The holiday rush is officially here, and it can definitely raise stress levels if you let it. A seemingly endless cycle of sitting in traffic, searching for a parking spot, hopping from boutiques to gift shops and hunting for the perfect gift can be grueling and squash just about anyone’s holiday spirit. It doesn’t have to be that way, though.
Consider gift shopping as a jolly scavenger hunt that might carry you around town to some of Nashville’s favorite retail-centric neighborhoods. As a bonus, some of these same parts of town also host exceptional spots to settle in for a little break, enjoying a nice glass of wine and perhaps meeting with a dear friend to catch up over a drink or two. Enjoy your holiday shopping endeavors with these tips for where and what to enjoy during these necessary pit stops from the holiday hysteria. You’ll also find some Edit staff picks highlighted below.
GREEN HILLS – ETC.
3790 Bedford Ave. Nashville, TN 37215
Though Chef Deb Paquette’s new restaurant is a little tough to find, it’s definitely worth the hunt! In addition to one of the city’s most interesting lunch menus featuring Paquette’s signature international ingredients and deep layering of flavors, etc. also offers a novel mid-day menu from 2:00 until 4:00 Monday through Friday. Friends can share from a selection of small bites while lingering over choices from the restaurant’s excellent roster of wines by the glass.
Vino of Choice:
- $14 Le Grand Courtage Brut Rosé – a bright Champagne with strawberry aromas
- $13 Honig Sauvignon Blanc – California white offering floral mango and peach notes
- $13 Amalaya Malbec – a slightly briny and peppery red from Argentina
12 SOUTH – BARCELONA WINE BAR
1200 Villa Pl. Suite 110 Nashville, TN 37212
This convivial Iberian-focused wine bar and tapas restaurant made quite a splash when it opened in Villa Place three years ago. Just a few blocks from the hip 12 South shopping strip,
Villa Place is a worthwhile destination in and of itself for your holiday hunting. (The new Billy Reid store!) Barcelona is a perfect spot for friends to linger over small plates of Spanish tapas while exploring the relatively underappreciated wines, ports, and sherries of Spain and Portugal. Just like in the restaurant’s namesake city, it can still get a little rowdy later in the evening at Barcelona, so pick your wine & dine time accordingly.
Vino of Choice:
- $12 Sumarroca, Brut Nature, Gran Reserva – a Spanish Cava with hints of citrus
- $12 Palacio de Fefiñanes Albariño – full-bodied white reminiscent of grapefruit
- $13 Vizcarra Roble Senda de Oro Tempranillo – incredible complexity at an affordable price
BRENTWOOD – 55 SOUTH
7031 Executive Center Dr. #101 Brentwood, TN 37027
Chef and restaurateur Jason McConnell reached into his youth traveling around the South as part of the family horse business as inspiration for this eatery dedicated to the flavors and iconic dishes of the region. In addition to some of the best raw bar deals in town featuring both raw and char-grilled oysters fresh from the Gulf of Mexico, 55 South also offers affordable wines to sip while you slurp down a half dozen or with a serving of his delectable smoked queso and BBQ brisket.
Vino of Choice:
- $8 Urban Riesling – a crowd pleaser with bright acidity
- $9 Fernlands Sauvignon Blanc – a New Zealand white wine with notes of fresh green peppers
- $8 Chateau Souverain Merlot – inky dark with lovely chocolate flavors
FRANKLIN – CORK & COW
403 Main St. Franklin, TN 37064
Jason McConnell also operates the finest steakhouse and wine bar in Franklin, right in the middle of the charming shopping district along Main Street. Though a bit more upscale than 55 South, Cork & Cow still maintains a casual atmosphere for a pre-dinner cocktail or glass from their well-curated wine list. Drop-in on a Sunday and you can enjoy an entire bottle at half price.
Vino of Choice:
- $9 Pizzolato Prosecco – a flowery sparkling wine with nice minerality
- $10 Vidal-Fleury Rosé Cotes Du Rhone – a light aperitif with a cherry aroma
- $11 Barista Pinotage – a challenging South African wine that’s worth a try
THE GULCH – LOUIE’S WINE DIVE
101 17th Ave. S. Nashville, TN 37203
The name of Louie’s Wine Dive is certainly an intentional misnomer because the attractive restaurant and wine bar is way more upscale than anything dubbed a “dive.” In addition to the dramatic architecture of the soaring dining space, Louie’s features a rotating menu of wines that you won’t encounter on every other list in town. Pair your pick with one of their small plates or their customizable cheese-and-charcuterie platters via the help of superb staff.
Vino of Choice:
- $10 Francois Montand Brut Traditionelle – tiny bubbles with notes of raspberry
- $15 St Supery “Virtu” Sauvignon/Semillon – an easy-drinking dry white with medium acidity
- $13 Familia Bianchi Nebbiolo Blend – lighter than many Italian versions of this red
Edit Staff Picks:
STACIE: GIOVANNI
909 20th Ave S Nashville, TN 37212
“Giovanni in Midtown really is an ideal stop. It’s always cozy and quiet enough to have a conversation at one of the high top bar tables. It’s also well-positioned for access to The Gulch, West End, 12 South, and Green Hills making it convenient to meet friends coming from different parts of town. Order the Barone Montalto Cabernet or Castelsina Chianti. Both are great Italian choices and just $12 a glass. My husband likes to order pizza at the bar to go with his wine selection.”
“Order the Barone Montalto Cabernet or Castelsina Chianti. Both are great Italian choices and just $12 a glass. My husband likes to order pizza at the bar to go with his wine selection.”
– Stacie, Editor in Chief
LACEY: KAYNE PRIME
1103 McGavock St Nashville, TN 37203
“I love to stop in at the DL Bar tucked away in the back section of Kayne Prime. It’s hidden from the noise and crowd usually in the main bar and ideal for meeting friends. I prefer a glass of Cava or the Altos Ibericos Tempranillo as it reminds me of a recent trip to Spain with my husband. And I never turn down their appetizer of popcorn buttered lobster or tuna tartare.”
“I prefer a glass of Cava or the Altos Ibericos Tempranillo as it reminds me of a recent trip to Spain with my husband.”
– Lacey, Director of Partnerships and Events
KIMBERLY: NORTH ITALIA
2159 Green Hills Village Dr. Nashville, TN 37215
“So happy to have the newly opened North Italia in Green Hills. I love their happy hour which includes select vino by the glass paired with a charcuterie board. Great place to catch up with friends and have just a splash, or if it’s been a long day, the Terzo pour (8oz!) Cheers!”
“Great place to catch up with friends and have just a splash, or if it’s been a long day, the Terzo pour (8oz!) Cheers!”
– Kimberly, Business Development Director
LAUREN: 360 BISTRO
6000 TN-100 Nashville, TN 37205
“I enjoy popping into 360 Bistro in Belle Meade after work to meet girlfriends. The extensive wine and cocktail list make it easy to please everyone and they have my favorite, Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc. Order their warm olives and charcuterie board off the bar menu, as it enhances the flavors of almost any wine.”
“The extensive wine and cocktail list make it easy to please everyone and they have my favorite, Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc. Order their warm olives and charcuterie board off the bar menu, as it enhances the flavors of almost any wine.”
– Lauren, Director of Brand Development
