Gatlinburg is the perfect autumn getaway for nature-loving Nashvillians.

• Smoky Mountain vistas, vibrant fall colors and the nearby Dollywood theme park prove irresistible to tourists. Great food, however, is rarely top of mind.

But maybe it should be.

State of plate: There are countless pancake joints lining the streets of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. But several hidden gems tucked away on windy mountain roads offer a more sophisticated take on Southern cuisine that perfectly complements the stunning sights.

Buckhorn Inn

🕯️ The Buckhorn Inn, a cozy bed-and-breakfast in Gatlinburg, offers a three-course dinner that is perfect for a date night in the mountains. The menu changes daily and is released a few days in advance.

The vibe: Their dining room only has room for a handful of tables, which creates an intimate atmosphere that feels like a cross between an exclusive restaurant and grandma's kitchen.

👋 Adam here: My boyfriend and I have been clamoring for a dinner reservation at The Buckhorn Inn. We finally succeeded earlier this month, and it became an instant favorite.

• Our server Agatha told us some diners have waited years to pull up a chair at The Buckhorn, so it's essential to call ahead for a reservation.
• We feasted on hearty portions of paella, garlic chicken with Brussels sprouts, and walnut cake with a rich buttercream frosting.
• The biggest surprise of the night was our bill: That decadent meal only cost $40 per person.

Greenbrier Restaurant

🥩 There are several steakhouses in the area, but one elevated favorite is the Greenbrier Restaurant, which would fit in next to any of the fancy restaurants in 12 South.

• The menu includes several high-end options, including beef tartare, crab cakes and "Nashville hot oysters" with a pickle juice "caviar."
• The craft cocktail menu is several pages long and includes the bright and balanced blood orange bourbon sour.
• If you're feeling theatrical, ask your server about the range of cocktails that are served up on fire.

Adam's pick: My favorite bite during a recent visit was the french onion meatballs, which are served in a rich broth that you can soak up with chunks of bread.

Red Oak Bistro

🍷 The Red Oak Bistro is a lively Mediterranean tapas bar that is ideal for mingling and meeting fellow travelers from all over the nation.

📣 Tell us: Reply to this email and let us know your favorite foodie finds in and around Gatlinburg.

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👋 It's Adam again! Although I enjoyed eating my way through Gatlinburg's swankiest restaurants, my favorite dish during my recent trip to the Smokies was a beef and barley soup my boyfriend Forrest made while we were there.

• It was hearty and comforting, and I will be requesting it again now that it's getting chilly outside.

Check out the recipe

Country star Luke Bryan channels his inner Barbara Walters as he interviews fellow musicians in the new docuseries "It's All Country," which debuted this month on Hulu.

Why it matters: Bold-faced names like Wynonna Judd, Luke Combs, Lady A and Sheryl Crow are surprisingly vulnerable in interviews with Bryan, where he discusses their biographies with them in recording studios and at his bar on Lower Broadway.

Zoom in: Peyton Manning, executive producer of the series alongside Bryan, said Bryan's experience as a star and his relationships with many of the subjects made him the ideal interviewer for this project.

• "I think Luke Combs is going to tell Luke Bryan certain things that he just might not say to anyone else," Manning said in the opening moments of the show.

What he's saying: Bryan told Billboard the experience was "honestly so much more than I envisioned going into the filming."

• "Each one gave us pieces of their stories that I had never heard before, and I think the audiences will also feel the same."

The intrigue: The show doubles as a self-esteem boost for Nashville residents. Venues like the Ryman Auditorium and the Grand Ole Opry are lovingly described as gateways to superstardom.

• Country stars talk about their epic dreams of moving to Music City with a reverence and awe that is sure to stir your hometown pride.

How to watch: All six episodes of "It's All Country" are streaming now on Hulu.

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⚖️ Next month, a Tennessee family's lawsuit over access to transgender health care will reach the U.S. Supreme Court.

• "I really wish I could take breaks from politics, and I didn't have to be worrying about that all the time," the transgender teenager at the center of the case said. "But it's something I have to constantly worry about." (Tennessean, subscription)

🚍 WeGo is increasing hiring as Nashville prepares to expand bus service. (WPLN)

🏈 The Tennessee Volunteers are eager to rebound this weekend after a disappointing loss against Georgia. (Associated Press)

Your weekly chance for quiz-based glory has arrived. We believe in you!

1. Fill in the blank: ______ won entertainer of the year at the CMA Awards this week.
2. Name one of the priorities that got funding in Mayor Freddie O'Connell's latest capital spending plan.
3. Which Nashville university announced a new $10 million donation this week: Vanderbilt, Lipscomb or Belmont?

✍️ Reply to this email with the answers to the questions. If you get them all right, you'll get a shout-out next week.