Macke’s Restaurant/Mack & Kates Café & Wine Bar

Their friends said they were crazy when Jan and Bernie Strawn opened their MacK & Kates Café & Wine Bar in Kingston Springs (18 miles from Nashville) six years ago—and they probably repeated that opinion when the couple premiered Macke’s Restaurant in the city’s Green Hills neighborhood a few months later. After all, the couple had never run a restaurant and had two daughters (MacKenzie and Kathleen) in college. But Jan knew her way around a kitchen—and how to find excellent chefs. The results were two fine dining experiences that have drawn raves from local foodies and food critics. Try one of Jan’s down-home dishes made with a twist (such as the macaroni and cheese with lobster appetizer), and you’ll be crazy for Macke’s too.  

Macke’s Restaurant, 2131 Bandywood Drive, mackesgreenhills.com; MacK & Kates Café & Wine Bar, 383 North Main Street, Kingston Springs, mackandkatescafe.com