🛒 More bad news for your grocery bill

🏞️ Brookmeade Park Reopens

After two years, West Nashville’s Brookmeade Park has reopened with additional security. Tensions still remain high as some park advocates claim Metro hasn’t included enough improvements, while outreach groups say not enough was done for the unhoused who lived there. [Nashville Banner]

• Related: How this newspaper helps our unhoused community [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🩸 Critical Blood Shortage

Nashville is experiencing a blood shortage as flu cases skyrocket, leading to canceled donation drives. Blood Assurance, the primary supplier for area hospitals, has several initiatives to encourage donations, including gift cards and giveaways. They particularly need O-negative and AB-plasma donors. [The Tennessean]

🛍️ Grocery Tax Bill Unlikely To Pass

A Republican-proposed bill to eliminate our grocery tax will likely not pass as Gov. Bill Lee’s budget leaves no room for the estimated $700 million tax loss. Democratic Rep. Aftyn Behn’s proposed bill supplements that loss with a tax increase on corporations, but is receiving pushback from House Republicans, with House Majority Leader William Lamberth calling it “socialist.” [WKRN]

• Rep. Behn on why we should cut the grocery tax [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🏊 The YMCA Instructor With a Cult Following

Jenny Littleton’s water aerobics and yoga classes at the Margaret Maddox YMCA are always packed, but it’s no surprise: She’s also one-half of iconic musical comedy duo Doyle & Debbie. We’re swapping stories with her on today’s City Cast Nashville podcast. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

Hungry? Every month, Jenn Harbin, the creator of The Hungry Loner, curates this list of the best new restaurants and bars in Nashville, just for you. Here are her favorites!

Gramps Garage

From the team behind Daddy’s Dogs comes East Nashville’s newest dive bar, Gramps Garage. It feels like stepping into your grandpa’s workshop, with retro memorabilia on every wall and an unpretentious vibe that makes you want to settle in for hours. Expect classic beers, no-fuss cocktails (coming soon), and Hungry Man TV dinners if you’re feeling snacky. Gramps also caters to the booze-free crowd on “Twisted Tuesdays,” with a full nonalcoholic menu from Killjoy with THC-infused drinks, wine, beer, and mocktails.

Lona

Downtown’s newest hotspot, Lona, serves bold Mexican flavors inside Noelle, courtesy of chefs Richard Sandoval and Pablo Salas. The space is full of personality with vibrant colors, warm textures, and a striking mural by Ruben Ubiera. Whether you’re perched at the bar or sinking into a leather banquette, the energy is electric. Dive into the ceviche with plump prawns, zesty lime, and serrano heat, or savor the carne asada tacos packed with tender skirt steak and melted Oaxaca cheese. Don’t skip the enchiladas poblanas layered with housemade mole, shredded chicken, and queso fresco. Wash it down with a mezcal old-fashioned and save room for the churros with Abuelita chocolate and cajeta.

New Berlin

New Berlin is bringing proper döner kebab to Nashville, thanks to brothers Tyson and Lucas Sharpe and their lifelong friend Braden Welborn, who were inspired by their German roots. Packed inside their house-baked fladenbrot is high-quality meat from a Turkish company, pickled red cabbage, sumac onions, tomato, lettuce, and a blend of tzatziki ranch and spicy curry sauce. Don’t miss the poutine: Crispy fries, Wisconsin cheese curds, rich beef gravy, and all the döner fixings. Launched as a food truck in 2021, they found a permanent home at Reunion in Five Points.

The Yellow Table Café

Bringing cozy French charm to East Nashville’s Eastwood Village, The Yellow Table Café is inspired by the well-loved yellow table from chef and owner Anna Watson Carl’s childhood. Anna spent years studying and teaching in France, and her love for French cuisine sparked a dream to open an authentic crêperie in her hometown. This charming spot serves delicate crêpes with salted butter, savory galettes with goat cheese and leek butter, pastries galore, and perfectly brewed coffee.