Normally, I like to start off the newsletter with a bit of humor or history about the current month or make a comment about
the weather, but we have a lot of events coming up and I want to jump right into them. Before that, I need to mention
something very important. When attending our events, you are expected to act with utmost respect towards other members,
the wait-staff and the restaurant management. If you bring a guest, you are also responsible for their actions. Please
understand that finding a restaurant that fits our needs is not easy and A LOT of work goes on behind the scenes. A lot of
time, energy, negotiations and legwork is involved in putting a restaurant on our calendar and by being disruptive or impolite
to staff you jeopardize relationships that sometimes we have had for MANY YEARS or took me months of work. This is not
fair to myself, nor to every other member of our organization. It is understandable that you want perfection, and it is
understandable for me to expect proper behavior. These restaurants are under a lot of stress to make our events great and
serving 25-40 people is not simple. If there are issues, please bring them to MY attention, it should also go without saying
that you should respect other members and the staff. If I see someone acting rude or out of line, I will cancel their membership.
NOTE: NASHVILLE HAS 2 Spots left!!!
Before we splash in the rain of April (I had to put a weather comment in here somewhere), there are 2 more March events left
on our calendar. The first is this Sunday at the THE WEST SIDE STEAKHOUSE. This is one of THE BEST steaks I have
ever eaten and this year Nick, the very friendly and accommodating owner, has added Filet Mignon to our 4-course menu!
Our last March event is on Easter Sunday, the 27th. We head to the Highline Ballroom for brunch and an EDITH PIAF show.
You will love this 90-minute show featuring the incredible voice of Yael Dray-Barel as she revisits Edith’s life through songs,
stories and history. I took my family for brunch and immediately knew the group would LOVE this show! NOTE: I’ve sold
out of our initial group purchase and I am only adding a few more tickets upon new RSVP’s, until the show sells out!
Our April starts off on April Fools at the TRIBECCA ART FACTORY. This date was moved from “Good Friday” the previous
week. Enjoy a social event as we join about 50 others and watch live art being produced as we sip wine, champagne and eat
lite bites while a painting is created. RSVP early as tickets are purchased in advance. On Sunday, April 3rd, we head to
I’TRULLI RISTORANTE. Many members have recommended we dine here, and it took a great relationship with one
member and the Marzovilla family to make it happen. Family owned since 1994, this top Italian will be on our list for years
to come. On Saturday, April 9th, we dine at OPIA, the same owners of the popular Matisse, in midtown. This elegant
restaurant was also recommended by 2 very active members and features a 3-piece jazz band. On Thursday, April 14th, we
head to NINO’S TUSCANY STEAKHOUSE. We ate at “Nino’s” in March and it was so good, we instantly planned our next
visit here. Featuring a 100-year old piano player, “Nino’s Tuscany” is another recommendation by a long standing member (I
see a pattern here). On Saturday, April 16th, we have a street-art and studio walking tour of Bushwick. This tour was requested
by our members and it includes wine and an art gift from the artists themselves. “Like a Local Tours” has put together great
food walking tours for our group (Flatiron and Williamsburg) and we are certain this art tour will be just as amazing. On April
17th, we head to a casual, yet delicious Chinese dinner at CHOP SHOP II. This recently opened sister restaurant to the ever
popular Chop Shop is near impossible to get a reservation on a weekend night. RSVP early as this one will sellout. On
Thursday, April 21st we have a waitlist for Le Bocuse, please contact me if interested in this event. Note: For Passover week,
we are working on returning to our traditional Seder dinner, however as of the writing of this newsletter, nothing has been
confirmed. Finally, Saturday, April 30th, we head to PANAME, a midtown French restaurant owned by Bernard Ros a NYC
chef for 45 years. I ate here once for a business meeting, and knew the group would enjoy this delicious French meal!
The following March events are still available for Single Gourmet Members and their guests:
1. West Side Steakhouse-597 10th Avenue (44th and 43rd). Sunday, March 20th 5:15 optional
drinks, 6:00pm dinner, 4-course dinner, glass of wine, coffee tax & tip included. $82
2. Edith Piaf Show @ Highline Ballroom- 431 West 16th (9th and 10th Avenue), Sunday, March 27th
11:30am brunch- Entrée and Coffee only (no alcohol), 12:30-2pm Edith Piaf show- $68
The following April events are available for Single Gourmet Members and their guests:
Tribeca Art Factory “Live Art”
Friday, April 1st (RSVP by March 28th)
55 Murray Street (btw- W. Bdway and Church)
6pm – 9pm (people often stay till 11)
$49 lite bites, wine, champagne
As seen on Chanel 11 News. Come join us for a social night of drinking
wine and champagne, eating cupcakes, cheeses, breads and meats, and
watch a local artist paint on canvas, mixing their thoughts with the
ideas of those of the audience. Enjoy a Q & A with the artist and
socialize with new friends in a fun and vibrant environment. You don’t
have to be an expert of art to come, relax, make friends, and enjoy the process as art is created right before your eyes. The Art
Factory is giving our joining members a $50 credit towards any art they purchase.
I’Trulli Ristorante
122 East 27th (Park and Lexington)
Sunday, April 3rd
5:45 optional drinks, 6:45 dinner
$77 3-course, gl of wine, tax and tip.
Opened by restaurateur Nicola Marzovilla in 1994, I Trulli Ristorante is
one of New York City’s landmarks of fine Italian dining. TripAdisor
Recommended-Certificate of Excellence. Its menu celebrates the cuisine
of the Marzovilla family’s homeland, the region of Puglia. The pastas are
handmade daily by owner Dora Marzovilla. Zagat rated 23 for “Rustic but sophisticated, this Kips Bay Southern Italian purveys a
trulli special Puglian menu.” New York Magazine review, “This is pretty much the only game in town when it comes to faithful
renditions of Apulian regional dishes (Apulia is the heel of Italy’s boot). The chef brings this rustic cuisine into sharp focus, and
provides a welcome relief from typical Southern Italian red-sauce monotony.” Michelin Guide states “Warm, ambient, and
widely appealing, this precious restaurant is known for crafting Italian food with a light touch. Neither young nor hip, it’s a
neighborhood stalwart that still lures locals with its sublime covered garden and charming dining room of white walls and flickering
candles. Then there’s the menu, which is unabashedly pleasing.” Our menu includes entrees such as black bass, braised shot ribs,
organic chicken, home-made pastas and much more.
Opia
130 East 57th (btw Lexington & 3rd)
Saturday, April 9th Live 3-piece jazz 8:00 – 11:30
6:45pm optional drinks, 7:45 pm dinner
$75 3-course dinner, gl wine, coffee, tax/tip
Founded in 2001, by illustrious restaurateurs Frederick Lesort and Antoine Blech (Frederick’s, Jour et Nuit, Lemon, and Matisse), Opia embodies the vivacity of its founders’
native and present cities: the mysterious cool of New York and the à la mode sophistication
of Paris. Upon 2 members’ recommendations, my wife and I, dined here recently and gave
it 4 thumbs up. You will find that the accommodating and sumptuous ambiance makes for
an unforgettable experience. Set inside the beautiful Renaissance Hotel, Opia screams
opulence and elegance, and our 3-course meal incudes: beet salad, quinoa salad, salmon
tartare, New York strip steak, sole amandine, roasted chicken, spinach and ricotta ravioli,
chocolate molten lava cake, dulce de leche flan and a chocolate mousse. There will be a 3-
piece live jazz band playing as well. This will be a fun and music filled Saturday night!
Nino’s Tuscany Steakhouse
117 W 58th (6th and 7th Avenue)
Thursday, April 14th
5:45pm optional drinks, 6:45pm dinner
Famous 100-year old piano player- Irving Fields
$76- 3-course dinner, gl wine, coffee, t&t
When we ate at Nino’s in March, Nino turned to me and said, “let’s do this again
as soon as possible” and offered up his other restaurant in midtown! This
location was the original location referred to me by a long standing member of our group and friend of Irving Fields. I promised
her in due time we will dine here and Nino made it happen! Zagat rated for “More than typical neighborhood Italian, this exudes
old-world charm from the comfortable settings to the delicious, traditional cooking; maybe pricey, but smiling servers always
enhance the experience.” The piano player, Irving Fields is world famous and at 100 years old, he alone is worth coming to see.
Bushwick Street Art & Warehouse Art Tour
Saturday, April 16th
11:20am meet at Union Square (L to Jefferson)
12pm if meeting us in Brooklyn @ Jefferson.
$75- 2-hour tour, wine/snacks, take home art.
On a past Williamsburg walking tour, our group discussed the desire to do a
street-art tour of Bushwick and the same tour company, “Like a Local” has put
together just that! Vogue recently named Bushwick the second coolest
neighborhood on the planet! Join us as we visit this nexus of the street art
world reminiscent of the SOHO art scene of the 1970s. We will meet in Union
Square and ride the L train for 15 minutes to the Jefferson stop where the tour kicks off. Once in Bushwick, we start with a half a
mile walking tour through the famous “Five Points” featuring wall after wall of large scale street art, and we end up at a studio
warehouse called the Parenthesis Art Space where many artists call home. The tour includes a welcome drink, an art curator led
talk, an art swag bag with art gifts, two artist studio visits, a professional tour guide and concludes with refreshments / wine and a
discussion. About 50% of the proceeds go to the artists and the art organization.
Chop Shop II
41 West 24th (between 5th and 6th) next to Raymi
Sunday, April 17th
5:15pm optional drinks 6 pm diner
$62- 10 Item Asian fusion family style (no wine/tea)
This is the sister restaurant to 22 rated Chop Shop. CHOP-SHOP II just opened
and is a collaboration between Danny Emerman, Mah Chan of BOTTINO Restaurant (where we ate 2 years ago), Jason Li and
Robert Wu. CHOP-SHOP II brings together an eclectic experience of Asian cuisines with an international sensibility. 4.5 stars on
TripAdvisor. My wife and I recently ate here and we were wowed by the flavors not often found in a typical Chinese restaurant.
This is a small, hip space, and near impossible to get in on a weekend night, so our group size will be limited. This is also a more
casual restaurant, where food tastes are more important than décor (hint: there is no décor). Our menu: salt and pepper shrimp,
mango and avocado spring rolls, steamed lamb dumplings, pork belly buns, lo mein noodles with chicken and mushrooms,
poached salmon and ginger scallion w/baby bok choy, marinated pan-seared flank steak with lemongrass and chop shop slaw,
three cups organic chicken with shiitake mushrooms, sautéed Chinese broccoli with garlic and our dessert is gelato. All drinks will
be purchased upon consumption or at the bar.
Culinary Institute of America- With walking tour of CIA
The Bocuse Restaurant- Special Event 12 noon-4pm
April 21st, 9am from NYC- $99 or @ restaurant $72
SOLD OUT. Contact me if you want to get on the wait list.
-If meeting us there, as of this writing, there is room for one table seat & tour.
Paname
1068 2nd Avenue (56th and 57th)
Saturday, April 30th
6:15 pm optional drinks; 7:15pm Dinner
$76 3-course French, gl of wine, coffee, tax & tip
Named after the most famous and hip slang nickname for Paris, which originally came from the
Panama hats worn by French men back in the early 20th century, Paname is the brainchild of French Chef/Baker Bernard Ros
formerly of Le Deauville and Meli Melo and with over 45 years’ of experience as a NYC chef, Chef Ros knows his way around a
kitchen. Having first started in his parent’s restaurant in Paris, Chef Ros has spent his entire life dedicated to French food.
Paname is a classic, neighborhood style French bistro and has received 4 stars on yelp and 4.5 stars on Tripadvisor. The décor
of Paname is French simplicity and the atmosphere is warm and inviting. The mayor of Paris once dined here and said it is like
dining at a corner restaurant of Paris. Chef/Owner Ros personally shops for every menu ingredient daily and is the pastry chef
for the restaurant. Our menu includes: escargots de bourgogne, crabcakes, caesar salad maison, organic chicken breast with
compote d’aubergines, pine nuts and thyme blossom, scallopine de porc with mushroom giroffle and creme fraiche, sauteed
Codfish à la nicoise with tomato fondant, sauteed shrimp vadouva and a chef selection of dessert.
Nashville & Memphis- 2 Spots Left- Memorial Weekend Thursday May 26th- May 31st-$3375 Due April 9th
Nashville and Memphis (Memorial Weekend)
ONLY 2 Spots Left
Spend 5 nights in Nashville with 1 full day-trip to Memphis: Thursday May 26th to Tuesday May 31stt- $3375.
Includes airfare tours, lunches, dinners, 5 nights’ accommodation at The Omni Downtown Nashville, Voted by Conde
Nast as the #1 hotel in Nashville and #18 in the entire southern USA. Beautiful, elegant, top tier hotel opened in 2014.
Certificate of Excellence.
Deduct $200 if choosing NOT to go to Memphis, deduct $250 if flying on your own, deduct $300 if sharing a room.
RSVP ASAP with deposit- It is important to our tour schedules, hotel reservations and to guarantee Opry tickets!
For those who were unaware, I lived in Nashville for 5+ years and I know the city and nightlife extremely well.
Historically weather is 60-80 degrees. We land in Nashville 9:20am Thursday and leave 3:10pm Tuesday direct LGA.
Thursday- we dine at the 28 rated Etch (Zagat 2014 top restaurant in the USA and 2016 top 10 restaurants in the USA)
4+hour “Discover Nashville” van tour. See sites such as Bicentennial Capitol State Park, Vanderbilt University, The
Parthenon (see why Nashville is called, “The Athens of The South”), Tennessee State Capitol, Riverfront Park, Music
Row (record labels and studios), “Honky Tonk” Row (music venues), Fort Nashborough and Downtown Nashville.
Take a personal tour of the Ryman Auditorium (one of the most famous concert halls in history), RCA Studio B
(Elvis recorded 262 songs at Studio B, his piano is housed here, Dolly Parton, Eddy Arnold, Tammy Wynette, Charlie
Pride and Roy Orbison recorded here and over 1000 hits were recorded here) and a self-guided tour of the Country
Music Hall of Fame Museum. Lunch and Dinner at top Zagat restaurant (We can go out after for music downtown)
– Friday- 10am—10pm: First climb aboard the General Jackson-The largest showboat in the world that will take
guests past natural and historical sites along the banks of Nashville’s beautiful Cumberland River. Four massive decks
offer excellent opportunities to see the beautiful scenery of Nashville skyline and the stunning countryside of central
Tennessee. This majestic vessel was designed to recreate the impressive showboats that cruised the waters of America’s
rivers in the 19th century. Then enjoy a savory Southern-style buffet in the Victorian theater (drinks not included) as
we listen to a lively variety show called “Nashville Live.” The world-class cast includes two country artists, a fiddle
player, guitar soloists and a live band. After the cruise we then head off to tour the stage and backstage dressing
room of the Grand Ole Opry to get a behind-the-scenes, look at country’s most famous show. Hear the stories that
make up the history of the Opry, and stand in the very circle where the brightest and best of Country Music plays. Then
visit the beautiful and famous Gaylord Opryland Resort and enjoy a guided tour of the incredible nine-acre resort
with beautiful lush indoor gardens and waterfalls. After an early ‘casual’ dinner on Friday night we head to The Grand
Ole Opry 7pm-9:30 show. For more than 90 years the greatest country music stars in the world grace the Opry stage
for its terrific show. This is one of the most famous music shows in the world! What began as a simple radio broadcast
in 1925 is today a live entertainment phenomenon, dedicated to honoring country music’s rich history and dynamic
present. The Grand Ole Opry showcases a mix of country legends and the contemporary chart-toppers who have
followed in their footsteps. The Opry, an American icon and Nashville’s number-one attraction, is world-famous for
creating one-of-a-kind entertainment experiences. It’s been called the “home of American music” and “country’s most
famous stage.”
– Day 3- Saturday: Day trip to Memphis: 7am-10pm. (-$200 if opting out of this). Come experience the legendary
character of Memphis, TN and see why this city is mentioned in more song lyrics than any other place on Earth!
Memphis is the birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll, the capitol of Blues and home to some of the best BBQ. We walk in the
footsteps of legends and celebrate 60 years of Rock ‘n’ Roll with a visit to Elvis Presley’s home, Graceland. We will
see the burial site of Elvis, walk through his car museum and see airplanes that he used for tours then we will have a
casual quick lunch is at Graceland. In the afternoon, we are off to learn what accident set Rock ‘n’ Roll in motion at
Sun Studios in the heart of Downtown. Take a guided tour to see what the recording process used to be like and hear
the stories of how the legends got their start: Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, and the King. Take time on
your own to explore Beale Street and dive into some Blues. We might see the famous Peabody Ducks if we have time,
then enjoy one of the best BBQ dinner’s before heading back.
– Sunday- Historic Nashville Tour- 9am-4pm- first we visit The Hermitage- the home of President Andrew
Jackson, the seventh President of the United States. Considered to be the most authentic early presidential home in
the nation, the Hermitage consists of the Jackson family mansion, garden, slave quarters, and the original log cabin
the family occupied in 1804. The Hermitage is one of the largest and most visited presidential homes in the United
States. Today, The Hermitage is a 1,120-acre National Historic Landmark with over 30 historic buildings, that welcome
200,000 annual visitors. Historians consider President Jackson’s Hermitage the best preserved early presidential
home. A guided tour of the mansion and self-guided audio tour of the museum and grounds are included as we explore
The Hermitage just as President Jackson and his staff did back in 1836. Stroll the lovely formal gardens, then visit the
slave quarters, the estate’s original 1804 cabin and the sight where the President and his wife were laid to rest. The
Hermitage was once home to 150 slaves in addition to the Jackson family. A trip through the plantation grounds gives
us an idea of what it would have been like to be a member of an elite family – or a slave – in the Antebellum South. Next
we have a guided tour of The Belle Meade Plantation-As the premier thoroughbred racing and breeding farm in
the South for over a century, The Belle Meade Plantation was THE center of hospitality in the 1800s. Established in
1807, this home-site tells the history of the Harding and Jackson families and the impact they had on the city of
Nashville and their contribution to the development of thoroughbred racing horses in the US. Five United States
Presidents have enjoyed the hospitality of the Harding and Jackson families, and the 5,400 acres that made up the
Plantation were home to some of the greatest horses in racing history. As we wander the mansion and cross the
grounds, our guide divulges facts about famous visitors, such as President Cleveland and General Ulysses S. Grant.
After the tour of the Greek-Revival mansion and grounds, enjoy a wine tasting at the on-site winery. Includes a
Southern-style cuisine at the Harding House restaurant located on the plantation grounds.
– Memorial Day- 9am-4pm We will visit the historic town of Franklin TN est. 1799 (where I owned my music venue),
14 miles from Nashville, Downtown Franklin boasts an award-winning Main Street, brick sidewalks, a stunning
collection of Victorian buildings and a host of “Best of” accolades. It continues to earn national recognition as an
authentic place that offers an atmosphere that reminds locals and visitors alike of a simpler time in our history – a
place where community mattered. Honored as one of the best downtown areas in the nation when it received the “Great
American Main Street” award held by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Franklin’s accolades have included
the “Best Small Town in Tennessee,” “America’s Most Romantic Main Street,” and “One of America’s Greatest Antique
Destinations,”. Franklin was ranked #4 “Best Places to Visit for Historic Preservation.” Travel + Leisure Magazine
named Franklin 8th best town in the nation and Garden & Gun magazine named Franklin the “Best Southern Town.”
Fittingly it is on Memorial Day, that we visit Franklin and step back in time to 1864 and the Civil War’s Battle of
Franklin on a guided, 7-hour tour. The Battle of Franklin was one of the worst disasters of the war for the Confederate
Army, known as the five bloodiest hours of the Civil War and THE turning point that ended the Confederacy. During
the American Civil War, the Battle of Franklin was fought in the city resulting in 10,000 casualties. We will see parts
of the landmarked historic town of Franklin, view its historic sites and visit the Lotz House and/or Carter House and
the Carnton Plantation for guided tours to learn about their roles during the Civil War and American History. Our
casual southern lunch is at the famous Puckett’s Grocery. Dinner back in Nashville at a top rated restaurant.
Restaurants are the last thing I work on as it is easier when I know the group size but these are a few we are working
with already. Subject to change unless confirmed.
Confirmed-Etch- 28 food, 26 décor and Service. Zagat, 2014 Zagat #1 restaurant in the USA, 4.5 stars on YELP. Trip
Advisor Certificate of Excellence. 2016 top 10 restaurants in USA- Zagat
Confirmed- The Southern- 25 food, 25 décor Zagat- “Incredible” “gourmet twists” on Southern classics keep the room
“buzzing” at this all-day SoBro eatery, a “real winner” for “high-grade” grass-fed steaks and a “phenomenal” oyster bar
in “super-cool” environs that “put you in a good mood”; with “fantastic” servers to round out the ever-“popular”
experience, most agree “you’re getting your money’s worth.”
Confirmed- M-restaurant- Zagat “E” Set in a historic warehouse with floor-to-ceiling windows, a long bar and white
tablecloths, this chic and light-filled Downtown hot spot delivers ambitious Southern eats, as well as wine and cocktails
Prima- 23 Food, 27 Décor- Sleek” and “oozing sex appeal”, this “breathtaking” This Gulch Area New American gives
off a “movie-set feel” with “dramatic” optical-fiber chandeliers, “luxurious booths” and a marble bar; the “thoughtful’
cuisine and “exceptional” service round out a “must-try” experience – provided “you’re willing to spend a pretty penny.”
Capitol Grille- 26 food, 26 décor-Diners celebrating “special occasions” fill this “old-school” Downtowner in the
“beautifully restored” Hermitage Hotel for “top-notch” Southern classics; “outstanding” service comes with the
territory, along with an “expensive bill”, and don’t miss a peek at its “world-famous” art deco men’s room.
Tours- According to TripAdvisor we will be doing the #1,#2,#3,#5,#6,#8,#10 top things to do in Nashville.
Why Nashville?- In 2015 Nashville was crowned “Destination of the Year” in Travel + Leisure magazine’s Readers
Choice poll. They go on to say- “Receiving 15.8 percent of the votes — nearly twice as many as second-place destination,
Charleston. Music City topped the list of ALL international and domestic locations beating out international hot spots
like Australia, Cuba, Greece, Iceland, Istanbul and Paris as well as fellow domestic darling, New Orleans.” According
to Travel + Leisure, “Nashville is a perennial tourist favorite, reveling in its ‘It-City’ status for a while now, but
the Tennessee capital only gets more exciting each year… the real pull for travelers visiting Nashville in 2015
was the food!!!”.
“Constant restaurant openings by top chefs are solidifying Nashville’s place as THE culinary capital in the
new ‘American South”. According to GQ- Nashville has “Food Worth Flying For”- The city’s creative energy touches
everybody – and the ingenious chefs are no exception. This is talent you can literally taste. Whether it’s humble
Southern fare or haute cuisine you’re after- you’ll find authentic Nashville flavors all over town.”
The New York Times writes, “Nashville’s farm-to-table eateries are making major waves on the foodie scene, with
an infusion of creative genius-chefs moving to Tennessee’s capital to carve out a name for themselves in this emerging
epicurean culture.” Eateries throughout Nashville have also received accolades from Conde Nast- “New hotels and
tours, emerging food scenes, and special events makes Nashville one of the hottest travel destinations with enterprising
chefs that are now the new country-music stars, bringing refined yet unfussy restaurants to Music City. Conde Nast
goes on to say, “Nashville seems to be where everyone has just been or is on their way to right now, from friends to
colleagues everyone is heading out there and there’s enough going on food-wise to warrant a trip solely for eating,
which we and local tastemakers have been telling you about for a while. If you don’t get out to Nashville soon, you
might find yourself in the tragically unhip category.”- Conde Nast
Nashville is No. 5 on Forbes.com’s list of cities Americans are “flocking to”, and The New York Times lists Music City
#15 on their list of “52 Places to Go”, and more impressively, one of the most “coveted international travel
destinations” for foreigners. In fact, Tripadvisor listed Nashville #1 for international travelers.
The Times goes on to tout Nashville’s music scene as well, “Nashville’s music scene rivals the other greats such as
Austin, New Orleans, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.” It ranked second on Travel+Leisure’s, “America’s Favorite
Cities” survey and 2nd for America’s best live music city (after New Orleans) though the experts (journalists, musicians,
academics, producers) ranked Nashville #1 Best Live Music City!
According to Forbes, “Nashville scored highest in a Metro Music Index as a center for musicians and the music
industry. Almost every venue in town offers live music: coffee shops, restaurants, bars and even the airport! Music
continues to define this city’s heart and soul. No doubt about it: Nashville is the center of the universe for country
music fans. Just take a short walk down almost any street to see the countless clubs, bars, and restaurants made famous
by country stars, past and present. And none of these venues is more legendary than the Grand Ole Opry. Everyone
who’s anyone has performed there.”
Nashville is the only U.S. city on Lonely Planet’s high-profile Top 10 list for 2016- “‘Music City’ pulls off a neat
trick: meeting your expectations at the same time as subverting them. Yes, country is still the soul of the place, but
Nashville is also experiencing rapid gentrification….the crooners on lower Broadway may still sing of heartbreak and
ruin, but everyone else is having a ball in this Southern boom town….as tastemakers are busy opening hip breweries,
coffee roasters and independent fashion stores and transforming once-abandoned warehouses into creative retail
space and top notch restaurants. The new dining scene in particular is unrecognizable: while carnivores shouldn’t miss
the region’s signature barbecue and ‘meat and three’, celebrated chefs and food talent are bringing a sleeker brand of
eatery to town. Many new Nashville restaurants have been listed as some of the country’s finest new restaurants.”-
Lonely Planet. The popularity of the TV show “Nashville” has helped boost tourism as Nashville hosted a recordbreaking
13.1 million tourists and it continues to grow. Times are good in Nashville and the spoils are there for the
taking.
J
