The May Hit List: Culaccino, Butchertown Hall, Samurai Sushi, and More

Franklin’s new Italian destination toes the line between rustic and chic, offering wood-fired pizzas and handmade pastas. It boasts one of the largest outdoor dining areas in quaint downtown Frankin, making it an excellent place for sipping cocktails and Italian wines al fresco.  

Dining Status: Open for dine-in. 

The weather’s heating up, and it’s time to head over to Butchertown Hall for queso and margaritas. The restaurant serves up meaty central Texas barbecue — smoked brisket, pulled pork tacos, and street corn empanadas, for example — that also shows off the region’s Mexican and German beer-hall influences. If lounging on your own patio is more agreeable, grab some ribs, pulled pork, whole smoked chickens, or beef brisket by the pound for dinner at home. (Add on one of the restaurant’s killer margaritas for good measure.)

Dining status: Dining room open; takeout available.

After last year’s tornado destruction, Smith and Lentz is now back in the game with some extremely good pizzas and very drinkable beers. Its indoor space is roomy enough for groups, while the back patio has some serious summer vibes going on. Order simple but thoughtfully made pies, salads, and snacky items like warm olives and artichokes.  

Dining Status: Takeout and delivery are available; dining room and beer garden are open. 

Eastland Cafe is no more, but its old space has been put to good use as an Eastside outpost of Samurai Sushi, the beloved sushi restaurant that has operated on Elliston Place for years. The new addition to owner Yun Choo’s stable of restaurants is designed to mimic the splashy interior of Las Vegas sushi bars. The menu is similar to that of the original Elliston Place location, with nigiri, maki, and tons of specialty rolls.

Dining Status: Dine-in is available; call 615-454-2927 for more info.

The crew behind Sylvan Park’s Answer has opened a brand new restaurant in Midtown, in the Flatiron building at 1929 Broadway. It’s a departure from what diners at Answer have come to expect, swinging less globally-influenced and more solidly contemporary American, with crab and artichoke dip, oyster po’boys, spaghetti and meatballs, and grilled salmon. 

Dining status: Open for dine-in; reservations suggested.

The secret is out: Black Dynasty Ramen is serving up its soulful, savory ramen within Bar Soverign in East Nashville for the forseeable future. Here, the noodles are all handmade, as are the broths and every component of their rich bowls of miso tonkatsu. Southern ingredients find their way into your bowl here, like pickled collards. Vegans will be pleased to find a perfectly satisfying bowl of mushroom tonkotsu on the menu, too.

Dining Status: Dine-in and takeout available. More info here.

It’s not quite Memorial Day, but Dolly Parton-themed White Limozeen is opening its rooftop pool nonetheless, offering the restaurant’s full menu of food and drink for consumption while you lounge. There are colorful, floral chaises, plus pink umbrellas with white fringe, and other fun details. Earlier in the day, order poached shrimp and a white-bread burger from the limited menu, or wait for full lunch or brunch to be delivered to you at the pool, paired with an appropriately fancy cocktail. Dolly would approve. 

Dining Status: Open for rooftop, poolside dining; reservations strongly suggested.

Nashville’s hotel dining has truly seen an influx of talented chefs and experiences beyond a steak-and-potatoes mindset. Tavern at Bobby is one of those places, where chef Jorge Gonzalez is offering a menu of dishes inspired by his own travels around the world — including time spent in both Hawaii and Dallas, where he worked for chefs John Tesar and Tom Colicchio. That translates to an eclectic range of dishes: al pastor duck breast, salmon with posole verde, and snapper with shrimp moqueca and coconut grits, or, say, Bolognese made with local Bear Creek beef. The moody, chic interior is ideal for enjoying cocktails with a plate of blistered shishitos, too, even if dinner isn’t in the cards.

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

One of Fifth + Broadway’s larger new restaurants is Blanco Tacos and Tequila, the Nashville debut of a large, airy Mexican mini-chain serving a wide variety of agave spirits at its centrally-located bar. There’s queso galore throughout the menu, plus tacos, burritos, enchiladas, salads, and cheese crisps covered in toppings like barbecued pork and roasted corn salsa.

Dining Status: Takeout and dine-in available.  Call 629-216-2510 for reservations.

Nashville’s newest, most opulent surf-and-turf restaurant is Eddie V’s, the most upscale addition to Fifth + Broadway. Along with the steaks, seafood is a focus, with Norwegian salmon, Chilean sea bass, raw oysters, lobster, and scallops headlining the menu. An enormous wine cellar is on display from floor to ceiling, with a massive glass chandelier and dramatic dark blue walls; outdoor seating on the terrace is the ideal spot to people watch the downtown crowds. 

Dining Status: Dining room is open; takeout is available. Call 615-238-2359 for reservations.