Tired of Taste of Nashville restaurants? Wanting to explore more of Nashville? Look no further than Postino in 12 South. Located at 2317 12 Ave S., Postino WineCafe’s Nashville location joined 33 other locations across California, Texas, Arizona, Colorado and Georgia with its opening on Nov. 1.
Each location typically sports decor unique to the area. Since the 12 South building used to house the South Eastern Radio and Television Institute, its decor includes an over 400-square-foot art wall dedicated to 250 vintage TVs and radios, alongside the restaurant’s playful slogan: “Drinking wine at lunch is not a crime.” We couldn’t agree more.
Postino offers a wide selection of beverages, including wines, beers and signature cocktails inspired by local and international flavors. The seasonal food menu features 16 different charcuterie boards, shareable “snacky things,” soups, salads and a variety of panini sandwiches. We visited on a Monday night, so it was a Board and Bottle night. (On Mondays and Tuesdays after 8 p.m., customers can purchase a board of bruschetta and a bottle of wine for $25.)
Nine members of The Hustler visited Postino on Nov. 18 to scope out the new location. Even on a Monday evening, the restaurant was bustling. The dimly lit indoors offered a more intimate atmosphere, so we opted for the livelier outdoor seating.
Drinks
Of the various cocktails we sampled, Tré Cucumber and Prickly Pear Margarita are must-tries. For the former, the cucumber was subtle yet fragrant, blending delectably with the honey and limoncello. The margarita, which offered drinkers a choice between Mezcal and Tequila, had a unique blend of prickly pear and lime that left a sweet and sour taste in the mouth.
Not 21? Don’t fear, Postino has plenty of zero-proof options, including an Espresso Flirtini and Naked Ranch Water.
Postino also boasts a selection of wines and beers. Whites, reds and rosés from Italy, Argentina, France and Greece headline a wide variety of by-the-glass and bottle options. Some of our staff favorites included the Fiore, a Moscato from Italy, and the Alpina, a white wine from France. Postino also offers plenty of beers, both on tap and by the bottle, led by the always-popular Bearded Iris Homestyle IPA. If you aren’t familiar with the selections or want to try something new, the waitstaff at Postino is more than happy to guide you through the assorted glasses and pints available.
The Italian Moscato on the menu, the 2023 Fiore, was a refreshing choice amongst an eclectic evening of tasting unique flavors across the board. Lightly frizzante, this classic wine offered a delicate balance of fruit-forward notes and subtle sweetness, adding a touch of elegance to the experience. While it complemented the shareable dishes beautifully, the Fiore truly shined as a finale, leaving the evening on a perfectly sweet and satisfying note.
Shareables
(Abbie Bobeck)
We also picked several dishes to split amongst ourselves. The crispy cauliflower and sweet potato wedges exceeded expectations, but it was the roasted mushroom fondue — with truffle, of course — that absolutely blew us away.
Postino is well known for its bruschetta boards, of which we sampled four: the smoked salmon & pesto, sweet n’ spicy pepper jam & goat cheese, brie, apple & fig spread and prosciutto di parma with fig mascarpone. If you’re a fish person, we highly recommend the smoked salmon. For fans of sweet and salty foods, you can’t go wrong with the prosciutto board — the saltiness of the ham blends perfectly with the figs to create a perfect blend. If you love a good surprise, the chef’s choice option is sure to be a unique combination you’ll love.
If bruschetta boards aren’t your thing, or if you have any dietary restrictions, don’t fear! Postino’s staff were more than accommodating — bringing us gluten-free bruschettas when we informed them of a gluten allergy at our table.
While it wasn’t on the “shareables” menu, the prosciutto & brie panini stole the show at our table. The prosciutto, brie, fig jam, arugula, balsamic vinegar and olive oil on warm, crunchy focaccia, was the perfect follow-up to our drinks and first round of food.
You certainly don’t need an occasion to visit Postino, but we had extra cause for celebration — a 21st birthday! Postino’s staff again went above and beyond, offering us a free order of hot donut dots with not one, but three dipping sauces: salted butter chocolate, caramel and vanilla glaze.
