“A loaf of bread, a jug of wine and thou…”
This well-known phrase attributed to Persian poet Omar Khayyam has endured for the reason that eleventh century. In a really fundamental sense, it’s on the coronary heart of Ben and Katie Rose Tyson’s splendid endeavor, Butterlamp Bread and Beverage.
Their self-proclaimed Bread Home and Wine Bar opened in August contained in the historic church on Chapel Avenue, a centerpiece of the Eastwood Village mixed-use growth. Right here, the husband-and-wife duo has created an interesting neighborhood gathering spot the place you may savor curated wines by the bottle or glass, their flavorful rustic loaves, in addition to their delectable fare, with every plate designed to enhance the grape.
The couple met in Nashville—Katie, a graduate of Vanderbilt College, arrived 14 years in the past; Ben, an completed chef, got here in early 2020 to assist Sean Brock open Audrey. When the pandemic hit, Ben’s focus shifted to Patchwork, a nonprofit supported by Brock, offering nutritious, scrumptious meals to these in want. Katie labored in advertising, first within the music business, then in hospitality.
For his or her honeymoon in February 2023, the Tysons flew to Bhutan, the place they spent weeks touring, absorbing, as Katie places it, “absolutely the magic of this place.” Ben had labored at a resort in Bhutan 10 years earlier, and he and Katie have been touched that individuals there nonetheless remembered him.
“On the lengthy flight house, we began our speak, ‘OK, we’re married now, so what’s subsequent?’” Katie recollects. “I had all the time considered a Mattress and Breakfast. As we shared concepts, we acknowledged that we had separate however related excited about this group place to hold.”
The idea of a standard B&B morphed into Bread and Beverage. The identify Butterlamp refers back to the votive candles (initially crammed with yak butter) discovered all through Buddhist monasteries in Bhutan. The lighting of those lamps is a part of a religious follow to dispel darkness, honor the interconnectedness of beings, and domesticate gratitude and goodwill. For the Tysons, that was an ideal metaphor for the light-filled place they envisioned.
Butterlamp is positioned on the Hobson Chapel Drive facet of the complicated. In entrance of the entry, you’ll see an inviting grassy plot dotted with tables and chairs beneath shade bushes. Step inside, there’s seating at a gorgeous marble- topped bar to the correct; a banquette-lined wall with tables to your left, and an open kitchen with a curved eating counter, the place Ben and the crew put together delectable plates to accompany the wines. Excessive ceilings and expansive home windows carry within the gentle. Writing on the massive mirror behind the bar describes the day by day picks: breads to take house, favourite wines of the second, and specialty plates of Cultured, Cured, and Tinned — that’s, cheeses, charcuterie, and preserved fish. True character shines by way of: cabinets on both facet of the massive mirror have been coated in pages from a cookbook that Katie’s grandmother handed on to her mom after which to her. All-purpose wine glasses are imprinted with the Butterlamp brand. Plates and bowls have been acquired from thrift outlets or the Tysons’ personal wedding ceremony china. Additional, the hours are distinctive, open Thursday by way of Monday, from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
“We aren’t a standard bakery that opens within the early morning, and you need to hustle to get your loaf! That’s why we name it a Bread Home,” Katie says. “We like opening within the midafternoon. Of us begin coming in for a snack, or a sip, or to get their loaf to take house for dinner. We structured our week to run Thursday by way of Monday. Many locations shut on Sunday and Monday, so we wish to supply another.”
Ben and Katie work collectively to curate the wines. The rotating “by the glass” listing is damaged into 5 classes: Glowing, White, Pores and skin Contact & Rosé, Chilled Reds, and Reds, every wine given a short, enjoyable, and correct description. Celine, a relaxing French Gamay (and workers fave) is “a juicy symphony.” The Austrian Blaufrankisch from Ernst Triebaumer is a full-bodied pink the place “scary spice meets sporty spice.” The Rezabel Txakoli Rosé possesses “sassy florality.” Katie and her workers are blissful to speak over your tastes and their choices and assist information you.
“We take pleasure in introducing our finds, and explaining the completely different grape varietals to our company,” says Katie.
Ben designed the Butterlamp menu to supply an array of meals that pair effectively with wine, dishes you can peck on as you go. And he notes, “I wish to have a component of shock.”
A few of these shocking components embody the creamy tofu inexperienced goddess dip accompanying the crudités — a colourful and considerably surprising meeting of veggies: heirloom pear tomatoes, endive, purple carrots, candy pink bell pepper batons, and paper-thin hakurei turnip slices. To not miss is the plate of Deviled Eggs in a Skirt — Ben’s ingenious preparation of stuffed eggs served heat and below a crisp tuile sprinkled with Maldon salt. Cheeses of the day include a house-made jam that has wine cooked into the preserves. The toasted sourdough boasts luscious toppings that change with season and whim: tomatoes, garlic, and fruity olive oil; squashes in lime and chili oil over roasted eggplant purée; mussels, contemporary herbs, and oyster emulsion. And make no mistake — the Heat Bread, which is your alternative of the O.G or cracked black pepper sourdough served with cultured butter—is straightforward perfection.
Quite a lot of breads in restricted amount is obtainable in full or half loaves to take house. Head baker Allie Jantz skillfully executes Ben’s recipes. Don’t go over the Konbu sourdough. Konbu is dried kelp powder that’s folded into the dough. It imparts a compelling, distinctive umami to the bread. Different breads of be aware embody the Fermented Candy Potato and English Muffin.
“I had lots of affect from my mother, an important baker and cook dinner,” says Ben. “The English Muffin Bread is her recipe.”
You’ll discover a number of candy issues on the menu too, like cookies and chocolate gateau. You’ll relish Ben’s “Eton Mess,” a variation of a Pavlova. The toasted meringue is damaged into items and folded with whipped cream and fruits of the second, similar to peaches, plums, and plum-wine jelly. The creamy mound is dusted with dried rose petals.
The Tysons have been gratified as Butterlamp turns into a draw for the neighborhood and past. They sit up for welcoming new faces to their Bread and Beverage as they domesticate regulars, sharing their love of bread, wine, and group. (1101 Chapel Ave.; butterlampnashville.com)
