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. 

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! 

Brew You!

One of the best-kept secrets in our city is not the Yazoo beer itself; many a loyal Nashvillian enjoys a pint of Dos Perros, Pale Ale, or Hefeweizen at his favorite venue. But the secret is the tour of the brewery. After outgrowing its original location at Marathon Village, the well-loved beer company has moved to The Gulch and wants to show off its new home to thirsty locals and tourists alike.

In this warehouse on Division Street, Linus Hall brews up 6-8 different natural, preservative-free beers. And every Saturday from 2:30-6:30, Linus and his crew show off these beers and the brewing process in a fun, energetic tour. The brewery tour guide Kelly is as full of energy as she is knowledge and makes the 50-min. tour both entertaining and enlightening. Tourists walk amongst the actual tanks, tubes, and testing sites where all varieties of Yazoo are made. Oh, and they get to taste-test the beer too!

For only $6, visitors to the Yazoo Brewery get a tour, a souvenir glass, and 3 samples of beer. So as not to ruin the experience for you, I won't give all the details, but I will say this beer-loving girl loved it! This tour is one of the best values I've come across lately.

Hefeweizen in a Yazoo souvenir glass from the brewery tour!

Now, the weekend I chose to tour the brewery, it was slammed. This tour is widely popular and limited to a small group to keep it intimate and not overwhelming. My date and I made 3 different trips before finally getting our tour tickets for the 5:30 show. Of course, the Monday after we toured, the shop added an option to reserve your tour tickets online. Tickets can only be reserved for the following Saturday, but this option is much better than waiting in the long, long line hoping you make it into the winning group. (On our third trip, when we were finally walking in with our tour tickets in hand, I couldn't help feeling a little bit like Charlie Bucket on my way to Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory.)

While you wait for your tour (or if your 3 samples serve to whet your appetite for more), spend some time in the Yazoo Taproom, where you can sample the 6 different beers on tap for just  $8 or have a pint of your favorite drink. The taproom is open Thursdays and Fridays from 4-8 p.m. for an after-work drink and Saturdays from 2-8 p.m. As the weather starts to warm up, the taproom's patio will surely be a popular watering hold. To add to the local color, order up a plate of local cheeses to go with your brew. Got a growler? Come by anytime the taproom is open to get a refill. The taproom is open for growler fills on Wednesdays from 4-6 p.m. so you don't have to wait til the weekend to open your own Yazoo at home.

Next time you need to entertain out-of-town guests or just want to something different to do on the weekend, head over to The Gulch and reserve your spot on the Yazoo Brewery tour. I challenge you to find a better way to spend $6 in Music City.

The End Notes:

• Yazoo Brewery Tours are a great value but online reservations are highly recommended to ensure your spot on the tour.
• Tour guide Kelly is spunky and will make you think twice next time you order a draught at your favorite happy hour.
• Fun for out-of-towners looking for a little taste of Nashville. (As a side note, also makes a great date spot!)
• Yazoo beer is now sold in grocery stores throughout Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi so your neighbors can enjoy Yazoo at home too!

Fried Rice & a Smile

I often complain about the lack of food options in my Berry Hill neighborhood, but I have a rather lengthy list of establishments I have yet to patron. One of those being The Smiling Elephant, a quaint Thai restaurant on 8th Ave. S. that touts itself as the "best Pad Thai restaurant in Nashville."

This is one place I have driven by multiple times, often overlooked, and eagerly waited to try. That day finally came! A few weeks ago, a wonderful email appeared in my inbox. The boss was making a run to The Smiling Elephant, did anyone want to place an order? Yes, please!

I ordered the Chicken Fried Rice, a safe yet authentic-seeming Thai dish. When she arrived, my to-go box was overflowing with jasmine rice teeming with tomatoes, carrots, onions, eggs, cilantro, a spicy green that my uneducated tongue can not identify, and of course, fresh chicken. The lime slice garnish set the flavors in motion. With every bite, I felt the dish got better and better. It was one of those dining experiences when you know you should stop eating half-way through and save the rest for later, but it was all so good I just could not stop myself. It was rather embarrassing, so I was grateful to be eating alone at my desk.

Cut to last weekend, when a friend was visiting from out of town. We essentially ate our way through Music City, sampling everything from Italian to German to gussied-up American, to down home country cookin'. We were ready for something of a different variety. When Jenn suggested Asian, I knew The Smiling Elephant was the place to take her. I was excited to finally get to visit the tiny spot.

And tiny it was! In fact, the fire codes only allow for 30 people at a time! Upon entering, I felt like I'd been transformed to a Thai palace. Guests sit so close to each other that each is barely afforded the elbow room to use the chop sticks. In lieu of chairs, each table has small square benches, which made the "What to do with my coat?" question interesting. (Most folks sat on theirs!) The service was fast and friendly, despite the crowds. The flair on the walls described the Thai culture and traditional Thai meals. Ethnic and quaint without being overwhelming or making you feel as though you don't belong there.

The End Notes:

• If dining here on the weekend, arrive early! It got quite crowded by 6:30 p.m.
• Lunch is reasonably priced ($8.95) but I felt I got less food at dinner for more money ($10.95). 
• Definitely a good option and worth the drive from any part of town!

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!

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!