At the top of the sparkling glass JW Marriott on the 34th floor sits one of Music City’s most stunning restaurants. The views on their own are enough to make you feel like you’ve stepped out of Tennessee and into Las Vegas. The brainchild of celebrity chef Michael Mina, who counts Michelin stars among his accolades, the Bourbon Steak empire has other locations, each with a unique twist. Nashville’s spin is that much of the presentation is done tableside, giving the proceedings a distinctly old-school feeling. The whole vibe is chic from top to toe (no jeans or tennis shoes allowed), and the formality extends to the food, with a delicate, earthy tuna tartare of Asian pear, habanero, sesame, and pine nuts prepared before your eyes. The salmon tataki with dashi vinaigrette was, simply, the best salmon dish I’ve had outside of Shiro’s, the famous sushi restaurant in Seattle, with its delicate, umami-forward notes and tender, decadent texture. Steaks here are, of course, exceptional, cooked to perfection and accompanied by over-the-top garnishes such as king crab béarnaise. The Maine lobster pot pie, at $85, delights guests as it’s punctured and removed from its puff pastry baking pot, however the amount of lobster meat included is a bit light for the price tag, and it comes in the shell, which makes for messy eating. Overall, though, if you’re looking for a dinner that will delight all the senses, pull up a chair at the open-air bar for drinks and cut into a buttery steak while savoring the experience.
Nashville
Travel Guide
Nashville› Restaurant
Bourbon Steak
JW Marriott Hotel, 201 8th Ave. S., 34th floor
Our Rating
Neighborhood
Downtown
Hours
Daily 4pm–midnight
Phone
629/208-8440
Prices
Main courses $34–$85
Cuisine Type
Steakhouse
Reservations
Reservations highly recommended
Web site
Bourbon Steak

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.