Memories....cue the Cats soundtrack

Places hold memories. That is not uncommon, nor unexpected really. What is unexpected is the force with which the memories can hit you when you enter a place.

I have mentioned before my affinity for The Patterson House, Nashville's homage to Prohibition-era cocktails, couture, and way of life. In this old-fashioned establishment popular with the hip-and-trendy crowd, I feel at home. The traditionalist in me loves it.

So did one of my former best friends.

Together, this was our unofficial official place for cocktails and conversation. We had some of our most deep and meaningful conversations while perched on the barstools watching James, our favorite mixologist, craft creations seemingly out of thin air.

And now we are no longer friends. But The Patterson House remains, beckoning Nashvillians who want more out of their evenings than vodka tonics and shots of Fireball. It beckoned me and a new group of friends on Saturday evening.

I was excited, because one of our group had never been before (he is new to town). I always need a good excuse to show off my favorite places to new people. I busied myself with chatter of the blue curtain, the house rules, and the Japanese ice molds.

But when I ordered a cocktail I had discovered with Former Friend, it was a lot harder than I thought it would be. I ended the evening with my signature drink, The Bacon Old Fashioned,  and instead of getting  teased for drinking such a manly drink, the guys each ordered one too, initiating me into their club.

I should've loved it. I should've savored every moment. Instead, I felt like I'd been sucker-punched. How could I enjoy something with such good memories attached with someone else? Is that part of growing up? Learning to enjoy life with different people?

Maybe. Or maybe it's just learning to savor the sweet concoctions of life with new people and new attitudes. Maybe what's old can become new again.

And maybe The Patterson House will always hold a special place in my heart, no matter whom I chose to drink with.

Fireworks at Firefly

When my boss first started our Development Dinners (where, once a month, our department meets about business--and sometimes gossip-- while dining out at an original Nashville restaurant. I must have the best boss ever!) that eventually led to this blog, one of the first places we visited was Firefly Grille. That was almost 2 years ago, so I don't remember what I ate, but I remember I enjoyed the cozy setting, the eclectic atmosphere, and of course the food. It quickly topped my list of Places to Go On a Good Date, which is of course different than Places to Go On a First Date or Places to Go On a Blind Date, and certainly not the same as Places to Go On a Cheap Date. So, suffice it to say, I had yet to return to this tiny vibrant restaurant in Green Hills.

But Saturday night, I was asked on a belated Valentine's Day date and was naturally charged with selecting where we would be celebrating. After running through the candidates on the Places to Go On a Good Date list (Sambuca, Tin Angel, and Germantown Cafe to start) I had what I hesitate to call an epiphany on where to go. This seemed to be the perfect occasion for Firefly. To solidify this decision, the Coupon Clipper magazine was still sitting on my coffee table and offered a coupon that seemed perfect for a (dare I say?) romantic evening: 1 shared appetizer, 2 entrees, and 1 shared dessert for $40. Yes please! You know I love good food and good bargains, so this seemed like the perfect opportunity for both.

Firefly is one of those jewels of a restaurant that changes its menu seasonally to take advantage of the foods in season. This quality food, the well-informed wait staff, and the aforementioned cozy environment and eclectic atmosphere keep it full. In fact, when I called at 4:45 on Saturday, the earliest reservation I could get was 8:45. Luckily we were up for a late dinner, but I recommend calling much earlier if you want a prime dining time. So after the reservations were made, the coupon was clipped, and our date-night finery was donned, we headed to Green Hills to the little restaurant with the red awning on Bandywood Drive.

Gotta give photo credit to Firefly's website!

Upon arriving, we were greeted by friendly staff and patrons dressed in all varieties of Saturday night attire and whisked to our tiny two-person seat, where we had trouble deciding what to admire first. The walls were plastered with memorabilia--I use that term loosely, as right behind the boy's head there was stapled to the wall an American Express pen on one of those curly cords to keep credit card signers from stealing it--paper lanterns, pictures of musical legends, and Christmas lights. There was something new to look at everywhere! Our tabletop was also a collection of interesting items; photos, business cards, and a visitor's guide to The Hermitage had been decoupaged and shellacked to our table. And then, of course, there was the 4 page wine list, not to mention the food menu!

I immediately selected a glass of Malbec (priced reasonably at $7/glass) while my date chose the Bourbon Barrel Stout, Bluegrass Breweing Co.'s aptly-named beer aged in whiskey barrels. Dark, smoky, and delicious! Despite the moniker, the handwritten menu featured special dishes that were obviously developed with care by Executive Chef Kristen Gregory. (Although, for those expected grilled chicken, sandwiches, and the like, there was a hamburger listed at the very bottom of the menu!)

For our appetizer, we selected the shrimp and grits for 2 reasons. One, I'm not going to not try shrimp and grits somewhere! And two, it was one of the only starters that was easy to share. The shrimp were coated in a blue corn meal and fried to perfection. The perfect amount of crispness, they were set off nicely by the generous bowl of creamy, smoky grits accented with caramelized onions and bacon.

We were halfway through before I remembered to take a picture,  but they arrived artfully arranged and artfully cooked. For dinner, the boy selected pork spare ribs covered in a spicy blood orange BBQ sauce and served with jasmine rice and baby bok choy, which proved to be a really interesting marriage of American and Asian. (I'll admit that we were both a little afraid of the bok choy!)

I, of course, could not decide what to order. Because of our coupon, our entree choices were limited to those priced at $17 or less, but there were at least 5 different options at that price point. And luckily there wasn't anything more expensive that I would have rather had. I wavered between the bacon-wrapped salmon or the pasta special of the day. Two things made my decision really easy: the salmon was served with brussel sprouts and the pasta was served with goat cheese. I chose the pasta: penne tossed in a white wine sauce with homemade bacon, eggplant chunks, and the goat cheese. As an unexpected bonus, both entrees were served with a side salad with house vinaigrette and a slice of focaccia bread. Yum! I even had leftovers, so I'd say I got my $17 worth!

Dessert was an easy choice: chocolate rum mousse torte. There were 5 or 6 different options, including a Kahlua pot de creme, a lemon pound cake, and an apple cake. Our dessert was light enough to enjoy after a heavy meal but substantial enough to be worth it. The rum added just a little extra sweetness but was not too noticeable. Topped with a homemade whipped cream, it was fantastic!

Oh, and as soon as our neighbors, who were seated an arm's length from us, ordered the salmon dish, I immediately affirmed my decision to avoid the brussel sprouts, even though the guy claimed they were "fantastic!" Really, dude? No one likes brussel sprouts!

We left very full, very happy, and very glad we had avoided Monday's Hallmark Holiday and spent an intimate Saturday night at a neighborhood favorite of many. And maybe there were a few sparks at the end there too...ok, fireworks. But not the big ones like explode over the Cumberland every summer. More like the high-end ones you buy from a trailer parked in the middle of nowhere every July and January. Or maybe I'm just trying to save face...

The End Notes:

• You must try Firefly Grille for it's ambience and eclecticness. (Yes, I just made up a word!)
• Our waitress was great: spunky, attentive, and honest. When we asked if we had made a good dessert choice, she said there were only 2 things on the menu she didn't like. The rose wine and the espresso. (FYI, it's instant. Don't order it.)
•  Menu items range from $9.50 for the burger to $24 for a filet so be prepared to spend a little. But, don't be ashamed to use a coupon! We were able to enjoy a variety of great food without breaking the bank. And if they offer, you might as well take advantage of it. Plus, they want to know there's a good return on their investment in the coupon magazine!
• If you can't fit dinner into your budget, consider dining at Firefly Grille for lunch. The menu's a little different, but the atmosphere comes with a smaller price tag. Lunch items range from $9.50-$14.
• MAKE RESERVATIONS. The dining room is small and very cozy (read: you sit within close earshot of your neighbors) so you don't want to be kept waiting for hours to enjoy this meal. But if you do have to wait, know it will be worth it!
• If your parents are visiting, it's a great place to take them for a taste of Nashville devoid of other tourists, loud music, and long lines. Provided, of course, that you plan ahead and reserve your seat.
• We chose to get dressed up for our date (coat and tie for him, dress for me) but anything would fly at Firefly! 

The Art of the Acorn

On the edge of Centennial Park sits an old home-turned-day-care-center-turned-Nashville-fine-dining-landmark known as The Acorn. In homage to the symbol of southern hospitality, The Acorn offers quintessential dishes of Southern culture but with a little bit of grown up flair.

In a low-lit, comfortable environment, The Acorn serves up contemporary versions of dishes like mac and cheese, pimento cheese, and chicken 'n' waffles for starters. Entrees include a pork trio, filet, braised lamb, and roasted chicken with spoonbread. Our trio of development department diners ordered soon-to-be classics: a portabella mushroom stack with quinoa, chorizo-crusted grouper with a Jack Daniel's pecan cream sauce (which, let's be honest, the JD was the main reason for ordering that meal!), and pan fried trout. Simply plated, these dishes did not need a lot of accoutrements to bring out the flavor, the unique flavors shone on their own. Unfortunately my camera battery was dead this night, so I have no photographic proof of the lovely plating.

The cocktail menu accentuated these dinners as well. I had a cleverly-named bourbon, ginger ale, and lemon; Beth had a sparkling cocktail of St. Germaine and champagne, and Laura's Bad Girl was a mix of orange vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry, and sweet and sour. My memory fails me on the cute names of our drinks, and The Acorn's website is not helpful. I should start bringing a note pad when I dine out!

The dessert did not disappoint either. Laura chose the gelato of the day, maple. Served in a martini glass it was an elegant way to essentially eat ice cream! Beth and I indulged in a chocolate peanut butter pie, a creamy, sugary concoction on a chocolate crumb crust. After all, we were dining on National Peanut Butter Day so I had to try it! The dessert menu included a chocolate torte, a sorbet of the day (blood orange on the day we visited) and a few other traditional offerings.

I left just the right amount of full. Happy, but not miserable.

The End Notes:

• The food was good but the dining experience would have been much better if they had not sat us right next to the most. annoying. couple. EVER. In the entire empty restaurant, we were sandwiched between 2 loud and obnoxious tables.
• The hostess offered to check my coat, a luxury I love as much as valet parking. Naturally, I accepted. As we were leaving, I saw my coat lying haphazardly across a chair by the hostess stand. So much for "coat check." I thought this was an upscale restaurant?
• Prices are on the higher end. Entrees range from $16-32 and there was not enough on the plate for leftovers. But worth the splurge I think.
• Free parking lot across the street for restaurant patrons.

A Little Taste of Italia

A friend and I were at an event this evening. As the ice-breaker, we all had to introduce ourselves and give 3 clues about the destination we'd most like to visit. We both immediate thought Italy. Ironically, on the way home a traffic light stopped us in front of a shopping center and I saw the word gelato  (an Italian dessert akin to ice cream) illuminated in a window. Could it be true? A gelateria just a few miles from my house? We had to investigate.

I pulled into the parking lot to find Porta Via Italian Kitchen  on White Bridge Road, across the street from Target. From the parking lot we could see wine bottles and gelato cases, so of course we were in! The perfect way to fulfill our dreams of Italy.

Once inside we were greeted by the friendly wait staff who informed us that Porta Via is a full-service restaurant that has been in operation for just over a year. (Side note: How have I missed this? I have not heard anything about this place and I frequently read about food in Nashville. However they did tell me they rely mostly on word-of-mouth promotion. Consider yourself informed.)

The menu features antipasti, Italian lunch-sized sandwiches, house-made pastas (brush up on your Italian to place your order!), hearty entrees, pizza, and of course the gelato. Also made in-house, Porta Via offered 6 or 8 different flavors. For $3.50, I got two plentiful scoops of smooth, fresh deliciousness. I mixed pistachio with hazelnut for a nutty combination. Light, smooth, but very flavorful, this was a perfect evening treat! Elisa ordered lemon and cinnamon, an odd combination but individually yummy. If gelato isn't your dish, Porta Via also offered a variety of Italian pastries, including two types of tiramisu, cheesecake, and a chocolate torte served with a scoop of gelato.

Hazelnut and Pistachio Gelato

Despite the late hour and my doctor-recommended reduced-caffeine lifestyle, we were in such an Italian modo di essere, we had to order an espresso as well. Also house-made, the coffee was served quickly and in bright happy cups. The seats were also brightly colored, in red and lime green ostrich leather banquettes. I truly felt as though I were in a foreign cafe, not in a little strip mall shopping center off White Bridge Road.

Although I might be awake for the next 4 hours, the experience will have totally been worth it. I can't wait to return to Porta Via for dinner. And the next time I have dreams of traveling abroad, or even if I'm just having a bad day, I'm doing to skip over all those yogurt shops and go straight to this Italian getaway.

The End Notes:

• European-style gelato freshly made in Nashville. Modern fixtures create a contemporary cafe feeling in a cozy environment.
• Open from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday, but will host private parties on Sundays.
• Knowledgeable staff and chefs. Read about the restaurant's history here. 
• A great place to go for an evening or after-dinner treat. Seating is limited, so if they're busy, you'll have to take your treat to go. 

Some More Sambuca for your Buck

This week, I braved the snow to meet a friend for Happy Hour at Sambuca in The Gulch. It's been much too cold to think about going outside, but I had started to get a little stir crazy. What better way to cure the cold mid-week blues than cheap, delicious food and drinks?

I am a big fan of bargains. I'm an even bigger fan of establishments that offer Happy Hour specials on Fridays. Sambuca has both, plus a swanky, comfortable lounge area in which to imbibe. During "Rush Hour" as they call it, drinks and small plates and pizzas are 1/2 price from 4:30-6:30. Yes, 1/2 price! Plus their small plate menu boasts 16 different options and four varieties of pizzas. Priced anywhere from $4.50-12.50, these dishes are a steal on special. Where else can you get Shrimp & Crab Rangoon, Seared Tuna, Goat Cheese-Stuffed Artichokes, or Buca Beignets (Italian meat and cheese melted inside a sweet, flaky crust--yum yum!) for roughly $5?? I challenge you to find somewhere else that does it better.

A word of advice: arrive early. Don't dawdle after work, or you might have trouble finding a seat. No one wants to miss happy hour specials because they couldn't get a table in time, right? I will mention that in light of Arctic-tundra that has been Nashville this week, the lounge was relatively empty last night. But this meant we got our food and drinks quickly.

Last night I opted for a glass of Malbec, but once the warm weather hits I want to try some of Sambuca's creative cocktails, like the Cucumber Pineapple Crush, Call A Cab (made with Firefly Sweet Tea vodka, tequila, gin, rum, and Coke), Hibiscus Sangria, or the Double Standard (made with chocolate vodka, vanilla, and cherries). The thought of those drinks should warm anyone right up! Is it summertime yet????

The End Notes:

• Happy Hour specials from 4:30-6:30 every weekday make it easy and affordable to enjoy Sambuca's atmosphere and fare without the hefty price tag. Be thrifty in style!
• Arrive early to secure a good seat. If you ever need an excuse to leave at 5 on the nose, Sambuca's Rush Hour is a great reason to rush out of the office.
• Valet parking right outside makes it easy (and affordable) to visit The Gulch.
• I hear Sambuca's lunch specials are great too...