"Bourbon Steak is a high-end chain with outposts in LA, Miami, and DC. What’s specific to this location—and what makes it our top steakhouse in Nashville—is the 360-degree view you’ll get from its perch on the 34th floor of the JW Marriott Downtown. Add in the fact that the place runs like a well-oiled machine with expert service, and you have the perfect place to impress someone, so long as you’re prepared to drop some serious coin. While the view is indeed incredible, the food gives it some stiff competition. Most of the steaks are poached in butter before they’re seared, and you can especially taste that richness in any of the eight cuts of wagyu—including a 40-ounce tomahawk that comes hay-smoked tableside. Beyond filets of beef, you have fresh oysters, a pot pie filled with brandied Maine lobster cream, and a ridiculously decadent smoked Valrhona chocolate s’mores cake. All of it holds up to the greatness of the steaks. photo credit: Emily Dorio photo credit: Eliza Kennard photo credit: Eliza Kennard photo credit: Eliza Kennard And talk about service. Crumbs you couldn’t even see are scraped off the table before each course, napkins are folded in Bugatti-esque speed when someone leaves their seat, and each waiter is unfailingly polite and intimately familiar with each item on the menu. They’ve even got details on the farm your beef came from and how the chef gets their fries so darn crispy. One fact about a meal here: You’re going to spend a lot of money. Expect about $300-$500 per person, but it can go much higher if you really plan to ball out. Especially if you add some of Bourbon Steak’s tip-top wine selections and a few pours of their barrel-selected bourbons and whiskies. But hey, at least the fries are free. Food Rundown photo credit: Eliza Kennard Trio Of Duck Fat Fries Screw a stale bread basket. At Bourbon Steak, you’ll get a trio of duck-fat fries with three different seasonings: white cheddar, truffle parmesan, and dill pickle-spiced. You’ll also get three sauces for dipping: a spicy ranch, lemon aioli, and bourbon barbeque. The truffle parmesan with lemon aioli combo never fails to set off the umami buzzers. photo credit: Eliza Kennard Maine Lobster Pot Pie The Maine lobster pot pie is a Bourbon Steak classic for a reason. Like those fuzzy flannel pajamas, it’s homey and comforting, with some over-the-top flair in the form of black truffles and a silky lobster cream. The Tomahawk The fatty marbling and rich flavor of this 40-ounce cut make it one of the finest steaks in the city. But Bourbon Steak can’t seem to leave good enough alone. And thank god. They take things one step further by hay-smoking the beef tableside, bringing out the earthy, grassy notes in the American wagyu. Sides The term “side” is an unfair misnomer to these spotlight-stealing accompaniments, with a nearly-over-indulgent lobster mac and cheese or the devastatingly tender brussels with a satisfying crispy exterior. Order a number of these to add to any steak dinner. Smoked Valrhona Chocolate S’mores Your childhood campfire favorite with a Paris Hilton complex. And we dig it. The plate comes out under a smokey dome, revealing a hunk of rich devil’s food cake cozying up to hazelnuts and a scoop of toasted marshmallow ice cream. Never skip this dessert." - Jackie Gutierrez-Jones
