If you have picked up a copy of the April issue of Nashville Lifestyles, then you have already seen our ranking of Nashville's best restaurants 2019.
We're counting down our list revealing 1 of our top 15 picks every day. We hope you use this list as a guide whenever you find yourself asking the question: Where should we go to eat tonight?
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The Catbird Seat’s influence on Nashville is undeniable.
Shortly after opening in 2011 under the reins of Josh Habiger (Bastion) and Erik Anderson (now running a three Michelin-starred establishment in California), the restaurant drew all eyes to our city, lasered in on the chef’s counter-as-stage style of service, and inventive, technique driven food. It easily elevated the city’s collective coolness.
Iterations since then have brought in chefs Trevor Moran and Ryan Poli, both influenced by experiences at Noma. Now, it’s pastry chef Liz Johnson and chef Will Aghajanian bringing their take.
The premise remains: It’s a stage for experimentation and innovation.
Aghajanian and Johnson do this in spades, pushing into new territory. From the first fritter—beef tongue over a crisped quince-based bite—to an orb filled with banana, sea urchin, and truffle. (Trust us, it works.) There might be Marlin belly sliced counterside or crispy pig head presented on the body of a crab. A finale and a feat, the baked potato ice cream, pulled gingerly with spoons, and topped with a juniper resin and bits of crisped potato, is a mind bender that we can’t wait to try again.
Still a beacon of both innovation and play, The Catbird Seat is worth visiting once again.
1711 Division St, 615-810-8200; thecatbirdseatrestaurant.com