The Art of the Acorn

On the edge of Centennial Park sits an old home-turned-day-care-center-turned-Nashville-fine-dining-landmark known as The Acorn. In homage to the symbol of southern hospitality, The Acorn offers quintessential dishes of Southern culture but with a little bit of grown up flair.

In a low-lit, comfortable environment, The Acorn serves up contemporary versions of dishes like mac and cheese, pimento cheese, and chicken 'n' waffles for starters. Entrees include a pork trio, filet, braised lamb, and roasted chicken with spoonbread. Our trio of development department diners ordered soon-to-be classics: a portabella mushroom stack with quinoa, chorizo-crusted grouper with a Jack Daniel's pecan cream sauce (which, let's be honest, the JD was the main reason for ordering that meal!), and pan fried trout. Simply plated, these dishes did not need a lot of accoutrements to bring out the flavor, the unique flavors shone on their own. Unfortunately my camera battery was dead this night, so I have no photographic proof of the lovely plating.

The cocktail menu accentuated these dinners as well. I had a cleverly-named bourbon, ginger ale, and lemon; Beth had a sparkling cocktail of St. Germaine and champagne, and Laura's Bad Girl was a mix of orange vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry, and sweet and sour. My memory fails me on the cute names of our drinks, and The Acorn's website is not helpful. I should start bringing a note pad when I dine out!

The dessert did not disappoint either. Laura chose the gelato of the day, maple. Served in a martini glass it was an elegant way to essentially eat ice cream! Beth and I indulged in a chocolate peanut butter pie, a creamy, sugary concoction on a chocolate crumb crust. After all, we were dining on National Peanut Butter Day so I had to try it! The dessert menu included a chocolate torte, a sorbet of the day (blood orange on the day we visited) and a few other traditional offerings.

I left just the right amount of full. Happy, but not miserable.

The End Notes:

• The food was good but the dining experience would have been much better if they had not sat us right next to the most. annoying. couple. EVER. In the entire empty restaurant, we were sandwiched between 2 loud and obnoxious tables.
• The hostess offered to check my coat, a luxury I love as much as valet parking. Naturally, I accepted. As we were leaving, I saw my coat lying haphazardly across a chair by the hostess stand. So much for "coat check." I thought this was an upscale restaurant?
• Prices are on the higher end. Entrees range from $16-32 and there was not enough on the plate for leftovers. But worth the splurge I think.
• Free parking lot across the street for restaurant patrons.