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Longevity in the restaurant business is a challenge; statistics show that after a decade, 70% of restaurants have closed. Nashville has witnessed closings among beloved spots this past year, yet many enduring establishments continue to thrive.

This year marks a milestone for Nashville’s dining scene, celebrating the tenth anniversaries of several notable restaurants that reflect the city’s culinary evolution. 

A definite signal that Music City was on the ascent in terms of culinary excellence and national reputation was when nationally known television celebrity chefs began to open new spots during 2014. Food Network star chef Jonathan Waxman established his first toehold outside of New York City with the opening of Adele’s in the Gulch. At ten years old, Adele’s is still going strong thanks to its novel combination of fresh ingredient-driven California cuisine combined with rustic Italian classics.

Waxman’s television compatriot Maneet Chauhan introduced high-end Indian dining at Chauhan Ale & Masala House, celebrated for its vibrant ambiance and inventive menu. She has since expanded her culinary footprint across Nashville, and she supports local charities and the entire culinary community.

Sinema made a splash in 2014, transforming a former theater into a chic dining destination under Top Chef alum Dale Levitzki. The new restaurant maintained the Hollywood glitz and glam with its dead-sexy decor, a refined menu of innovative food and an extensive cocktail and spirits program. Although Levitski left Sinema after two years, the restaurant maintains a high level of excellence and is a favorite of locals and tourists alike looking for a special dining experience.

Other notable 2014 restaurant openings included projects from long-time local restaurateurs. Nashvillians previously knew of Maher Fawaz from his small chain of casual Mediterranean restaurants, Kalamatas. It was a delightful surprise when Fawaz opened Epice in 12South, a gorgeous cozy Middle Eastern restaurant reminiscent of a European cafe. As great as the gyros were (and still are!) at Kalamatas, exploring Epice’s menu of elevated Lebanese dishes has been a revelation for many local diners. Restaurant veteran Tom Morales, took on the task of renovating one of downtown’s most revered buildings when he converted a former feed store into Acme Feed & Seed. Maintaining the bones of the venerable building, Morales has converted it into a multi-story eating and drinking experience and a favored venue among locals seeking live music.

Party Fowl redefined Nashville Hot Chicken when it opened on Eighth Ave. South. For the first time, a hot chicken restaurant featured sit-down service, a full bar menu and variations on the traditional bone-in quarter chicken that stretched from brunch to dinner, tenders to tacos, and mild to their infernal “poultrygeist” spice level.

Lovers of Japanese, Thai and Vietnamese food also got major boosts in 2014. Two Ten Jack introduced the casual izakaya Japanese ramen, yakitori and sushi experience to East Nashville along with an extensive offering of beer, sake, shochu and cocktails. Thai Esane opened as sort of a spin off of the popular King’s Market in Antioch, with proprietor Nina Singto bringing her bubbly personality along with some of the best Thai and Laotian dishes from her family’s more casual business into a glamorous new space closer to downtown. Love, Peace & Pho was a welcome addition to the Melrose neighborhood in 2014, and they are still serving up comforting bowls of noodles and broth plus a long menu of other Vietnamese classics.

Nashville’s Italian food scene grew in 2014 as M Street added the Italian enoteca Moto to the restaurant group’s roster that already included Kayne Prime, Virago, Tavern, Saint Añejo and Whiskey Kitchen. The upscale Italian ristorante is still going strong today. 312 Pizza Company was named after Chicago’s area code and maintains a zealous focus on authentic recreations of Windy City pizzas, both the iconic deep dish style and the crispy “tavern-style” thin crust version cut into traditional square pieces instead of triangular slices

Smokin' Thighs founder and owner Matthew Carney was killed in a tragic hit-and-run accident at the restaurant earlier this year, but his staff continues to hold down the fort in the restaurant’s tenth year. Still focused on chicken dishes that are smoked or griddled, but not fried, Smokin’ Thighs is definitely worth supporting with your patronage.