Kathy Thomas
Let’s go out on a limb and make an early call: 2021 will be the year of the conveyor belt bar.
Sound like a casual date night set-up in a futuristic rom-com? Maybe. But thanks to the new Culture + Co. at L&L Market, the idea is also poised to be Nashville’s go-to hang for those who are into an endless parade of artfully curated cheese dishes. (And honestly, who isn’t?)
On its surface, Culture + Co. might seem like a textbook wine and cheese bar—luscious boutique bottles of vino, creamy slabs of fromage, mood-setting witticisms like “you had me at cheese” penned on the wall. But Culture + Co.’s owners—mother and daughter duo Jacqueline Palladino and Ashton Judy—were determined to level up the concept, offering guests an experience unique to Nashville.
Kathy Thomas
“We wanted the experience at Culture + Co. to be engaging and fun,” said Palladino. “Who doesn’t dream of an endless supply of cheese and desserts? There is something similar in the U.K., but we are really excited to bring the first cheese conveyor to the U.S. with our own little spin and point of view.”
Palladino, who has worked as a chef and pastry chef in New York and Florida for over 20 years, teamed up with her daughter to deliver on that dream inside the new L&L Market—a renovated hosiery mill built back in 1929.
“As soon as we saw L&L, we knew it was the right spot for us,” said Judy. “We watched it transform from a run-down restaurant supply store to a great place to eat and shop. We love the neighborhood, the community, and the other vendors, many of which are also women-owned businesses.”
Culture + Co.’s 900-square-foot alcove within L&L matches its playful and engaging concept—an open kitchen behind the conveyor belt allows guests to interact with the chefs preparing the dishes; an abstract mural painted by local artist Sarah Tate features a lively take on cheese, charcuterie, and movement; and a retro movie theater marquee above the bar highlights current partnerships with other local businesses.
“Right now, we are collaborating with The Peach Truck, as they’re launching their new product for winter—Satsuma oranges,” adds Palladino. “We are also collaborating with our neighbors at L+L Market—Marigold Popcorn. Our hope is that we will be able to collaborate with other small businesses in Nashville and plan events when it is safe to do so.”
1 of 3
Kathy Thomas
2 of 3
Kathy Thomas
3 of 3
Kathy Thomas
The menu at Culture + Co. focuses on artisan cheese products, which are then paired with complementary food items. Popular pairings include the Lively Run Cayuga Blue cheese set alongside the aforementioned Marigold Buffalo popcorn, and the “Flowers and Chocolate” Alp Blossom cheese with chocolate hazelnut bark. For more robust appetites, a savory selection of salads and sandwiches are also available.
To wash it all down: a tightly curated list of craft beers and a rotating selection of sustainable/organic wines that work to accentuate the flavors and nuances of the cheeses traveling down the conveyor belt.
“I am a pastry chef and have always enjoyed working with cheese throughout my career,” said Palladino. “There is so much to learn about both wine and cheese. It has been fun dreaming up pairings and finding the wines to complement them.”
3820 Charlotte Ave.; cultureandco.com