Month: September 2015

Honky Tonk – Nashville, TN

It doesn’t matter if you have been to Broadway a hundred times or visiting for the first time – the sounds of country music pull you in every direction. Where do you start? It can be so overwhelming but it doesn’t have to be because you can’t go wrong with any choice. So just follow the crowds and see where they lead you.

On my adventure, I was lead to Honky Tonk. It’s 3 levels of open windows and balconies – reminding me of a place in the French Quarter in New Orleans.

As soon as I walked in I was greeted to my first live band – playing a Florida/Georgia Line hit song. Already I knew the vibe was going to be fun. Tons of people dancing and singing on the dance floor, with many more surrounding the bar.

I danced my way over to the bar to order something – but I wanted something new, since traveling to me is all about trying something new. I asked the bartender what she recommended and her suggestion was a “Bushwacker”. After laughing at the name, I tried it an WOW – it was like a chocolate frosty – but the adult version. It was perfect for a hot afternoon. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys something sweet.

Now that I had my drink I started exploring. I headed up to the 2nd floor. To my surprise there was a completely different band playing, and it wasn’t country music. They were covering a wide variety of artists. Plus the 3rd floor offered yet another option for live music.

I worked my way over to the balconies since this is what grabbed my attention outside. Let me just say AMAZING! The view was a spectacular way to see up and down Broadway.  All the people, car, and neon lights – right there in front of you. Other people on the balcony were yelling down at the people on the sidewalks – all that was missing was the Mardi Gras beads. Just in my 30 minutes there I counted 5 bachelorette parties and 1 bachelor party.

If you love people watching and listening to live music you have to check this place out. Go to their website: www.honkytonkcentral.com to see the music schedule.

Enjoy!

T

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Puckett’s Grocery – Nashville, TN

Having to be at a convention when you are in Nashville is kind of a bummer – but being close to great places for lunch helps. Just a quick walk from the convention center to Church Street I found Puckett’s Grocery. The crowd of patrons eating outside was a clear indication that I picked the right place.

I was hungry but didn’t know that I wanted. As I walked thru the big wooden door, the first thing I saw was the specials blackboard with the daily special of a southern favorite – FRIED CHICKEN.  I knew right away that I had to try this. The breading was crispy and kept in all moisture so that the chicken stayed nice and juicy.

Puckett’s also had a great drink menu with several original creations. I decided to try the “Nashcow Mule” – which was made with gin from the local distillery (Corsair), grapefruit juice, ginger ale, & St. Germain. It was so refreshing with the taste of the grapefruit juice that it made me feel like I should be sitting on a beach.

Check out their website at: www.puckettsgro.com

Enjoy!

T

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Culhane’s Irish Pub – Atlantic Beach, FL

I was passing through Jacksonville, Florida and wanted to check out Culhane’s Irish Pub. I had heard about them on the Food Network’s show Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives.

One of my favorite Irish foods is Scotch Eggs, which is a hard boiled egg wrapped in a thin layer of sausage and then fried. It’s a great appetizer and not all Irish pubs have them on the menu. So when I heard that Culhane’s did have it on the menu, I knew I had to go try them.

I was not disappointed – the sausage had great flavor and was just the right portion to go with the size of the egg. Since this was just an appetizer I had to try the classic Sheppard’s Pie. It was great, especially since they honored my request to make sure the potatoes were nice and crispy on top.

To add to the fun of the evening, it was trivia night. Fun entertainment and good food made for a great time! Check out their website at:  www.culhanesirishpub.com

Enjoy!

T

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Arnold’s – Nashville, TN

A friend of mine who works in Nashville told me I had to try Arnold’s the next time I was in town. I was warned that I needed to get there early for lunch because they are known for long-lines out the door.

Arnold’s is the classic southern Meat & 3 place (but I ended up getting the smaller version, Meat & 2). I was lucky to be there on a Friday because one of their menu items was chicken and dumplings. I knew I had to try this since I have loved chicken and dumplings ever since my dad had me try them on a trip to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee when I was younger.

It came in a nice size bowl and not a single drop was left because I used the home made corn bread to wipe the bowl. They had so many sides to try it was hard for me to narrow it down, so I asked the server for their recommendations. He did a great job in suggesting the homemade mac & cheese and the green beans that were cooked with nice pieces of salty bacon.

I was lucky enough to meet the owner when I was there. He was very nice and  took a picture with me and of course gave me a hard time because I am a Gator.  We also got photobombed in by the server who suggested my side dishes. It really seems like everyone has a fun time working there.

Check them out at www.arnoldscountrykitchen.com for their list of daily menu items. Even if there is a line, it’s worth the wait.

Enjoy!

T

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Cafe Coyote – Old Town San Diego, CA

San Diego has tons of great Mexican restaurants to choose from but when I was out there visiting some friends, they brought me to Cafe Coyote in Old Town. Old Town is considered the birthplace of California because it is the site of the first permanent Spanish settlement.

Naturally you can’t have Mexican food without enjoying a house made margarita – and not a small one. At Cafe Coyote they make them huge! It tasted wonderful with the homemade tortilla chips and fresh salsa.

We sat outside on the patio so we could enjoy the sunny San Diego weather. We also had built in entertainment as we watched the ladies make homemade tortillas right there on the sidewalk. It was perfect for passer-bys who just wanted a quick snack instead of coming into the restaurant.   The tortillas were so light and yummy that I ended up eating so many I didn’t need to order an entree.

Visiting Old Town is a must for all of it’s rich history and you will definitely work up an appetite walking around so make sure to stop by Cafe Coyote.  Checkout their website at: www.cafecoyoteoldtown.com

Enjoy!

T

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Scalloping – Steinhatchee, Florida

As you know I love going out and trying new foods. However, I also love cooking myself.

My favorite time of year is scallop season in Florida, usually July thru September. Every year I go out with family and friends to gather up fresh scallops and have a cookout. They can be hard to find in the water, they like to hide between all the sea grass. You definitely have to work for them, but it is worth all the work when you are eating them.

They are super easy to cook – just a little butter and garlic helps brings out the sweet flavor of the scallop. Since bay scallops are small they cool in just a few minutes. If you over cook them they can get tough. And they are super easy to freeze so that you can enough them after scallop season is over.

If you are interested in more information about scalloping in Florida get all the details on the Florida Recreational Regulations at www.myfwc.com

Enjoy,

T

 

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The Colonnade Restaurant – Atlanta, Georgia

The Colonnade is one of the oldest restaurants in Atlanta.  During the week they are only open for dinner. On Saturday’s they are open for lunch, so I knew I had to take advantage of the opportunity.

I was really hungry for fried chicken and I was told that The Colonnade has fantastic chicken fried chicken that would surely satisfy my craving. When my dish came out I couldn’t believe how big the piece of chicken was. I knew I wouldn’t be able to finish it, but hey, that’s what doggie bags are for!

The chicken was so crispy and juicy. I didn’t even need to use the country gravy because the favor was so impactful but I wouldn’t be a good southern girl if I didn’t have some of the chicken with the gravy.

In keeping with the tradition of a classic diner, at the end of lunch my waiter came by with the dessert that came along with the meal. You can’t go wrong with an ice cream sundae and vanilla cake!

The Colonnade has a large diverse menu so if you are planning on checking them out make sure you are hungry since there are so many items to choose from. Check them out on their Facebook Page: Colonnade Restaurant, Inc.

Enjoy!

T

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Welcome to Gator Girl – Out of the Swamp

I want to keep my blog simple and to the point. So to start, you can call me T. I love traveling across the US and the world. One of my favorite things to do when traveling is enjoying local cuisine, while taking in the sights. The best places to go to are what the locals recommend. In my experience they always seem to have the best suggestions. But you also can’t go wrong with suggestions from television and magazines. If it looks good and sounds good, I have to try it.

I have been to many places across the USA but I have not been to every state yet. My goal is to hit at least one place from each of the 50 states.

I hope you enjoy my thoughts on where I have been. I want to share those experiences  with people and hope it inspires everyone to get out there and explore the world around us, even in our own back yards.

Enjoy!

T

Gator Girl - Out of the Swamp