n contrast to the hardships brought on by the pandemic, this year bears witness to the upside: concepts brainstormed during the lockdown now coming into being. The idea for Noko, the Asian wood-fired restaurant newly opened in east Nashville, originated in quarantine. During that time, friends and long-time employees of Indigo Road Hospitality, Jon Murray, Wilson Brannock, and Dung “Junior” Vo would get together, taking turns cooking dinner over an open flame. While savoring the delectable likes of smoked wagyu brisket and
