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Charles "Chip" Esten may be a recent transplant from LA, but the singer-songwriter who plays Deacon Claybourne on the hit show Nashville is soaking up his newfound status as a Music City local. While he and wife Patty enjoy trying new places each time they go out, Esten shares some of his tried-and-true favorites with us.
Favorite underground music joint:
Bourbon Street Blues & Boogie Bar on Printer's Alley. Whitey Johnson and Gary Nicholson play there, and my buddy Colin Linden plays with them. It will be a Tuesday night back in this small club in the Alley, and it's the hottest blues you're going to hear.
Favorite way to spend a weekend: We love Monell's brunch. When we have people visiting, we always take them there. Favorite new find: We recently had a great meal at Josephine in 12 South.
Favorite music venue:
It has to be the Ryman, with the Opry being a close second. They're just different versions of the same thingthe old history versus the new history. I love that big, big room, but there's something about being on that stage. And then after that, it would be the Bluebird. They're all so amazing. And I have to say I know how blessed I am to get to be in there so to choose one of them over the other is weird.
But the other night I didn't have to; I had this unbelievable evening. I got to do two songs at the Opry and then hop in the car and drive over and do a writers' round over at the Bluebird. If that's not the definition of your cup overflowing, I don't know what is. I don't know why I get to do thisI just keep my head down and keep doing it. I just feel so fortunate on every level to live here with my family and be a part of this town.
Favorite bar:
I've liked ending up in a quiet booth at The Patterson House some nights. That's the great thing about Nashvilleyou can choose the levels of what you're feeling like that night. Sometimes you just want to go to Tootsies or Robert's; those are the primary places I like to hit up on Broadway when I go out with friends.
Neighborhood you love: Germantown. All the restaurants there are good: City House, Rolf and Daughters, Silo. Favorite BBQ: Martin's is really great. We eat a lot of barbeque. We also go to Judge Bean's here in Brentwood.
Best burger:
It's kind of hard to beat Burger Up in 12 South. Although I'm kind of not that picky when it comes to burgers. I just discovered Back Yard Burgers. I love them all. We even go to Sonic. When we were in LA, we got every Sonic commercial and no Sonic. Having said that, I don't get to have too many burgersor Monell's, for that matteras I try to stay in shape and avoid some of those foods, because if you deep fry it, I'll eat it.
Favorite dinner spot:
Wild Iris here in Brentwood. That's Patty's place, for sure. We like The Southern and Virago. Now that are kids are more grown up, we can go out on the town [on date nights] more. We make an effort not to repeat as we're always trying new ones. Every place we go, we love.
