My Picks For Area Dining!

For new residents and for the established residents I offer a list of my favorite Nashville fine dining and dive restaurants and a Sumner County list as well.

Since I am not a professional food critic, these lists are simply the places I consistently enjoy for both the food and atmosphere. The lists reflect my bias against national franchise and my appreciation of locally owned and operated dining establishments. The lists are ever changing and my favorites today may not make the lists tomorrow.

With the above mentioned qualifications and biases, I will start with my favorite fine dining restaurants.
1)  The Silly Goose: I hate the name, but love the food. This small East Nashville Cafe has a changing seasonal menu of salads, sandwiches, couscous dishes, desserts and an evening special. The dishes are simple but with unusual combinations and the best of local quality food products.
2)  Urban Grub: This new 12 South eatery has a large and diverse menu and offers at least eight different dining areas. Great atmosphere, food and architecture.
3)  The Tin Angel:  This West End Ave. favorite is inspired by many world cuisines and features several dishes from the wonderful Zola's menu like the incredible meat balls (That are not shown on the menu).
4)  Margo's:  This restaurant started much of the East Nashville renaissance. The menu is ever changing, but always delicious, and served in a cozy atmosphere.
5)  Jimmy Kelly's:  This Nashville restaurant has been around for seventy years, and I think that many of the waiters have been there for fifty years. Great place for winter dining by the fireplace. The only problem is that I am always full from the incredible corn cakes before the meal arrives.

A few other contenders for fine dining that I can suggest would be Silo's, Sambuca, Cafe Laredo, and City House. I also plan a trip to the Cat Bird Seat just as soon as I make my next million dollar sale.

I am not sure where you cross the line from dives to casual dining, so you make the call on these following Nashville favorites.
1) La Hacienda and 2) Mas Tacos: For Mexican food La Hacienda was Nashville's first fresh taco factory and has now expanded to a restaurant and grocery. Mas Tacos started out and still operates a food truck, but also has a block and mortar location in East Nashville. Don't miss the best tortilla soup I have ever had and the fried avocado taco.
3)  Hog Heaven: They have a great barbecue chicken sandwich. Be sure to get a jar of the Kickin Chickin white sauce to go. Pick up your sandwich and go to the Spring Water next door for a cold beer. It is not as dangerous as it looks!
4)  Bobbies Dairy Dip:  This Nashville institution has been serving up burgers and dairy treats for decades.
5)  Lovelace Cafe:  Nashville's classic for breakfast and dinner Southern cuisine.

Other suggestions would be Rotier's, Browns Diner, or the Pharmacy for burgers. Calypso Cafe for Jamaican, Baja Burrito for the fish tacos, and Fido's and Bosco's in Hillsboro Village.

Sumner County is the home of all things franchised however there are a few local favorites that I can recommend.
1)  Moore's Famous Chicken:  This clean three seat restaurant prepares every meal to order. My favorite is the breast quarter with medium heat with fried okra and baked beans.
2)  Cafe Rakka:  Some of the best Mediterranean food you will ever taste. The restaurant was featured in Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives program on the food network. You will love the family recipes and the fresh bread for the hummus bar.
3)  China Wok:  This restaurant is mostly carry out, and all orders are individually prepared from the extensive menu with your choice of sauce.
4)  Cockeyed Pig:  This is my favorite barbecue restaurant in Sumner County. The wide selections of meats are very smokey with excellent sides. Take home a combo pack for dinner.
5)  Sax Deli:  In their new City Square location Sax offers great deli specialty sandwiches and the best hamburger in Sumner County. My favorite is the patty melt on marble rye with their fries.
6)  Knead Dough Pizzeria: These New York style pizzas are hand tossed and cooked in a brick oven.

Bon Appetite!