Jane Sloan
Jane Sloan, a freelance floral designer specializing in house flowers and weddings, is a North Carolina native who raised her two children in Nashville. Jane serves on the Advisory Board for Flower Magazine as well as the Board of Directors for the Antiques & Garden Show of Nashville. She is also a member of the Garden Club of Nashville.
Eat: Restaurants + Bars in Nashville
City House
City House opened its doors before the explosion of new places to eat within that zip code. It is built in a former sculptor’s studio in a residential neighborhood, Germantown. The pizza with homemade ham never disappoints nor does the frico. The pastas, fish and meats are all fantastic. Save room for dessert—just the best panna cotta.
1222 4th Avenue North
615.736.5838
Taqueria del Sol
Though this is a chain, the tacos are great! Fried chicken with lime jalapeño mayonnaise is a favorite along with the guacamole.
2317 12th Avenue South
615.499.4293
Rolf and Daughters
One of the best new restaurants in town that is located in an old warehouse. Reservations are a must, but sometimes you can get lucky and be seated at the community table. This usually happens only at the beginning of week. Fresh house-made pasta with rustic sauces and fish and meats with an Italian twist tempt all diners. Servers’ knowledge helps to navigate daily specials.
700 Taylor Street
615.866.9897
Pinewood Social
How can anyone mention unique dining and not think PWS? You can have coffee from Crema and then move on to breakfast, lunch and dinner. Don’t forget you can try your hand at bowling too. But reservations are a must for the lanes and dinner. The masterminds, Ben and Max Goldberg, created this venue along with many others. They know how to get it right. It is easy to just want to hang here.
33 Peabody Street
615.751.8111
The 404 Kitchen
The 404 Kitchen is a gem in the Gulch that seats 40 people. For an appetizer always go for the crudo. It is like velvet. Entrees offer a modern twist on classic European style. Local meats and chicken along with polenta, kale and sweet potatoes hold your attention. The pork stroganoff is dressed with collards and hen of the woods. Sides change with the season. It is easy to order all four for the table.
404 12th Avenue South
615.251.1404
Las Paletas
Gourmet popsicles with unexpected flavor combos…like avocado and chocolate. They are all so good. The lines form once the heat is on. You can never turn one down.
2911 12th Avenue South
615.386.2101
Stay: Nashville Hotels
Hutton Hotel
This contemporary, stylish boutique hotel offers a convenient location to downtown. Pets are welcome. Its restaurant, 1808 Grille, serves Southern food with international flavors, and the bar has one of the best Bloody Marys. (Maybe it was really the Masters on TV that day!)
1808 West End Avenue
615.340.9333
The Hermitage Hotel
This is a five-star hotel located downtown. The rooms are wellappointed and this is a pet-friendly place. The Capital Grille and Oak Bar offer all a guest could want. The gourmet Southern cuisine and spectacular bar do not disappoint. Be sure to check out the art deco men’s room too. (Yes, most women take a peek!)
231 6th Avenue North
615.244.3121
Loews Vanderbilt Hotel
This has been a mainstay forever to the Vanderbilt families. It is close to downtown with a concierge service that is the best. This hotel makes it easy to be away from home. Mason’s, the in-house restaurant, serves Southern fare with a twist like no one else. Deviled eggs to shrimp and grits… what’s not to like? And the bar keeps hotel guests and the afterwork crowd happy.
2100 West End Avenue
615.320.1700
Omni Hotel
Omni is the newest hotel in the heart of downtown. There is so much to do within walking distance. Country Music Hall of Fame, Robert’s Western World and The Ryman are all a must. Either your new boots or an Uber can get you to dinner. Bet there will still be more to do next time you are in town.
250 5th Avenue South
615.782.5300
Shop: Local Gifts + Specialty Shops
H. Audrey
This shop is owned by Holly Williams, singer, songwriter and daughter of Hank Williams. Her taste is exquisite in all creative areas of her life, and this boutique can dress the young to the young at heart. Her modern approach offers cutting-edge clothing that is impeccably stylish. Cashmere sweaters are always on the list— they last forever.
4027 Hillsboro Pike
615.760.5701
Art and Invention Gallery
This totally original gallery, located in East Nashville, was hip before East Nashville became a “go to” destination for all things cool. Their focus is original artwork, furniture, jewelry and crafts. The Tomato Art Fest, held every August, is a must. You can find fabulous, fun and quirky paintings of the featured fruit of the festival…the tomato, of course!
1106 Woodland Street
615.226.2070
Peter Nappi
Located in Germantown on the Cumberland River, this is one of the coolest spots in Nashville. From the moment you step into the studio you know you are not in Kansas, Dorothy. Owners Phillip and Dana Nappi had a vision of offering handmade Italian leather goods along with European furnishings in a venue that is much more than just a store. Musicians often take to a small stage and perform for those lucky enough to be there. (This is Music City after all.) When the clock strikes 12, you know you have been somewhere!
1308 Adams Street
615.248.3310
Antiques & Garden Show of Nashville
Without a doubt this is one of the best events of the year and offers amazing shopping for antiques, garden artifacts, midcentury modern furnishings and lifestyle accessories. Visually it is breathtaking with five professionally designed gardens and over 150 dealers exhibiting in room-like settings. Check out the website for details on this annual event!
Music City Center
201 5th Avenue South
615.352.1282
Play: Things to Do in Nashville
Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art
This 55-acre estate has 12 unique gardens and a limestone mansion that was designed by Bryant Fleming. The permanent art collection is housed here and includes American art, porcelain, silver and sculpture by William Edmondson. The real treasure is the grounds. They just don’t make that anymore! Gardens range from seasonal annual gardens exploding with color to formal boxwood gardens, a state of the art rain garden and a Japanese garden. The bestkept secret is the Blue Pesher by James Turrell located along the sculpture trail. So worth the walk to sit in his creation!
1200 Forrest Park Drive
615.356.8000
The Frist Center for the Visual Arts
This amazing visual arts center is located downtown in a spectacular art deco building. Just a visit to see the architecture is inspiring. Upcoming exhibits include Italian Fashion since 1945 and Portraits of an English House, an exhibition of furniture and decorative arts displayed in roomlike settings. This is a first of its kind for the Frist.
919 Broadway
615.244.3340
Barre3
After all this fun, there is a great way to keep the energy flowing… and Barre3 wants to do just that with a total body workout that encompasses yoga, Pilates and ballet barre. There are two locations, one in the Gulch and the other in Paddock Place. Exercise is tailored to the individual. This means all ages. Any day is the right day to start taking care of ourselves.
Gulch
501 12th Avenue South
615.679.9423
Paddock Place
73 White Bridge Road
615.679.9423
Liza Graves
Liza Graves is the cofounder of StyleBlueprint. com, a women’s Southern lifestyle digital media company that showcases hyperlocal, curated content delivered via email each weekday. Currently serving Atlanta, Birmingham, Louisville, Memphis and Nashville, as well as the larger Southern region, the company’s newest product, the SB app, will launch in early 2015 and will feature the very best of where to go and what to do in each SB market.
Eat: Restaurants + Bars in Nashville
Nashville is having a moment of ethnic eating glory, so indulge in these new, much buzzed about places!
Epice
This Mediterranean restaurant combines a modern vibe with recipes you know have been handed down for generations. Possibly the most buzzed about restaurant to open in 2014. Located in the 12South neighborhood.
2902 12th Avenue South
615.720.6765
Chauhan Ale & Masala House
This Indian “house” is cozy, fragrant, hip and divine. Don’t like Indian food? You’ll leave a convert. Located near the Gulch neighborhood.
123 12th Avenue North
615.779.3770
Thai Esane
Fresh and spicy! This Thai is done oh-so-right. But, order mild as even that has a bite! Located in the 12South neighborhood.
907 12th Avenue South
615.454.5373
Love, Peace and Pho
This authentic Vietnamese cuisine has finally pushed Pho out into the limelight for Nashville. Yum. Located on 8th Avenue in the hub of the antique district.
2112 8th Avenue South
615.942.0045
Shop: Local Gifts + Specialty Shops
Three great places that really do represent Nashville.
Two Old Hippies
Gorgeous guitars mixed with housewares, fashion, shoes and accessories… for men and women? Yes! Oh, let’s add a stage for music while you shop. It’s that good.
401 12th Avenue South
615.254.7999
H. Audrey
Owned by the lovely songwriter and singer Holly Williams, this shop features gorgeous clothes that definitely exude that Nashville style thing. Jeans, boots, accessories and more… many with a modern edge that elevates the curated store making it the epitome of “Nashville Style.”
4027 Hillsboro Pike
615.760.5701
Preservation Station
What happens to old doors, lighting, tables and architectural accent pieces? Many times they end up at this unique store where you are guaranteed to find that one item that no one else will ever have!
1809 8th Avenue South
615.292.3595
Play: Things to Do in Nashville
How about dinner and some music? I mean, it is Music City!
Bluebird on the Mountain
Many may know about The Bluebird Cafe from ABC’s Nashville, but when warmer months arrive once again, the locals buy tickets fast and early for Bluebird on the Mountain, held outdoors from May to October on the beautiful grounds of Dyer Observatory. Bring a picnic. Tickets are by the carload for the once-a-month show.
Dyer Observatory
1000 Oman Drive, Brentwood
City Winery
What do Napa, New York, Chicago and Nashville have in common? City Winery! With this fourth location, think foodie and wine aficionados mixed with stellar musicians. It’s the best of all things amazing.
609 Lafayette Street
615.324.1010
Listening Room Café
Eat, drink and listen in Nashville’s SoBro neighborhood. With two shows most nights, you can usually find tickets and catch some amazing artists.
217 2nd Avenue South
615.259.3600
Also, try to catch a show at Mercy Lounge, Station Inn and of course, The Ryman!
Mercy Lounge
1 Cannery Row
615.251.3020
Station Inn
402 12th Avenue South
615.255.3307
The Ryman
116 5th Avenue North
615.889.3060
Whitney Dunn Daniel
Fashion has been a part of Whitney’s life for as long as she can remember. As a little girl fascinated by making Barbie clothes, she’s always had an innate knack for anything and everything fashion. Whitney thrives on her clients’ satisfaction. She is constantly inspired and influenced by her favorite pastime, travel. After more than 15 years in retail, it is second nature for Whitney to put together a unique and individual look for friends and clients. By mixing and matching a client’s own items, her mission is to make clients feel comfortable, chic and cool. She offers everything from a large-scale closet re-vamping to a quick outfit pairing in her shop, The Perfect Pair.
Eat: Restaurants + Bars in Nashville
Frothy Monkey
My favorite breakfast in town. Located in our 12South neighborhood, we walk down at least once a week for a build-your-own farm egg omelet and coffee. They also serve breakfast most of the day!
2509 12th Avenue South
615.292.1808
Josephine
Their menu changes seasonally, which is fun…right now I’m obsessed with their buffalo cauliflower and the Brussels sprouts. My husband and I love to eat dinner at the bar. They have fun cocktails, a great wine list and the coolest atmosphere.
2316 12th Avenue South
615.292.7766
Stay: Nashville Hotels
The Hermitage Hotel
Located in Downtown Nashville, The Hermitage Hotel is elegant and classy. It feels like you’re stepping back in time. Plus, it’s located downtown where you can walk to a show at the Ryman or to a number of great Nashville restaurants and the famous honky-tonks.
231 6th Avenue North
615.244.3121
Shop: Local Gifts + Specialty Shops
Kore
Janelle, who owns the shop, is a wealth of info. She knows her lines inside and out. She sells Tata Harper, RMS Skincare and several other organic lines of skincare and gifts. I love their olive oils and ILIA Cosmetics. She keeps the most unique selection of accessories, skincare and housewares.
1200 Villa Place, Number 300
615.516.4110
Tweed
The coolest little baby/ kids store in Nashville. I love their selection of Petite Bateau and kids’ accessories. When I take one of their customwrapped gifts to a baby shower, I know the recipient will be happy. My husband and I can’t wait to register here for our baby (due in June)!
1200 Villa Place, Number 110
615.627.8290
The Perfect Pair
I know it may be silly to mention my own shop, but it would also be silly not to mention it, since it’s where I buy the majority of my entire wardrobe…from my shoes all the way up to my earrings. When I buy for the store, I try to seek out unique artisan jewelers, fun and funky shoe designers and reasonable and practical clothing. It really is a one-stop-shop.
2209 Bandywood Drive, Suite G
615.385.7247
Play: Things to Do in Nashville
Other than traveling or sitting at the pool in the warm months, here are some of my favorite spots to play in town:
The Ryman
This is the best place in Nashville to see a concert. This old church turned music venue never disappoints. 116 5th Avenue North
615.889.3060
Percy Warner Park
Percy Warner is such a beautiful getaway right in the middle of Nashville. My husband and I love running the trails, jogging the stairs or just taking a long walk on the curvy roads of the park. I always leave feeling refreshed.
7311 Highway 100
615.352.6299
The Dry House
This is the best place in town for great blowout. My favorite way to start a big evening is to order a voluminous blowout and a glass of champagne. I love all of the stylists and the fun atmosphere.
2104 Crestmoor Road
615.678.7064
Barry’s Bootcamp
Although exercise might not always be playing, they know how to keep a hard workout extremely fun at Barry’s. I always leave feeling like I got an incredible workout! They play great music and know how to motivate their clients in a positive way.
308 11th Avenue South
615.457.1571
Meghan Reilly
Meghan Reilly has been singing since she was eight years old. She grew up doing musicals, recording music and singing in auditioned choirs and competitions. She went on to pursue her passion at the Chicago College of Performing Arts and graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre. After graduation, she traveled the world competing in the Swedish Reality TV show, Allt för Sverige, and then as a lead singer for Royal Caribbean. Most recently, she chased her dream to Nashville where she is now a lead singer in the premier cover band, Music City Rhythm Revue.
Eat: Restaurants + Bars in Nashville
Epice
This is some of the best food in Nashville. This contemporary Lebanese bistro will have you dreaming of
the food when you are not there, and you will find yourself returning over and over to satisfy your cravings. Try the pistachio-encrusted rack of lamb or the Epice salad. The flavor profiles are unparalleled.
2902 12th Avenue South
615.720.6765
Shop: Local Gifts + Specialty Shops
White’s Mercantile
I love this little general store. This is the perfect place to get a gift for a loved one or for yourself. I always stop in there and see what new things they have!
2908 12th Avenue South
615.750.5379
MODA Boutique
If I want a dress, I go here. This beautiful boutique has a small, unique collection that is irresistible.
2511 12th Avenue South
615.298.2271
