What’s Clean
The majority of the produce is sourced from local farms practicing organic growing methods. The bread is not organic and the beef is grass-fed and grain-finished with non-GMO grains. The chicken is non-GMO as are the eggs, but both are not organic. The shrimp is wild-caught, however, the trout and catfish on the menu are farmed. We were unable to obtain information about the pork.
What’s Served
Although the menu at Husk changes frequently based on the availability of local ingredients, you’ll find Southern-inspired comfort food prepared with local ingredients. Animal proteins are plentiful, however, it does offer a veggie plate entree. Lunch and dinner are served daily, with brunch served on the weekends. A sampling of entrees on the menu during my visit included Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder, Crispy VA Duck, Swordfish, and Cornmeal Fried Catfish.
What I Ordered
I arrived for lunch and ordered the Shrimp and Grits. Some days, well ok, on most days my filter does not function properly and on the day of this review, it surely was not. As the waiter placed the small bowl in front of me, which BTW was a portion size only worthy of being called a “side”, the words “that’s it”, as in “are you hiding the rest somewhere” blurted from my lips. The presentation was lacking as well, see photo. The kale leaves did soften up nicely as soon as I mixed them with the warm grits. The 5 or 6 shrimp were tiny yet nice and tender and the grits were creamy, however, the overall taste was a bit on the salty side.
The Vibe
Husk Nashville occupies a fascinating yet old southern brick home which the proprietors of Husk lovingly converted into their restaurant. Dining areas are tucked away in original rooms and hallways with a mixture of classic and southern decor. The bottom floor hosts the large and masculine liquor bar which opens up to the covered patio. The desirable outdoor seating area is surrounded by greenery in a quiet space along the side of the former home. The charming 2 level former home is packed with character in every corner, complete with a beautiful vegetable garden along the left side of the restaurant.
The Takeaway
Overall, the setting of Husk Nashville is one of the nicest and charming restaurant spaces around. Likewise, I do appreciate their commitment to local sourcing both for economic and nutritional reasons. However, the $16 modest and salty portion of shrimp and grits was discouraging. Although I’ve had nothing less than great dining experiences at other Husk locations, my experience at Husk Nashville was a bit disappointing. In all fairness, I will visit them again soon for another try. Happy Hour is 4-6pm, Monday through Wednesday.
