Oysters at White Limozeen — that’s double the good vibes. Just read the report below. | Photo by MJ Geeney via White Limozeen
Foodies named Nashville the nation’s most underrated food city of 2024, followed by San Diego and Houston, in Resy’s end-of-year survey. The restaurant reservation platform’s report analyzed top dining trends for the year, as well as what to expect in 2025.
The people have spoken — 67% say they’re likely to travel to a new US city to check out the dining scene. From food-focused festivals and national list accolades to James Beard Award-nominated chefs tapping the city for expansion, perhaps we can convince the other 33% to make their way to Music City.
Fun fact: Three of the city’s “most in-demand” restaurants this year based on Resy data from Jan. 1 to Oct. 1 were White Limozeen, Rolf and Daughters, and Chief’s on Broadway.
MNPS Job Recruitment Fair | 2:30-5:30 p.m. | The Fairgrounds Nashville | Free | MNPS is seeking professionals to fill teaching, bus driver, nutrition services, and more roles for the current school year into next.
Variety On Main: Holiday | 7 p.m. | The Franklin Theatre, Franklin | $45+ | Mandy Barnett and Monica Ramey present a special holiday edition of Variety on Main with special guests Ella Derby, Chuck Mead, Wendy Moten, and Giada Valenti.
Thursday, Dec. 5
Winter Book Sale | Thursday, Dec. 5-Sunday, Dec. 8 | Times vary | Nashville Public Library’s Green Hills Branch | Cost of purchase | Score bargains on fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books, as well as a variety of gift items and crocheted scarves.
Holiday Bash | Thursday, Dec. 5-Saturday, Dec. 7 | 4-9 p.m. | Five Points | Cost of purchase | Shop for thoughtful gifts, enjoy live music, and warm up around the campfire — kick off the festive weekend with a tree lighting ceremony at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Friday, Dec. 6
The Girls Room LIVE | 4:30 p.m. | Rare Bird | Cost of purchase | Drink, nosh, and listen in as Brooke and Lauren discuss trending topics on Young Country 96.7 FM Nashville live from the rooftop perch.
Saturday, Dec. 7
Snowfest | 12-5 p.m. | Bar Jackalope | Cost of purchase | The brewery is celebrating the release of Snow Demon, its imperial mocha stout aged in Corsair rye whiskey barrels, with an artisan market, live music, and holiday crafts.
Sunday, Dec. 8
Movie on the Rooftop: “The Grinch” | 4 p.m. | Fogg Street Lawn Club | Cost of purchase | Arrive early for “Grinch"-themed trivia and hot chocolate before the movie starts at 5 p.m.
Word on the street is, Ryan Homes is eyeing a new neighborhood along Dickerson Pike. The development on Lemuel Road would be completed in five residential phases with plans for 1,082 units, a fitness and business center, park with walking trails, coffee shop, pickleball courts, and more. (Nashville Business Journal)
Closed
Otaku Ramen closed the doors to its East Nashville Highland Yards space after 16 months in business. The eatery has three other locations in the Gulch, at Sylvan Supply, and inside The Factory at Franklin — all of which will remain open. (Nashville Scene)
List
Add this to our dining scene bragging rights. The Gulch’s St. Vito Focacceria was named to Esquire’s 2024 “Best New Restaurants in America” list. The publication notes chef Hanna’s unique focaccia toppings and suggests you try the bottarga pâté + veal Milanese.
Number
Over 3.08 million. That’s the number of Tennessee voters who turned out in the 2024 general election. Additionally, 2.13 million people cast ballots in-person during the early voting period. Both of these stats broke state records. (WKRN)
Plan Ahead
Mind if we spill the tee?Upper Deck Golf is returning to Nissan Stadium for a second year Friday, March 28 through Saturday, March 29. Tee times open in February, but you can join the VIP waitlist now for early access.
Try This
Put your thinking cap (and seat belt) on. TDOT launched its “Make Travel Bright” safety sign contest. Submit messaging for the signs you see over the interstate through Wednesday, Dec. 11 that relates to one of the following categories: speeding, seat belts, and distracted, impaired, or aggressive driving.
Wellness
Discover the secret to hearing every detail with the Horizon IX by hear.com. These discreet, rechargeable hearing aids deliver sound so clear and natural, you’ll forget you’re wearing them. With phone connectivity, award-winning service, and flexible payment options, join the 425,000+ customers who love them.*
Tech
Want to turn four-hour tasks into 15-minute wins? Download your free ChatGPT mastery guide for 100 battle-tested prompts you can copy/paste ASAP — no coding required. Plus, the guide explores how to use AI ethically at work.*
Travel
Planning to take your RV on the open road in 2025? Buy coverage online in minutes with Roamly, rated five stars by thousands of RV owners.*
Category
History
Put Nashville on the map
The park is also referred to as “Dragon Park” because of this very sculpture. | Photo by Adam Fagen via Flickr
You’ve submitted your favorites, now it’s time for us to reveal the finalists for the NASHtoday historical marker contest.
Fannie Mae Dees Park The outdoor space might not have its own historical marker yet, but it is a stop on Nashville Sites’ LGBTQ driving tour. The park served as the backdrop for Nashville’s first Pride parade.
Varallo’s As the oldest continuously operating restaurant in Tennessee, this downtown restaurant gives Music City some bragging rights if you ask us.
Hatch Show Print “It’s an iconic business that has deep roots in Nashville’s music industry history.” We couldn’t describe the landmark better than our NASHtoday reader if we tried.
It doesn’t stop there — we’ve got more submissions than these. Just check out our map of unofficial historical locations, both locally and across the nation.
Read more about each finalist before you cast your vote. Voting closes Wednesday, Dec. 11.
Need stocking stuffers for everyone on your list? We’ve got you covered.
🎁 For the skincare aficionado: Laneige’s No. 1 bestselling lip mask in the candy cane flavor. 🎁 For those who eat, sleep, and breath organization: A mini label maker with creative functions and templates. 🎁 For the jewelry-obsessed: A stackable 18K gold plated necklace that you can customize with their initial. 🎁 For those who love to hit the trails: A classic knit beanie to keep their noggin warm while hiking. 🎁 For someone who’s always on the go: A magnetic portable charger that can charge up to four devices at once.
Have you heard of a frost flower? It was a first for me. If you plan on hitting up a Tennessee State Park as the temperatures continue to drop, you might see something that looks a bit like cotton candy. The sight occurs on plants like white crownbeard or frostweed when the air temp drops below freezing and the soil is moist (not frozen).
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