Where to stay and eat in Guitar Town
Sheraton Grand Nashville Downtown ( from $199; SheratonNashvilleDowntown.com) recently underwent a $35 million renovation and boasts immaculate rooms, a revamped fitness center and the new Library Bar, serving more than 50 varieties of bourbon and regional dishes (order the house-made smoked mac and cheese). The property — one of five in the US to gain the chain’s “Grand” distinction — is a short stroll from Lower Broadway nightlife and the Ryman. Just around the corner is The Hermitage Hotel ( from $255; TheHermitageHotel.com), Nashville’s Southern belle. The century-old landmark edifice is known for its plush lobby, luxurious rooms and old-school chophouse, the Capitol Grille. The new boutique hotel, Thompson Nashville ( from $305; ThompsonHotels.com), is a sleek addition to The Gulch. James Beard Award-winning chef John Besh and Justin Cameron helm Marsh House, a seafood restaurant. Nashville native Julia Sullivan trained at New York’s Per Se and Blue Hill at Stone Barns before opening Henrietta Red ( HenriettaRed.com), one of Germantown’s hottest tables. To die for: wood-roasted oysters with green curry. Just down the block sits City House ( CityHouseNashville.com), serving James Beard Award-winning chef Tandy Wilson’s inventive Italian-Southern fare. His belly ham pizza was rated top in Tennessee by the Food Network. Celeb-spotting is par for the course at the bustling Rolf and Daughters ( RolfAndDaughters.com) in Germantown. Chef Philip Krajeck is famed for his rustic pasta dishes, like squid-ink paccheri with octopus and breadcrumbs.In the mood to pig out? Head to Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint‘ s ( MartinsBBQJoint.com) downtown hub. Pitmaster Pat Martin hickory-smokes mouthwatering West Tennessee whole hog, ribs and beef brisket.