Nashville Spotlight: Lockeland Table

Lockeland Table Community Kitchen and Bar is a cornerstone of the East Nashville dining scene, highly celebrated for its blend of refined, Southern-accented American cuisine and its deep commitment to the neighborhood.

Here is a detailed breakdown of the restaurant, its history, menu highlights, and key information.

What Makes Lockeland Table Unique

Lockeland Table is more than just a restaurant; it’s a true Community Kitchen and Bar. Its uniqueness stems from its:

• Community Focus: The restaurant is famous for its Community Hour™ (Monday–Saturday, 4–6 p.m.), which is a mission-driven program where a portion of the proceeds is donated to the local Parent-Teacher Organizations (PTOs) of schools in and around Nashville. This initiative fosters a welcoming environment for families to gather early.
• Ambiance: It provides a cozy, convivial, and “upscale dining without any fuss” atmosphere, according to its owners. The rustic, renovated storefront features a prominent wood-fired oven, which adds both warmth to the ambiance and a signature char to its pizzas and other dishes.
• Cuisine: Executive Chef and co-owner Hal M. Holden-Bache crafts Southern-inspired dishes with international accents, focusing on locally sourced ingredients from a network of community partners.

History and Significance

Lockeland Table opened in August 2012 by Executive Chef Hal M. Holden-Bache and partner Cara Graham. Its location in the Lockeland Springs neighborhood is steeped in local history:

• Building’s Past: The building itself was originally constructed in the 1930s as one of the area’s H.G. Hills dry goods stores. For over four decades, it served as a local beauty shop called Boutique Coiffures.
• The “Star & Elaine” Story: The restaurant pays tribute to the building’s beauty shop era with the signature cocktail, The Star & Elaine, named after the owner, Elaine, and the main hairdresser, Star.
• Significant Event: A notable anecdote in the building’s past involves an angry husband who drove his car through the front window during the beauty shop’s tenure. This incident prompted a reconstruction of the façade, which the current restaurant pays homage to with its reconstructed storefront resembling the original 1930s dry goods store.

Significant Awards & Recognition

Lockeland Table has received numerous honors over the years:

• 2013 James Beard Nomination for Best New Restaurant.
• Metropolitan Historical Commission Architectural Award (2012).
• Southern Living’s Best Bars In the South (2013).
• Voted Best Happy Hour (Community Hour) by Nashville Scene readers.

Highlight Menu Items

The menu focuses on a “Community Kitchen” concept, offering starters, wood-fired pizzas, and larger plates. Highly praised items include:

Customer Feedback

Patrons consistently praise Lockeland Table for its high-quality food, cozy atmosphere, and strong neighborhood feel.

• Accolades: The restaurant has been called “a top to bottom testament to East Nashville’s community roots” by the BBC. Reviewers frequently describe the dishes as “fabulous and unique” and the service as excellent.
• Vibe: The bar and dining room are often full of neighborhood residents, creating a convivial eatery where, even as a stranger, you may “leave with some new friends.”
• Menu Favorites: Specific dishes like the empanadas, chicken liver pâté, and wood-fired pizzas are often singled out as favorites.

Contact and Location Information