Husk

Husk is a hidden oasis just a few blocks from the historic “Music City” scene in downtown Nashville. It occupies an 1890s mansion on Rutledge Hill at the corner of Southern charm and Tennessee elegance.

Chef Sean Brock, a James Beard award winner, has also won praise from Bon Appétit, Esquire, and GQ. He digs deep into his Southern roots to celebrate the region’s food, using seasonal seed preservation and heirloom ingredients. Products from local farms, vendors, and purveyors fill Husk’s kitchen.

The restaurant’s frequently changing menu elevates down-home Southern cuisine to a more sophisticated level. From the appetizer list, I enjoyed Smoked Trout Deviled Eggs, a creamy and briny dish with a hint of vinegar. For my entrée, I opted for Country Fried Steak with Black Pepper Gravy, which was layered in flavor overnight before being served alongside expertly roasted potatoes and onions. Brown Butter Soft Serve—a dessert that blends caramel, smoked cocoa nibs, and embered pecan panforte—provided the perfect end to my meal. I’ll be back for the famous burger!

Husk serves local beer and organic wines, but try a cocktail from the apothecary bar, which features fresh herbs from the restaurant’s garden. The Fennel Fantasy—with fennel, apples, aquavit, cider, and coriander—is very refreshing.

The restaurant has two dining spaces upstairs in what were once sitting rooms. Downstairs, there’s a modern room with vaulted ceilings and windows overlooking the picturesque garden and a carriage house used for private parties.

​BJT’s reviewers dine anonymously and pick up the tab.

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