It’s been 3 years since I moved from Nashville to L.A., and since then I’ve had friends who’ve moved to Music City. Each of them ask me, knowing my love of food, where to get the goods. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but it’s a good place to start.
In Nashville, as far as butchers go, you’re stuck with Whole Foods. The Publix in Bellevue is probably the best Publix in Nashville for meat and seafood if you get bored of Whole Foods. Great staff. There’s another place in Brentwood, but it’s pricey, called The Butcher Block. Personally, I think you’ll be happier with Whole Foods for most meats.
Bakery: Alpha Bakery http://www.yelp.com/biz/alpha-bakery-nashville (You can find some other good bakery items at the Germantown Farmer’s Market.)
For seafood: K&S International Market and the seafood market at the Franklin Factory. (Although farther than you probably wanna drive if you’re in the city, the Factory is a cool place. They even have a Viking Store where you can take cooking classes or watch guest chefs prepare private tastings. it’s a small place tho compared to big cities’ equivalents.)
For cheese and some meats: Corrieri’s Formaggeria http://www.cfcheese.com/ (The guys who own Maffiaosas own this place. Two of my really good friends used to be partners in this biz.)
All my Russian and Eastern European friends liked this place: Aleksey’s Market http://www.yelp.com/biz/aleksey-market-nashville
A great Italian pasta shop with some good cheese and meats: Lazzaroli Pasta http://www.lazzaroli.com/ (Srsly, their pasta is the best you’ll find in Nashville.)
For an alternative to Whole Foods that’s better than your average Publix-type grocery, try Fresh Market: http://www.yelp.com/biz/fresh-market-brentwood
If you’re Jewish (I’m not, but I did the research for some friends when they came to Nashville), and moving from New York or L.A., you’re not gonna like the selection of Kosher food choices in Nashville. Check out the West End Synagogue’s site for suggestions: http://westendsyn.org/kosher.html
