At the Copacabana

Those in search of a good bargain and girly gossip should pencil themselves in at Cabana on any given Wednesday night for Girls' Night Out. Every week, the cool Hillsboro Village hotspot opens its doors to gaggles of girls hoping to take advantage of $5 appetizers and $3 martinis. Yes, guys are allowed to come, but don’t suggest this as a first date; she’ll know you’re cheap!

On a recent Wednesday and sporting a sassy new hair ‘do, I met a friend for a much-needed catch-up sesh at Cabana. We were seated not in a cabana, but at one of the first cocktail tables inside the door. These tables were low to the ground and looked cute and cozy, but the oversized chairs were so oversized they were nearly impossible to sit in. Katie and I both had to sit on the very edge of our seats to even have a conversation. 

Seating situation aside, the night was fun and cheap. We sipped French martinis and munched on Cabana’s house-made chips topped with crumbles of gorgonzola and paired with a creamy cheesy dipping sauce. The drinking and the chatting caught up with us, though, so we ended up splitting a Margherita pizza. Even still, our bill was less than $20 with tip. (Note: the restaurant suggests over-tipping for the drastic price cuts. I couldn’t decide if this suggestion was necessary or not. Tacky? Or helpful? I’m leaning toward tacky... However, I did tip generously because our waitress was so good at her job. She had the right amount of balance between checking in on us and leaving us alone, which I greatly appreciated.)

The End Notes:

• For a fairly-priced and fun happy hour, head to Cabana on a Wednesday night.
• Great for a celebration of birthdays, promotions, anniversaries, or any other occasion worth celebrating. Even if you’re just excited you survived Hump Day.
• Valet parking makes navigating Hillsboro Village easier!

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...

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.)

The House of Illicit Liquors

 For the past few weeks, I've been receiving updates from my gin-loving coworker (the man wrote a Hendrick's haiku!) about the building of a new establishment that was to become The Holland House Bar & Refuge, a Patterson House for the East side.

Today, while Twittering, I noticed The Holland House is now open for business and offering daily Chalkboard Specials. Who can turn down a $5 Gin Rickey? Not this girl. So I called up an East Nashville friend and convinced her to meet me there for an after-work drink.

Although the drive across the river was stressful, I'm glad I made the trip because the experience was worth it. (Note to those unfamiliar with West Eastland--there is no sign distinguishing The Holland House, just the chalkboard out front.) I arrived first and grabbed a seat on the patio, where I struck up a conversation with the owners/head mixologist Case and Terrell. Case had a great mustache that curled on the edges and an accent I couldn't quite place. (Given the name--maybe Dutch???) Terrell is apparently quite creative, as he lends his name to several of the cocktails on the menu.

The Holland House offers a Chalkboard Special daily until 6:30 p.m., even on Fridays and Saturdays. (Next to valet parking, weekend happy hours are my favorite perk!) Today's list featured $5 gin rickies and gimlets, margaritas & mojitos, $3 high-gravity German beer, 1/2-priced wines, and 1/2-priced "snacks". Yep, that's how they're listed on the menu. "Snacks." Love it!

All cocktails are crafted in the style of the 1890s to the 1930s and are primarily concocted of gin, bourbon, or whisky. My trifecta! In fact, only one vodka and rum cocktail appeared on the menu. Katie ordered the Rum Swizzle which looked delightful but lacked sand and waves. I got the Rickey and we split some fried deliciousness with edamame sauce and fried vegetable deliciousness with garlic aioli sauce.

Our "Snacks":

My Gin Rickey:

I've been asked to compare The Holland House to its Midtown counterpart The Patterson House.

Here goes:

• Appearances:
• HH is housed in an old brick building which looks unimpressive from the outside but feels like a piece of an old mansion has been sliced off the historic registry and placed in the middle of East Nashville for us all to enjoy. With a four-sided bar in the middle, a longer bar in the back and chair rails for standing, milling about, and talking, the owners have anticipated the crowds yet to come.
• PH is housed in an actual old house, which you have to know of in order to find, and is tucked behind a blue curtain, like a true speakeasy. The interior resembles a library, with its dark, cozy booths and low lighting. PH also has a four-sided bar, but no place for milling about, as standing is prohibited in this Prohibition-era bar.
• Atmosphere:
• HH felt like any other bar from the outside, but I'd need to go back in the evening and sit inside to get the true HH experience. It definitely evokes an East Nashville vibe, but mixes in class with an abundance of crystal chandeliers, wooden accents, and private booths that would make a great environment for nearly any occasion.
• PH feels like a secret, like maybe you really will need a password to enter. The booths are also cozy, but I wouldn't go to PH for just any celebration. I personally think it's best for a date. A really romantic date.
• Cocktails:
• HH offers cocktails made mostly of gin, bourbon, and whisky but many include fruit. With the exception of the Chalkboard Specials, wines, and beers, all cocktails are $10.
• PH offers cocktails distinguished by spirit and listed in order from smoothest to most potent. The menu also features classic cordials and many concoctions featuring raw eggs. Cocktails are more a dollar or 2 more.
• Menu: 
• HH features a full dinner menu with snacks, small plates, salads, entrees, and desserts. Snacks range from $5-9 and entrees from $12-19. Cocktails are designed to complement the food.
• PH features small plates, which are actually quite small and not intended to substitute for dinner. These plates also highlight the cocktails, and are complementary in price to The Holland House.
• Both HH and PH mixologist wear period attire and both feature boutique ice to enhance the drinks. Both would love your business. 

The End Notes:

• Regardless of your location in town or your feelings towards Prohibition-era cocktails, you should venture cross-Cumberland to West Eastland and sip a signature drink. Go after work for a special deal, try out dinner, or end a special evening with a nightcap.
• Despite this post, I hope The Holland House will come into its own and not be perpetually compared to The Patterson House. Is Nashville big enough for 2 turn-of-the-20th-century cocktail lounges? I can't say.  You'll have to visit and make up your own mind about its worth. I suggest you go sooner rather than later.

I know why the Russians drink Vodka

If you lived in a snowy tundra, you'd need something to keep yourself warm, too! That's why, in the middle of Winter Storm Watch 2010, it was a nice surprise to find $5 vodka cocktails that warmed my soul. Although I'm not normally a fan of vodka (I'm more of a bourbon and gin girl myself), I am a fan of a bargain. And I'd say 1/2-price signature drinks at a swanky midtown bar qualify as such.

I trekked out in the cold this week to meet a friend for the start of our new tradition of standing Happy Hour dates.We kicked it off at Virago, Midtown's Asian fushion/sushi bar. Sushi is something I don't normally eat, but the Happy Hour menu contains none of that. Much like its sister restaurant, Lime, the happy hour menu features several choices for $5 each. Unlike Lime's happiest hours, Virago's cocktail specials run from 5-7 p.m.


The menu offers several signature cocktails, some vodka-based, others anchored in champagne; a house red and white wine, and an appetizer or two. I tried the Bellinitini (like a traditional Bellini but made with Stoli Peach vodka instead of champagne) and Julie had the White Cosmo, which had the taste of a regular Cosmo, only the bartender used cranberry-flavored vodka instead of the cranberry juice. Beautiful!


If you need a little nibble with your cocktail, the tempura (flash-fried veggies) are also only $5 or $6 and are plenty enough for 2. We opted for the green beans with a soy and peanut sauce, but Virago also offers mushrooms, asparagus, and sweet potatoes (I'd have liked to try those!). So, 1 cocktail and an appetizer split down the middle can get you a nice little after-work treat for under $10. And help warm you up for the drive home in the cold car!


You don't have to be a sushi fan to find something delicious at Virago. With its low lighting, hand-painted cocktail tables, and friendly wait staff, it seems like the right choice for any number of occasions. I can't wait to go back! Anyone wanna join?


Stay warm, 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!