Nancy Vienneau Calls Fairlane Hotel Restaurant Ellington’s Revamped Menu a “Lively Take On Nostalgic Dishes” | Eater Nashville

"In East Nashville I was pleasantly surprised by the transformation of a humble space into a gorgeous evocation of a 1920s French bistro: a black-and-white checkerboard floor, warm-hued stained-glass light fixtures, a small marble-topped bar, thrift-market mementos on the walls, a tiny art-deco side room with gilt-patterned wallpaper and brass lamps, and tin ceiling tiles pressed in a deco design make the whole effect flat-out adorable. The menu of French-style comfort food impressed me as well: a French onion soup built on the owners' family recipe with port wine and an egg yolk, and a Steak Frites that — unlike at other local French spots — comes with choices like anchovy butter, roquefort sauce and sauce au poivre vert. The wine list is solidly European, and the prices are a standout (the steak is the most expensive item at about $20). It's a marvelous place to hang out and recharge, though it can be hard to get in since it doesn't take reservations and offers only a small waiting room." - Audrey Carleton