Nashville, the capital of country and western music, is one of the ‘must-see’ cities in America. It exudes southern charm and hospitality, which are especially well reflected in the restaurants and hotels. The city is easy to explore. The ‘Hop-on, Hop-off’ trolley with 15 stops and a knowledgeable driver/guide provides a great overview of the city in just a few hours. The stops include the Capitol, Ryman Auditorium, Music Row, Country Music Hall of Fame, Parthenon, Vanderbilt University, and Hattie B’s famous fried chicken. One of main thoroughfares, Broadway, is full of bars and restaurants with live music all day through late night. The Grand Ole Opry, 15 miles from the city center, is worth splurging on to attend a show.
In addition to delicious fried chicken restaurants, are fusion restaurants like Etch. Chef Deb Pacquette has designed a global menu in her open kitchen. We enjoyed her well-known appetizer of roasted cauliflower, followed by delicious seared scallops, fried brussel sprouts, and a dessert of green tea pavlova. Etch has an excellent selection of cocktails like “Tip of the Hat” with bourbon, bourbon flights and local beers. One can enjoy an absolutely delicious meal after a day of music and sightseeing. Check out Etch at www.etchrestaurant.com.
Kiran Kamath worked in the travel industry for a couple of decades in the United States, Canada and India. She then had a career as a college administrator for another couple of decades, most recently as Vice President of Academic Affairs at Monterey Peninsula College.