Appalachian-inspired Audrey has experimented with just a few totally different kinds of lunch service by means of the years, however the newest iteration could be the most simple but. Chef Sam Jett has edited the dinner menu to create some smaller variations of these dishes — however extra importantly, he has created brand-new choices for noon.
Gone are some earlier experiments with elevated meat-and-three dishes or excessive/lowbrow fried bologna sandwiches, pulled pork and rooster wings. Now Audrey has positioned itself as a extremely fascinating place to get pleasure from an upscale lunch in a relaxed setting from 11 a.m. till 2 p.m., Monday by means of Friday. The at all times stimulating inside of the restaurant appears like a special place by the sunshine of day, and watching the cooks work within the kitchen is akin to lunch and a present.
Fermentation is a throughline of the menu, and nearly each dish we tried had some sudden tang of barely funky acid operating by means of it. That is absolutely intentional — and typical of the preservation and cooking methods of Appalachia. Should you’re not keen on bitter corn, this won’t be for you. However I encourage giving it a strive.
An order of fermented and grilled bread is just about a compulsory starter, particularly for the sweet-and-savory pumpkin butter that accompanies the 2 thick hoecakes. The menu is designed to construct a family-style sharing expertise for the desk with a few quasi-salads and aspect dishes that may be mixed to make a meal or used as a aspect dish to the bigger mains.
We significantly loved the collard inexperienced preparation — leaves which have been barely cooked in order that they’re nonetheless sturdy sufficient to deal with a topping of zesty chow chow and a rosette of Benton’s ham. Fold it up like a taco and luxuriate in it multi functional enormous chew in the event you’re up for that. A surprisingly beneficiant order of tallow french fries have been greater than a single diner may in all probability eat as a aspect dish, however served alongside ketchup and beef glace mayo, they jogged my memory of the Platonic best of an order of super-sized fries from McDonald’s. (I imply that as a really honest praise, as a result of I haven’t darkened the door of a Mickey D’s since I noticed Tremendous Dimension Me in 2005, and their fries are the one factor I miss.)
I didn’t do the stereotypical transfer of ordering the hickory-grilled cheeseburger, primarily as a result of I figured I’d find it irresistible and never order the rest ever once more. I did see loads of them popping out of the kitchen, so one might be mine quickly! As an alternative, for our fundamental dishes we chosen a wonderfully grilled Bucksnort trout served with preserved ramps and corn and an extremely tender plate of slow-cooked brief ribs from Bear Creek Farm served with carrots, onions and celery.
Along with a protracted and inventive wine record, the menu presents a house-made root beer with burdock root and sarsaparilla which was extra natural than candy. I believed it was pleasant! A number of beers, cocktails, iced tea and mocktails are additionally obtainable to pair with lunch.
This was on no account an specific lunch. Dishes arrived on the desk once they have been prepared, and the tempo allowed for dialog between programs and time to get pleasure from every plate because it arrived. You continue to should not have any hassle getting out and in in an hour, although. The ambiance was enhanced by a combination created by Chef Jett that might have been the set record from my eighth-grade homecoming dance in 1979. (I’ll by no means not whistle alongside to the sax riff in “Baker Avenue.”)
In different Audrey information, they get that occasions have been powerful these days — particularly because the starting of the yr for Nashville residents and eating places. As a way to encourage you to get out of the home to get pleasure from some hospitality and human contact, they’ve reopened the upstairs bar as an reasonably priced watering gap. “Upstairs at Audrey” is now that includes a specialty menu with 5 $5 cocktails, 5 $5 wines and 5 $5 beers plus a brief record of reasonably priced snacks from the kitchen downstairs.
The bar might be open from 5 p.m. till shut each evening, and might seat as many as 40 individuals on the bar and within the lounge space. So seize just a few associates you haven’t seen since earlier than the vacations and go to Audrey to catch up. Right here’s a dialog starter: See how lengthy you possibly can go together with speaking concerning the ice storm. Get pleasure from!
