After a 9 hour drive from a -4 degree morning in Wisconsin, we arrived in Nashville to a balmy 21 degree evening where the hotel bellman bemoaned the cold winter weather.
The warm, bright atmosphere of Henrietta Red, a small plates spot in Nashville’s Germantown neighborhood was the perfect way to end the day. The place was bustling without a crowded feeling. A large marble top table in the center of the dining room served as an open station for table settings which helped the servers keep the small plate system running.
A Moscow Mule with two slices of fresh candied ginger was just what I needed to settle my slightly queasy stomach – a victim of the long drive.
The restaurant features a full Raw Bar with over a dozen varieties of Oysters and Clams with colorful names and origins like Saucy Lady Shells, Apalachicola FL; Murder Point, Irvington Alabama; Summerstone, Lilliwaup WA; and Mookie Blues, Damariscotta ME.
HR features an open kitchen with a wood-fired oven surrounded with handpainted decorative tiles. Wood Roasted Oysters may tempt you, if you’re not in the mood for raw. Try the Dill, Mustard Butter with thyme breadcrumbs or the Green Curry and pair it with the Sunchoke Salad, which features Honey Crisp Apple, Sunflower Seeds & Sprouts with Parmeasan and Lemon. The apples were so sliced paper thin and I could swear the chef added small raw fingerling potatoes to balance the fruit’s tartness. 
A Rabibit Cassoulet with White Runner Beans, Rabbit Confit, Pancetta, Chicken Sausage and Herbed Breadcrumb the and Braised Lamb with Beluga Lentils, Swiss Chard, Smoked Castleventrano, Olive, Labna, Corriander and Mint were hearty and well portioned winter courses.
A modern small plates spot like Henrietta Red, named in honor of Chef Julia Sullivan’s grandparents Carolina low-country hospitality, fits right into a big food town like Nashville Tennessee.
Can’t wait to go!! Go DAWGS!!
What a great write-up! Sounds wonderful, Ma’am!!! Go Cats!
Huh, I didn’t know that a Moscow Mule could settle a queasy stomach. Thanks for the tip!
Hi Ann, What a great description. I feel like I was there. Are you in Nashville for the Cats’ game? Im sorry that I didn’t respond to your text. All hell broke out with Gramma’s death and funeral followed by dad’s near death and hospitalization. We are in Venice, Fla. Coming home on Tuesday or Wednesday. Xmas eve on Sat. Talk to you when I get back. Hugs, Ivanka
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Wow, another reason to visit Nashville. Sounds delicious