Nashville – Restaurant Review: Pastis

Pastis, a favorite restaurant from New York’s Meatpacking district, has been slowly extending it’s reach, and Nashville is now home to it’s fourth location!

This restaurant opened to QUITE a buzz and questions as to whether it would live up to it’s NYC’s sister location. Aesthetically, the two mirror each other, with Nashville featuring the classic curved zinc bar, signature subway tiles, and mosaic-tiled floor people may recognize from the New York location.

The service is excellent (having never been to the NYC spot, I can’t compare – but I venture to guess Nashville’s southern Hospitality is always going to win out).

But the real question is, how’s the food?

I’m here to tell you – it’s delicious. Everything we tried was so good, from the steak tartare to the shrimp salad to the pancakes and the eggs Norwegian (salmon benedict). And of course, the cocktails.

Obviously, pancakes and eggs are features of the brunch menu, but many of the other brunch items are also available at lunch and dinner (like the steak tartare and shrimp salad), so I feel confident recommending Pastis for any meal. And I personally can’t wait to go back from the onion soup.

My only gripe with the restaurant is not really with them, per se, but rather everyone who refers to the restaurant as a classic French bistro. It is not. I majored in French and studied abroad in Paris, and those cafes are MUCH smaller, with tables right on top of each other, and quieter voices.

It really reminds me more of turn-of-the-century New York than Paris. But, either way, it captures the romantic essence of an exciting time in dining history.

Dress code is business casual, maybe? I saw many cute dresses at brunch, but you could get away with a nice set of jeans and a cute top. This is not an athleisure spot. For men, slacks and a polo or button down is more than appropriate, especially during the day.

Prices skew towards the bougie side, but I would not classify Pastis as “fine dining”. Perhaps $$$ out of 4.

Reservations are strongly suggested. Parking is on your own in Wedgewood Houston; there are a few paid lots nearby.

For foodies, Francophiles, and fans of the original, Pastis is a great experience and brings a cosmopolitan flair to Nashville. It’s worth the hype.

XO,
SB

P.S. For other restaurant reviews and recs, check out my Restaurant category tag!

P.P.S. Planning a visit to Music City soon? Check out my list of what to pack for Nashville so you don’t forget anything essential!

The post The Best Places in Nashville – Restaurant Review: Pastis first appeared on The Tip Jar.

Nashville – Restaurant Review: Fancypants

Fancypants, the elevated but approachable concept from the brilliant minds behind Butcher & Bee and Redheaded Stranger opened in 2024 and has been buzzy ever since.

Fancypants styles itself as “your friendly neighborhood Asian Italian fine dining steakhouse” (lol), and they definitely capture those vibes in the gorgeous space. It’s giving mid-century Manhattan, with deep reds and plush floral decor. The bar is beautiful and each table and booth is intimate and inviting with a view of the open kitchen.

If you’re there on a nice night, try to snag a seat on the beautiful covered patio.

Everything we tried tasted delicious from the welcome drink (such a fun touch) to the crudo to the house-made “Sour Patch kids”.

I will be thinking about the garlic noodles, served in an old-school nostalgic lunch box for a long time.

The attention to detail and novelty (in a fun, not over-the-top way), as well as the great service (and a parking lot, which, though small, had adequate parking for a Sunday night), makes this a good dining experience all the way around.

With all of that said, a word of caution – if you’ve heard someone say the menu was veggie forward, let me assure, it is VERY veggie forward. As in, the menu we were served had almost no protein – not even nuts or cheese.

I left full, but somehow also feeling like I hadn’t eaten enough. There is a hearty steak on the menu, and a few other protein options. So, perhaps there is a way to construct your menu in a traditionally protein-heavy way. But, generally speaking, if you are counting macros, this is not the place for you (unless you want the steak).

Dress code is business casual, maybe? No one would look out of place in a suit or nice dress, but also you could get away with a nice set of jeans and a cute top. This is not an athleisure spot.

Fancypants is, well, fancy, and the price reflects that. Most nights are a chef’s tasting menu, but on Sunday’s you can order a la carte, so that’s definitely the night to go if you’re looking to spend a little less or have control over your order.

Reservations are strongly suggested.

For true foodies, Fancypants is a great experience and offers something unique in Nashville. For those used to eating a lot of animal protein, the entire vibe and the food quality is still worth a visit, but go knowing what to expect.

XO,
SB

P.S. For other restaurant reviews and recs, check out my Restaurant category tag!

P.P.S. Planning a visit to Music City soon? Check out my list of what to pack for Nashville so you don’t forget anything essential!

The post The Best Places in Nashville – Restaurant Review: Fancypants first appeared on The Tip Jar.

Nashville – Restaurant Review: Turkey & The Wolf Ice House

This New Orleans restaurant just hit East Nashville, and the buzz has not stopped!

Despite the low key digs and small menu, you can see why it’s such a hit. I ordered the fried bologna sandwich – one of the most popular items, and I was absolutely blown away. I’m not really a sandwich girly, much less a hot one with bologna. But y’all, you HAVE to try this sandwich. I’m drooling right now just thinking about it.

All seating is outdoors, so keep that in mind, although the immediate patio is enclosed in inclement weather. Bring the kids and let them around outside while you sit on the eclectic picnic tables, sipping on one of the delicious adult bevvies. (Loved the frozen French 75).

This is a walk-up counter service joint, so no resys, and at peak times, the line can get long (definitely check their Insta before heading out to be sure they haven’t sold out.)

Parking is street only, and it’s in a residential area, so be patient and respectful of people’s driveways. And they’re only open for lunch.

Now for an honest critique – the menu is a little weird. I didn’t love the feta and spinach pie, and the empanada was just okay to me. And I didn’t really understand how either of them fit the vibe.

That being said, this spot is just fun and over all, worth a visit for sure.

XO,
SB

P.S. For other restaurant reviews and recs, check out my Restaurant category tag!

P.P.S. Planning a visit to Music City soon? Check out my list of what to pack for Nashville so you don’t forget anything essential!

The post The Best Places in Nashville – Restaurant Review: Turkey & The Wolf Ice House first appeared on The Tip Jar.

Nashville – Restaurant Review: Sperry’s

Located near the far West end of Nashville sits classic steakhouse, Sperry’s.

Everything about this cherished spot is nostalgic – from the heavy double-doors into an elaborately decorated lobby, to the fireplaces and dark wood that give the dining area a cozy feel, to the salad bar (yes, a salad bar! With house made dressings!)

This is the type of place to take your parents when they visit. But, don’t be fooled – it’s great for any occasion when you want to enjoy a nice meal without the hustle and bustle of the downtown steakhouses). Also, Dax Shepherd has been there and talked about it on Armchair Experts, so there’s that!

You can expect good service, an extensive wine list (with a very affordable house wine), well-prepared steaks, and a dessert list you can’t skip (the bananas foster flambéed tableside is a crowd pleaser.)

There is a small parking lot that is typically adequate, and Sperry’s also has a business casual dress code. Check out their website for more details.

Reservations are typically required, so make those plans early and enjoy a trip back to a simpler time with delicious food and a cozy ambiance.

XO,
SB

For other restaurant reviews and recs, check out my Restaurant category tag!

The post The Best Places in Nashville – Restaurant Review: Sperry’s first appeared on The Tip Jar.

Nashville – Restaurant Review: Noko

Located at the end of a small shopping center in East Nashville, Noko offers a simplistic aesthetic. But that’s where the simplicity ends, as they do not miss a single detail.

You can expect Asian-inspired, wood-fired small plates (although some dishes are definitely large enough to be eaten as entrees).

Everything on the Noko menu is delicious, but I particularly recommend the district sando (trust me, it is SO much more than a ham and cheese); the Szechuan green beans; and the wagyu brisket.

The cocktail menu has something for every taste – whether you prefer something fruity and Instagrammable (get the Ube colada – the purple one!) to a wagyu fat washed Old Fashioned. Or, if you’re not drinking, they have several craft mocktails to choose from as well.

And whatever you do – always get the dessert! From a house-made Dole whip, to coconut cake and more, a sweet treat will always end your meal on the right note.

Brunch is available on Sundays only and has some crossover with the dinner menu, while also featuring traditional brunch dishes and some Asian-inspired meals.

Reservations are strongly recommended and usually needed a few weeks in advance. But, the patio is always reserved for walk-ins, so if the weather’s nice, you might be able to risk it!

At Noko, the food is delicious and the service is excellent (probably because of the company’s core values that put their people first, providing benefits, allowing them to travel, and otherwise just being good humans). It will always be at the top of my list of Nashville restaurants.

Have you been to Noko? What’s your favorite order?

XO,
SB

You’ll also find Noko on my full list of Nashville places that serve mocktails!

The post The Best Places in Nashville – Restaurant Review: Noko first appeared on The Tip Jar.