NASHVILLE, Tenn. _ "Nashville is the new Austin." It was a comment I heard numerous times during the recent weekend I spent in Music City. After about the third time, I asked the person saying it why he thought so ... was it the thriving music scene (not exactly a new addition) or the burgeoning restaurant scene (somewhat of a new addition)? Perhaps it was the influx of young professionals contributing to the city's energetic vibe _ my nephew Scott being one of the recent transplants, relocating here a few months ago, ironically, from Austin.
It turns out the answer was: all of the above.
There is a beat to Nashville now that has nothing to do with the boot-scooting boogie; a panache that extends way beyond Printers' Alley. You're likely to see just as many people wearing three-piece suits and designer frocks as dusty jeans and boots, and just as many carrying briefcases as carrying guitar cases.
There's a new song on the Nashville charts and it has nothing to do with unrequited love or unfulfilled dreams.
I was in town for the re-opening of the Sheraton Grand Hotel, following a $35 million renovation. That renovation, envisioned with a focus on design, has earned the property the "Grand" designation (one of only five in the United States and 14 worldwide).
Among the unique design features are a 25-story blown glass chandelier and floating wooden staircase in the lobby, and an aquarium containing 150 jellyfish at the entrance to Skye, a special events venue on the 28th floor, where the jellies might play second fiddle to spectacular views of the skyline.
To celebrate the re-opening, the Sheraton had pulled out all the stops, from a honky-tonk evening at the Wildhorse Saloon to a private concert by Earth, Wind and Fire in the Grand's Platinum Ballroom.
When I wasn't partaking of all the hotel festivities, I was checking out the Nashville restaurant scene, which these days is a lot more than just barbecue.
Union Common is described as a "retro-modern steakhouse with craft sips," although I thought it could serve as a setting for "Sex and the City," the Southern version.
What was once a dry-cleaning establishment on the split between Broadway and Division Streets is now a palace of Art Deco splendor, luring hip diners with its rich color scheme of copper, red and black and its shimmering decor of metal, marble and glass (floor-to-ceiling windows allow you to see the action on both streets).
As noted, steaks top the menu here, from a 6-ounce petite filet mignon to a 28-ounce porterhouse, while the lively bar offers libations far beyond the "Sex and the City" girls' favorite Cosmos. For sophisticated dining in a hip setting, this is the place to go.
From hearty steaks to small plates is not much of a stretch in Nashville's urban dining scene. At Henrietta Red in the trendy Germantown area, the focus is on the latter, especially if they involve oysters and other types of seafood. There is a full raw bar selection as well as an extensive menu of craft cocktails.
Of course, this being Nashville, establishments offering barbecue (try Martin's, known for its whole-hog pit-fired BBQ) and Southern staples are not to be missed. For the latter, it's worth making the 20-minute drive out Highway 100 to Loveless Cafe, near the bridge leading to the Natchez Parkway.
While Loveless Cafe offers dinner, it is the perfect brunch spot, with heaping helpings of country ham, fried chicken, country fried steak with white gravy, fried green tomato and pimento cheese and biscuits.
