Pub5 Off to a Solid Start; The Row Kitchen and Pub; More

[Pub5]

The Tennessean's Nancy Vienneau gives her take on 4-month-old downtown restaurant and bar Pub5. Vienneau is impressed with the space itself, stating that "the historic structure has undergone a stunning renovation," and that it "honors the integrity of the building, artfully melding contemporary elements into its 19th-century bones." As for the food, Vienneau enjoys several of the dishes, including the chicken wings served with chimichurri and elote, Pub5's version of Mexican street corn, but sees the need to improve some dishes such as the nacho bowl and the Roelke, a beef filet sandwich. On this:

.....given the price of the fare - aggressive, as one might expect in a tourist-heavy neighborhood - you don't want to turn off visitors or natives by not delivering value. An $18 steak sandwich needs to be wonderful. [Tennessean]

Vienneau also shares her notes on new Midtown eatery The Row Kitchen and Pub. Having taken over the space that previously housed Pie in the Sky and "following the pervasive trend" of Southern classics and reclaimed wood, "the menu offers some nice innovation on the theme, although some dishes would benefit from polish in execution." Highlights are the pickle flight and their take on Nashville Hot Chicken, while the "quinoa veggie burger....was mushy and overpowered by a too-sweet tomato jam." [Tennessean]

Carrington Fox checks in on the latest incarnation of West Nashville's floating restaurant Blue Moon Waterfront Cafe, and "[t]he result is a familiar but improved dining destination - albeit one where destination still eclipses dining." Fox says that "[i]f you've got an appetite for nostalgia, stick with the fried coconut shrimp," but that the "one glaring disappointment....was the salad," with its "pale-green bed of iceberg lettuce and shredded yellow cheese." [Nashville Scene]

Local blogger Beth Sachan of Eat.Drink.Smile. gives her first impressions of Rutledge Hill's Husk Nashville. From the firsts ("all three of our starters....were excellent!"), to the mains ("the Bear Creek Beef was incredibly tender and delicious, but the best part was the roasted cauliflower and puree.") and dessert ("amazing Peach Buttermilk Pie"), Sachan gives Husk Nashville high marks. [Eat.Drink.Smile.]