Cuppycakes: Dessert You Can Feel Good About

If you are going to treat yourself to dessert, you ought to feel good about the decision, right? That's the philosophy of mother and daughter duo Cathy and Jessica of Cuppycakes bakery, whose motto for their tasty creations is "Cupcakes and confections with a conscience." 

“The business reflects the way we eat ourselves,” Jessica said. “We wanted to set a higher standard for our products to set ourselves apart in the cupcake business.” 

Using locally sourced ingredients, including eggs and milk from Hatcher Dairy, as well as organic and non-GMO ingredients to round out the rest of their recipes, the ladies of Cuppycakes make sweet treats you can feel good about eating. 

Jessica started baking in 2007 as a single mom trying to support her young children. “I loved to bake, and this provided me with a creative outlet as well,” Jessica said.

Cathy and Jessica of Cuppycakes Bakery

When mom Cathy joined her daughter’s efforts in 2008, bringing candies, homemade marshmallows, and truffle pots to the menu, Cuppycakes was born. 

The pair sell their treats primarily through delivery orders, but you can find them every week at the 12th South Farmers Market on Tuesdays, the Thompson’s Station Farmers Market on Wednesdays, and the West End Farmers Market on Vine Street on Saturdays. Amerigo in Cool Springs features one of the speciality cupcakes on its Farmers Market menu as well. 

There are several different varieties on sale at the market, and the flavors rotate weekly. At least two gluten-free options are included in the weekly rotation. Cupcakes go for $3.25 each, or in a pack of 4 for $12. Truffle Pots, Cathy’s personal favorite, sell for $3.50 each. Cookies, handmade marshmallows, cookies and other goodies range in price from $1.50-$4.00.

Ask Jessica which of her cupcake varieties is her favorite, and she almost immediately responds with “Little Lamby,” a coconut cupcake, frosted and topped with toasted coconut. This little treat will be making its market debut this week, so be sure to try one while you can. 

For more information, visit www.cuppycakesbakery.com.

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.

Marathons and Marché

This past weekend was the annual Country Music Marathon here in Nashville. It was also one of the rainiest days since the May Flood of 2010, or at least it seemed that way to those of us trying to run, walk, or wade through the flash flood waters on Saturday. I did not run the race because I was too busy snuggling under a blanket on my couch, watching it rain and feeling miserable. (I can only imagine the misery of those who did run--congrats to all of you on your determination and endurance!)

I had friends in town who had braved the elements to complete the half-marathon on Saturday. To celebrate their accomplishments and help them explore the city, we decided to brunch on Sunday before they left town. As I have mentioned at least five times before in this space, I love brunch. It's easily my favorite meal of the day.

For this brunching occasion, we ventured outside my usual repertoire and visited Marché in the Five Points area of East Nashville. Although we arrived at 10:30, which I would consider on the earlier side of the brunch hour, we had to wait for nearly 45 minutes to be seated. This proved to not be that problematic, as the staff at Marché allows you to purchase a bottle of bubbly to sip on while you wait! Forget diluting the sparkling wine with OJ for a mimosa, we went straight for the Prosecco. The runners deserved it, and I just needed to support them, right?

Brunch at Marche: Strata, Salad, & Potatoes

Waiting also gave us the opportunity to watch and smell every delectable dish that was brought out of the kitchen. Between the French pastries and the locally sourced bacon and eggs, it was going to be hard to make a decision!

When we sat down at the cozy table, we were ready to make our decisions. Although the five of us crowded around the small table was a little tight, we were just relieved to be sitting. We were able to bring our opened bottle of bubbly to the table with us. Our waiter was great--he had such a fun personality, which is sometimes rare when a restaurant is busy.

To start, we shared a Strawberry and Marscapone Tartine, which was a thick slice of crusty French bread, generously spread with marscapone cheese and topped with fresh berries drizzled in balsamic vinegar. Delicious! (And easily duplicated in your own kitchen.)

Brûléed Grapefruit

I opted for a strata of andouille sausage, onions, peppers, and cheddar cheese. The strata was denser than I expected and the meat and veggies were chopped finely, in order to taste all of it in every bite. I ordered a side of roasted red potatoes to supplement the strata and the side of greens served with each entree, making for a colorful and wonderful meal.

The jewel of everyone else's meal was the brûléed grapefruit. Not being a grapefruit fan, I didn't order any, but I have to admit that the caramelized, sugary coating did make for a beautiful and enticing piece of fruit.

Though the wait was long, it was worth it. The food was fresh, locally sourced, and quite good. Don't try to brunch at Marché  if you are in a rush or need to catch an airplane. But if you have time to slow down, sit, and savor your food, set your sights on Marché. And if the wait gets too long, you can always go to the counter and buy a croissant and a bottle of champagne to tide you over. Talk about an affordable luxury! You'll feel like a little piece of a French bistro has fallen right into the middle of East Nashville.

Pub 5 Preview

I've been wanting to try the new Pub 5 downtown on 5th Ave. On Saturday, we waded through rainwater and Parrot Heads in town for the Jimmy Buffet concert to test it out. I am not sorry we did!

I will post more later, but I wanted to offer a peek inside. I'm in love with the architecture, the accessories, and the overall vibe this place evokes. As I tweeted on-location on Saturday night, it's a great atmosphere in which to drink some pretty great (craft) beer.

Inside view of Pub 5 on 5th Ave., Nashville

A Southern Brunch at The Southern

Since its opening last year, it's seemed as though Nashville was all abuzz over The Southern Steak & Oyster restaurant in the bottom of The Pinnacle building downtown. I admittedly did not visit for quite some time because I feared it was a little too snobby for my taste.

Also, I placed too much emphasis on the oyster bar portion of this place and turned my nose up at the idea. Despite the amounts of gulf coast sale water that swim through my veins, I just really can't bring myself to swallow the slippery, horseradish-spiced bivalves. And, since I know you're going to ask, yes, I have tried them Rockefellered and Bienvilled and Orange Beached (which is the term I use for fried and served up po' boy-style) and I just can't bring myself to love them.

All that to say that it took me quite a few months to finally patron The Southern. And once I did, I immediately wondered what took me so long. We went for brunch, which has become my favorite meal of the day. Good brunches should be long and lingering and involve many bottles of mimosas.

The Southern delivered on that ideal. Although housed in a relatively new Downtown building, the atmosphere and the black-and-white tiled floor tricks you into thinking the place has been there for ages. The seating is comfortable, and the large windows give a great view of the street outside.

The brunch menu includes carafes of mimosas for $14. Our group of 8 shared several carafes equally; a much better deal than paying $4 per glass. (Which is actually a decent price for a brunch beverage in this city.)  Plus, who doesn't love their own carafe of champagne cocktails at their table? Others at the table raved about the Bloody  Mary, but that is another foodstuff I just can't swallow. So I'll take their word for it.

The brunch menu featured so many delicious items, I could hardly settle on any one dish. I finally opted for a southernized version of a classic: traditional eggs Benedict with a large slab of southern-fried ham atop golden fried green tomatoes. Served with a side of biscuits and honey, it was a perfect choice for a blustery February morning.

Eggs Benedict atop Fried Green Tomatoes 

The downside to this delicious meal, though, was the service. We did make reservations, which I highly recommend, so the wait up front was not unbearable. However, our server really started slacking toward the end of the meal and took forever to refill our drinks and bring our checks. We had all reached that miserably full point (for which the only cure is stretching out on the couch), and we were more than ready to surrender our table to those waiting outside. But it took nearly 20 minutes for him to bring our checks and collect our payments. 

I won't let the less-than-stellar service keep me from returning, though. The food was pretty darn good!

Southern Speciality on Ice: Izzie's Ice

We had the 2nd Edition of Food Truck Friday at work yesterday. I missed the food part (I'd made other lunch plans) but wanted a refreshing treat on such a hot day. (Seriously--it's really already nearing triple digits? It's not even July yet!)

Luckily, Izzie's Ice was on hand.

This 100% natural, preservative-free Italian ice cart that serves up refreshing frozen sweets. If you've never had it, Italian ice is smooth and creamy like frozen yogurt or gelato but not milk-based. (Think of it almost like very finely chopped snow cone.)

On Friday, Izzie's was serving up lemon, mango, and peaches and cream, among several other flavors. The peaches and cream was made with coconut milk, which gave it an interesting twist on a standard flavor. The sample was delicious! However, I opted for mint tea, a Southern speciality. I'm not kidding when I say it was "iced" tea mixed with fresh mint. So yummy and refreshing!

Izzie's Ice mint tea ice!

Izzie's serves up 3 sizes--small, medium, and large--for $3, $4, or $5, respectively. The generous portions and unlimited free samples make it worth the price. (By comparison, those ubiquitous fro-yo shops charge at least that much and all the toppings aren't nearly as healthy!)

Next time you see the little orange ice cart under the perky umbrella, be sure to stop and sample some of Izzie's Italian Ice. You'll feel refreshed right away. A perfect summer treat!

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

Up for a Challenge?

A fellow Nashville-area food-blog writer & Twitterer has thrown down the proverbial gauntlet when she challenged her community (both on-land and online) to dedicate themselves to eating local during the entire month of August. Why? Well, to support our local economy and reduce our dependence on oil, of course!

Mary's dare, appropriately dubbed the Eat Local Challenge, encourages participants to devote one month to eating only food that originated within 150 miles of their location.

Her rules are simple: shop at farmers' markets, fruit stands, or the local section of your grocery store, striving to only buy 10% of your groceries from the actual grocery store. She adds that this 10% should be organic when possible and something not available at farmers' markets, like sugar. And, if you can't cook at home, eat at a locally-owned restaurant serving locally-grown food.

This challenge intrigues me. As you know, this blog has opened my eyes to all the locally-owned restaurant options in town, and I'm drawn to those that choose to serve Middle Tennessee food. I also enjoy farmers' markets and love that several are popping up all over town. (12th South, 100 Oaks, Woodbine, and Vanderbilt are just a few in my vicinity.)  Mary also encourages those accepting her challenge to document the process, the obstacles, the struggles, and the rewards. I already document when I eat at locally-owned restaurants, so I've got that part down.

So here it is: I'm thinking of accepting this challenge. As I type, my mind has already started thinking of places to go for some basics like bread and coffee. But then I start to question. What would I eat for breakfast? Locally grown eggs? Toast? What about the peanut butter and Nutella currently occupying the shelves in my pantry? Where would I get milk?

I also wonder if I would have time for this, as I feel like it would take extra effort to plan my shopping trips. But the benefit could be huge! I would supporting small business owners, reducing my carbon footprint (unless I have to drive further to markets, in which case I could see it being counter-productive).

Also, what would the cost of this undertaking be? In theory, I think it would save me money, as fruits and veggies that don't have to be shipped from California or Florida are naturally going to be less expensive. But would I have to pay more for hand-made pasta at Lazzaroli's or the cow I'm going to have to milk?

Now I want to know: what do you think? Would you support me if I embarked on this adventure? Would you join me and accept the Eat Local Challenge for yourself?

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!

Shamrocks and Shenanigans

What would the beginning of March be without an authentic Americanized celebration of an Irish tradition? Namely that of St. Patrick's Day? Ask the average green-eyed reveler and he'd probably tell you not celebrating St. Paddy's Day would be un-American. (Yes, the irony has been duly noted.)

In the name of tradition and patriotism and epicurean curiosity, our trio from work ventured to McNamara's Irish Pub in Donelson. Rumored to have been opened by an authentic Irishman, the restaurant's namesake was actually born in New Orleans and raised outside Manhattan, but he brings his love of music and songwriting to the tiny stage at McNamara's, performing live Irish folk songs every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. (As a side note: the band, Nosey Flynn declares itself to be the preeminent Nashville-based Irish music group.)

As this is a food blog and not one covering the multitude of music venues in this town, let us return to the dining experience. One must be aware upon choosing to dine at McNamara's on the weekend evening, though, that these two are not mutually exclusive.

Having heard of this restaurant from a faithful coworker, I was expecting something dark and dingy from her description of the cozy atmosphere punctuated by loud traditional Irish songs. What I got upon entering the historic white Southern home off Old Lebanon Pike was shockingly different. It wasn't dark. It wasn't exactly cozy. It felt less Irish and more like the old Southern family-style restaurants my parents carted us to as kids.

But I'm game for just about anything, so we sat down at our reserved table in the music room (yes, reservations are recommended if you want to be up close and intimate with the band) and I began to peruse the drink menu. Unlike our normal stomps whose cocktails are fancy and flirty, this drink menu contained two of my favorite standards: beer and whiskey. I opted for Irish beer, since I don't often have the opportunity to drink it. A pint of Smithwick's. Yummy!

For dinner, I wanted to try one of the more authentic-sounding dishes, like Sheperd's Pie or Bangers and Mash (confession: I didn't actually know what Bangers and Mash consisted of, so I shied away from them) but I settled for the Wicklow's Pork Chops, served with mashed potatoes and broccoli and rice casserole. Actually I think it was supposed to come with parsnips, but again, not trying something I don't actually know how to eat! So I subbed a side. For dessert, I had McNamara's signature bread pudding with a whiskey river sauce.

It was all good. I won't deny that. And my dish came with two pork chops; the leftovers made a nice meal later! But I'm inclined to think the best part was the Smithwick's. Laura had ordered the Sheperd's Pie, which looked delicious, warm, and comforting. Beth ordered the hearty Irish stew. No one complained about their order, though not that I could have heard them over the outrageously loud and enthusiastic Irish folk music that started up triumphantly during the middle of our dinner. The band was fun and encouraged dancing. They even took requests! Note to self: learn the names of some Irish folk songs to request. The 2-3 lines of "Molly Malone" quoted throughout A Tree Grows in Brooklyn probably didn't count...

I feel like it was all a bit of fanfare to cover up a decent menu. If I lived in Donelson, I might go more often. Apparently their lunch specials are great. But I am not convinced it was worth the drive across town for something I've had that tasted just as good, maybe better, from my mom's own kitchen. And she grew up in Alabama!

The End Notes:

• If you're on the northeast side of town and hungry for lunch check out McNamara's. 
• If you're hosting fun-loving out-of-town guests and white tablecloths and linen napkins aren't really their style, then check out McNamara's. 
• If you're interested in the music and the Irish beer, check out McNamara's.
• If you're none of the above, maybe check out somewhere else. 

Rude!

Sometimes the art of dining well is nothing more than dining for free. So with a bare pantry and a coupon for McDonald's new fruit and maple oatmeal in hand, I knew I should swing through the drive-thru this morning for a power breakfast.

I was thrilled that the drive-thru line was empty at 8:00 on a weekday morning. I quickly figured out why. When I drove up, the lady said (in some form of English), "We're not taking drive-thru orders for 5 more minutes." Odd, but ok. It probably would've been hard to cash in my coupon for free food at the window anyway. So I swung into a parking spot and quickly made my way to the door. But I was almost run over by a maniac who was speeding away from the window, screaming profanities at the woman in the window, and generally not paying attention to pedestrians. That woman was obviously  upset about the 5-minute break and needed her coffee or sausage biscuit or something.

Inside, there was no line, no one looked very busy, and people were cheerful. I can't understand why they were taking a drive-thru break. They could have at least explained it. It was nothing worth screaming ugly words about at 8 a.m. On a much smaller level, I agree with the crazed driver. Really? You're just gonna shut down the drive-thru with no explanation? Ridiculous! Now I know why I prefer to get breakfast from the local coffee shop instead of the fast-food joint.

On a food-related note, I kinda like the oatmeal. I could eat my Irish oatmeal with brown sugar, almonds, Craisins, and yellow raisins almost every day, so I don't mind that McD's version has Craisins, dark and light raisins, red and green apples, and a hint of maple. But I can see how if you're used to your maple & brown sugar instant Quaker, then you might not like it. But for $1.99, it's a better alternative to those burritos or biscuits.

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!