Mailea Weger’s Riverside Village cafe
Located in the East Nashville Riverside Village, chef Mailea Weger’s new Lou restaurant is a bohemian gem. The restaurant is all about sustainable, veggie-forward dishes, and it offers an all-natural wine bar concept. The menu includes gluten-free and anti-inflammatory options, and it serves fresh, light dishes. The cafe also serves a brunch buffet with rotating breakfast cakes.
It’s also got a nice happy hour. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 4PM to 6PM, diners can enjoy $6 beers, cocktails, and wine by the glass. The restaurant has a small open kitchen, and there are only 38 seats.
The menu is filled with innovative New American plates, served with wine. There are also several healthy options, such as the tamari-roasted mushroom sandwich.
The pastry program features pastries by Sasha Piligian, former pastry chef at Sqirl in Los Angeles. The menu also includes a fried egg sandwich on sourdough.
There are a few more interesting things on the menu, including a brunch buffet with European flair. There’s also a low-ABV cocktail menu, and the wine list includes biodynamic offerings.
Sinema
Located in a former theater, Sinema is an immersive dining experience reminiscent of the heyday of Hollywood’s Golden Age. The menu eschews the traditional fare for a modern spin on classic American cuisine. Sinema’s cocktail program pays homage to the heyday of craft libations with over 100 rare whiskeys to choose from.
The restaurant’s 8,000 square feet of space is replete with velvet tufted booths and a 20-person private dining room. The food and beverage staff are seasoned pros and the restaurant’s menu strays away from the usual suspects. The restaurant’s wine program likewise offers something for the aficionado. Touted as the hottest restaurant in Nashville, Sinema is a dining experience in itself.
Sinema’s signature cocktail is a riff on the classic martini, a nod to the heyday of cocktails served in the theaters of old. A plethora of wines and micro-brewed beer is on hand to round out the experience. The restaurant’s signature charcuterie menu is a tasteful complement to its menu of upscale Italian and French fare. It’s a great place to unwind with a drink or two.
Josephine
Located in the 12 South neighborhood of Nashville, Josephine has become one of the city’s most popular restaurants. It combines Pennsylvania Dutch and Southern classics in an elegant setting. It’s the perfect place to dine on a special occasion or for an everyday lunch. Josephine’s menu changes monthly and features refined American farmhouse cuisine.
Josephine’s menu includes a smoky Cheddar Bacon Horseradish Dip. The restaurant is also known for its brunch, which is perfect for lingering over delicious food. The brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays and includes items like a whole chicken with fingerling potatoes and hashed kale.
Another popular menu item is the steak. Josephine’s steak is thoughtfully prepared. It’s a filling dish that’s served in a copper-trimmed serving dish. The best way to enjoy the steak is to order it with the accompanying side of sautéed spinach.
Josephine’s chef, Andy Little, has earned a reputation for his inspired cooking. He draws from the Pennsylvania-Dutch country that he grew up in. He’s also known for his wine list, which pairs well with the restaurant’s dishes.
