Trattoria La Caverna

How cool is it that your locally-owned-and-operated Trattoria is open FIVE DAYS A WEEK with the freshest Italian favorites! The only thing more awesome than joining us on the weekend is treating yourself to a weekday visit. Thursdays are delicious over here. Chef Brandon is rewarding your efforts with some exquisite gelato riffs. First up is a frozen watermelon, basil oil, lemon zest, and mascarpone gelato experience. Or perhaps indulge in a beautiful pistachio gelato, crowned with a decadent little Belgian chocolate-dipped and pistachio-studded waffle. And his macerated strawberries with balsamic caramel over mascarpone gelato will simply blow your mind.

This is the BEST way to beat the heat! The bar is open, happy hour snacks are flowing, and dessert is calling. Join ussss…

🥂🍨🍧🔥

Happy first back-to-school Friday, all! It’s been quiet here in the ‘burbs, as this week welcomed our precious little cherubs back into education’s warm embrace, which gave us the opportunity to spruce up our menu a tad. We’ve got some summery salads utilizing nature’s bounty to entice you to put down the glue sticks and join us for a family meal this weekend. Hanna’s Red Lion and Lyndsea’s Lavender Mak will help to make the transition from an ill-advised all-Elmer’s diet quick and painless.

Chef Brandon’s summer salads are FIRE! He whipped up this beautiful Watermelon Salad for us, featuring compressed heirloom watermelon, shaved Kirby cucumbers, radishes, and fresh, fragrant basil oil. And this rustic Panzanella is out of hand, with Chef Rubin’s house-made mozzarella, heirloom tomatoes, and fresh pesto over seasoned sourdough baguette chunks, drizzled with a balsamic reduction. It may be a “bread salad”, but it’s still a salad in our book, so therefore health food.

Treat yourself to a bit of lemon mascarpone sunshine to sweeten your palate, or indulge in a gorgeous Bravo gelato after a nice summery scampi or pork tenderloin. Why not? We’ve got the good stuff to share and would love to see you tonight. ❤️

🎼 It’s a nice day for a…rigatoni…it’s a nice day to…chicken paaaaarm! 🎼 There might seem to be nothin’ sure in this world, but please know that we sure do love you, want to feed you, and are always rooting for your happiness and success. Those things are for certain. It’s what we do.

Amble on over for snacks and drinks. We’re here. Happy Hour(s) until 6:00, and Chef Brandon’s Roasted Garlic Parmesan Fries are sure to change your outlook for the better, as will the best Old Fashioned in town.

Cheers, guys. 🍝🥃🤜🏼❤️🤛🏼

Hot weather got you not wanting to fire up the stove and oven? That’s ok, we’ll do it for you! Summer favorites like Chef Brandon’s simply beautiful Shrimp Scampi await your waiting appetite. Paired with Hanna’s perfect ode to summer, her gorgeous, refreshing Cucumber Collins, you’ve got the winningest combination in town!

We’re open at 2, Happy Hour specials roll from 3-6, and we’ll be cooking it up and mixing it up until 9 tonight. Come on over. 🥂💃🏻

We wanted to congratulate our fair town on approving a second Chik-Fil-A location, to be roosted upon our probably-now-world-famous corporate Chicken Strip. Perhaps this will help to quell H’ville’s collective, insatiable hunger for company fowl. If the traffic from all of the cluckers in town has got you down, may we offer an alternative? Although we don’t have that delightfully chuggable Polynesian sauce, we /do/ have herb-rubbed-and-roasted chicken thighs to share with any of our dishes, like our flagship Cavatappi Cassie. Our chefs lovingly massage these luscious thighs with extra virgin olive oil and a proprietary herb and spice blend, then roast them slow and low for your add-on pleasure.

When you’re ready to get out of the drive-thru and crave a little non-corporate action, come see your locally-owned-and-operated purveyor of the finest food and drink on the south side. Hanna’s beautiful Earl Grey & Vanilla Old Fashioned awaits, as does Hanna today from 2-close. This /is/ technically chuggable, but we don’t recommend it. Come on over and savor the flavor.

Cheers from the funky side of town. 🥃🍗💁🏻‍♀️

The universe thinks it’s Monday again. TLC has to close early today due to a kitchen equipment hiccup. We’re so sorry for any inconvenience! Let us know if you’d like us to open the bar tonight.

Your scratch-made-with-TLC Italian favorites are always in season over on the south side. Our kitchen is open Tuesday-Saturday, 2-9, for dining in or carrying out. Want to linger over world-class cocktails and dessert? Our cozy bar and alchemist crew is here later should you need us to be. Happy Hour specials to whet your whistle roll from 3-6 every day.

Your local, independent, single-owner-operator joints like this one only stay alive with your support. Please choose locally-owned-and-operated over corporate chains. We’re the ones donating to your kids’ school fundraisers and sponsoring their soccer teams. We’re the ones propping up the local economy and employing your friends and neighbors. Check in with us more than once a year, because we’re always happy to see you! We remember your name, your favorite bar stool, and the way you like your Old Fashioned (not too sweet). Tip your server like it’s /your/ job. Say something nice to someone today. Hug your Mom if you can. She’d be so proud of you for returning your shopping cart every time, too. The kinds of chains we endorse over here are chains of love. Come on over and let us feed you. Food is love. So is whiskey…❤️😉

Your hometown original is over here on the south side, redefining local childhoods in the old skating rink since our buildout began in 2015. We’ve upped the food and drink game since the rink days, and you can find ALL of this scratch-made sustenance for body and soul Tuesday-Saturday, from 2-9 (and later for lingering, communing, and thoughtful tippling, as our beloved regulars well know). We thrive and survive with your support, and we’ll let you in on a secret: all the cool kids come for Happy Hour snacks and dinner mid-week. It doesn’t have to be the weekend to treat yourself and your favorites to a little TLC. 😉🥂

A merry 4/20 to you all! Lyndsea has concocted some fun commemorative alcohol-free, THC-infused sippables that won’t harsh your mellow. First up is the Sour Diesel, with Good Time THC sour concentrate, lemon, ginger beer, and a dash of Scrappy’s. Or how’s about a Granddaddy Purp, with Good Time THC sweet concentrate, lemonade, lemon, and lavender. Or treat yourself to a beautiful sparkling Kushberry Spritz, featuring Higher Vibes cannabis-infused berry seltzer, Good Times sour, and mixed berry puree.

The Cheech & Chong Invitational starts at 2:00 today. Happy Hour Scooby Snacks roll from 3:00-6:00. Why not? We need more good, clean fun in our lives. Cheers, guys. 💚

On this, the International Day of Happiness, please allow us to officially launch TLC’s Happy Hour! Seems fitting, no? You asked, we listened. Snicky-snack and drink specials roll from 3-5, Tuesday-Saturday. $5 crispy Roasted Garlic Parm Fries, $5 Bruschetta, $6 Meatballs and Marinara, and $7 Polenta with Bolognese are just a few things on the nibbles side to tickle your fancy.

Lyndsea’s well drinks (and as you know, our well is NOT your average well) are $5, we’ve got $6 Margs, $5.50 Lagers and IPAs, $6 house Vino, and the coup de gras: our house Old Fashioned is $8. Such a deal! Treat yourself to a little TLC this afternoon. Indulge in a little extra-affordable luxury. Why not? ❤️‍🔥🥂🤌🏼

It’s not every day that a gal bumps into herself in front-page paper form in the checkout line at Kroger! Thank you to Brad Schmitt and The Tennessean for reaching out to me, asking to hear more about the crazy reason I had to transition Trattoria La Caverna from Thai to Italian last year. Short answer: I must have really specialized in jackassery in a former life, and I’m still atoning. 😬 **insert shameless plug to support your local independents here** We’re out here, rain or shine. We’re your friends and neighbors. We have weird stories, and we still go all in on our communities every day. With nothing but love. ❤️‍🔥

https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/sumner/2024/03/05/hendersonville-tennessee-thai-restaurant-owner-lemongrass-trattoria-la-caverna-restaurant/72641528007/

Ode to a Fungi…

I’d like to take a moment to brag on our Head Chef, Rubin Schmier. He puts the “fun guy” in fungi, and is the embodiment of everything that food and drink culture should be. For 27 years and counting, he eats, sleeps, breathes, and shares it. His vitality and zeal for taking us all on the most satisfying culinary journeys is contagious, and he brings his A Game to the TLC kitchen day after day. We’re lucky to call him ours.

So picture it…Hendersonville, 2024…and we’ve been talking all week about what to do with a wonderful windfall of organic, local Pioppino, King Trumpet, and Oyster mushrooms from the Hedgehog Mushroom Farm in Beechgrove. Inspired by this beautiful bounty, Rubin told me that he’s had a dish rolling around for the past few months that’s begging to be shared. When he laid this rustic luxury upon me, I had no idea of the trip I was about to take. No, those aren’t /those/ kind of mushrooms, but…one bite transported me to right the to the heart of the Tuscan countryside. I could actually feel the sun on my face, hear the wind whispering through the cypress trees, and smell the heady-yet-delicate aroma of thyme on the gentle breeze. The sheer happiness that first bite of this dish brought me is incalculable. And now, we invite you to come along on that trip with us.

This Pappardelle ai Funghi is everything: wide noodles cooked to perfection, graced by gorgeous local mushrooms that have been sliced thin and roasted, caramelized onions, and tons of hand-harvested thyme, tossed in a white wine and butter pan sauce, then gilded with toasted pine nuts, parsley, and Parmesan. This vegetarian-friendly beauty needs no protein addition. The texture and flavor imparted by this veritable mushroom party lends such amazing structure. Book your tickets for this one now. Don’t sleep on it.

We’re here from 2:00-9:00 (with the bar open later if folks are still enjoying each other’s company) today and tomorrow. Please join us over here on the south side. 🤌🏼❤️‍🔥

There’s no need to wait until next Valentine’s Day to pop over to the south side for dinner and amore! We’re here 2:00-9:00, Tuesday-Saturday, serving up the BEST Italian food in Sumner County. Our chefs pour time and love into every dish, and our bar program simply can’t be beat. Special occasions? Spend them with us! We’re your local trattoria, family-owned and operated with love. See you soon. ❤️‍🔥🤌🏼

🎼 Oh, oh, oh, it’s magic! 🎼 It’s Tuesday, which means that The Infamous Magic Steve will be joining us again from 5-7 tonight to wow you tableside! We’ve got a few reservations left for tonight, so give us a ring at 615-431-2183 to secure your spot. Steve is the real deal. Thanks to all that came out last week to support him /and/ us! He’s doing 2 special sets for us in February: 2/13 with Mardi Gras voodoo magic, and 2/14 with Valentine’s Day looooove magic. We’ve got some reservations spots left for these shows, but they’re going fast!

We’re at it from 2-9 all week with your fresh Italian comfort favorites. Come get the pork tenderloin dish that everyone is raving about, and treat yourself to a little TLC magic. Lyndsea is behind the bar today, and may we just say that her alchemy skills are on par with Steve’s brand of magic! That Lavender Mak, though… ❤️‍🔥🍸🎩🐇

Hey hey, Hendo! Happy Friday! Who knew that the week from hell would be so /cold/?! We’re SO happy that our crew stayed safe and warm at home last week and pray that all of you had the best-case scenario week too, but dang, are we ever happy to be back open. Everyone here took the hit with the restaurant, as did everyone else in town, so please, please show your locals as much love as you can. Not just us, but ALL of us! Single owner-operator businesses like this one don’t have those deep corporate pockets to mine. We thrive and survive on serving our community. And back at it, we are! Happily so. Come get your fill of Italian comforts and outstanding cocktails. We’re literally here for you. ❤️

We’ve got a few reservation slots open for the weekend, new specials about to drop (the pork tenderloin special is still on the menu by popular demand! Not to worry), and some serious liquid fun from Lyndsea’s bar to share. We’ve also added The Infamous Magic Steve to our Tuesday nights for your roving table side magic pleasure. So much fun stuff in the works too. Stick around…❤️‍🔥

Cricket was NOT impressed with the blizzard and its aftermath, but the show must go on! TLC will be OPEN at 2:00 today for all your comfort Italian needs. Hoping that everyone had safe and warm snow days, but your fridge stock is looking low. Let us feed you tonight.

Also, it’s not too late to set a resolution or three that TLC can help to keep…

1. Resolve to support your locally-owned-and-operated businesses on any given Tuesday, as well as special occasions. We lay it all on the line, rain-or-shine, always at the ready with familiar faces to feed your body and soul. We support your kids’ fundraisers and raffles, community events, charitable causes, and points between. Everyone that works in our town’s local businesses lives here too. We’re your friends and neighbors. We /are/ your local economy. We only survive with your support. Tell a friend about your locals. Bring a friend with you next time! Let’s keep the local love train rolling.

2. Choose kindness every day.

3. Bring more magic into our lives. We are literally doing this very thing starting next week! We’ve teamed up with the incredibly talented Stephen Gervais, aka The Infamous Magic Steve, who will join us every Tuesday night with roving tableside magic, and a whole lot of fun. We’ve got him on deck for a couple of special events too: Mardi Gras voodoo magic in an intimate, off-the-beaten-path space of ours on Fat Tuesday, and Valentine’s Day tableside magic. We strongly suggest making reservations for these events!

So rally the troops and come on over to the south side this afternoon. We’ve missed you.

So it got WILD on W. Main St. Thank you eternally to all the folks who have reached out to check on us, and to those who risked life and limb to brave downed power lines, trees, and rubble to lay eyes on us to ensure that we were ok. Miraculously, our darling old skating rink was spared the worst of Saturday’s destruction. We don’t know what we did to deserve it, but are we ever grateful for the universal grace we were shown. 12 of us - we were staffed up and ready for a busy Saturday night, and our next door neighbors from Tommy’s Auto Sales needed a safe shelter space - rode it out in the chilly dark of our walk-in coolers while the churning funnel literally skipped right over our heads. Never have we been happier to have 3 walk-ins! Our neighbors on W. Main St. didn’t fare out as well as we did, and we will prop them up and assist our precious community in any and every way we can.

We’ll open at 11:30 today with power, heat, wifi, outlets to charge up devices, work space, comfort foods, hugs, and all the love to share. Come let us feed you a nice, hot comfort meal. Have a drink to steady your nerves (just like we did, hunkered down in the coolers Saturday night). Please don’t hesitate to call on us if we can deliver food to neighborhoods without power (I’m writing this from my very cold house on the north side, and will personally run you whatever you need) or literally anything at all. United we stand, always. Food is love, and we love you. ❤️

We don’t like to brag, but we’re kind of a big dill. Come on over and celebrate our big-dillyness with a Dirty Dills (Done Dirt Cheap) - the most refreshing, satisfying pickle martini you’ve ever even imagined. It pairs so nicely with this week’s special: pan-seared Coho salmon with butternut squash cream, farro & spinach, and roasted carrots finished in the pan with caramelized hot honey. It complements our Rigatoni with Pork Ragu beautifully too. Those pickled shallots are the perfect feather in this dish’s cap.

Pop over to the south side and see what the big dill is all about, snag a spot in our cozy bar, and stay a while. We’re open for lunch at 11:30, and full dinner menu is available from 2:00 til close. 🤌🏼🍸❤️‍🔥

Now that we’ve got your attention, we cordially invite you over to the south side! We’re seeing red today…red SAUCE, that is. Our chefs work wonders with all the sauce options known to humankind (and a few that are as yet to be discovered), but sometimes your soul just cries out for a good pomodoro sauce, and we’ve got it in abundance. The classics are house-made with love, all for your pleasure.

We’re open for lunch and dinner Tuesday-Saturday, and we’d love to make time with you. Spirited spaghetti wrestling discussions are probably happening at the bar right now. See you soon. 🍝🤼‍♀️❤️‍🔥

Happy Halloween afterglow! The zombie babies asked to stay out a tad longer, and we couldn’t say no. Seems we’ve not yet entered proper sweater weather since it’s going to warm up again, but Billy Idol suggests that it’s a nice day for a cardigan. We agree.

We’ve got the ultimate fall “cardigan” dish: Chef Brandon’s Pumpkin Pasta. It features al dente cavatappi with a pumpkin purée, browned butter, and Old Forester Bourbon sauce. It’s finished with candied pecans and optional Point Reyes blue cheese crumbles. It makes for perfect early autumn in a bowl.

We’re also loving our Steak Frites with Charred Broccolini. It’s a generous hand-trimmed teres major filet braised in scampi butter, served with crispy roasted garlic oil Parmesan fries, and tender, lightly-smoky broccolini perfection. Both go GREAT with Lyndsea’s spectacular Spiced Pear Martini.

Lunch menu rolls from 11:30-2, with full dinner menu available after 2. Full bar is open all day. Come on over and warm your soul a little. 🍂🍁🥂🍝❤️‍🔥

Allow us to usher in Spooky Week properly by sharing an ancient Greek mosaic depicting the chillest set of bones that we all must strive to emulate. This smooth operator is literally saying “Be cheerful, enjoy your life!” So with that in mind, let us give you a hot tip on the most fun you can have with the lights on - our lunch-only build-your-own pasta experience. From 11:30-2 every day, it goes like this: Choose your nood. Select your vegetable and protein additions. Pick your luxurious sauce. Give it a few minutes. And just like that, you’re enjoying your life in the spirit of the ancient Greeks! Pictured are a few creative interpretations.

After 2:00, our full dinner menu is available until closing time - specials and all - like this Pappardelle alla Bosciola, which is house-made wide noodles with roasted and pan-fried oyster, portobello, cremini, beech & button mushrooms, caramelized onions, toasted pistachios & Parmesan cheese, tossed in a light white wine & roasted garlic cream sauce. Capped with pickled shallots. Goods available for dine-in or carry out. 615-431-2186. Come on over and enjoy your life. ❤️‍🔥

🎼 Sweet dreams are made of this…who am I to disagree…🎼

For starters, we’ve got bruschetta for days with the classic, and our revolving crostini treat is Chef Rubin’s sweet onion jam with Point Reyes blue cheese, burrata, peppadews, and hot honey. It’s got that perfect sweet, savory, salt, rich, and acid balance thing going on. Then check out this beautiful skin-on pistachio-crusted Coho salmon filet on whipped lemon ricotta spread, served with charred broccolini and garlic herb risotto, capped with a roasted tomato pan sauce.

Finish strong with a slice of ganache heaven with our flourless chocolate torte, and gild the lily with a gorgeous Cranberry Old Fashioned. Why not? Cheers to dreamy fall menus! 🍂🥂❤️‍🔥

Revisiting HBO’s Insecure soundtrack recently brought up some gems, like Kari Faux extolling the virtues of “steak and shrimp on my dinner plate”, following that up with “I’m feeling good and I’m feeling great”. Us too, Kari. Us too. We’ve got steak and shrimp for /your/ dinner plate in the form of Steak Frites with Broccolini - a beautiful hand-trimmed teres major filet cooked to your preferred temperature, with vibrant broccolini and the most exquisite crispy roasted garlic and Parmesan frites - and our flagship Cavatappi Cassie with pan-seared shrimp.

Accompanying these dishes is a gorgeous Cranberry Old Fashioned. It’s the fall crown that we all deserve. Come on over and keep up the feeling good and feeling great theme with us. Lunch rolls from 11:30-2, and full dinner menu kicks in from 2-close. Cheers, guys. ❤️‍🔥

Eat. More. Spagooters. We’ve got your Italian soul food staples like Spaghetti & Meatballs (or Bolognese!), and new faves like crispy Arancini, Polenta Bolognese, and Brooke & Rubin’s ode to fall - Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake - made in our very own kitchen. This cool, glittery Spooky Szn Spritz goes beautifully with all of the above. Treat yourself to a cocktail from our full bar or opt for a glass of vino, a draft beer or cider, or one of our draft craft sodas. Is seltzer with lemon more your thing? We’ve got that too.

Lunch menu rolls from 11:30-2, and full dinner menu from 2 til close. Spagooters served aaalll day. ❤️🍝🍂🎃🥂

There are famous pairings, and there are famous pairings, and much like the Grady Twins, this duo is meant to play together forever, and ever, and ever. Our festive One Step Beyond frozen treat was made for Chef Rubin’s fall homage. This beautiful dish showcases poached and seared golden & red beets, and butternut squash. The stars of the show are butternut squash-filled ravioli bathed in a spiced maple, whiskey, brown butter & sage pan sauce, dotted with dollops of fresh ricotta, candied pecans, and pancetta if that’s your thing. That combo plays so well off of the Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey, dreamy spice, and smooth texture of our spooky slush. This dynamic duo is one for the books. Visually stunning, earthy, a little sweet, a little savory, and wholly satisfying.

Come on over and see what the fuss is about! This is on our dinner menu, available from 2-close. Our lunch menu with lighter fare rolls out at 11:30. It’s Saturday…come and enjoy some leisure time with us, because all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy…❤️‍🔥🌄🪓👯‍♂️

We’re a bunch of certified autumnophiles over here on the south side. All things fall inspire us. The zombie babies are out of hibernation, the fall cocktails are flowing, and the kitchen’s thoughts have turned positively cozy. In addition to our staples, treat yourself to this gorgeous Saffron Risotto with pan-seared shrimp, or this earthy, silky Portobello Mushroom Ravioli with pickled shallots this weekend.

Vegan and gluten-free friends, check out this beautiful Polenta with Mushroom Ragú! Get it this weekend, along with drinks like our One Step Beyond boozy frozen treat, Spooky Szn Spritz, and Tiramisu White Russian. And speaking of tiramisu, how’s about a slice of house-made Tiramisu Cheesecake to finish strong? Grab a cardigan to drape over your chair (since it’s still too hot to wear it) and come on over. ❤️‍🔥🍃🍂🍝🥂