☕ Nashville’s first Colombian coffee shop

📷 Mass Surveillance in Nashville

Legislation regulating how law enforcement can use drones in Nashville is on its final reading at Metro Council tomorrow night. But are drones just a small piece of something bigger? On today’s podcast, journalist Nick Pipitone discusses his recent Nashville Scene article about how systems like Flock, Fusus, and Skydio are designed to work together in “real-time crime centers” and describes what the Community Review Board recently called “MNPD’s steadily expanding surveillance apparatus.” [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🚌 More People Are Riding the Bus

WeGo public transit ridership rose by 11% this fiscal year compared to last, with 10.6 million rides. It’s close to WeGo’s all-time high of 10.76 million rides set in 2015. “It’s awesome to see this jump in ridership,” Mayor Freddie O’Connell said in a statement. “Nashville is proving that when we invest in transit, people use it.” [WPLN]

• How often do you ride the bus? Take this poll! I’ll share the results in a forthcoming newsletter.
• Meanwhile, state researchers estimate Tennessee will face a $1 billion funding shortfall for road projects by 2028. [WKRN]

💰 How Will TN Use Meta Settlement Money?

Tennessee will receive $750 million in a settlement with Meta as part of a lawsuit claiming the social media giant intentionally used addictive features without warning parents. The state intends to use the money to establish youth mental health resources, help law enforcement tackle digital crimes, and research social media addiction. “We have a serious, big job to do to make sure these funds from this settlement are spent appropriately and go towards the intended purposes,” Rep. John Ray Clemmons (D-Nashville) said. [WKRN]

🏫 Vandy’s NYC Satellite Campus Welcomes Students

Classes have begun at Vanderbilt University’s first satellite location in New York City, on a campus that was formerly home to the General Theological Seminary and looks surprisingly similar to Nashville’s. Many of the Tennessee students say they’re most looking forward to taking art classes and exploring NYC’s museums, theaters, and galleries. [🔐 Curbed]

• Is Vandy beating the Ivies? [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

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

Croquet Cafe

Centennial Park now has an on-site restaurant! The menu is inspired by Southern picnics and includes charcuterie boards, pimento sandwiches, and soft-serve ice cream. Personally, I’m excited to see several gluten-free and vegan options on the menu. Proceeds from the nonprofit cafe will benefit the Centennial Park Conservancy.

Xul Brewery

This Tennessee Brewery has opened a second Nashville location in the former home of Southern Grist, right by Nicky’s Coal-Fired in The Nations. Expect green velvet lounge chairs, horror-themed art, and taproom exclusives.

Girlcrush Social House

East Nashville has landed another LGBTQ+ bar! Girlcrush is owned by the twin sisters behind the RNBW Queer Music Collective, and the bar will host local queer musicians plus other community events. Check out their happy hour from Tuesday through Friday.

Veselka

This New York City favorite has opened inside East Nashville’s Lakeside Lounge, serving delicious Ukrainian food. It’s open daily, and the menu includes pierogi, kielbasa, latkes, and much more.

Chen Chen’s Hot Chicken

We’ve got another contender for best hot chicken in Nashville. Chef and owner Chen Chen was born in China, raised in Nashville, but later moved to Toronto, where he first opened this restaurant. Now he’s returned to Nashville. His hot chicken infuses Asian flavors with the Nashville culinary tradition.

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue

Grab yourself some chicken katsu and spicy poke bowls at this Antioch Hawaiian barbecue joint, which is part of a chain that launched in O‘ahu in 1952. This is its first Tennessee location.

Serrato’s Steakhouse

Looking for something more upscale? Serrato’s has expanded from Williamson County to its first Nashville location in One Bellevue Place. You’ll find hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood, and an extensive wine selection.

Alma Viva Cafe

Nashville’s first Colombian coffee shop is now open in Midtown! In addition to coffee choices like golden honey and cardamom rose lattes, you’ll find Latin-inspired brunch options and Colombian sweet treats. It’s a beautiful, inviting space.

Cauponor

The team behind Peninsula has opened this exclusive, 14-seat European-inspired spot in the Neuhoff District. It’s only open three days a week, Tuesday through Thursday, with a menu centered on seafood specialties like a squid-ink crepe and tuna belly. Cauponor also has an extensive wine list.