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The Six Most Anticipated Nashville Restaurants, Fall 2017

Who to track for the new season

Black Rabbit
Eater Nashville

We’re now officially into the last month of summer, which means not only is cooler weather just around the corner, but another crop of new restaurants and bars is gearing up to open. And while deadlines always shift, this is what we're expecting to see in the next few months.

Facebook/Hugh-Baby’s BBQ & Burger Shop

Hugh-Baby’s BBQ and Burger Shop

Location: 4816 Charlotte Ave.

Key Players: Pat Martin, Fresh Hospitality

Projected Opening: August 29

Pitmaster Pat Martin of Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint fame is finally bringing his fast food concept to Nashville, offering staples such as burgers, barbecue sandwiches, hot dogs, milkshakes and more, with an emphasis on quality. He’ll also be introducing the city to the slugburger, a style of burger made popular in parts of the South during the Depression.

Eater Nashville

Black Rabbit

Location: 218 3rd Ave. North (Downtown)

Key Players: Trey Cioccia, Robert Compton, Troy Smith, Chad Kelly

Projected Opening: Mid-September

After finding success with his first restaurant The Farm House, executive chef/co-owner Trey Cioccia is nearing completion of his sophomore effort Black Rabbit, a 122-seat downtown cocktail bar serving up canapes and small plates, along with an extensive wine and beer list. Robert Compton, previously the chef de cuisine at The Farm House, will be switching roles and serving as GM, with Chad Kelly acting as chef de cuisine and Troy Smith as wine and beverage director.

Submitted

Pastaria

Location: 8C1TY Blvd.

Key Players: Gerard Craft

Projected Opening: September 18

It’s been a long time coming, but James Beard award-winning St. Louis chef and restaurateur Gerard Craft is on the home stretch of opening his first restaurant outside of his adopted home. As with the original, expect a variety of pastas, pizza, soups and salads, along with Niche Food Group executive pastry chef Mathew Rice’s gelatos and creative desserts. The space will offer plenty of indoor dining, along with a large outdoor patio with bocce ball.

Facebook/Peninsula

Peninsula

Location: 1035 W. Eastland Ave. (East Nashville)

Key Players: Craig Schoen, Yuriko Say, Jake Howell

Projected Opening: September

Nearly a year after first arriving in Nashville, three veterans of restaurateur Renee Erickson’s Seattle restaurant empire are bringing this Iberian Peninsula-inspired spot to East Nashville. Chef Jake Howell’s kitchen menu will offer French, Spanish and Portuguese influenced dishes, with Craig Schoen’s beverage program showcasing wines from the region, along with a Spanish gin and tonic menu and a more extensive cocktail program.

The Falcon and The Flamingo

Location: 509 Houston St. (Wedgewood-Houston)

Key Players: Alexis Soler, Angela Laino, Freddy Schwenk

Projected Opening: By the end of 2017

Longtime industry veterans Alexis Soler (Old Glory, No. 308), Angela Laino (Good Night Sonny in New York City) and ace barman Freddy Schwenk are opening up two concepts in one in the still booming Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood. In the front of the rehabbed church will be a coffee bar called The Falcon. In the back, The Flamingo, a cocktail bar with a Miami-inspired interior and exterior vibe.

Eater Nashville

The Cardinal

Location: 1410 51st Ave. (The Nations)

Key Players: Tony and Caroline Galzin, Tracy Ardoin-Jenkins

Projected Opening: By the end of 2017

Roughly nine months after opening Nations’ hot spot Nicky’s Coal Fired, husband and wife team Tony and Caroline Galzin are in the process of opening their next venture, a Belgian-inspired neighborhood cocktail bar called The Cardinal. Planned as their version of their favorite Chicago neighorhood watering holes, expect a heavy focus on Belgian beers, a 40-plus cocktail list from Nicky’s beverage director Tracy Ardoin-Jenkins and a Northern European-influenced menu from chef Tony Galzin, all in a space with a heavy nod to 1920’s Art Deco design.

Also, keep an eye on these anticipated Fall/Winter openings: