logo
#

Latest news with #HenriettaRed

7 Reasons To Visit This Tiny Tennessee Mountain Town, According To A Local Chef
7 Reasons To Visit This Tiny Tennessee Mountain Town, According To A Local Chef

Yahoo

time10-05-2025

  • Yahoo

7 Reasons To Visit This Tiny Tennessee Mountain Town, According To A Local Chef

Don't let Sewanee, Tennessee's, tiny size trick you into dismissing it. While it's best known as home of The University of the South, often called simply Sewanee, everyone's invited to closely study the charming town and the natural beauty of its asked award-winning Southern chef Julia Sullivan, who considers the town a second home, for her thoughts. Co-owner of Nashville's Henrietta Red restaurant, she opened Judith in Sewanee last fall, and it alone is reason enough to visit. But there's more to do, too.'Sewanee's a special place, full of so many wonderful things, including great outdoor pursuits,' she says. 'I'm excited that Judith can add to all the other offerings.' Here are some of Sullivan's favorite spots. 'The thing I do most when I'm not working is spend time outside,' Sullivan says. Located on Tennessee's Cumberland Plateau, Sewanee promises picturesque scenery to swoon over. 'There are state parks surrounding campus, plus so much undeveloped land,' she says. 'And every season has its own different look, but spring is magical.'An avid hiker, Sullivan often explores on foot, naming the Fiery Gizzard Trail a 'can't-miss classic' near the top of her list. It traverses 13 miles total, but features a 2.5-mile loop that leads to multiple refreshing swimming holes, making it a doable day-hike. She also calls out Foster Falls. 'It's a sizeable waterfall worth checking out,' she says. The Sewanee Perimeter Trail is also a must-trek. 'It's gorgeous with great campus and Plateau views,' she says. She recommends stopping at the Sewanee Memorial Cross to take in sweeping vistas. Sullivan's favorite trail is Lost Cove East, a rolling three-mile loop in the woods with a natural rock bridge and beautiful ridge views. She offers one additional piece of outdoor advice. 'At night, don't forget to look up. With so little light pollution, the stars are stunning,' she says. 'I love leaving Judith at night and seeing so many shining so brightly.' Founded in 1857, The University of the South crowns the Cumberland Plateau and is the heart of Sewanee. While home to less than 2,000 students, the campus, called the Domain, spans 13,000 acres, much of it still wild and undeveloped, and the areas where college life unfolds are dotted with Gothic Revival architecture; take it all in with a serene stroll.'The buildings are really beautiful,' Sullivan says. Many are constructed of local sandstone, and All Saint's Chapel is a towering example of the university's aesthetic, including its awe-inspiring stained-glass windows. Inspiring spiritual imagery abounds, but look closely to spy a VW beetle hidden in one of the visual appeal of the campus also attracts artists; it's not uncommon to find local painters set up capturing the chapel and other structures plein air. Pop into Frame Gallery Gifts & Art to see some of their work and that of other area creatives. 735 University Ave, Sewanee, TN 37383; 931-598-1000 A cave system called The Caverns invites everyone underground for subterranean discovery, with guided tours daily. Visit its massive main stone 'room' (the size of three football fields) called Big Mouth Cave, and if you're up for more adventure, delve deeper to explore its multiple interconnected passages leading through spectacular ancient rock Big Mouth resonates with big sound. Concerts are regularly held in the space, taking advantage of its powerful prehistoric acoustics; find a list of upcoming shows on its website. 'I've actually not made it to The Caverns yet, but I want too,' Sullivan says. 'I've heard amazing things.' 555 Charlie Roberts Rd, Pelham, TN 37366; 931-516-9724 Right off campus, Sewanee's handful of shops line a few walkable streets. Give The Lemon Fair a look and find paintings from local artists, comfy-chic clothes, and fun accessories. Candles, Christmas décor, plants, throw pillows, lamps, and more make Taylor's Mercantile a treasure trove of gifts–for others or yourself. And in the neighboring small town of Monteagle, search for prized possessions from yesteryear at Oakes & Oliver's Modern Mercantile, a vast repository of vintage pottery, heirloom china, antique furniture, and more. 60 University Ave, Sewanee, TN 37375; 10 University Ave, Sewanee, TN 37375; 335 W Main St, Monteagle, TN 37356; 931-954-8680 Sullivan points to student-run Stirling's Coffee House, a cute java joint in a sunny yellow cottage on campus, as the some of the best coffee around. While they specialize in house-made syrups (like blackberry, amaretto, and brown sugar) to enliven lattes and other drinks, Sullivan doesn't indulge.'I'm a black coffee girl, but it's great coffee to enjoy black,' she says. Pastries like banana-walnut muffins, and chocolate croissants make perfect coffee partners for a light breakfast, and Sullivan shares her go-to food order, though it's more suited to lunch. 'I almost always get the curry chicken salad sandwich,' she says. 241 Georgia Ave, Sewanee, TN 37375; 931-598-1786 'I love lunch at LUNCH,' says Sullivan, but don't be confused. LUNCH is the name of a Sewanee eatery owned by a university alum and wins Sullivan's favor with it focus on freshness. 'They change the menu weekly and use great seasonal and locally sourced ingredients,' she says. Popular selections include hearty sandwiches on rustic breads and fluffy frittatas, whose filling specifics change daily based on whatever is ripe and ready in the area. And for a sugar fix, 'I love their ginger-molasses cookie,' Sullivan says. She notes the décor—hanging house plants and an eclectic collection of art adorning walls—is sweet too. A seat at laidback hangout Shenanigans also often makes Sullivan's agenda; she suggests the BLAT (the bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato) sandwich, but its pizzas are also popular. 24 University Ave, Sewanee, TN 12595 Sollace M Freeman Hwy, Sewanee, TN 37375; 931-598-5774 On weekends hosting a big university event, the tiny town packs with visitors, who also pack its restaurants. One solution: Make a dinner reservation at Sullivan's new eatery Judith. Fond memories of the town (her dad went to the university) motivated her to choose Sewanee for the spot, and she created the space and its menu of approachable yet creative tavern-like fare with a warm welcome in mind.'I want students, faculty, other residents, and visitors to all feel comfortable here,' she says. Start simple with soft sourdough and chili oil for dipping or tartare with crispy chips before diving into a cheesy smashburger or ribbons of pasta coated in a creamy mushroom-herb skip dessert here: Opt for a swirl of homemade vanilla soft-serve ice cream or a slice of decadent chocolate pie. And after dinner, retire to Oddfellows, a 'hidden' speakeasy that pops up at night in the back of Shenanigans to serve up swanky vibes and classic cocktails. 36 Ball Park Rd, Sewanee, TN 37375; 931-203-2737 Related: The 12 Most Beautiful Places In Tennessee, According To Locals Read the original article on Southern Living

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store