The October Hit List: The Optimist, Answer, Avo, Acme Feed & Seed, and More

Atlanta-based chef Ford Fry has debuted his much-anticipated seafood restaurant, during a pandemic no less. Located in an historic building on Adams Street, it boasts a large dining room with an open kitchen, roomy leather banquettes, and a patio outfitted with powerful overhead fans for warm summer evenings. As promised, the menu is extremely surf-focused, with impressive platters featuring oysters, chilled lobsters, ceviche, shrimp, and more. Do not miss the mussels, which come swimming in a rich ham-hock broth bolstered with finely chopped collard greens, and topped with crispy frites and hot-sauce aioli. Cocktails and wines by the glass are expertly curated and primed to pair perfectly with land or sea. 

Dining Status: Dining room and patio are open. Call 615-709-3156 for reservations.

Originally opened by New York chef Jonathan Waxman, Adele’s is now part of the restaurant group that includes 404 Kitchen and Woolworth on 5th. However, though under different ownership, the restaurant still offers some of the chef’s signature items, including the legendary JW chicken with salsa verde, and kale salad with anchovy dressing and pecorino. Dinner and brunch menus maintain hints of the restaurant’s rustic Italian origins, with gnocchi, acorn-squash lasagna, and other cozy dishes leading the charge. Cocktails are a big focus here as well, with a large selection of whiskies on deck. For those wishing to stay in, preorder the family supper menu with choice of salad and main dishes, sides, and a dessert for $58. 

Dining Status: Dining room is open; takeout and delivery are available.

Nashville’s popular ramen destination, Otaku Ramen, has opened a third outpost for slurping. This time, it’s on the West side of town, joining other hip newcomers like Radish Kitchen and Woodland Wine Merchant in the Sylvan Supply development. Unlike other locations, this Otaku is serving up its rich shoyu and tonkotsu broths for pickup and delivery only. The menu is the same as its siblings however, offering up warm bowls of ramen, plus snacks like gyoza, hot chicken buns, and Tokyo fried chicken. There’s also boba on the menu, in flavors like TN Sweet Tea.

Dining status: Pickup and delivery are available; there is no seating available.

Sylvan Park’s main drag is the ideal spot for a cozy restaurant like answer, where dishes are priced to bring diners back for weeknight dinners, and the open floor plan offers a view into the kitchen. The menu is a subtle mix of Italian, Latin, and Asian flavors, giving way to dishes like arancini with fatty pork, shrimp, and sushi rice, served with soy sauce, ginger, herbs and aioli. 

Dining Status: Dining room is open; curbside pickup is available.

One of Nashville’s few vegan restaurants takes its name from plant-based diners’ favorite ingredient: the avocado. The menu reflects that choice, from classic avocado toast to green bowls, and a lentil-walnut burger.  There’s even a vegan Bushwhacker — the sweet, boozy, frozen drink that’s become a Nashville signature — made with coconut cream. The casual restaurant is located in a converted shipping container, surrounded by ample outdoor patio space near Centennial Park.

Dining Status: Outdoor dining is available.

Acme Feed and Seed has reopened on Lower Broadway, unleashing multiple levels of food, cocktails, and entertainment on Nashvillians once more. The historic building at the corner of 1st Avenue and Broadway will also reintroduce live music and Sunday Titans tailgates, as well as brunch. Hang on the ground level for Southern dishes like ribs, hot chicken sandwiches, and shrimp and grits, then head up to the second floor for sushi, poke bowls, and more shareable bites. The rooftop is the ideal spot for views of the city and cold beers. 

Dining Status: Dining rooms reopened October 1; reservations recommended.

It’s all about burgers and upscale pub grub at this South Nashville spot, where an entire menu section is devoted to different iterations of macaroni and cheese. Catch a game or grab a seat on the shady, pet-friendly patio, where cocktails, beer, and wine by the carafe flow freely. Inside is a sleek, modern version of a sports bar, where trivia night and tailgate brunches are always on the calendar.

Dining status: Dining room and patio are open; curbside pickup and delivery are available.

One of Nashville’s favorite long standing vegetarian hotspots has maintained its standing after all these years, thanks to its excellently prepared north and south Indian dishes. The restaurant itself is a no-frills affair, with the exception of its usually bustling lunch buffet, whichis on COVID-related hiatus. In the meantime, the full menu is still available, from excellent thali platters to dosas, chaat, and flavorful curries. Make sure to try the Peshwari naan, stuffed with cashews, almonds, pistachios, and raisins, then topped with coconut. 

Dining Status: Dining room is open; call 615-463-3005 for reservations. Takeout and delivery are available.

The New Orleans-based chain has expanded its purview here, delivering Cajun flavors for breakfast and brunch. It’s giving Nashville’s original breakfast destination, Pancake Pantry, a run for its money with beignets, shrimp and grits, and a wide selection of eggs benedicts. Morning cocktails include New Orleans classics like bourbon milk punch, plus mimosas, bloody marys and more.

Dining Status: Dining room is now open; takeout and delivery are available.

Vivek Surti’s ode to South Asian cuisine has reopened once more, bringing back his signature — albeit socially distanced — dinner party vibe to Germantown. Surti, a first generation Indian-American, offers a set menu of dishes, like duck biryani and Ora King salmon with coconut milk and turmeric at one seating per night. Choose an optional beverage pairing of cocktails, beer, wine, and sake, or order drinks a la carte. 

Dining Status: Dining room is open for one seating per night at 7 p.m. Email hi@tailornashville.com for reservations.

From October 23-25, chef Sean Brock is cooking at Nashville landmark restaurant Arnold’s Country Kitchen, putting his own spin on the menu (think: plano chicken with cornmeal dodgers with creamed sour corn). Available for pickup exclusively through Resy, for three days only.