I arrived in Nashville, Tennessee, looking forward to hosting the 10th annual awards event for Trazee Travel, known as The Trazees. We’ve never hosted an event in Nashville before, and our partners at The Joseph, a Luxury Collection Hotel, graciously jumped in to welcome industry executives from around the world to this event.

However, I snuck in to town a few days early to enjoy the city and some unique eating establishments. Here’s a quick rundown.

White Limozeen
On the rooftop of The Graduate Hotel Nashville, there’s a pink parlor paying homage to the one and only Dolly Parton. Staying on theme, I ordered a pink drink called Anti Hero, made with Grey Goose Strawberry and Lemongrass vodka, along with splashes of pineapple, strawberry, Campari and lime. It was as cute as it was tasty and an easy complement to my charcuterie board full of fruits, meats and cheeses.

Germantown Café
They list a half-pound of bacon as an appetizer at Germantown Café, and when the server mentioned it’s “only 10 strips of bacon,” my friend and I decided to accept the challenge of a quarter-pound each. Coupled with my salmon Caesar and a bloody Mary, it was the ideal Sunday morning brunch.

L.A. Jackson
Our Trazee Travel team gathered for dinner at The Thompson, Nashville the night before our awards event for a fun evening of camaraderie and laughs. We kicked things off with drinks upstairs at L.A. Jackson, where I sipped on a People’s Choice, made again with vodka and strawberry, but this time adding genepy and cucumber for fun. Don’t miss the rooftop views. They reign supreme in this neighborhood!

Marsh House
Dinner at The Thompson’s main restaurant featured a menu full of southern seafood items. I started with the watermelon and whipped feta salad, followed by my main course of whole grilled branzino with mirliton slaw and Calabrian potatoes. Finally, I casually indulged in two different desserts: the chocolate miso tarte with salted caramel and jaggery ice cream, as well as the yuzu hibiscus sherbet with toasted meringue. Thank goodness for team members who like to share — I’m not sure which I enjoyed more!

Martin’s BBQ
I admit I was about to walk toward a different lunch spot when I caught a whiff of barbecue and knew I had to adjust my plans. Martin’s was a quick stop, and its BBQ nachos hit the spot. Someone do me a favor and remind me to add cilantro to my slaw the next time I’m serving pulled pork and nachos together. Heavenly!

Milk & Honey
Give me a Lavender Honey latte and I’m a happy girl. Add in a fresh egg sandwich on a croissant with a side of berries and I’ll swoon. Tie it all up with a smiling server named Doug, and you’ll understand why Nashville was voted Friendliest City among our readers.

I know there’s much more to see and eat in Nashville. Over the last five to six years the community has experienced great growth beyond the honky-tonks of Broadway. If it’s been a while since your last trip, I’d encourage you to check out the culinary scene for yourself and taste the evolution currently underway in Music City.

— Carrie Cox, account executive