Summertime brings us wedges of juicy watermelon and drippy ice cream cones. It yields pies piled with blackberries and peaches so fresh they can fill a room with their aroma.
It offers jewel-toned tomatoes for slicing and piling onto BLTs.
Summertime, in other words, brings good eating.
Given the season, and all the happenings, openings and reasons to celebrate in Nashville these days, we’ve rounded up a list of highlights with this Food Lovers’ Guide to Summer.
JUNE
Keep the hot stove off by picking up dinner at Corbin in the Dell Pop-Up
900 Rosa L Parks Blvd
June 26, 5-7 p.m.
nashvillefarmersmarket.org
Melissa Corbin, a writer and connector in the food community, who also won a spot to compete at the World Food Championships with Ashley Jent, will prepare a pop-up, carry-out dinner at the market’s diverse Grow Local Kitchen. Choose either Tennessee Wagyu or The Peach Truck sliders before the Nashville Sounds Baseball Game. And speaking of the Sounds…
Taste summer’s best hot dog at the Band Box at First Tennessee Park / Nashville Sounds game
401 Jackson Street
firsttennesseepark.com
Baseball is summer’s sport, so check out the new stadium and stop by The Band Box, a venture by Benjamin and Max Goldberg Strategic Hospitality (The Catbird Seat, Pinewood Social, etc.) They take the summer hot dog to new heights with kielbasa pork sausage from Porter Road Butcher with carrot cumin slaw. If you miss a game this month, you’ll still have more than 30 home game chances through August.
Taste the season at Summer Harvest Dinner Series
June 26, 7 p.m.
Riverwood Mansion, 1833 Welcome Lane
riverwoodmansion.com
Chef Trey Cioccia of The Farm House has teamed up with chefs at restaurants including Lockeland Table and The Treehouse to host a series of dinners celebrating summer’s bounty. The first dinner will be held tonight with additional dinners to be announced later in the summer. Tickets are $85, including food and drink. Proceeds go to the American Liver Foundation and On Target 4 Vets.
Help Sinema celebrate its first anniversary
2600 Franklin Pike
sinemanashville.com
The restaurant will feature some specials from the original opening menu through the end of June. They also will hold a #SinemaSelfie contest on Instagram. Those who post before July 3 will be entered to win dinner for two.
Chill out at the Nashville Predators Craft Beer Festival
June 27, 1-5 p.m.
501 Broadway
predators.nhl.com
Duck out of the heat for this beer festival at Bridgestone Arena now in its third year. You’ll find local favorites like Jackalope, Yazoo and Black Abbey to more far flung options like Jekyll Brewing, Anchor Brewing and more. Tickets begin at $65, which includes unlimited tastings.
Stay fresh on the food truck scene at Musicians Corner
June 27, Noon-5:30 p.m.
Centennial Park, 2500 West End Ave.
musicianscornernashville.com
Check out the latest in food trucks – such as Funk Seoul Brother – at this free concert series on Saturday.
JULY
Show your stuff at the East Nashville Pie Festival and Bake-Off
July 1, 3:30-7 p.m.
1500 Davidson Street
eastnashvillemarket.com
“In early summer, we are lucky enough to have all three summer fruits – four if you count tomatoes! – available at our market,” says Rebecah Boynton of the blueberries, blackberries, and peaches at the East Nashville Farmers’ Market.
“So I thought it would be the perfect time of year to host a pie festival at our farmers’ market. My hopes are to see all the bakers and other creative members in and outside of our East Nashville community get excited and participate to support our farmers.”
Pick up new summer potluck recipes at the Southern Cooking for Company signing.
Pick up new summer potluck recipes at the Southern Cooking for Company signing
July 2, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Parnassus Books, 3900 Hillsboro Pike
parnassusbooks.net
Nicki Pendleton Wood is a food writing pro, and her new book is packed with more than 200 Southern hospitality secrets and show-off recipes. Pick up a copy at her signing in Green Hills.
Celebrate our Independence with Nashville’s culinary claim to fame at the Music City Hot Chicken Festival
July 4, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
East Park, 700 Woodland Street
A fire truck parade and free hot chicken samples to the first 500 guests kicks off this event. The big news this year is “free range” beer, meaning you no longer have to be confined to the beer tent area during the festival.
Beverages of all sorts are indeed important at this festival if you plan to sample from vendors while listening to live music or watching the amateur hot chicken cook-off at this popular – and growing – event.
Pick up a summer slider on the house at M.L. Rose
July 4, all day.
2535 Franklin Pike and 4408 Charlotte Ave.
Mlrose.com
Both locations of this restaurant will once again offer a free slider all day with each purchase of a craft beer. The sliders include a 3-ounce patty with pickle, onion and American cheese.
See a food renegade at Anthony Bourdain: Close to the Bone
Anthony Bourdain
July 7, 7:30 p.m.
Andrew Jackson Hall, 505 Deadrick Street
tpac.org
This chef and TV personality on CNN’s Parts Unknown will share his observations and experiences on stage. Remaining tickets begin at $55.
“Turnip the Beet” at the Nashville Farmers’ Market’s Songwriters' Open Mic night
July 11, 5 to 7 p.m.
Nashville Farmers’ Market, 900 Rosa Parks Blvd.
nashvillefarmersmarket.com
This ongoing monthly event at the market showcases local songwriters within the diverse offerings of the Market House such as Bella Nashville’s wood-fired pizzas featuring farm ingredients as well as the new Village Bakery & Provisions’ French-style pastries and breads.
Eat well to support the literary scene in Nashville at La Dolce Vita: An Evening of Italian Food, Music and Literature
July 19, 5-10 p.m.
Green Door Gourmet
7011 River Road Place
porchtn.org
This wine tasting and Italian farm-style supper includes music by Anita Camerella and Davide Facchini. The dinner benefits The Porch Writer’s Collective. Tickets begin at $40. And for more Italian eats…
Take an Italian tour of downtown with "Italian Style: Fashion Since 1945," an exhibit at the Frist followed by dinner at the new Trattoria Il Mulino restaurant
919 Broadway
fristcenter.org
Exhibit runs until Sept. 7
144 5th Ave. S
trattoriailmulino.com
Get started with a lesson on Italian style from post-World War II to present. Then check out the Nashville outpost of this New York-based restaurant that is part of a $32 million renovation for the downtown Hilton.
Time travel to winter months at Embers Ski Lodge
2410 12th Ave. S.
embersskilodge.com
Apres ski – if only in your imagination – at this lodge-themed restaurant in 12th South. Try the summer flavors of an Ajax cocktail with rum, watermelon, basil, lime, cucumber and sparkling wine before snacking on Black Diamond appetizers like the Lava Cheese Fondue.
Catch the Grass Fed Sunday Suppers at The Sutler
Chef Nick Seabergh of the Sutler
-- Submitted2600 Franklin Pike
Thesutler.com/grass-fed
Every Sunday, The Sutler pairs live bluegrass and string band music with a family-style supper options for four people.
Take a downtown taco tour and hometown tourist day
Hit a downtown taco trail at Bakersfield (201 3rd Ave., S., bakersfieldtacos.com) and Bajo Sexto (216 5th Ave. S., bajosextotaco.com). Cool off with a margaritas along the way, and then visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s latest exhibits: “Trisha Yearwood: The Song Remembers When” and “Dylan, Cash, and the Nashville Cats: A New Music City” (222 5th Ave. S., countrymusichalloffame.org).
Engage the senses with “em•bod•i•ment: Poetry Through the Five Senses with Stephanie Pruitt”
July 23, 6 to 9 p.m. at Oz Arts Nashville
6172 Cockrill Bend Circle
ozartsnashville.com
Poet Pruitt is collaborating on stage with Chef Josh Habiger (Pinewood Social, The Catbird Seat, Patterson House) as well as musicians, an architect, an aromatherapist and visual artists to take us on an inspiring multi-sensory arts adventure.
Stay out of the heat with hot tasting menus and dinners at Josephine (2316 12th Ave. S., josephineon12th.com) and Husk’s Workshop series (37 Rutledge Street, husknashville.com)
2316 12th Ave. S.
Josephine’s X|X (pronounced as 10 by 10) means 10 courses for 10 people on Friday and Saturday nights. The single seating at a communal table each of those nights at 8 p.m. is a treat for the senses at $85 with an additional $35 for beverage pairings.
Meanwhile at Husk Nashville, Chef Sean Brock launched his new Husk Workshop sessions. Twelve guests experience 15 courses with Brock involved in every plate. Follow @huskworkshop on Twitter for updates.
Husk’s Workshop series
37 Rutledge Street,
husknashville.com
Take summer treats up a notch by sandwiching cool Porta Via gelato between Christie Cookies
Gelato cookie sandwiches at Porta Via
-- Submitted21 White Bridge Pike and 3301 Aspen Grove Drive in Franklin
Eatatportavia.com
All summer long, both Porta Via locations will have fresh Christie Cookies available for making custom gelato sandwiches. The sandwiches cost $5 each or three for $12.
Full Moon Pickin’ Parties
July 31 and August 28
Stop for stellar sandwiches at Dozen Bakery (516 Hagan Street, dozen-nashville.com) or Mitchell Deli (1306 McGavock Pike, mitchelldeli.com) and maybe some supplemental provisions at Porter Road Butcher (501 Gallatin Ave., prbutcher.com) and then get out of town for the day at Cummins or Burgess Falls.
For a shorter drive with live music and beer under the light of the full moon, visit Warner Parks Equestrian Center (2500 Old Hickory Blvd., warnerparks.org) for the 15th season of the Full Moon Pickin’ Parties. Adult tickets cost $20 and include complimentary beers.
Raises glasses for a good cause at L’ete du Vin
July 23-25
nashvillewineauction.com
The 36th annual L’Ete du Vin raises money for the American Cancer Society with several food and wine events throughout the year. But the main grouping of events happens this month including a Vintners’ Tasting for $150 and the charity wine auction for $275.
Stay cool like jazz with one of summer’s favorite dishes at the Nashville Rib and Jazz Festival
July 25, 2-9 p.m.
Cumberland Park, 592 South 1st Street
musicfestival.city
Sample ribs and jazz for a good cause. Five music acts will perform to benefit Chocolate Jazz Foundation, a group dedicated to keeping music programs in schools. Early bird tickets are $20 and $30 at the door for adults.
AUGUST
Find your wings at the Music City Hot Wing Festival.
August 14, 4 p.m., VIP tickets only; August 15, Noon-10 p.m.
Broadway and 1st Ave.
Musiccityhotwingfestival.com
Hot wings can come with strong opinions. Sample and decide your favorites while listening to live music and checking out local art. This festival benefits The Bootstraps Foundation, which offers scholarships to students who show an ability to overcome difficulties and seize opportunities. General admission is $15 and an “all you can eat” ticket costs $40. VIP tickets for the Friday event cost $150 includes premium seating at an after party at Acme.
Taste summer’s star at the Tomato Art Fest
August 7-8
Five Points in East Nashville
Tomatoartfest.com
Still clinging, thankfully, to its funky little festival roots, this event has continued to grow since it began as a tomato-themed art show at Art and Invention Gallery in 2004. It now includes a food-filled art preview party and concert on Friday night followed by a 5K and parade on Saturday and plenty of tasty opportunities through the Bloody Mary competition, recipe competition and vendor booths.
Restaurants in the Five Points area also get in on the action with tomato-themed specials from bowls of cool gazpacho to tomato tarts.
Catch up on restaurant openings and enjoy the cool indoors
So many new restaurants and so little time. Might we suggest three spots making waves to get you started?
Fifty First Kitchen and Bar (5104 Illinois Ave., 51nashville.com) by husband and wife team Tony and Caroline Galzin
5th and Taylor in Germantown (1411 5th Ave. N., 5thandtaylor.com)
Little Octopus in the POP Nashville space in East Nashville (604 Gallatin Ave. littleoctopusnashville.com).
Pay a visit to Nashville’s originals during Restaurant Week
August 24-30, various locations
Nashvilleoriginals.com
Independent restaurants belonging to the Nashville Originals group open their doors with special menus twice each year. It’s a great time to be reminded of old favorites like McCabe Pub, Tin Angel and Valentino’s Ristorante as well as newer but well-rooted spots like Silly Goose, Flyte World Dining and Wine, Peg Leg Porker and Suzy Wong’s House of Yum.
Praise for the pitmasters at the Music City BBQ Festival
Aug. 28, 5 to 11 p.m.
Aug. 29, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Music Valley Drive
Musiccitybbqfestival.com
A party for pitmasters and food lovers alike, this two-day celebration includes several ways to get involved. The 2-day general admission pass is just $12 while VIP passes can run up to $65.