The view from the porch

You know you've had a good meal when you can remember what you had to eat more than a year later. Such was my experience at The Yellow Porch, tucked cozily and quietly on busy Thompson Lane in Berry Hill.

With its namesake yellow porch out front and its fresh veggie garden, The Yellow Porch might be one of the city's cutest and most secret little hideaways. Serving lunch from 11-3 and dinner starting at 5, you can easily get here no matter which part of the city you live in. Despite its proximity to my office and home, I have never been for lunch, though I hear rave reviews about the menu.

So what did I order for dinner on a cold December night in 2008? Penne pasta with garlic and tomatoes in a spicy vodka cream sauce with freshly grated parmesan cheese, with chicken. OK, so maybe I cheated and glanced at the menu to jog my memory, but I knew in an instant what I'd eaten. Yummy!! I haven't quite had a pasta dish that has compared. It sounds simple, but it was elegant, substantial, and very generous. For dessert I split a tiramisu, which was also delicious and happens to be the last time I've ever split dessert with someone. I mean, if you're going all out, you might as well go all out, right?

During Nashville Original's Restaurant Week , I highly suggest you head over to Berry Hill and have lunch at this quaint little place. Don't let those clamoring for Jersey Mike's deter you from trying out The Yellow Porch. Or if you'd rather not fight the crowds, then schedule dinner here. This week is a great opportunity to try some of this fresh, delicious fare.

Buon appetito, y'all!