Lou Paris

The American chef at this new spot in the 11th used to work at another restaurant in Paris, where she single-handedly created a queue during brunch for crispy rice bowls. She returned to the states to open Lou in Nashville before doing another 180 and opening this spot last spring. Here, the evolving menu of her now-trademark California cuisine is served in a more buttoned-up but still casual-cool atmosphere. Expect punchy, seasonal, and earthy dishes like trout with kumquats and black olives, and crispy rice with dried fruits and turmeric. On Saturdays, they scrap the traditional menu and do an all-you-can-eat taco lunch.