The July Hit List: Present Tense, Husk, Luogo Restaurant, and More

The latest restaurant amenity at the newly-renamed Placemakr Hotel (formerly BentoLiving) is an ode to Asian cuisine informed by the French techniques that chef and owner Ryan Costanza grew up cooking. His business partner Rick Margaritov tends the small bar that pours Pure Land Sake, a Kyoto-produced rice wine brand that they also both own. Diners can build meals out of small plates like karaage or scallop hand rolls, or they can put themselves in the hands of the owners for a full omakase tasting experience.

Nashville’s oldest Italian restaurant is still one of the most romantic spots in town, with tables placed close together to create a communal ambiance or intimacy as couples discuss the menu options with their faces close enough to kiss. The classic red-sauce menu features a fantastic lasagna bolognese like your own grandma made, (if you were lucky!) Fresh-made pastas are offered with your choice of regional sauces, and be sure to save room for tiramisu to finish off your date night with a sweet treat.

For reservations, call 615-463-0133.

This reliable upscale chophouse chain has been delighting Nashville diners for years with hand-cut steaks and a tony wine list including many options by the glass. Elegant, but not stuffy, the ambiance is welcoming for anyone seeking a properly cooked cut of beef or seafood dishes like grilled shrimp or cedar plank salmon. Classic steakhouse sides are sized for sharing to fill out a table filled with delectable delights.

Margot Cafe & Bar recently celebrated 22 years of bringing seasonal French cuisine to the previously underserved East Nashville neighborhood of Five Points. The anniversary week featured guest appearances by some of the culinary talent that has passed through chef/owner Margot McCormack’s kitchen over the years before moving on to open their own groundbreaking local restaurants. The final celebratory night looked to the future as current executive chef Hadley Long shared his vision of the next chapter of Margot’s continuing evolution.

When celebrity chef Jonathan Waxman opened a restaurant in a former auto repair shop in the Gulch, Nashville diners were excited about the chance to sample the NYC-based chef’s signature dishes like roasted chicken with salsa verde, whole roasted fish platters, and a popular kale salad. Nine years later, the menu is just as crave-worthy as on opening night, a combination of rustic Italian cuisine and California culinary sensibilities. Sit with a view of the chefs working over an open fire in the exposed kitchen for dinner and a show.

Call 615-988-9700 for reservations.

When noted New York City restaurateur Anthony Scotto announced last year that he would be bringing his Mediterranean coastal cuisine to Nashville, Music City diners were agog with excitement. The anticipation was quite warranted, as Scotto has quickly proved to be a welcome addition to the local dining scene with Luogo since relocating to town. Rather than just dropping in to visit like some celebrity restaurant owners, Scotto has ingrained himself in the community by insisting on high-quality food and exemplary hospitality.

The owners of Thai Esane recently announced that they have begun to franchise their upscale Thai restaurant concept, but Nashville will always be home to the original outlets. Full-service restaurants near downtown and in Brentwood offer classic Thai/Laotian dishes at heat levels ranging from mild to wild, and a smaller outpost in the Assembly Food Hall across from the Ryman features the restaurant’s “greatest hits” as part of a limited menu. Quite appropriate for a restaurant in Music City.

No reservations. See the menu at Thai Esane’s website. 

Another restaurant celebrating a milestone anniversary this year is Husk, commemorating 10 years since Sean Brock first brought his laser focus on exalting Southern ingredients to the kitchen situated in a former Mayor’s mansion north of the downtown core. Through a succession of talented chefs, that dedication to elevating the seasonal bounty of local farmers and purveyors has remained the steadfast lode star of the restaurant’s philosophy. As Husk’s own kitchen garden has matured under the watchful eye of GM and head gardener Rory O’Connell, the ingenuity of the food and dedication to customer service have grown in the same way.

With the coming of hot summer days and nights, it’s the perfect time for frosé, and the menu at The Co-op revolves around the icy pink wine sensation. Both Nashville locations offer a variety of flavors of frosé including seasonal selections based around whatever fruit is freshest, and don’t forget about the restaurant’s solid menu of breakfast dishes, sandwiches and salads. (But we won’t hold it against you if your memory is a little hazy after a couple of those delicious frosés.)

See the menu at The Co-op’s website.

Despite its mishmash of a name, NashHouse maintains a clear focus on its menu, a selection of hearty classic Southern fare featuring dishes like chicken fried steak, meatloaf, and shrimp & grits. The casual rustic vibe with industrial accents fits well with its location on the edge of SoBro between the commercial and tourist zones of downtown. A well-stocked bar, giant televisions, and live music every night make NashHouse an entertaining destination for visitors and locals alike.