Step Inside: Halls Chophouse

A frequent patron of Halls Chophouse in the new Broadwest building recently texted general manager Chad Ellis, asking if he could wear shorts to dinner at the newly opened restaurant. “Of course,” Chad replied. “It’s your living room.”

The Hall family, who opened the original Halls Chophouse in Charleston, South Carolina, in 2009, prides itself on creating a warm, inviting environment, albeit an elegantly appointed one. “The overall experience is what sets us apart," says Executive Chef Chris Von Egger, who calls Halls a classic, old-school steakhouse. “It’s not stuffy in here. It’s fine dining, but it’s a family atmosphere.” The wait staff serves the side dishes at the table, asking diners, for instance, if they’d like more collard greens or creamed corn. And it’s not unusual to see the executive chef or a member of the Hall family greeting guests. “I’ll be in the dining room anytime I can, saying hi and talking to people,” says Chris.

In keeping with the relaxed but elegant theme, a baby grand piano is positioned near the entrance, where a three-to-seven-piece band plays music every night from a variety of genres, such as “jazz or pop with a certain swing to it,” says Chad. There are 64 speakers in the restaurant, which is just over 10,000 square feet. All the ceiling tiles are custom-made acoustic panels designed to reduce ambient sound. “A lot of work went into making the music sound great,” says Chad. “It’s Nashville, so that’s important.”

The look of the restaurant is equally impressive. The Columbia, South Carolina-based Garvin Design Group was both the architect on the project and the interior designer. Signature, custom-made runners in shades of blues and beige, patinated to resemble antique Persian rugs, dot dark wood floors. Exposed brick archways recall the original Halls. “It has been important to the Hall Family to be consistent with the brand components initiated at the original Halls Chophouse in Charleston,” says Kim Moon, the interior designer who worked on the project. “Some signature elements are the classic mosaic tiles in the bar, the wood wainscoting and the ‘schoolhouse’ light fixtures.” There are five Halls Chophouse restaurants, four of which are in South Carolina. Nashville is the first out-of-state location. The newly constructed restaurant is highlighted by an open kitchen. The large space is divided into intimate dining rooms, many named for the Hall children and grandchildren.

Raise a Glass

The restaurant, which seats 360, with 70 on the outside patio, has two bars and an extensive wine collection featuring 1,600 bottles on display, including cabernet, Bordeaux, Spanish and Italian wines. Halls has two sommeliers and has plans to hire a third. The bar in the back is particularly popular with whiskey drinkers, where they offer sought-after bourbons, like Old Rip Van Winkle, Heaven Hill and Eagle Rare. It’s also worth a look to see the spectacular view from the bar to downtown.

Classic Fare

The steakhouse serves a variety of USDA prime steaks from Allen Brothers of Chicago, including filet mignon, New York strip, rib eye and Japanese A5 wagyu filet. Patrons may choose from sauces, such as béarnaise, peppercorn-brandy and red wine bordelaise. Seafood is also featured prominently on the menu. There’s ahi tuna, pan-seared scallops and shrimp and grits, among other offerings. Rounding out the menu are quail and braised duck. The well-suited sides include sweet-and-sour collard greens and pepper jack creamed corn.

Follow Your Art

Much of the artwork is of wildlife, including game birds and hunting dogs. The art was curated by longtime Hall family friends Jimmy and Beth Huggins. Jimmy is the president of the Charleston-based Southeastern Wildlife Exposition. The paintings of dogs are fitting, as the Hall family has hosted multiple fundraisers for animal rescues. In a nod to Nashville, there are also paintings of downtown Broadway and the historic Ryman Auditorium to, as Kim describes, “create a sense of place, incorporating the local landscape and culture.”

Photographs by Jason Bihler Photography