To Gabby's for a Good Burger

A few weeks ago, standing in line for grilled cheesy goodness, a coworker/friend and I started chatting up another coworker and giving our sandwich recommendations. He liked what we suggested, and thus, a foodie friendship was born. Our trio decided to start lunching monthly at places outside the confines of our office park, away from chain restaurants and the office cafeteria.

I was given the task of choosing the location for our first outing, After whittling down a list that started with about 17 spots, I finally settled on somewhere I'd always wanted to go but had never been: Gabby's Burgers and Fries.

Waiting in line for burgers & fries at Gabby's Burgers and Fries

The Seamus Burger topped with bleu cheese & grilled onion

May's Special Burger: The Politician
(Yes, there's a cheeseburger under all that bologna!)

Tucked away on Humphreys St. behind the Nashville Sounds' Greer Stadium, Gabby's is not hard to find if you know what you're looking for; the street pretty much dead-ends into the front door. Looking like not much more than a glorified trailer, it's the type of place that you can tell from the outside will be darn good. And that was pretty much Brian's initial reaction when we pulled up. Inside, it's a no-frills kind of place, with counter seating in front of the grill and tables squeezed in everywhere else.

I recommend arriving early. We were there by  11:30 and didn't have to wait too long, but the line was out the door by the time we were leaving. The line moves quickly, though, and you better know what you want because they don't allow for much dilly-dallying and indecisiveness once you make it to the register.

In a hurry, I ordered a classic cheeseburger, named The Seamus for the owner's son. I fancied up the single 5oz. patty by topping it with bleu cheese and grilled onions and opted for sweet potato fries as my side. 

Patti opted for the barbecue burger, and Brian chose to be adventurous with the monthly special, The Politician, a tongue-in-cheek name for an American cheeseburger topped with grilled bologna. 

Using only grass-fed beef, Gabby's prides itself on quality of food and quality of service. The meat itself was so good that the toppings served to enhance the flavor, not cover it up. The produce was fresh and the buns were the perfect vessel for conveying meat from plate to mouth. Not too dense to feel as though all you were eating was bread but flavorful enough to be noticed, and slightly sweet. Perfection!

I opted for sweet potato fries, mostly out of curiosity. This trend is becoming ubiquitous and not every shop does it right. But Gabby's certainly does. They used fresh sweet potatos, diced and cooked on site. They tasted almost candied--no frozen Ore-Ida nonsense here!

The menu features other non-burger items as well, but why would you want to go there? All the sandwiches are reasonably priced for the quality of food being served.

What makes me love Gabby's even more after the fact is the story of how this little place got started. When studying their website for this post, I learned that the proprietor, Doug, has a passion for food, which is evident from the first bite of burger. But more so than that, Doug has a passion for his family and for finding a way to "live the dream" as he says. That dream is to make money at a job he loves, make people happy doing it, and be able to spend time watching his kids grow up. I think this man's on to something! I will certainly return to help Doug's dreams come true.

As we were wrapping up our lunch, I heard Doug shout over the heads of all the hungry customers waiting in line: "Thank you, folks, for being willing to stand in line for a good burger."

Our pleasure, sir.

Birthday Cake on a Stick: Nashville Cake Pops

My favorite part of my birthday every year is the influx of "Happy Birthday to YOU" coupons I receive in my inbox. Last week, I managed to eat a free dinner every night of the week from birthday coupons. (Yes, it is worth it to sign up for those email lists!)

One of these happy emails was from Nashville Cake Pops, a relatively new cakery in town that makes the burgeoning cake balls on a popsicle stick. (Think of the most moist, gooey cake you can, topped with a hard candy shell, and made to resemble a childhood favorite. That's a Nashville Cake Pop!)

For my birthday month, I received a complimentary order of 6 Funfetti cake pops in a cute package. All I had to do was email my order and schedule my pickup time. They came packaged in a cute cardboard box tied with festive red string.

Each pop is individually wrapped so they are perfect for sharing should a girl feel so inclined. Underneath the hard vanilla candy-coating, is a cake that's so gooey and delicious, it's the perfect bite of happiness.

It's the perfect amount of sweet for an afternoon treat. (And I felt much less guilty about this than if I'd had an entire birthday cake to myself!)

Cake Pops are pretty, but they charge a pretty penny for this bite-size deliciousness.A dozen pops start at $26.99. However, there are a variety of flavors, frostings, and color combinations. If you want to make your event special, Nashville Cake Pops might be the way to go.

Just know that picking up your pops is no easy feat. The pick-up site is located on Thompson Lane in Berry Hill, in a congested area with no traffic light at the driveway. You have to be committed to get there. However, I think he might be worth it. Sign up for their email list, get some pops on your birthday, and decide for yourself.

Fresh From the Food Truck: Rollin' & Smokin'

The first week of my new job ended with a relatively new Nashville tradition: Food Truck Fridays.

Definition: a fleet of food trucks set up shop in a corporate parking lot, enticing employees out to try a variety of options, and donate a portion of the proceeds to a charitable cause.

In the first edition of our Food Truck Fridays, the one option I'd been dying to try was Rollin' & Smokin'. I'd spied this truck parked outside of Friedman's Army Navy store several times but had never had the chance to try it.  When I checked out the menu, I knew it was right up my Alabama alley.

This truck touts itself as GoreMade Southern Cuisine, and every dish is named after a member of the Gore family, an Alabama icon, or someone special to the Gores. (All of this is explained on the menu.)

My dad and I can eat barbecue together at pretty much the drop of a hat, so I knew I was going to enjoy this truck. When I read about Skyline's Mac & Cheese, with 3 different kinds of cheese and truffle oil, I knew I was going to love this truck!

Rollin' & Smokin's special of the day was a delicious concoction of Southern-ness: the HoDownHoCake. It started with a base layer of cornbread griddle cake, piled on the truffle oil mac & cheese, and topped it all off with my meat of choice--pulled pork and sweet barbecue sauce. It was Alabama in every bite.

Rollin' & Smokin's HoDownHoCake

Although my hair smelled like barbecue smoke for the rest of the day, this was definitely worth the $7 plus tax I paid and the bonding over food I did with my new coworkers. Next time you see the yellow truck rollin' down the street, stop and indulge in some good ol' fashioned feel-good food.

Hoss of a Burger

A friend was talking to me this morning about the disappointment you get when a meal isn't as good as you'd remembered it being. It had happened to her during lunch today, and sadly, it happened to me as well.

With no concrete lunch plans, I was excited to learn that the Hoss' Loaded Burgers truck was parked near my office today. It has been a long time since I've eaten one of their juicy, stuffed, grass-fed beef creations and, since I'd already treated myself to fancy coffee yesterday, why not continue the trend? (Yes, I know this is perhaps not the wisest money-management decision to make, but I am also supporting the local economy...right?)

The Hoss Burger boys endeared themselves to me last fall and I'd been anxious to get back to their truck. So I took advantage of a beautiful day, walked the short walk to the truck, and picked out a burger from one of their four specials, each stuffed with cheese and topped with appropriate fixin's.

For the record, I have NO idea why this keeps posting sideways...

I ordered the Big Kahuna burger, a patty stuffed with Swiss cheese and topped with a pineapple slice and teriyaki  sauce. Sounded delicious for only $7. A sign in the window said for maximum juiciness and deliciousness, all burgers were cooked to medium-ish. They even asked before they through my patty on the grill. I said that was fine because, well, they are the burger experts and who am I to argue with them? I should've requested more medium-well. It was pretty raw in the middle. I won't post a picture of that, but I will say (in case my mother is reading), I did put the patty in the microwave back at the office to get it edible by Jessica standards.

Again with the sideways...ugh!

Other than that, and the fact that it was supremely messy, the burger was pretty good. Although, not as good as I remembered it being.  Not as stellar as I'd hoped for my lunch. But, compared to the $7-9 you would spend on fast food, this was a much better use of my money and probably healthier too, minus the fries and Coke.

Do try it out, though. Don't give up on them! Just make sure when you do venture to Hoss' Loaded Burgers, that you are not about to go into a meeting, eat in your car, or otherwise trying to impress the person with whom you are dining. I have tried both types of fries, sweet potato fries or their unique rosemary-parmesan, and they are both delicious. A small order is only $2 and is plenty when paired with the large burger.

 

I do apologize for the lack of cooperation with my photos. I have no idea what's going on with them.

A heck of a Cuban sandwich

A Matter of Taste is the small little sandwich shop arm of a larger catering company located just a few miles away from my office. The only thing I've ever eaten there is the Cuban sandwich. I wait for the tweets to tell me it's on their specials list, then I head on over to Franklin Road and order myself one.

Their joint is eco-friendly (they use an iPad for a cash register and email your receipt to you!) and inspirational. The walls of this small little shop are plastered with feel-good quotes and mantras. I always leave A Matter of Taste with a brighter outlook on my day.

iPad cash register

Inspirational quotes written in chalk on the sliding doors leading to the kitchen.

Up close of quotes.

The Cuban Sandwich is pulled pork, ham, bread & butter pickles, melted Swiss cheese, and yellow mustard on a baguette. Unfortunately, AMOT used so much mustard on my last sandwich that with every bite, I was practically bathing in it. Because I took the sandwich back to work with me, I ended up with mustard all over my keyboard and desk. And I went through at least 3 napkins. Super messy! But...still delicious. 

The sandwich is priced at $7.95 and that does not include chips and a drink, so it's a little on the pricey side. But, it's hearty enough that you don't even need chips. While there are definitely better lunch deals out there, this one is delicious, locally-made, and available on gluten-free bread if you need it. 


I could continue on about the Cuban sandwich, but Rick Bragg does it so much more justice. 

Brunch for a Bunch

Last weekend, I had friends in town from Birmingham. No strangers to the Art of Dining Well, they were excited to see which restaurants I led them to. And I was excited to show off my city again.

Friday night we met for Happy Hour in the Yazoo Taproom. I'd taken the brewery tour before but never just had a drink in the taproom. Overflowing with suds and twenty- and thirty-somethings all gathered to kick off their weekends, we had a hard time working our to the front of the room and finding a table. The one we did find was not cleaned off so we had to drink with caution to avoid setting our elbows in spilled beer. But the atmosphere was fun and the beer was good. And Justice even bought a growler to enjoy his Yazoo the next week.

For dinner, we walked down the sidewalk to Urban Flats, not exactly local but fun and enjoyable nonetheless. We topped off the night with mojitos from The Greenhouse, a literal greenhouse-turned-bar in Green Hills that boasts introducing mojitos to Music City. At $9 a pop, they are definitely an indulgence, but a delicious one at that. I'm fairly certain they grow their own mint and serve up the rum-based concoction in a mason jar.

The next day, we breakfasted at Fido, went to the Tomato Arts Fest, and toured the Andy Warhol exhibit at the Frist.

Sunday morning's brunch was probably one of the highlights of the weekend for me. We were ready to go early, so I had to find somewhere that started serving at 10. That nixed Tin Angel, 55 South, and Bosco's. With my usual spots out of the question, I did a quick Urban Spoon search for other options and was reminded of the Copper Kettle's brunch buffet.

Both locations (Granny White across the street from Lipscomb University and Downtown on Hermitage Ave.) serve Sunday brunch beginning at 10 a.m. Downtown starts serving at 9 on Titans Sundays. I chose to take them Downtown for the view.

The buffet is a little pricey ($16.95 for adults) but it's all you can eat, and if you choose wisely, you can have fruits and cheeses, main courses, pastries, and desserts all in one sitting. I tried a little bit of everything but didn't notice the bread pudding until the very end, when I was too full to enjoy it. We tried everything from cream puffs to caprese salads, to eggs Benedict (yes! eggs Benedict on the buffet!) to roast beef to bacon, hashbrown casserole, and biscuits & gravy. Wow, I'm getting hungry again just remembering it all.

Coffee, teas, and juices were offered with unlimited refills. Though our waiter did not offer mimosas or Bloody Marys, the restaurant did have a liquor shelf, so we probably should have just asked. While the total with tip was bordering on $20, but we ate and ate and ate. I didn't need to eat again until 7:30 because I was so full all day. I justified it by thinking if we had gone anywhere else, I'd ordered something like an omelet and a side dish, a coffee, and a breakfast cocktail, it probably would've been the same price. And the best part of a buffet is there is something that appeals to everyone!

If you have in-town company, need to entertain the in-laws or parents, or just want something to break your usual Sunday morning routine, I highly recommend checking out the buffet at Copper Kettle. Enjoy!

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.

Two for the Price of One

Any spendthrift or savvy socialite knows the best way to get more bang out of your evening out is to hit up 2-4-1 specials. This week, I've had the chance to partake in two trendy hotspots' hot deals.

For anyone living west of the River, Tuesday night means Mafiaoza's. This 12th South staple offers BOGO pizza slices and beer all day every Tuesday  until closing time (well, the beer specials stop at 9--gotta be safe, right?). Anything you can pile on a pizza or pull from a tap can be yours for a low, low price. Well, actually the low price depends on how many toppings you choose. I had 2 slices of Mafiaoza's New York-style stone oven pizza topped with fresh basil, black olives, chopped prosciutto, and gooey mozzarella for just $5 and change. Add in a round of Blue Moon from the iconic Mason jars, and my Tuesday night was complete for less than $10. Plus, the slices were so big they took up the entire plate, and had I not had a such a lackluster lunch I could have easily saved one slice for the next day. (Wanna talk about being a spendthrift?)

I will say, the noise and crowd levels can get pretty high the closer the hour hand get to 12, so a quiet, romantic evening this is not. But if you're in the mood to hang out with some friends and get good food and beer for the same price as a meal at any chain restaurant, head on down to the bustling 12th South neighborhood for this Nashville favorite.

And when Wednesday rolls around and you are still looking for a great deal and a little less chaos, please check out Taco Mamacita, the anchor of the Edgehill Village area (between Belmont University and Music Row). Once a struggling strip of entrepreneurial ventures, Edgehill Village seems to have blossomed in the 6-8 months since Taco Mamacita took over the space formerly occupied by Rosario's. If you could classify a taco as "upscale" or "trendy" that's what you'll find here. Tacos are sold individually for about $4 each or as part a plate with your choice of side. (I'm partial to the sweet potato fries myself, but a friend recently introduced me to the Mexican street corn, which is also delicious.) Perhaps my favorite taco is the Memphis, an unexpected combination of flour tortilla, cole slaw, and pulled pork drenched in a tangy BBQ sauce. I also like Baja fish taco and the vegetarian jerk, if you're looking to complete your platter.

Unfortunately, the tacos are not twofers, but the margaritas certainly are! For $7, you get your choice of the Elvez or El Camino margaritas (pretty standard formula for the former, add a splash of OJ and you get the latter) in a 24oz. glass served over crushed ice. Yum! Also unfortunately, T.M.'s popular Skinny Margarita is not included in the special, but really, if you're gonna have pizza and beer one night and tacos and margs the next, does the skinny version really make that much difference?

Another trendy spot for the vaguely descriptive "young professionals sector", I recommend arriving early to secure both good parking and a good seat. We arrived tonight around 6 and nabbed a table outside in the shade, under a fan, and were glad to have a place to sit when the crowds started lining up down the sidewalk. On a night like this you can have as much or as little to eat or drink as you want and still come away with a bargain.

Oh, and for those of you who haven't been to Taco Mamacita in several weeks--yes, they do have their beer license now and can serve several beers on tap and many domestic and imports by the bottle. Yazoo's Dos Perros makes a nice compliment to a taco.

Next week, when you're planning your dinner menu, consider one of these Belmont-area nightspots. You won't regret it!

The End Notes:

• Good bargains are worth planning your calendar around
• Great for after-work drinks and dinner with friends, but arrive early to avoid ridiculously long wait-times.
• Anything goes as far as attire, so there should be no excuse not to visit (unless you don't like crowds and noise. Then maybe visit on another day.)

Burgers & Fries & Brownies--Oh my!

I have already professed my love for The Frothy Monkey, one of several 12th South coffee shops. Imagine my delight when the same folks decided to open a restaurant on the same street!

Dubbed Burger Up! this eatery takes a local and responsible spin on the traditional burger joint. Everything is locally grown, raised, produced, etc., which the environmentalist in me loves. The benefit is tri-fold: one--diners are supporting local farmers, two--diners are eating healthier options, and three--the food just tastes better because it doesn't have to be chocked full of preservatives or shipped halfway around the world before it hits your plate.

Since opening at the beginning of May (yep, they opened in the middle of The Flood), this neighborhood joint has seen an influx of customers not likely to recede anytime soon. The daily drink specials feature creative twists on classic cocktails, while the food offers fresh and fanciful spins on old favorites. Craving a good ole fashioned cheeseburger? Why not make that house-made pimiento cheese instead of a slice of cheddar? A fan of the mushroom and Swiss? Burger Up uses cremini mushrooms and gruyere cheese. I don't even eat mushrooms and I was tempted to order this one. For those not in favor of beef, there's also a chicken breast burger, a N'awlins-style poboy, and a fueling quinoa option.

Overwhelmed by choices, I settled for the lamb burger because I was feeling adventurous. Topped with wilted arugula, boursin cheese (again, yum!), and an interesting peppermint dijon mustard, which actually complimented the lamb and spicy lettuce quite well, this was a delicious choice. I learned I am not so much a fan of lamb in burger form (it's a consistency thing) but the flavor was great. Accompanied by homemade fries that were perfectly crisp and not too greasy, this was a meal to savor.

Apparently, though, the wait staff does not want you to savor your meal. The busboys did not approve of my slow eating habits  and kept trying to take my plate away. In the end, they gave up and I had to eat dessert on top of the burger remnants, a restaurant pet peeve of mine.

And that brings me to dessert. There are several sinful options on the menu, including a bread pudding made of Krispy Kremes and drenched in Grand Marnier and a tiramisu made of s'mores. I, however, wasted no time in ordering the Olive & Sinclair Chocolate & Peanut Butter Brownie a la mode. If you've not yet tried Nashville's Olive & Sinclair chocolate, whip out a 5 spot and get ye immediately to any number of local vendors (Frothy Monkey, The Green Wagon, David Kidd Booksellers, even the Adventure Science Center!) and try a bar. Yes, it's an indulgence but it's worth every bite and penny.

This brownie was no exception. Dark and decadent, this generous-sized brownie was laced with real peanut butter so thick it honestly stuck to the roof of my mouth. Oh. My. Goodness. If you visit Burger Up (which I recommend you do) please save room for dessert. I'm sure you won't regret it. And if you need another opinion, read this tantalizing article echoing my sentiments.

The End Notes:

• Locally raised, healthy alternative to your average burger joint.
• Delicious drink specials and even more delicious desserts.
• Slow wait staff, so bring your appetite and your patience.
• Get in line early; this tiny establishment fills up quickly!
• Good for family, friends, after-work dinners, b'day parties, out-of-towners. Let's face it, it's just good!

Date P.M.

Belmont Boulevard is booming. It didn't look this way 10 years ago, or so I've been told. Ten years ago, I was still a high schooler without my drivers license, confined to eating ballpark hotdogs and delivery pizza. But today, Belmont Boulevard is a trendy block for young professionals, hipsters, artists, and college students alike to congregate and eat and drink.

I am working my way down the Boulevard, sampling the fare at ChaChah, Bongo Java, and PM. The latter is one I have heard is either a love-it-or-leave-it place. I was anxious to try it out for myself and finally got the chance. The swanky establishment with welcoming patio seating makes for a great place to meet with friends or for a date without being too upscale and prohibitive.

I was surprised to find that the menu boasts mostly Asian dishes; for some reason my preconceived ideas had me geared up for good ole' American comfort food. But if Asian-inspired cuisine can be comforting, then that's exactly what my meal at PM was.

While waiting for our table, we grabbed a seat at the bar and my spring-time comfort drink, gin and tonic. The wait was much shorter than expected, which is always a nice surprise, especially on a warm Friday evening. When faced with the surprising menu (Asian small and large plates on one side, salads, burgers, and Asian nachos on the other), a sushi menu, and a wine list, I was understandably overwhelmed. My colleagues, to whom the idea for this blog is attributed, will tell you I am one of the most indecisive orderers you will ever have the pleasure of sharing a meal with, so 3 different menus was almost too much for me.

But when in doubt, ask the waitress! She recommended the Madras Chicken Lettuce Wrap small plate, a comforting concoction of chicken, potatoes, and cilantro in a tiny pot situated next to pieces of lettuce in which to wrap the yumminess. For the main meal, she suggested a variety of options, but I settled on the Chicken Katsu, having absolutely no idea was I was actually ordering.

What I got was an artful creation decorating my large white plate. Chicken breasts rubbed with Asian spices (sorry I can't tell you what they were--I just know they were spicy!) and fried to a crisp were situated atop an Asian slaw mix of lettuce, greens, beans, and was that edamame? The whole thing was topped off with those pretty little wisps of crispness that accompany many Asian dishes. I wish I'd taken a picture, but I had not yet introduced my dining partner to this blog, and as we were still just getting to know each other, I thought I would refrain from being that girl at dinner.

Despite the fact that my adjectives for Asian food are lackluster, this meal sparkled, and I will definitely be back, even if it's just for a cocktail and a small plate.

The End Notes:

• Asian Fusion here = mix of cuisine from different regions, including Mexico (yes, there are quesadillas and nachos on the menu)
• Filling and moderately priced
• Fun, trendy atmosphere without pretension. 
• Yummy!

Brunch Bunch

Early Saturday morning, I got a text from a long-lost friend (should I have been concerned how she got my number?) telling me she'd be in Nashville this weekend and could we do brunch on Sunday morning. Well, of course I wanted to see her, so I quickly agreed and was subsequently charged with naming the location. I love Sunday brunch, so I didn't mind having this responsibility. The only kicker this time? She wanted to meet at 10 a.m. To me, this qualifies more as breakfast than a breakfast-lunch combo, and unfortunately, all my favorite hot-spots to take out-of-town guests to brunch don't start serving until at least 11. (On the list, Bosco's, Tin Angel, and Chappy's on Church.) As an aside, 55 South serves brunch (which I've heard is delicious) beginning at 10 but I have yet to go....always looking for a brunch buddy!

At any rate, I suggested Hillsboro Village's  Fido for this group from Indy. By 10 a.m. the line was already wrapped around the counter and out the door, but their recent expansion project meant there was plenty of seating available. This restaurant is more than a well-loved coffee shop. It's a something-for-everyone eatery with a variety of cleverly-named specialty coffee drinks, wines, beers, healthy (as possible) muffins & cookies, and a pretty extensive breakfast menu. Brunch at Fido is served weekends until 2 p.m.

Our group of five sampled something from each section of the breakfast menu. I had the veggie scramble, which I was pleased to discover did not include mushrooms (my only will-not-touch-it-under-any-circumstances food), though I think the hashbrowns at Jackson's Bar & Bistro are better. (Fido's are just roasted potatoes, while Jackson's come covered in cheese!)

Someone else had the Bachelor Bob, a pb&b bagel sandwich, while another opted for oatmeal with fresh fruit. The bagel sandwiches were loaded with eggs, meat, and cheese and looked delicious, despite the certain heart-attack inducing qualities of the meal.

For those of you who are wondering, yes, they serve mimosas on a Sunday morning.

Although we could have stayed and chatted for hours, we were served quickly, despite the long line. The service was friendly and the food was good without leaving you with a brunch hangover for the rest of your Sunday. Don't let the crowds deter you from this well-loved little coffee joint.

The End Notes:

• Good food, easy service, great coffee (it's Bongo Java, people!)
• Relatively easy for out-of-towners to MapQuest and find on their own
• Oversized booths and tables make for a comfortable scene to catch up with old friends, meet for Bible study or business, or just grab a quick meal before you start your day. 
• Two paws up for Fido!

A little bit of Southern pride

Upon the inadvertent recommendation of a blogosphere friend, I decided to host Development Dinner at 55 South, a tribute to New Orleans tucked into the same building as Sol on the square in Franklin. It turned out to be a great choice!

The restaurant is casual, but I didn't feel out of place coming straight from work. (In fact, they cater to the after-work crowd with oyster specials that creep from $.25 to $.75 as the hour hand ticks toward 7.) Burlap served as a tablecloth and a sheet of glass held the menu in place, like a tiny placemat under your meal. The exposed-brick walls and old-fashioned posters features Oxford, Miss., landmarks added to the charm. (Although I would be remiss if I didn't mention here that I am a graduate of Mississippi State University and therefore could have done without the Oxford references and the "Hoddy Toddy" tweet from the owner!)

The drink menu featured beers by region, bourbons by country, and cocktails by season. Beth's Cotton Gin cocky-tail (they get points for clever-ness!) tasted like summertime. With Bombay, peach nectar, and lime juice, I can only imagine warm weather washing over us. Laura's Delta Sunset, flavored with sweet tea vodka and and cranberry juice, looked like Indian Summer in a highball glass. And my Rebel Charge (supposedly named for the Confederate soldiers but I have to think Colonel Reb might have been an influence...) tasted just like football season. It was a light, refreshing combination of Rebel Yell bourbon, ginger ale, and triple sec. I finally found a bourbon cocktail with a lime garnish!

Dinner didn't disappoint, either. Laura decisively ordered the grouper reuben, served with cole slaw and homemade chips.

While Beth and I were a little more indecisive. Luckily, 55 South features several "combo" choices for the conflicted. Beth ordered a traditional Cajun trio: red beans & rice, jambalaya, and gumbo. So pretty on the plate: 

And I dined in crawfish heaven! Dubbed the "Crawfish Fiesta Trio" my dinner featured fried crawfish tails, crawfish etouffee, and crawfish hash--cubes of potatoes and slices of onions holding up crawfish tails. I was most nervous about hash, but it turned out to be my favorite offering. I'll say that the fried tails, although pretty (see below) in the plate, they were a little soggy, as though they were fried long before they made it to my table. And the etouffee was good but the large soup spoon conflicted with the square-shaped bowl, making it hard to really "dig in."

Dessert was well worth the wait, as Foodie Beth had told me it would be. (She even sent me a TwitPic of the dessert menu at 6:30 this morning!) Boss Beth ordered the chocolate pecan pie, Laura, the Velvet Elvis, a delicious concoction of chocolate fudge, peanut butter mousse, and bananas that was too much for one sitting. I opted for fried ice cream, coated in Corn Flakes and coconut and situated in a taco shell bowl. I wish I'd known it would be topped with whipped cream, because that detracted from the true flavors. It was an interesting concept but a delicious end to my meal.

     

The End Notes:

• Despite the abundance of references to Oxford and the Rebs, the atmosphere is fun. Well worth venturing down to Franklin in rush hour traffic. The owner, Jason McConnell, who owns both Sol and The Red Pony, clearly knows what he's doing. Please go. ASAP.
• The menu features offerings at several price points without  being too overwhelming. Not too many choices for those not in favor of seafood or Cajun-inspired dishes, though. Cleverly named drinks, but not much in the way of wine offerings. Mostly bourbon, whiskey, and beer (fine by me!). 
• Our waiter, bless his heart...well, that's really all I can say. Not too bright. Bless his heart.
• Parking is street-side, which could be inconvenient depending on the hour. Close proximity to Franklin's public garage and gives you an excuse to walk off all that dinner.

This little piggy went to market...& cried Wee! Wee! Wee! all the way down 8th Avenue

This weekend, an unprecedented event occurred. I blogged while eating! My dinner not only filled my tummy but also filled my head full of adjectives I haven't used since I had to critique an avant-garde art exhibit during a college art history class. 

I'm going to own it: I love pork. And so, I have been practically stalking the progress of the new bar-be-que joint opening up next my new favorite neighborhood wine shoppe & the Kroger on 8th Ave. on the edge of Berry Hill. When I finally saw the OPEN sign, I was there. And was surprised to find upon entering that this was not going to be just any local BBQ place. This is B&C BBQ!


That's right, folks. The same owners of Bacon and Caviar Catering and the B&C BBQ stand at the Nashville Farmer's Market have opened up shop outside the green gates of the market. Having heard great reviews of all the food stands inside the NFM but not ever having the chance to patron any of them, I was thrilled to find a Nashville original in my own backyard.


I was also thrilled to find it was incredibly delicious.


I know I said I would start being tougher, more realistic, less "Ohmigosh this place is amazing and the food is so good and you have to go right away!" BUT, I don't think I have anything bad to say about my first B&C experience. 


B&C serves everything cafeteria-style, and they'll let you sample anything. Meat. Veggies. Side dishes. You want a taste? You got it! Although I took mine to-go, it did look like they have established a cozy little dining patio to the left of the restaurant. I saw strings of red lights; it'll probably be great in the spring and summer.


I ordered my standard BBQ joint fare: pulled pork plate with mac & cheese and green beans. (Well, I prefer collards but the beans were the only green thing on the line.) Generous portion of meat, 2 sides, and a corn muffin for only $6.75. What a bargain! The meat was lean and moist, but not greasy. The beans were so-so. A little overcooked, way too peppery, and overall rather bland. 


But let me tell you, the macaroni and cheese and corn muffin more than made up for the lackluster veggies. I dare say this was the best macaroni and cheese I've ever had. It might even beat out the truffled mac from Bound'ry (you know, the one I argued with the waiter for...)! B&C's is creamy and garlicky with the perfect amount of cheese, so unlike most other Southern recipes that use lots of eggs and bake it casserole-style. I probably could eat it by the gallon! And let me tell you about this corn muffin. It was light, fluffy, and sweet, with a little crunch on the edge. More than a corn muffin, it was a veritable corn cupcake!

So, the downsides: besides the bland green beans and the lack of beverage variety (although beer is coming soon!), I hate that they use styrofoam dinnerware. I also was not particularly fond of either of the two sauces I tried. (B&C offers 4--a mild, medium, hot, and vinegar-based.) I tried medium, which seemed to have the wrong proportions of sweet and spicy. I couldn't exactly pinpoint what I didn't like, though. The vinegar sauce was nothing more than bottled vinegar with crushed red pepper flakes. Maybe the other 2 were better...

The End Notes:

• Need a fresh catering option? Think Bacon and Caviar!
• Looking to break the cycle of burritos and fast food in Berry Hill? Come to B&C BBQ!
• Great food, low prices, friendly staff. Can't ask for much more than that!

Why I love The Frothy Monkey

1. Consistently delicious coffee. Granted, I only drink mine black or with steamed milk au lait-style, but I have never had a disappointing cup at this 12th South java joint. (Plus, they serve all "drink in" orders in earth-friendly ceramic coffee mugs.)

2. Melt-in-your-mouth house-made baked goods. Most of The Frothy Monkey's food is made in-house, using local ingredients, and all of their baked goods are made fresh daily. It truly makes a difference. The blueberry scone with orange curd I treated myself to last Saturday morning was better than most desserts I've had recently. Yum!

3. Community-conscious business model. From their newly-launched web site: "Where possible, we use local ingredients fostering conscientious consumerism." The store features Thistle Farms products, benefiting the women of Magdalene, coffee from local roasters, and fair trade imports. The Monkey not only recognizes the importance of supporting the community, but also building and communicating with the community. That leads to #4...

4. The Frothy Monkey tweets! Follow them here: http://twitter.com/frothymonkey

5. Coffee with a side of air travel. I love that The Frothy Monkey participates in American Airlines's AAdvantage Dining Program! Basically, you register your credit/debit card and when you spend money at certain restaurants, you earn frequent flyer miles. A coffee and scone earned me 17 miles. No, it's not going to get me out to Seattle, but eventually all those cups of coffee will add up and save me money on a plane ticket. 

The End Notes:

• When you find yourself anywhere near the 12th South vicinity, go to The Frothy Monkey. They now serve dinner, in addition to breakfast and lunch, and all the prices seem pretty reasonable (read: less than $10), and they've extended their hours til 9 p.m. No matter the hour or the craving you have, head on over to the Monkey to try something. Anything. Everything?

History makes for delicious dinner

On a night when there are potential tornado warnings, torrential rains, and an unbearable migraine, one would think the best place for dinner would be one's own house. Not that case last Thursday, when the first Development Dinner of 2010 found us in a historic house on the east side of town.

Ellendale's, built in a historic home off Elm Hill  Pike, was named after the owner's great-grandmother. Knowing this beforehand, I was expecting an old farmhouse decked out in anything "shabby chic," but the decor was anything but shabby. The contemporary and elegant design made me forget that I was eating in a residence-turned-business. Ellendale's features nightly live music and its own vegetable garden.

The menu was the type I love--the one where there are just enough choices to offer something for every taste bud but too many yummy-sounding things to choose from. The daily special sounded delicious (I wish I had tried the garlic cheddar mashed potatoes our waitress raved about!), but I settled on the Amaretto Chicken.

Served with wilted greens and cranberry rice pilaf, it was a meal I couldn't get enough of. The Manhattan complimented every bite! (Although I've yet to have a meal not  complimented by bourbon.) 

Beth's and Laura's dinners made my mouth water too! Laura ordered the Tuscan Risotto and Beth, the cod tapenade. They raved about their choices, so they must have been good! (Why do we never share bites?)

While I wish I had ordered an app instead of dessert (Dos Perros Cheese Fondue, anyone?), the others' dessert options looked beautiful and sinful. My carrot cake did leave a little bit to be desired, but Laura's banana spring rolls were one of the most interesting sweets we've encountered on this culinary journey.

The End Notes:

• Loved the atmosphere!
• Loved the coat tree at the front door that kept me from sitting on my dripping raincoat.
• Wish we could have heard the music better from our seat near the front room.
• Wish I had felt better.

My Recommendation:

• Eat @ Ellendales! Whether you go for brunch, lunch, or dinner, you simply can't afford not to try it out.
• But I think you should try one of the appetizers instead of spending calories on dessert. (Or maybe I should have just chosen something different...)

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!

A cure for the Mondays

In my last post, I mentioned one of my favorite Nashville mainstays. Yesterday, I had the privilege of visiting two of my favorite spots in one day. Urban Flats for lunch and Lime for happy hour. A lot for a Monday, but I enjoyed the little bit of frivolity. 

I have to say, though, that though I love both of these establishments, I did not like them for lunch or happy hour. One hour (or in my case, about 37 minutes) is too short to enjoy the atmosphere of Urban Flats. Plus, their wine bar is a bragging point and compliments every flat but cannot be touched during a working lunch. I was able to enjoy about three bites of the spinach/goat cheese/pear/chicken salad before I had to leave, but the waitress was very accommodating of my needs; she brought my check early and with a smile too! It was the first time I'd ever eaten there without ordering a flat (think personal-sized pizza on thin pita bread-style crust). But the salad was yummy, if not a little pricey--$16 for a salad and water is a little steep (including gratuity for a big party). 

But what I spent at lunch I saved at Lime's Happy Hour. The only complaints I have about this is the short length of time the specials are served. Lime's happiest hours are from 4-6 daily. Cocktails are only $5 and guac with chips only $4.50. I had the honey margarita, which was recommended by the waiter as "the best drink on the Happy Hour menu." And I have to agree. At first I was hesitant, worried it would be too sweet. But the little bit of honey cut the acid in the lime juice and made for a wonderfully enjoyable cocktail. And the best part? It comes served on crushed "Sonic Ice" & no salt is needed on this drink! (Which works perfectly for the girl who always orders her margaritas on the rocks with no salt. Which even annoys the girl placing the order!) Sadly, I arrived at about 5:35, with only enough time to order one drink at the happy hour price. But the menu also offers pitchers of Lime's famous red or white sangria for $15, as well as several tapas for munching. And with free valet parking, what could be better?

Like I said, this was a lot for a Monday, so I'm taking a break until much later in the week. Buon appetito, y'all!

Rumour has it you can speak easy here

I realized recently that as many times as I have gone out in the year-and-a-half since I moved to this town, I continue to frequent the same 5-7 places I first visited as a Nashville Newbie. I realized there are many gems that I am overlooking because I continue to stick with what I know. 

Last week, I branched out and tried somewhere new. I started the night at a place I've always wanted to try and ended in my comfort zone, one of my standard go-to guarantees for a good night out. 

When I encountered yet another wait that bordered on an hour at Whiskey Kitchen (seriously, what is it with the long waits these days?), we opted for The Patterson House, one of those paragons of Nashville nightlife that I had been dying to try for myself. And I finally made it behind that infamous blue curtain. 

While I won't try to compete with this guy's blog, I will say that it was intimate and romantic in an I-feel-like-I-belong-in-the-pages-of-great-American-literature kind of way. (Maybe that has something to do with the fantasy my brother and I have always shared that if we'd been in our early 20s during the Roarin' '20s, we would have been flappers and party-goers and our family would have been the owners of a speakeasy, or illicit alcohol at the very least...)

I will also add that my Manhattan included a flaming orange rind and was one of the smoothest drinks I've ever been served. (The Patterson House lists the cocktails on their menu in order from lightest/easiest to drink to heaviest. The Manhattan made the bottom of the bourbon list!) But the food menu left a little to be desired at this point in the evening, so we ventured to my mainstay--Rumours Wine & Art Bar. (We were craving an artisan cheese plate, and I do love the Drunken Goat that Rumours serves up!)

Tucked cozily into the 12th South neighborhood, Rumours evokes an air of trendiness without trying to hard. At least, I feel that way; others may disagree. But I always feel comfortable there, which cannot be said about every wine bar. With specials that change daily and staples that remain constant, it's easy to find any number of tempting dishes to accompany a glass or 3 from the decent-sized wine list. The prices are relatively manageable (although I have gotten myself into some trouble there before!)

In addition to the cheese, I ordered my other mainstay--the shrimp & grits. Served in a cocktail glass and topped with a balsamic dressing, it was the first meal I ordered at Rumour's East location and the only one I've ordered since. We finished with a slice of Elvis cake (banana nut cake with peanut butter and cream cheese frosting--yum!) which were compliments of the waiter for some reason I'm still unsure of but didn't question because who really wants to turn down Elvis cake?

I'm wondering why I always write these posts at night; now I am hungry but it's time for bed. Maybe I can continue to venture out this weekend or revisit another local favorite I haven't seen for awhile. I'm open to suggestions!

Buon appetito, y'all!