🥐 20-year-old French pastry chef’s new bakery

🧘 Nashville Mental Health Tips

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. On today’s podcast, we’re talking to the father-son duo behind the Black Men Vent Too podcast about community, vulnerability, and where to find your zen in Nashville when things get to be too much. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🧑‍⚖️ Redistricting Challenge Dismissed

In a unanimous decision, a three-judge panel has dismissed an NAACP legal challenge to Tennessee’s congressional redistricting. The lawsuit alleged the process Gov. Bill Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly undertook to redraw the state’s congressional maps violated the state’s constitution, but the court’s ruling said those claims were “without merit.” Three more legal challenges to the redrawn maps remain, including a second NAACP challenge. [Tennessee Lookout]

• In Alabama, federal judges blocked a similar attempt to redraw the state’s congressional maps to benefit Republicans. [CNBC]

💰 All City Departments Face Budget Cuts

Over the last two weeks, Metro Nashville departments and finance officials have been meeting with Metro councilmembers about Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s proposed budget. Each department faces a 1.5% budget reduction due to anticipated flat revenue, a proposed cut to the city’s grocery tax, and salary increases. While most departments told councilmembers they could absorb the decrease without reducing services, Metro Social Services said the cut would affect programming. [Nashville Banner]

• Metro Social Services programs include nutritional support for elderly and disabled Nashvillians, family services, and financial aid for burial costs. [Nashville.gov]

💸 Former Councilmember Accused of Fraud

Former Metro Councilmember Jerry Maynard Jr., along with several of his family members, has been named in a federal lawsuit that claims the family committed fraud. The lawsuit alleges that the two healthcare companies the family started through a church where Maynard is senior pastor were fronts to get nearly $250 million in rebates from a diabetes medication. [NewsChannel 5]

Hungry? Nashville has so many excellent new restaurants and bars opening every month. Here are our favorites from May!

Olala Café

Enjoy a bite of France in the Gulch at this new café founded by 20-year-old pastry chef Mathis Combaluzier and his father. Inside is decorated with antique furniture with nods to France, but there’s also patio seating. Find croissants, crepes, and all sorts of delectable pastries from this young, internationally trained chef.

Bar Roza

Head to downtown’s The Arcade for cocktails from 4 p.m.-2 a.m. at Bar Roza, from the chef behind Roze Pony and Cafe Roze. The menu includes artfully crafted cocktails with aromatic mists, non-alcoholic options, and shareable snacks.

slice/25

This pizza and wine bar is on the patio of the Grand Hyatt’s rooftop bar, lou/na. Feast on artisanal pizzas like the Soppressata + Hot Honey while enjoying the view. No need to make a reservation; it’s walk-up only.

Antoinette’s Wine + Provisions

Sylvan Park’s new wine bar and market in a 1930s house offers a selection of curated wines and wine cocktails, shareable plates including charcuterie boards and marinated lamb chops, and a backyard where kids and dogs are welcome. Founder and West Nashville resident Lauren Maranto hopes it becomes a neighborhood gathering place.

Calypso Cafe

After closing during the COVID-19 pandemic, Calypso Cafe’s Charlotte Avenue location has reopened for dine-in service. You’ll find all the classic Calypso menu favorites — like its fruit tea and black bean nachos — plus updated interiors. The Caribbean-inspired restaurant first opened in 1989, and is now run by the founder’s cousin.

Perenn

Cheekwood’s Café 29 has closed and been replaced by Perenn, a bakery that got its start in Reno, NV, but made its Tennessee debut last year in Franklin. Perenn will serve its popular bakery items alongside sandwiches, salads, and a coffee and tea menu.

Cone-Cept

East Nashville’s newest ice cream shop in the Eastwood Village shops offers “seriously playful soft serve,” with an array of toppings from Lucky Charms marshmallows to black raspberry caps. The menu also includes milkshakes and sundaes.

Taichi Bubble Tea

This popular national bubble tea chain has landed in Brentwood. But you’ll find more than just bubble tea here: You can order ramen, sushi, and rice boxes, too.