Coffee from a Truck

You know those days when things don't go exactly the way you planned them? When something is not quite right, but when someone asks what is wrong you have nothing specific to say? I felt that way today, and have for awhile actually. Which partially explains my blogging hiatus. (Hiatus? Oh, you didn't notice...well, in that case, forget what I just said and keep reading!) 

Some people (the movie Office Space, the author of The Phantom Tollbooth, wannabe psychologists looking everywhere for a diagnosis) might call this feeling a Case of the Mondays, or The Doldrums, or Seasonal Affective Disorder. Whatever it is, I might have found a cure. At least for today!

Today, I heard about a new food truck. Food trucks seem to be the new cupcakeries of Nashville and I have had great intentions of posting about my favorites and my not-so-faves.

Quick list: 

• Brake For: Hoss' Loaded Burgers, Grilled Cheeserie.
•  Keep Rollin' For: Mere Bulles, Ken's Hot Spot. 
• I'm Looking to Stop For: Mas Tacos, Deg Thai, and Smoke Et Al 

Anyway, thanks to good ole' Twitter, I learned of a new truck today: The Coffee Truck. The perfect thing to cure my Moody Monday. Yes, there are 5-7 great coffee shops within a 5-mile radius of my office that I theoretically could patron anytime I choose. But something about knowing The Coffee Truck was in my vicinity today raised my spirits. So I changed my lunch plans to include a  direct route passed where the mobile coffee shop was parked and off I went. 

The Coffee Truck, courtesy of thecoffeetrucknashville.com

I'd done by research ahead of time and learned that it is run by a passionate bro & sis duo from Costa Rica and the truck boasts a "One Planet, One Coffee" motto. I was immediately impressed by the true coffee house feel the truck exudes. Dark wood cabinets, shiny silver coffee equipment. You'd never  guess this place rolls around Music City! 

The menu offered your standard fare: cappuccinos, lattes, Americanos, etc. All for about $2. I could've gone the more frugal route, but I can get that anywhere! At The Coffee Truck I wanted to try the specialty, so I shelled out $3.57 for Today's Special, the Cubanito. A blend of espresso, sweetened condensed milk, and steamed milk. Automatic pick-me-up!

I was disappointed in the size. 6 (or was it 8?) oz. for $3.57? The other cups were much larger and only $2. But the taste certainly didn't disappoint! (I mean, when you're buying coffee to brighten your mood you want to make sure you get something good, right?) Coming from a girl who typically drinks only black coffee, or a cafe au lait if I'm feeling really frisky, the sweetened condensed milk (Pet Milk) could've been too much sweet. But it was just the right amount to make it stand out from my morning coffee without making me want to bounce off walls. The coffee was rich and left you without a bitter aftertaste. Really, with all the sweet I couldn't have had a much bigger cup, it would've been dangerous. But you'd better believe I savored those 6 oz. of sweetness for a good hour at my desk!

My coffee, Cuban-style!

Apparently The Coffee Truck will be back at Friedman's Army Navy store on 21st Ave. again next Monday. I predict this working out very well for my spirits and not-so-very-well for my spending habits. I do want to return and try the coffee for coffee's sake, not muddle the flavors with rich milks and sugars. Stay tuned, I'll let you know how that goes. 

Until then, drink up! Slow down, and stop for a food truck or two. And be sure to let me know what you like. 

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!

A Coffee Shop For All Seasons

Tucked into bustling Hillsboro Village amongst a handful of other coffee establishments sits an unobtrusive little shop, bare-boned but welcoming. It is simply, Hot & Cold. Another in the city's famed Bongo Java chain, Hot & Cold keeps it simple: hot drinks, cold treats. Sounds like a play on the Dairy Queen slogan, but the result is anything but kitschy.

The small shop is edgy, contemporary, with an almost industrial warehouse-turned-loft vibe. The coffee menu features a few staples and some Fido favorites (the two coffeehouses are on the same block on 21st Ave. S) while the tea and desserts are scrawled in chalk on blackboard paint. The shop serves Partners Tea, made right here in Nashville.

For those with a hankering for something sweet, the cold side of Hot & Cold serves up local favorite Las Paletas (Mexican-style popsicles) and Jeni's Ice Cream. Based in Ohio, Jeni's uses natural ingredients and inventive combinations to create flavors like bourbon butter pecan and sweet potato with marshmallows. Yummy! And what a wonderful treat when paired with Bongo Java's coffee!

Chocolate lovers will enjoy local Olive & Sinclair chocolate either poured atop your ice cream, mixed into your coffee, or simply served in a cup for your sipping enjoyment. Yes, Hot & Cold has a  vat of warmed drinking chocolate. Like espresso, a little goes a long way but is worth the indulgence.

Hot & Cold is not only a great place to get coffee, it's a one-stop shop for several Nashville favorites. If you don't want to wait in the long lines at those other coffee shops in the Village, stop into Hot & Cold for your pick-me-up treat!

The End Notes:

• Friendly staff spend time making sure you get just the drink you're craving--even if you aren't quite sure what it is you're in the mood for!
• Modern atmosphere is fun, but not good for cozying up to discuss great American literature, theological issues, or that group project that's due at the end of the semester. 
• Because of it's location right in the middle of the block on busy 21st Ave. it is near-to-impossible make a special trip to visit Hot & Cold. This place thrives on foot traffic.

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!