😋 April’s best new restaurants

🧑‍🍳 Local Immigrant Chefs Consider Their Impact

The Music City Food & Wine Festival took place this past weekend, and on today’s podcast, we’re proud to bring you an exclusive live playback of our favorite panel. Moderated by Anas Saba from Nashville Hidden Gems, “First Generation Flavors: Stories From Nashville’s Immigrant Kitchens” brought together chefs from around the city for a candid conversation about the cultural impact of building their renowned immigrant-owned restaurants. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🗳️ Who Will Win the Circuit Court Clerk Race?

Two former Tennessee State University Tigers are facing off in the Davidson County Primary Election for Circuit Court Clerk. Incumbent Joseph P. Day has spent his entire career in the clerk’s office, starting with an internship when he was a TSU freshman. Pastor Howard Jones is a former Metro Nashville Public Schools assistant principal and owner of Kingdom Café and Grill on Jefferson Street. Jones has run in several previous local elections. [Nashville Banner]

• There are three more days to cast your ballot in the Davidson County Primary Election, and less than 20,000 folks have voted. Here’s our guide to this election. [Nextdoor; 📰 City Cast Nashville]

🧒 Bill Makes It Easier To Open Childcare Centers

Last week, Mayor O’Connell signed legislation that would speed up the permitting process for childcare centers. The bill, proposed by District 6 Councilmember Clay Capp, aims to address Nashville’s childcare crisis by making it easier to open centers. [Nashville Scene]

• The council is still considering other bills related to childcare center zoning requirements. Here’s how rezoning could help, according to a local childcare center director. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

⚡ Data Center Regulations

Though state lawmakers proposed seven bills to regulate data centers in Tennessee, only one passed. The successful bill stipulates that data center owners pay for necessary infrastructure upgrades for any additional electricity needed. But legislation requiring data center owners to track water, electricity, and fuel usage failed. [Tennessee Lookout]

• Nashville is home to about a third of Tennessee’s AI data centers. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

Hungry? Nashville has so many excellent new restaurants and bars that opened in April. Here are our favorites!

Basket Case Café & Grocer

Salemtown has a new grocery store! This small, charming grocer also serves breakfast and lunch. Grab an espresso, pastry, or sandwich, and bring your pup along for some treats. In the future, Basket Case plans to include a wine and beer bar.

Fonda Fina

In celebration of its fifth anniversary, Maíz de la Vida chef Julio Hernandez is returning to the restaurant’s tortilla shop roots with Fonda Fina, which opens today, April 29. The 12-seat restaurant will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., serving tacos, burritos, flautas, and more.

Jo’s Coffee

This Austin staple has opened its first Nashville location inside Dream Nashville, in Printer’s Alley. This dog-friendly coffee shop doesn’t just serve coffee; you’ll find heaps of other beverages in addition to breakfast tacos on its menu.

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Earls has restaurants across the U.S. and Canada, and its first Nashville location is inside The Pinnacle. Earls dubs itself as “casually sophisticated,” and its international menu includes Szechuan shrimp and pork dumplings, spicy Calabrian pasta, and black truffle butter steak.

Ocean Prime

This nationally acclaimed seafood restaurant recently opened in Nashville Yards. It’s best known for its towering seafood towers and steaks. There’s also a raw bar and sushi. It’s open for lunch during the week and dinner every night.

Salt Ranch

Salt Ranch is a new Dickerson Road boutique hotel that’s also home to a cozy bar in the hotel’s restored early 1800s main house. With hot weather right around the corner, you might want to sign up for the hotel’s swim club.

Edley’s Tacos

The team behind Edley’s Bar-B-Que has opened this taco restaurant in Sylvan Park, with a second location in Melrose opening in May. Pick a protein and style, then dress that taco up with guac or queso. Don’t forget the margarita. There’s a nice patio perfect for the spring.

Lion’s Share

This fancy, tavern-style spot also recently opened in Sylvan Park, from James Beard-recognized chef Robbie Wilson (who opened SuperNormal last year) and Emily Perry Wilson. Find hearth-fired meals like Appalachian trout, striploin, and swordfish, a selection of cocktails, and a raw bar.

Rippy's Table & Tavern

Bellevue’s newest tavern has opened in Corner Pub’s former home. The family-owned bar hopes to become a neighborhood staple and serves classic fare like wings and burgers, as well as Southern-style meat-and-three options.