Seaport Blvd., Seaport District, Boston

Harvard Square’s longtime specialty food shop and deli is expanding across the river to the Seaport, with everything from fancy salts to coffee and tea, as well as wine, beer, and some spirits. In addition to offering a wide-ranging retail selection, Cardullo’s Seaport location will serve breakfast and lunch sandwiches, as well as lunchtime cheese, charcuterie, and salads. Projected opening: Spring 2018

D’s Keys Dueling Pianos and Singalong Bar

391 D St., Seaport District, Boston

A dueling piano bar from dueling piano bar veterans. It’ll be located within the Element Hotel and will have seating for about 300. Songs will be performed by a couple pianists, plus accompanying bass, drum, and guitar players, and the song list will be based on audience requests. There will be some food available (primarily hot dogs), but the focus is on booze and music. Projected opening: June 2018

South Boston

Backyard Betty’s/Instagram

The future home of Backyard Betty’s

Backyard Betty’s

172-174 W. Broadway, South Boston

A forthcoming Southie restaurant that is related to Publico. It’ll serve “American classics and backyard cookout cuisine,” and the main attraction will be a wood-burning rotisserie smoker. There will also be “tableside wing service” and a cocktail that mixes rainbow sherbet with vodka. Projected opening: May 2018

South End

Burro Bar/Facebook

A spread of food at Burro Bar

Bar Lyon

1750 Washington St., South End, Boston

The newest restaurant from the Columbus Hospitality Group (Mistral, Mooo…., Ostra, etc.) will feature Lyonnaise cuisine, from duck confit to saucisson, complemented by an all-French wine list. The restaurant, located a block from Toro in the South End, will seat around 60, making it fairly small compared to the rest of the group’s venues. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Burro Bar

1357 Washington St., South End, Boston

The latest from the Alpine Restaurant Group (Painted Burro, Posto, and more) is a second Burro Bar location, which took over the La Motta’s space. There’s another Burro Bar in Brookline’s Washington Square. The South End one has over 100 tequilas and “splashes of influence from Baja and Oaxaca to Veracruz and Yucatan.” Opened: May 2, 2018

Whaling in Oklahoma

645-647 Tremont St., South End, Boston

This is a new Japanese project from Ribelle’s Tim Maslow, in partnership with Boston restaurateur extraordinaire Brian Lesser. The name is tentative. It’s taking over the former spaces of Tremont 647 and Sister Sorel, which closed on April 1. Projected opening: June 2018

West Roxbury

Johnny’s Takeaway/Facebook

Cauliflower soup from Johnny’s Takeaway

Johnny’s Takeaway [NOW OPEN]

168 Spring St., West Roxbury, Boston

This takeout spot features heat-and-eat meals made from local, seasonal ingredients by chef Johnny Burke, who has worked at Barbara Lynch’s Butcher Shop, as well as the now-defunct Belly Wine Bar and T.W. Food. Johnny’s Takeaway is located in the former BakerBaker space. Opened: April 2, 2018

The Squealing Pig

1885 Centre St., West Roxbury, Boston

Eat with Jack O’Neill is rebranding into the Squealing Pig to match its siblings in Boston’s Mission Hill and Provincetown. Projected opening: Early May 2018

A Sneak Peek Beyond Spring 2018

As noted above, opening timelines can change drastically, but here’s what we know so far about openings currently slated for summer and fall 2018, as well as a few planned 2019ers and some mysterious openings that could happen any day now — or three years from now. As always, hit up the tipline with any intel on upcoming openings; this list will be updated frequently.

Summer 2018

Mikey Pozarik/By Chloe

Pesto “meatball” sub at By Chloe

A&B Burgers (The Beverly, 101 Beverly St., West End, Boston): The North Shore’s A&B Burgers — which first opened in Salem before moving to its current Beverly location — will expand to Boston proper soon, coincidentally in a building called the Beverly. While the full-service restaurant does feature burgers, there’s a lot of other food on the menu as well. And milkshakes. Projected opening: September 2018

By Chloe (399 Boylston St., Back Bay, Boston): This New York-based, fast-casual chain is entirely vegan. There are two Boston locations already (Fenway and Seaport). The forthcoming Back Bay location, which will include a seasonal patio, will be steps from the Public Garden. Projected opening: Summer 2018

Carrot Flower (703 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, Boston): This smoothie and salad bar will also serve juices, soups, nut milks, and more. Projected opening: July 2018

Cava (667 Boylston St., Back Bay, Boston): This rapidly expanding DC-based fast-casual Mediterranean chain opened in Fenway in January 2018 and Dedham in March 2018, and it’s also coming to Hingham in summer 2018 and Cambridge’s Kendall Square in fall 2018. Projected opening: Summer 2018

Chickadee (Innovation and Design Building, 17-25 Drydock Ave., Seaport District, Boston): This waterfront project, named for the state bird, will emphasize New England ingredients. Ted Kilpatrick and John DaSilva are behind it, both alums of No. 9 Park. Projected opening: Summer 2018

Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse (Prudential Center, 800 Boylston St., Back Bay, Boston): The upscale steakhouse chain, which has a Boston location in the Seaport District, will expand to the Pru’s ground floor with a massive 17,000-square-foot location that will seat 450. There will be a seasonal patio as well. Projected opening: Second half of 2018 (so maybe summer, maybe not)

Fuku (One Seaport, 43 Northern Ave., Seaport District, Boston): David Chang’s NYC-based casual chicken joint — sibling to Momofuku, Milk Bar, and more — is expanding to Boston’s Seaport District with spicy fried chicken sandwiches, slushies, and other items. Projected opening: Summer 2018

Intelligentsia (225 Franklin St., Downtown Boston): The Chicago-based coffee roaster will open its second Boston-area “coffeebar” — the first in Boston proper — on the ground floor of the State Street Bank building. Projected opening: Summer 2018

Kamakura (150 State St., Downtown Boston): Contemporary kaiseki cuisine — high-end, multi-course Japanese meals featuring seasonal ingredients — from Youji Iwakura (Snappy Ramen, Uni, Basho). Projected opening: Summer 2018

Love Art Udon (1024 Commonwealth Ave., Packard’s Corner, Boston): This Love Art Sushi sibling will focus on udon and tempura, with a customizable bowl format. Projected opening: Summer 2018

Mercado Taco Bar (22 Merchants Row, Downtown Boston): Taking over the former Bertucci’s space near Faneuil Hall, this restaurant will serve tacos and more, drawing inspiration from beachside taco shacks in Mexico as well as New York City and Los Angeles street food. Ruben Leon and Manuel Rubio are behind it — respectively the founder and the marketing director for the Plaza Azteca restaurant chain (but Mercado Taco Bar will be run independently of the chain). Projected opening: Late summer 2018

Mighty Love Food (155 Milk St., Downtown Boston): This restaurant intends to focus on vegetables — particularly New England produce — although there will be some meat on the menu as an optional add-on to bowls and salads. Most items will be steamed, baked, or slow-roasted. Projected opening: Mid-summer 2018

Nathálie (186 Brookline Ave., Fenway, Boston): The team behind Haley.Henry — an intimate, popular wine bar downtown — will open a Fenway wine bar on the first floor of the Pierce building, emphasizing female wine producers and old world varieties. There will be a small seasonal patio. Projected opening: Summer 2018

Serafina (237 Newbury St., Back Bay, Boston): The New York-based Italian chain expanded to Boston’s Financial District in 2015, and it’ll open on Newbury Street next, in the former Scoozi space. Projected opening: Summer 2018

Tender Greens (Copley Place, 100 Huntington Ave., Back Bay, Boston): This casual California chain first opened over a decade ago, expanding around the state, but it recently starting expanding eastward thanks to an investment by Shake Shack head honcho Danny Meyer. It opened in Chestnut Hill in April, and it’ll head to Boston’s Copley Place this summer, serving salads and more — sort of a mix of Sweetgreen and Dig Inn, per Eater NY. Projected opening: August 2018

Unnamed Liquid Art House replacement (100 Arlington St., Back Bay, Boston): Liquid Art House will transform into a new concept after renovations, possibly with a new name. (It closed in mid-November 2017.) A future West End location might be in the works as well. Projected openings: The original location will reopen around the end of June 2018, per late March Instagram posts documenting the renovations

Fall 2018

Alli Caulfield/Brato

A spread of potential food at Brato Brewhouse

In this section, we’re including restaurants that have announced plans to open specifically this fall as well as restaurants that have more vaguely given an estimate of 2018 or “by the end of 2018,” since those are most likely to be fall openings.

American Provisions (1961-1981 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, Boston): In the works for over a year, this expansion of Southie’s cheese, charcuterie, and specialty foods shop got delayed by a fire, but it’s still coming. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Blue Bottle (800 Boylston St., Back Bay; 100 Federal St., Downtown Boston): This Californian coffee chain opened a location in Harvard Square in winter 2017-2018, and two more will open in Boston proper this year. Projected opening: 2018

Bon Me (415-435 Brookline Ave., Longwood Medical Area, Boston): This growing local group of food trucks and restaurants — which features Vietnamese-inspired sandwiches, noodle bowls, and more — is expanding again. Projected opening: 2018

Brato Brewhouse & Kitchen (190 North Beacon St., Brighton, Boston): The forthcoming brewpub from Cambridge Brewing Company alums will be located not too far from the new Boston Landing development. Projected opening: Sometime in 2018; meanwhile, Brato is hosting a number of pop-up events

Bruno’s Brewery (24 Ericsson Street, Dorchester): A brewery from the brothers behind Boston Winery (Ralph and Vito Bruno), next to the winery. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Little Sheep Hot Pot (693 Washington St., Chinatown, Boston): A Mongolian hot pot restaurant affiliated with the similarly named Happy Lamb Hot Pot that has a Cambridge location. Projected opening: 2018

Night Shift Brewing (Lovejoy Wharf, North End/West End, Boston): The popular Everett brewery has a massive Boston proper expansion in the works that will include a taproom, a cafe, retail space, and production space. Expect food, coffee, and plenty of beer, including brews made exclusively at and for this location. Projected opening: October/November 2018

Santeria (10 Post Office Sq., Financial District, Boston): A Cuban restaurant, cigar bar, and members-only club from the team behind Yvonne’s, Ruka, and Lolita. Projected opening: By the end of 2018

Shore Leave (345 Harrison Ave., South End, Boston): The Bar Mezzana team is behind this forthcoming Tiki bar. Projected opening: Late 2018

Soleil (Bolling Building, 2200 Washington St., Roxbury, Boston): One of several new restaurants in the works for Dudley Square, this one is replacing the Tasty Burger location that shuttered in early 2018. Soleil will serve sandwiches, salads, and food “with a Southern flavor.” Owner Cheryl Straughter was behind a Grove Hall restaurant called Keith’s Place in the 1990s. Projected opening: 2018

Tatte Bakery & Cafe (360 Huntington Ave., Northeastern campus, Boston; Pier 4 development, Seaport District, Boston): Tatte’s ninth and 10th locations could open before the end of the year as the local cafe chain continues to expand. Next up: locations on Northeastern’s campus and at the forthcoming Pier 4 development in the Seaport District. Projected openings: September 2018 (Northeastern) and by the end of 2018 (Seaport)

Trillium Brewing Company (47 Farnsworth St., Fort Point, Boston): The popular brewery is moving its original location to a bigger space in the neighborhood, into a new development on Thompson Place that will include Bartaco, as noted above. The two-story Trillium space will include a brewpub with a full kitchen, bars on each floor, a retail section, room for private events, and two patios, one of which will be on the roof. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Wahlburgers (101 Allstate Rd., Dorchester, Boston): The Wahlbergs are finally coming home to Dorchester, bringing their ever-expanding burger chain to their hometown. It’ll be at the new South Bay Town Center development, along with several other restaurants. Projected opening: Fall 2018

2019

Elkus Manfredi Architects

Rendering of Time Out Market Boston

6 West Broadway hotel restaurant and rooftop bar (6 West Broadway, South Boston): Part of Meyer Jabara Hotels, this forthcoming South Boston hotel will have a restaurant as well as a rooftop bar. Projected opening: Early 2019

Sam Adams (60 State St., Downtown Boston): After the fall 2017 debut of a taproom at its longtime JP location, Sam Adams is now in final negotiations to expand to downtown Boston, taking over the former Hillstone space by Faneuil Hall. Projected opening: Second half of 2019

Time Out Market (401 Park Dr., Fenway): The Landmark Center is being converted into a new development, 401 Park Drive, which will be home to a food hall with roots in Lisbon. (A Miami location will open in 2018.) Time Out Market is owned by the same company behind Time Out media entities. Vendors have not yet been announced, but they’ll reportedly be local. Projected opening: 2019

Zuma (1 Dalton St., Back Bay, Boston): A London-based upscale Japanese restaurant that draws inspiration from izakayas and serves sushi, robata grill dishes, and more. It’ll be located in the One Dalton building. Projected opening: March 2019

Unnamed Kristin Canty project (In a new development at the former Anthony’s Pier 4 space, 300 Pier 4 Blvd., Seaport District, Boston): A farm-to-table project from the team behind Woods Hill Table in Concord. It could include a seasonal patio and may be open for lunch and dinner. Projected opening: 2019

Unknown

Bartaco/Facebook

Green-wrapped tacos at Bartaco

Akinto (1 Appleton St., South End, Boston): Once a residency at Wink & Nod, this Southeast Asian restaurant will eventually open in the former Merrill & Co. space next to Wink & Nod. It’s been in the works for quite some time. Parent company Boston Nightlife Ventures closed another restaurant, Tap Trailhouse, in March 2018, in part to focus on the upcoming Akinto opening. Projected opening: Unknown

Asian Noodle Soup (779 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, Boston): Replacing Kamado Super Fusion and serving Asian noodle soups. Projected opening: Unknown

Bartaco (25 Thompson Pl., Fort Point, Boston): This East Coast chain is Barcelona Wine Bar’s more casual counterpart and serves tacos, rice bowls, poke, and more, along with a tequila-heavy booze selection. It’ll be near the forthcoming Trillium location, which is moving from its original Fort Point space. It may have two patios (front and side). Projected opening: Unknown

The Beat (Former Boston Globe printing plant, Morrissey Blvd., Dorchester): The old Globe plant could become an office park with a food hall and other dining options. The developers are looking to attract a brewpub or restaurant, as well as food trucks that could “dock” outside, and the main atrium — once the three-story press room — could be a food hall. Projected opening: Unknown

Boston’s Restaurant & Sports Bar (Unknown location): This Canadian sports bar chain is slated to arrive in its namesake city in June 2018 in Fenway, but there’s also an unknown location that’ll come much later. Projected opening: 2020

The Bowery (2261 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, Boston): This project from Julian Bolger (Lucy’s American Tavern, Punk & Poet, more) is slated to replace Ester, which closed in February 2018. Projected opening: Unknown

Caffe Nero (114 New Edgerly Rd., Symphony/Fenway, Boston; Center Plaza, Downtown Boston): Yet another couple locations of the London-based cafe chain that is quickly spreading around the Boston. (It also opened in Brighton Center in spring 2018.) Projected openings: Unknown

Casarecce (283 Hanover St., North End, Boston): The owners of an Italian restaurant in the North End, Pellino’s Ristorante, are opening something new in the former Pinkberry space nearby. Projected opening: Unknown

Checkers & Rally’s (Unknown locations): The company behind two branded drive-thru chains, Checkers and Rally’s, plans to bring its Massachusetts presence from zero to 50 quickly. Stay tuned for Monsterella Stix, shakes, burgers, and more at “upwards of 50” locations in the Boston area soon. Projected opening: Unknown

Chowstirs (524 A St., Fort Point, Boston?): When Ming Tsai announced that he would close Blue Ginger in Wellesley, he also mentioned a forthcoming fast-casual restaurant, Chowstirs, that could open downtown eventually, featuring customizable stir-fry dishes. A blank Facebook page lists a Fort Point address. (In the meantime, out-of-town stir-fry chain Honeygrow and its little sibling Minigrow are gaining ground in Boston.) Projected opening: Unknown

Delicias 100% Express (660A Centre St., Jamaica Plain, Boston): The fast-casual sibling of 100% Delicias, a Dominican restaurant in Roslindale. The Jamaica Plain spot will focus on cativias, which are similar to empanadas but made with cassava flour, as well as ceviche, mofongo, and more. There will be some vegan and vegetarian options, too. Projected opening: Unknown, but it had originally been aiming for mid-January 2018

Dôa (Unknown location): Restaurateur Arjun Waney, who has venues in Miami, London, and beyond, plans to open a casual “LatAsian” restaurant in Boston, serving nikkei- and chifa-inspired dishes (Japanese-Peruvian and Chinese-Peruvian, respectively) in a “true neighborhood setting.” A Miami location that opened in 2016 stays open until 5 a.m. and has a DJ booth, maki counter, and substantial patio. Projected opening: Unknown

Dos Toros Taqueria (Unknown location): New York-based, Northern California-inspired taqueria chain Dos Toros has lots of expansion planned — and Boston’s on its list. Projected opening: Unknown

Eddie V’s (800 Boylston St., Back Bay, Boston): This national seafood chain is taking over the former P.F. Chang’s space at the Prudential Center. Projected opening: Unknown

Feng Shui (1924 Beacon St., Cleveland Circle, Brighton, Boston): Sushi, hibachi, and Chinese food from a restaurant group with locations in Chelmsford, Waltham, Cohasset, and Tyngsborough. (It’ll open in Burlington eventually as well.) Projected opening: Unknown

The Fourth Wall (228 Tremont St., Theater District, Downtown Boston): Reportedly replacing Intermission Tavern, which has been open since 2005 in the former Charlie Flynn’s space. Shares connections with Union Street Restaurant and Bar in Newton. Projected opening: Unknown

Gyu-Kaku (101 Allstate Rd., Dorchester, Boston): An international Japanese barbecue chain with hundreds of locations (including one in Brookline and one in Cambridge) will expand to Dorchester’s under-development South Bay Town Center. Projected opening: Unknown

The Halal Guys (Multiple locations): The New York City chain debuted in Boston’s Theatre District in late summer 2017. Coming up next: locations in the Financial District, West End, Back Bay, and Downtown Crossing (as well as Cambridge’s Porter Square). Exact addresses and opening timelines haven’t been announced yet. Projected openings: Unknown

Isshindo (1 Brighton Ave., Allston, Boston): This ramen restaurant — tagline: “ramen with a soul” — will replace the recently shuttered Pikaichi Ramen (which is relocating to Medford) at Super 88. Projected opening: Unknown

J.P. Licks (101 Allstate Rd., Dorchester, Boston; 397 W. Broadway, South Boston): The Jamaica Plain-based ice cream chain will open a new location at the under-development South Bay Town Center in Dorchester and in the space of a former beauty salon in Southie. Projected openings: Unknown, but hiring for the South Bay location as of March 2018, so that one will probably be sooner rather than later

Kelly’s Roast Beef (Logan Airport, 1 Harborside Dr., East Boston): The decades-old regional roast beef chain — which currently has locations in Revere, Medford, Danvers, and Saugus — may open a location at the airport. Projected opening: Unknown

La Colombe (250 West Newton St., Back Bay, Boston): The Philadelphia-based coffee roaster and cafe chain already has two Boston locations (in the Leather District and the Seaport District), and a Back Bay one is coming up next. Projected opening: Unknown

La Dolda (Unknown address): Formerly an Austin pasta shop, La Dolda is coming up to Boston. It’ll begin as a wholesale business, but the owner plans to open a retail shop and hopefully a small pasta bar at some point in the future. Projected opening: Unknown timeline for the shop and pasta bar, but the wholesale business could start in winter 2017-2018, with owner Matteo Gallizio calling summer 2018 the “worst-case scenario”

Mallorca (610 Tremont St., South End, Boston): A Puerto Rican bakery in the former space of a drug store that was around for decades. Projected opening: Unknown

Midici (101 Allstate Rd., Dorchester, Boston): This Neapolitan pizza chain has one local location in Somerville and will eventually expand to Dorchester as well, part of the under-development South Bay Town Center. Projected opening: Unknown

New Yorker Fried Chicken (1251 River St., Hyde Park, Boston): A slightly renamed chicken takeout spot, under new ownership. The old ownership had a bit of a fraud scandal. Projected opening: Unknown

Pig ‘N Whistle Diner (226 N. Beacon St., Brighton, Boston): A diner that has been closed for 15 years might get resurrected without too many changes. Projected opening: Unknown

Pink Taco (Unknown location in the Seaport District or Fort Point): Founded in Vegas but headquartered in Los Angeles, the Pink Taco has a few expansions in the works, and Boston is on the list. The name has caused some raised eyebrows in other cities. Projected opening: Unknown

The Quiet Few (331 Sumner St., East Boston): A casual restaurant and bar slated for the space briefly occupied by East Boston Kitchen in 2014 (and vacant since then). Projected opening: Unknown

New City Microcreamery (Unknown location, Boston area): This popular ice cream shop way out in Hudson — which features ice cream made with liquid nitrogen — has its eyes on expansion closer to Boston and may pop up around the area in summer 2018 while scouting locations. Projected opening: Unknown

Rhythm ‘n Wraps (1096 Commonwealth Ave., Packard’s Corner, Boston): A brick-and-mortar space for a food truck that serves vegetarian wraps and curries. Projected opening: Unknown

Second Cup Coffee Company (97 Causeway St., West End, Boston): This Canadian cafe chain has plans to open right near TD Garden. Projected opening: Unknown

The Sip & Spoke Bike Kitchen (611 Columbia Rd., Uphams Corner, Dorchester, Boston): Repair your bike; drink coffee. Projected opening: Unknown

Sons of Boston (19 Union St., Downtown Boston): This is reportedly the name of the place that will take over the Tap Trailhouse space. The Tap Trailhouse, formerly the Tap, closed in March 2018. Projected opening: Unknown

Southern Kin (Unknown location): Boston Nightlife Ventures (Wink & Nod, the forthcoming Akinto, and more) is opening a second location of its Somerville restaurant, Southern Kin. Projected opening: Unknown

Tawakal Halal Cuisine (Unknown location, possibly in East Boston): As of late 2017, Yahya Noor was seeking a lease in either East Boston or Chelsea to revive his shuttered Somali restaurant, which used to be located above the Victory Pub, which is now Renegade’s Pub, in Orient Heights. Projected opening: Unknown

Xi’an Famous Foods (Location unknown): The popular New York City-based restaurant group known for its Xi’an-style hand-pulled noodles has been talking about Boston expansion since 2012. As of November 2017, a Boston-area lease is almost finalized. Projected opening: Unknown

Wen’s Yunnan Noodle & Ramen (145 Tremont St., Downtown Boston): A Newbury Street restaurant that specializes in Chinese “crossing-the-bridge” noodles will expand to a location steps from the Common. Projected opening: Unknown

Unnamed Amici replacement (111 N. Washington St., North End, Boston): Nick Frattaroli of Ward 8, North Square Oyster, and Bodega Canal is opening “an Italian concept” in the former Amici space. Projected opening: Unknown

Unnamed Chris Parsons project (Location unknown): In partnership with Brian Lesser, Chris Parsons (formerly of Steel & Rye; more recently at Fat Hen) will open a restaurant at an upcoming Boston hotel. The duo also recently launched a boozy business called Speakeasy Imports. Projected opening: Unknown

Unnamed Tavistock Restaurant Collection project (88-91 Commercial Wharf East, Waterfront, Boston): The group behind Joe’s American, Atlantic Fish, and Abe & Louie’s has purchased a burned out space on Commercial Wharf, right by one location of Joe’s, but has not yet announced details regarding what they plan to open there. Projected opening: Unknown

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comeflywithcarmel · 8 years ago

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Eat, Drink, and Meet New Friends (Perth, Western Australia)

I think I’ve found the country that matches my taste in food…AUSTRALIA!

I’m a big breakfast and steak kinda girl and this country has everything that I’m craving for.

I’m giving every food featured on this blog 4-5 stars, even the Asian food. Everything was delish!

East Village

My friend Alyssa works with the marketing team of this place, so we got 50% off our meal.

Strawberry Daiquiri

Ribeye steak ( also known as Scotch fillet in Australia and New Zealand )

Dinner with Alyssa

Tap beer

Petition Beer Corner

After having dinner at East Village, we went to Petition for a night cap.

If you’re a craft beer aficionado, this is your mecca. There is so much choice and so many craft beers on tap!

The Coffee Club

Alyssa is a talented photographer. The following day, I tagged along in one of her shoots with a Filipino family. But before that, we had breakfast at this famous cafe, which is a 5 minute walk from our hotel.

But first, coffee!

Cappuccinos in Perth are strong but not bitter, which I loved!

They’re bomb digz!

My first taste of Aussie breakfast.

Smashed avo & feta with bacon, poached egg & hollandaise sauce

Where nga ba?

BamBam Boo Chinese Restaurant

I wasn’t thrilled about having lunch at an Asian restaurant, but the Filipino family that we were with lived in Singapore for 5 years and they were craving for something Asiano.

Flat lay challenge.

Uwian na bes, may nanalo na!

The lovely Filipino family I met in Perth.

Superstar Waffles

The happy baristas of Superstar Waffles.

We spent about 2 hours here, just talking and eating.

The Sand Bar Scarborough Beach

Beer, food, and music

We loved locally brewed beer called Nail Ale!

Alyssa introduced me to this amazing couple, Ruben and Olivia, who happened to be playing at the Sand Bar that night.

Try to catch this amazing duo if ever you’re in Scarborough.

Oysters aren’t my thing, but they’re Alyssa’s favorite.

Now, this is my thing!

Nachos with pulled pork

Small Print Baker & Coffee Maker

Cappuccino, Ceasar salad with beef and sourdough toast for breakfast

My daily dose of green juice

Cicerello’s Fish & Chips

Western Australia’s No. 1 Fish & chips

I had their traditional fish & chips, salt and pepper squid and a bottle of Asahi.

Alyssa had salt and pepper squid with rice, fresh oysters and a bottle of Corona.

Fresh fish are sweeter. This is waaaay better compared to the fish & chips that we have here in Singapore.

Little Creatures Brewery, Fremantle

We spent the rest of the after noon here talking and drinking.

From what I remember, we had about 2 liters of beer each.

Mixed olives and my glass of Dog Days

Holmes & Co

This is my favorite breakfast place. I love the ambience, their coffee is perfect, and their food is tasty.

My cousin flew from Sydney to Perth the night before Adele’s concert.

An Aussie breakfast can take many forms but the most common is the big fry up!

B Shed Café & Grill

We had breakfast at the Fremantle B Shed port while waiting for our ferry to Rottnest Island.

I don’t know, but I love Australian yogurt. They’re thick and not so sour.

U & I Cafe

I had seafood fried rice before our flight to Sydney.

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harryfisheraa82 · 7 years ago

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Gourmet Gossip: August 2017

In this great dining city of ours, barely a day passes without news of an exciting restaurant opening, a devastating closing, a shocking chef shuffle, or a groundbreaking, must-try dish. That’s why we’re keeping you apprised of the industry’s most noteworthy bits and bites, from the unexpected return of a duo of esteemed eateries to a gluten-free pasta project from the original “Top Chef.”

Hello JoJo and Coco Pazzo: Fall is generally prime time for brand new restaurant debuts, but this season, we’re awaiting the return of two verifiable NYC vets. After a decade, the old school Italian Coco Pazzo (whose past employees include Cesare Casella and Anthony Bourdain) will bring bistecca alla fiorentina, seafood stew and soufflé back to SoHo. And while Jean-Georges is certainly busy tucking new concepts under his belt, he’s still managed to breathe life into his first solo venture, JoJo; the

two-story, 25-year old bistro will once again inhabit its UES brownstone, after a 12-month, restorative shutter.

Using His Noodle: In addition to certain restaurants returning to the NYC scene after an extended sabbatical, so too are a few beleaguered chefs. After taking a break in the wake of Perilla and Kin Shop’s closures, Harold Dieterle appears ready to get back on the horse. In partnership with E.E. Hospitality, the original “Top Chef” has taken the reigns of an all-gluten free Italian place called Tali & Tali Dolce, which will somehow eliminate wheat from a lineup of panini, pastries and pastas; look for meyer lemon spaghetti and yellow squash ravioli.

Number’s Up: A potential investor with cash to burn and a love of brew could do the East Village a major favor, by helping keep 12-year-old craft beer destination, Jimmy’s. No.43, solvent. According to gregarious owner, Jimmy Carbone (host of the long-running Beer Sessions podcast on Heritage Radio, and producer of events like Pig Island and the NYC Hot Sauce Expo), the speakeasy’s summer shutter could be for good, if he can’t find a partner to help pay back rent, and help absorb a newer, higher rate.

Sweets for the Sweet: Need a compelling reason to say yes to dessert? How about Citymeals on Wheels’ annual fundraiser, “Sweet September?” For the duration of the month, a slew of spots throughout the city will donate proceeds from their tastiest treats to help feed the homebound elderly — so stock up on cups of cookie dough from DŌ, salty caramel custard donuts courtesy of Colonie, and candied walnut-smothered brownie sundaes from Charlie Palmer Steak.

Leonti and the Law: While the city has definitely been excited by the promising presence of Vetri alum, Adam Leonti, the Big Apple hasn’t proved especially welcoming to the talented young chef. After an auspicious start at the pop-up Brooklyn Bread Lab, he moved to his fulltime position at the Williamsburg Hotel’s (yet to open) Harvey, and abandoned ship for Sessanta not too long afterwards for undisclosed reasons. Yet it seems that the hotel has filed an aggressive, non-compete lawsuit — costing Leonti his post at (not just Sessanta), but other restaurants as well. We hope the story ends well for Leonti; although it doesn’t paint an especially

pretty picture of the Williamsburg Hotel.

Bye Bye Bao: In an odd move from the purveyor of one of the year’s most feverishly Instagram foods, Drunken Dumpling is removing its XL Xiao Long Bao from the menu. Essentially filled with a bowl’s worth of soup, the owner fretted that she couldn’t maintain the quality of her thin-skinned yet super-sized dumplings — an admirable (yet entirely unusual) reason, nowadays, for pulling the plug on a guaranteed social media magnet.

The post Gourmet Gossip: August 2017 appeared first on Restaurant Girl: Best Food Blog & Restaurant Guide.

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morganbelarus · 8 years ago

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Koh Samui Travel Guide

(CNN)Gazing on the developing island of today: Five-star hotels. Upmarket dining scene. Plentiful shopping.

While the isle's built-up northern and eastern coasts increasingly cater to the tourists, in the south and west locals still stick to the simple life, and traditions that brought backpackers on rickety fishing boats from the mainland to this island paradise in the first place.

Sheraton Samui Resort

Dining

Barracuda

One of the most noticeable tenants of The Wharf -- a 24,000-square-meter open-air mall opened in 2015 at the western end of Samui's Bo Phut walking street -- is Barracuda.

The stylish concrete and chrome restaurant sits close to the sand.

Run by German Ferdinand Dienst, it serves Mediterranean-influenced dishes using local ingredients -- 80% of the seafood comes from the surrounding waters.

All its vegetables are locally and organically grown.

Barracuda's concept is winningly simple: serve fresh, high quality product on a small menu that changes frequently, with service to match.

Another Thai paradise -- Phuket: Insider Travel Guide

Chez Francois

It's rare to come across a restaurant that earns universal acclaim, but you'll be hard-pressed to find anyone with a bad word to say about chef Francois Porte's Chez Francois.

Guests enter on a street close to the Fisherman's Village through a large, ornate door into a cozy space with black and white checkered floors, and a large wooden centerpiece table.

At the back is a small bar. The menu changes daily, depending on what Porte finds at the market. Reservations are a must.

Stacked

From the yellow-bricked open kitchen to the bare-light-bulb chandelier to the electric green neon surfboard sign, the design at Stacked is contemporary and comfortable.

The menu is full of classics like grilled Caesar salad, New England clam chowder and a selection of steaks.

But Stacked is most famous for its burgers.

For those that feel up to it, the Stacked Burger Challenge consists of four burgers and eight strips of bacon in a black sesame seed bun served with double fries and double slaw.

It's free to anyone who can finish the monster in 20 minutes -- otherwise it costs THB1,000 ($28).

The Larder

The expat duo behind this favorite "decided Samui was lacking a down-to-earth eatery where the atmosphere is warm and welcoming, without the food dropping in standard."

They came up with The Larder, a pretension-free European gourmet restaurant -- if you have a little beach sand on you, that's cool.

Menu offerings include chicken breast and liver pate, Spanish chorizo and potato minestrone, and Serrano ham with soft-boiled quails eggs, glazed cauliflower and wild rocket.

Fine food, island vibe.

Tough to beat.

Cafe 69

When he quit his job at one of the island's five-star resorts, chef Vivian opened his own restaurant, the cheekily named Cafe 69.

The interior is as colorful as the owner, with glittering silver tablecloths, turquoise walls and an oversized 69-shaped ceiling light, casting its glow on diners.

The food, perhaps best summed up as Thai with a twist, is similarly inventive.

Green curry pie with mango and fettuccine tom yum goong carbonara are solid examples.

The small space can fill up quickly, so booking ahead is recommended.

Closed on Sundays.

Krua Chao Baan

A best of Koh Samui beachfront feast for locals and visitors, this restaurant is a well-kept secret among lovers of fresh local seafood.

The vast menu includes interesting southern delicacies like gaeng som, a popular local sour curry, as well as a full list of Thai favorites.

The red snapper with chili and mango salad is a treat, as are tiger prawns in tamarind sauce, if available.

Everything goes well with coconut juice straight from the tree.

Diners needn't worry about stuffing their face -- they can always work off the calories by going for a post-meal paddle in the restaurant's kayaks, offered free of charge.

Think

It's hard to miss this funky little cafe.

Not just because of its location -- in the middle of the west coast, a few kilometers south of Koh Samui's capital of Nathon -- but because it's made from recycled shipping containers, refitted and daubed in bold yellow, red, blue and orange.

The fence of colorfully painted old tires is also an attention getter.

Like many establishments in the southern Thai islands, Think has adopted a hippie-beachcomber, ramshackle decor.

The collection of chairs and tables set in the sand at its covered entrance is the best place to watch the sunset with a drink in hand.

Rock Salt

British chef David Lloyd has worked at a number of Michelin-starred restaurants.

His own Rock Salt occupies a classic tropical beach-side restaurant setting, with bamboo ceiling, chunky wooden furnishings and bohemian decorations.

The food from a chef who has cooked for the likes of Tom Jones and Kate Moss is superb.

Immaculately presented dishes include wagyu hash with sous-vide poached eggs.

Starfish & Coffee

With its warm Mediterranean decor and beach-side terrace in the heart of Bophut Fisherman's Village, Starfish, as it's known, is always abuzz with vacationers.

An eclectic, occasionally quirky menu of Thai and Western dishes complements the restaurant's fresh daily seafood offerings, the latter displayed on ice out front and cooked fresh to your taste.

A distinct French influence means there's a good wine selection and desirably dangerous desserts, such as the ever-popular mango and sticky rice.

Named after a Prince song, the restaurant opens at noon so no chance of eating its butterscotch clouds and tangerines for breakfast.

Nightlife

9Gems

9Gems is part luxury villa, part upscale lounge.

There's fusion food, tapas and cocktails, all served hillside, with great views over Chaweng Lake stretching to the beach.

"Miami Vice" meets Buddha Bar -- this best of Koh Samui place offers the white linen brigade a sassy place to splash its cash.

Air Bar

High on the west coast, at the pinnacle of the InterContinental Samui Baan Talin Ngam Resort, Air Bar is consistently rated as the best place in Samui to watch the sunset.

It consists of a large open deck and stylish square, back-lit bar that juts out over the hillside, flanked by an array of sofas and armchairs all facing out to the vast ocean view.

Getting there around 5 p.m. helps secure a front row seat.

The cocktail menu is excellent, created by Bangkok-based mixologist Joseph Boroski.

Woo Bar

In the battle of scenic places from which to watch the sunset, Woo sets the bar high.

There's the infinity pool, with sunken, circular loungers, book-ended by a large white "W," which reflects in the water.

The amazing views northward look toward Koh Phang An -- particularly stunning as dusk falls and the lights come on.

A DJ is on hand nightly from 6-11 p.m.

Drinks promotions include Thursday's "Mo-Hee-Toe Madness" -- free flow of 10 signature cocktails for a small price (about $36) supplies lubricant for the evening.

Nikki Beach

Nikki Beach Samui is part of the legendary global network of beach clubs founded in Miami in 1997, with branches in St. Tropez, Marrakech, Ibiza, Bali and -- until it closed in the summer of 2015 -- Phuket.

The brand identity is glamor and indulgence,

Starched white umbrellas shelter wealthy patrons sipping on champagne while they listen to DJ beats.

Immaculately dressed guests, often head-to-toe in white linen, start to arrive around noon and occupy the plush daybeds until late.

Bees Knees Brewpub

The Bee's Knees is, so far, the island's only brewpub.

But it's swiftly developed a great reputation for its beers.

These include Summer Bee, a pilsner-style lager and Wheaty Bee, made from German and Australian malts.

The owner is usually around to explain the brewing process, which takes place in massive tanks visible through a glass divider.

Green Mango Road

A few clubs in Chaweng manage to regularly fill their dance floors.

The best of Koh Samui nightlife in one area is Chaweng's Green Mango Road, which has an aircraft hangar-like club of the same name.

Another top club to hit on the Green Mango strip is Solo, popular with the late-night crowd and known for bringing in a regular rotation of quality DJs from around the world.

Wellness

Samahita Retreat

This calming yoga and wellness retreat is located in the rural southern part of the island.

Meaning "balanced" in Sanskrit, Samahita offers a range of classical yoga practices and meditative techniques, as well as personalized detox and de-stress programs.

Guests vary from beginners to experienced, singles to families.

Located on the beach, the center is committed to environmentally friendly practices, including solar-powered hot water, rainwater harvesting and cultivating its own fruit trees and herb garden.

55/20-24 Moo 4 T. Namuang, Taling Ngam; +66 7792 0090; samahitaretreat.com

The Spa Samui Beach Resort

This beachfront resort has been selling Samui as a center of the wellness universe for more than 20 years.

Now with two locations -- the other is in the hills overlooking Lamai Beach -- the two decades since it opened have seen it attract people from all around the world for intriguing treatments that include hypnotherapy, Hawaiian healing and astrology.

The vibe is relaxed, with a convivial atmosphere that encourages guests to share their experiences and bond in a beautiful setting.

A shuttle runs regularly between the two locations.

171/2 Moo 3, Lamai Beach, +66 7723 0855; thesparesorts.net

The Sanctuary

Koh Samui may not be far enough removed from your daily grind.

If that's the case, a slow ferry north to a little bay called Had Tien on the neighboring isle of Koh Phanga reveals a magical little oasis.

Be warned though, things here are rustic.

There's no land line phone or permanent electricity, and it's strictly cash only.

But that's the attraction.

Along with yoga and detox treatments, there's a fun lineup of weekly events, including "movies under the stars" on Tuesdays and open mic nights on Thursdays.

Koh Phangan, +66 81 271 3614; thesanctuarythailand.com

Beaches

Picking which strip of Samui sand to plop down on depends on whether you're looking for white sands with no crowds or want to lay in front of a beach bar run by dudes who never seem to tire of listening to Bob Marley.

For action, the busiest strip of sand in town is Chaweng Beach.

It has the most concentrated accommodations and best nightlife.

Though crowded, it's a nice beach with white sand and turquoise waters.

Second on the popularity scale is Lamai Beach.

Not as busy as Chaweng, but with plenty of hotel options and a lovely beach, it's an alternative for traveling families who want to be in the thick of the action but without the wild nights.

Other good options include Choeng Mon, Bophut, Lipa Noi and Maenam.

If views of neighboring Ang Thong National Park are preferable to fine sand, there's Taling Ngam, which sits in a remote corner of Koh Samui. Keep in mind, this one is really far from the action.

Adventure

Kiteboarding

Learning kiteboarding skills takes energy and commitment.

But vacationers can still nurse a hangover and give it a go.

Koh Samui is one of several Thailand beach destinations that attracts fans of the sport, thanks to the island's optimal wind conditions.

For lessons, there's the Samui branch of Kiteboarding Asia.

Island hopping

Ang Thong Marine Park is reachable on a day trip, and deserted enough to offer unspoiled Crusoe charm.

"The Beach" may have been filmed elsewhere, but it was this 42-island archipelago that provided the inspiration -- a truly stunning spot to snorkel, dive, lie on the beach or kayak.

One of the park's islands, Maekoh, has its own emerald inland lake.

Most hotels and Koh Samui travel agencies offer a variety of Ang Thong tours.

Diving

Because Samui is essentially a sand island, the water just offshore can be murky.

In other words, the island's dive options suck.

But there are inspiring snorkeling and dive trips that leave Samui daily for nearby islands like Koh Phangan and Koh Tao and Ang Thong Marine Park.

For snorkelers, the waters around the much-photographed islets at Koh Nang Yuan, off Koh Tao, are often fishbowl clear.

Sail Rock is a popular world-class dive site halfway between Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, one of the few places in the world where you can dive with whale sharks.

Sightings generally are present between March and August.

Koh Tao itself has more than 30 dive sites and considerably more schools and operators.

The 100 Degrees East Dive Team limits the number of divers/snorkelers per trip and heads for less-visited areas or gets to the popular ones early to avoid the crowds.

Ziplining

Not all the action in Samui takes place on the water.

There's also flying through tropical treetops strapped into a harness while snatching glimpses of the glistening coast below.

The rides at Canopy Adventures, which claims to be Asia's first cable ride, are set in one of Samui's least spoiled patches of forest, near Mae Nam on the northwest coast.

Altogether there are 15 cable rides, with 21 treetop platforms, totaling some 2,000 meters.

A secret waterfall for a cool-off awaits along the way.

Golf

Koh Samui has two mountainside golf country clubs -- Santiburi and the Royal Samui Golf -- with above-par views from the tees.

At Santiburi, carts are mandatory and absolutely necessary. The course takes players up, down and around a wide area, offering fantastic views that challenge you to keep your mind on the game.

Magic Buddha Garden

Hidden in the mists of Koh Samui's hillside jungle, the Magic Buddha Garden is a mystical anomaly created by local septuagenarian fruit farmer Nimm Thongsuk.

Along a mountain stream, Uncle Nimm built statues and sculptures that portray various deities and mythical creatures.

It's an oddball, best of Koh Samui attractions that's worth including on an island tour, in addition to the usual Big Buddha and Grandfather/Grandmother (penis/vagina) rock stops.

The final climb up to the garden can be a little steep.

Getting there

By air

As Samui International Airport is privately owned by Bangkok Airways, the only carriers flying in are the airline itself, plus some flights operated by Thai Airways and Silk Air.

However, international connections are easy via Bangkok.

Bangkok Airways flies direct to more than a dozen destinations throughout the region.

By ferry

A variety of fast and slow ferries connects mainland Surat Thani with Koh Samui, arriving and departing from piers at Nathon, Lipa Noi, Bang Rak and Mae Nam.

If you're traveling through southern Thailand by car (which makes for a scenic road trip), regular car ferries run every hour from 5 a.m.-7 p.m.

Location transportation

Airport transfers

Most hotels provide airport transfers, but for a slightly cheaper option there's an official airport taxi counter, where you pay the fare in advance.

Local cabs aren't metered so, for example, it's usually 400 baht ($11) for a 10-minute ride to Bophut.

It's 100 baht ($3) in a shared mini-bus if you're not on a tight schedule.

Car rentals

If you plan to do more than hang out on the beach, the easiest way to get around the island is by car.

The airport has several rental counters -- Avis, Budget, Hertz, Europcar -- each offering a fleet of sedans, SUVs, minivans and jeeps.

Local companies such as TA Car Rent usually have lower rates than the big brands and flexible drop-off and return locations.

Motorbikes

Motorbike rentals are about 150-250 baht ($4-7) per day depending on the bike's condition.

Despite many people driving without them, Thai law requires wearing a helmet.

The island has one of the highest road fatality rates in the country. Legend has it the only activity that's deadlier is sitting under a coconut tree.

Songthaew

A safe way to get around is to flag down a converted red pickup (songthaew), the island's non-scheduled public transportation. Prices range from 30-80 baht per ride for short distances.

For longer distances, the rule of thumb is 100 baht ($3) per beach you want to travel to (for example, 300 baht from Chaweng to Bophut).

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