Savor the flavor of Frothy’s Golden Monkey. | Photo via Frothy Monkey
... is to be ahead of the culinary curve, Nashville has you covered. The New York Times put together a list of food trend predictions, and several local spots were embracing these foodie movements before they hit the mainstream.
Coffee changes
The publication predicts a shift to savory coffee drinks this year. Swap the vanilla latte for Frothy Monkey’s Golden Monkey, which gets an extra kick from its turmeric blend made with black pepper, ginger, and cayenne. Omakase-style coffee experiences are also gaining traction, so this is your sign to visit Now and Then.
On-the-go grub
It seems like we’re always on the move, and the Times says 2025 shouldn’t be any different. With grab-and-go fare expected to rise up the ranks, lean on the fridge and freezer sections at Little Hats Market, Tinwings, and Cocorico when things get busy.
NWTF Foundation Conservation Aid | 7 p.m. | Grand Ole Opry House | $64+ | The concert benefiting The National Wild Turkey Federation features performances by Lauren Alaina, LOCASH, Mark Wills, and more.
Galentine’s Rom-Com Trivia | 7-10 p.m. | The Amsterdamian | $7+ | Grab your besties and put your movie knowledge to the test, from classic love stories to modern meet-cutes.
Thursday, Feb. 13
Candy and Chocktails with Somm In The City | 5:30-7 p.m. | Goo Goo Cluster Chocolate Co. | $90 | Indulge in chocolate tastings, uncover liqueur pairings, and learn to craft your own chocolate-inspired cocktail using Mozart chocolate liqueur.
Friday, Feb. 14
Nashville Conference on African American History and Culture | 8:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m. | Tennessee State University’s Avon Williams Campus | $20+ | Attend the conference or tune in virtually for panel discussions and performances around the theme “Prismatic Reflections: African American Stories of Resilience.”
Saturday, Feb. 15
Valentine’s Wine Tasting Excursion Train | 10 a.m. | Tennessee Central Railway Museum | $101 | Savor wine on a scenic train ride to Watertown, where you can enjoy lunch and shopping before heading back to Nashville.
Beer & Cookies | 12 p.m. | The Black Abbey Brewing Company | Cost of purchase | The brewery will be serving beer flights to pair with four different cookies.
Beachside education could be in Vanderbilt’s future. The university unveiled new renderings for its proposed West Palm Beach campus, which would offer graduate business programs. Plans also include an innovation center designed to encourage collaboration across industries and academia.
List
The Infatuation put together a list of the 21 Best Pizza Places in America, and Nashville’s St. Vito Focacceria made the cut for its “soft on the inside and crispy on the outside” sfincione-style pizza. Pro tip: Reservations are still available this weekend if pizza is the way to your Valentine’s heart.
Trending
Nashville’s Delgado Guitars represented Tennessee in Google’s “50 States 50 Stories” Super Bowl ad campaign. The ad highlights how the local guitar shop uses Gemini AI to streamline its operations.
Sports
Former Belmont University basketball star Joe Behling and former Vanderbilt University football standout Jack Jenkins are among the latest inductees to the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025. Behling remains the Bruins’ all-time leading scorer with 2,823 points, and Jenkins was named SEC Player of the Year in 1941.
Today Is
National Inventors’ Day. From Music City makers to hot chicken and Goo Goo Clusters, Nashville has many claims to fame. However, did you know a local dentist helped invent the first cotton candy machine?
Biz
At NASHtoday, we share hyperlocal and need-to-know information about your Nashville faves. Now, it’s time for you to tell us the best biz in the city. Click on this form to start nominating in various categories.
Community
Thousands of engaged subscribers are reading this right now — just like you. So why not make it about your business? With our easy-to-use self-service ad portal, promoting your business, event, or brand has never been simpler. Get premium visibility in our trusted local newsletter.
Wellness
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Making room for more rooms
With new hotel openings come fresh dining and beverage options for locals, including the upcoming Silo restaurant at Canopy by Hilton. | Photo via Canopy by Hilton
Thanks to major events like CMA Fest, Nashville saw a record number of hotel bookings last summer. With another busy season ahead, the 615 is set to add the second-largest number of hotel rooms in the US, trailing only New York City, according to CoStar pipeline data.
Numbers to know
Nashville is projected to open 2,849 rooms this year. For comparison, NYC is on track to open 5,719 rooms, while San Diego (2,818), Dallas (2,749), and Phoenix (2,483) fall just behind Music City.
“Nashville is in a similar situation (as NYC), with most rooms set to open across the upper midscale and upscale classes this year,” said Isaac Collazo, senior director of analytics with STR, a global firm specializing in hospitality data. “Unlike NYC, Nashville’s construction total is up from last year.”
Some of the hotel rooms will arrive by way of Canopy by Hilton and The Gilmore, both slated to open in April, followed by The Printing House in July.
The Buy
The Buy
Fun fact: Nordstrom Rack gets new arrivals every day that are marked down up to 60%. Here are some we have our eye on:
Next stop: Cupid’s Corner. Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite days of the year, so perhaps that’s why this themed installation at Fifth + Broadway caught my eye. It’s on display near Garage Sale Vintage until Monday, Feb. 24 if you want to snap a sweet photo.
Answered
Answered
How much did a gallon of vanilla cost Polar Bear Frozen Custard in 1932?
Only 13% of respondents guessed correctly on yesterday’s quiz, and we can’t say we’re surprised — we had sticker shock, too. According to a Nashville Banner clipping from May 1932, the manager of the Polar Bear Corporation’s Nashville branches shared that the vanilla cost $25 a gallon.