By Chef Matt Bolus
Matt Bolus is the executive chef of The 404 Kitchen and Gertie's in the Gulch neighborhood of Nashville. Matt takes you on a three-city bar crawl to hit his favorite places to imbibe.
Benton's Smoky Mountain Ham with Biscuits and Whiskey Jam at Gertie's
Photograph courtesy of Gertie's
Gertie's Bar at the 404 Kitchen
Gertie's Bar opened in early December with chef Matt Bolus creating a food menu “written from the perspective of a chef’s night out, with munchies in mind.” To match the cocktail menu, he features dishes like Tater Tot Poutine, Benton's Ham Plate (pictured above) and Smoked Bologna Sandwich. Gertie's is located on the ground level of the 404 Kitchen.
507 12th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203
T: 615.712.8572
gertiesnashville.com
404 Kitchen
In November, the 404 Kitchen moved to a new space across the street from where they made a name for themselves and were nominated for a James Beard-nominated award. Chef Matt Bolus sources many of his ingredients from middle Tennessee for his menu and recommends you try his burrata dish, made fresh every day.
507 12th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203
T: 615.251.1404
the404nashville.com
NASHVILLE
Photograph courtesy of Robert's Western World
Roberts Western World
"You can't beat the history, much less the music at one of Nashville's most iconic honky tonks. Unless you consider the Recession Special. For the grand total of $5, you get a bologna sandwich, bag of chips, and a PBR."
416 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203
T: 615.244.9552
www.robertswesternworld.com
Photograph courtesy of Bastion
Bastion
"When you try to find things that don't match each other, nachos and crafted cocktails come to mind. In the Wedgewood Houston area of Nashville, Bastion offers both in a wonderful way. Available without, or more importantly with meat, the nachos are more than you could ever imagine a dive bar's nachos being! The crafted cocktails don't suck either."
34 Houston Street, Nashville, TN 37203
T: 615.490.8434
www.bastionnashville.com
CHARLESTON
Photograph courtesy of Warehouse
Warehouse
"A great bar just off the main drag with a cool vibe that is a mix of old Charleston and industrial. My go-to is their Deviled Eggs. These little gems are topped with a fired oyster and house-made pickle. Be careful, they are addictive."
45 1/2 Spring Street, Charleston, SC 29403
T: 843.202.0712
wearewarehouse.com
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NEW YORK CITY
Photography courtesy of Decoy | Photo Credit: Nicole Schumann
Decoy
"Who doesn't like places with 1/2 in the address? When you walk in, the first thing you notice are all the decoy ducks and you might think this place is all about hunting or rustic cabin life. Surprise, it's one of the best Peking ducks places you'll ever experience. My biggest dilemma is deciding which is better, the cocktails or the shot of duck consume served with amazing water fowl."
529-1/2 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
T: 212.691.9700
www.decoynyc.com
Speakeasy PDT | Photo Credit: ©Find. Eat. Drink.
Please Don't Tell (PDT)
"All I can say is that I'm a sucker for hotdogs and great drinks. If you're not, I can't trust you. To get to this hidden bar, enter into Crif Dogs on St. Marks. When you get inside, there is a phone booth immediately to your left. Go in it, pick up the phone, and put your name on their list. While you wait to get in, order a New Yorker (a classic snappy grilled all-beef frankfurter) and a Jon-Jon Deragon (a dog with a smear of cream cheese, scallions, and everything bagel seeds). Hopefully by the time you've finished your two delicious emulsified meat delicacies and you will be able to get inside PDT to experience one of the best speakeasy atmospheres since prohibition."
113 Saint Marks Place, New York, NY 10009
T: 212.614.0386
pdtnyc.com
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