Tag: Nashville

A road trip to Nashville, that is what popped into my head. I love the city and I missed it. There are so many things to do. I love walking up and down Broadway, watching all the people and mesmerized by the neon lights.

I checked out a restaurant that was a little off Broadway called City Tap. It was an easy walk. As soon as I got close to the entrance I could smell their brick oven pizza. The aroma filled the air.

The restaurant was beautiful inside.

    

I decided to sit at the high top tables in the bar area. They had a huge nice screen TV over the bar and the best view was from the table.

Since I was visiting City Tap on a Sunday I got to enjoy their brunch menu. One of their brunch offerings was a carafe of sparkling sangria.

This extremely tall carafe was filled with sparkling wine, spiced Malbec syrup, and loaded with fresh raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries. It was not too sweet. The sparkling wine was more on the brut side. The fresh fruit added a lot of the sweetness. The blueberries were the sweetest I have ever had.

To go along with my sangria I ordered their Really Big Pretzel. They were NOT kidding about the size. This pretzel was 10 pounds of sweet dough.

The pretzel was soft on the inside. They had salted the outside to help balance the flavor. It came with a maple-bourbon mustard. The mustard was slightly sweet and had large mustard seeds that added texture. There was also a white ale cheddar sauce. The cheese was slightly creamy and had a little tangy aftertaste.

My server Logan recommended I try the Charred Brussels Sprouts. The sprouts were extra flakey and the leaves were crispy. I had never had sprouts quite like this before. It turns out that after they were sautéed, the brussels sprouts were then dropped in the fryer. That is how the leaves got that crispy.

There were a few pomegranate seeds on top. They added sweetness. The brussels sprouts were also tossed in a white miso sauce. It added a rich flavor. It was a little overwhelming because it was a little too much.

By this point I had finished the sangria. I wanted to try another cocktail. I went for The Whitehead Tart.

This concoction blended Papas Pilar Blonde rum, lime juice, grapefruit juice, black raspberry liqueur, and simple syrup. This drink was served in a gimlet glass which felt fancy to me. I do not get many cocktails served like this. These blended flavors were not overly sweet and slightly tart. It was actually deliciously smooth. It was also accented with a very sweet blueberry.

I ordered one last thing while I was there. I wanted to make sure I tried one of their brick oven pizzas. They offered some classic combinations like sausage and mushroom but I was intrigued to try the Prosciutto and Fig.

This thin crust pizza did not have traditional pizza sauce on it. There was a layer of stilton blue cheese and fontina with parma prosciutto on top. There were swirls of orange-fig jam all around the cheese. Piled in the center was arugula and shaved parmesan cheese.

With all the cheeses and prosciutto on this pizza there was a salt, savory taste. The arugula added an earthy flavor with a hint of pepper. The orange-fig jam was a welcomed sweet note to the pizza. This sweetness actually pulled the entire flavor profile together. It was a sweet/savory delight.

I ended up being at City Tap for a few hours. I really enjoyed my visit. I would definitely want to go back because Logan (my server) was telling me about all the daily specials that they have each week.

If you are interested in getting away from the crowds on Broadway check out City Tap. You can view all their food and cocktail menus at http://www.nashville.citytap.com/

Enjoy!

T

I was visiting Nashville again and I had a craving for hot chicken. I wanted to go to a place I had not tried before. Bolton’s popped up on my list. They have been cooking up their hot chicken since 1999.

I went for the breast quarter plate. I went lite mild heat on the chicken because I was not sure of the intensity. I also got a choice of two sides, which they had tons to choose from. I went with the mac n’ cheese and the green beans. Both are the perfect pairing with hot chicken.

The chicken had great crunch on the outside and the meat was juicy on the inside. When I took my first bite I could feel the heat on my lips. This is why I went with the lite mild heat, it was just enough without going overboard.

After eating several more bites the tingle from the heat calmed down. It was the first time I actually got use to the heat. Next time I visit I think I will be able to step up my heat level.

The mac n’ cheese was creamy and that helped calm some of the heat from the chicken. The green beans added a nice salty element to the dish.

I definitely want to go back to Bolton’s because they also have fish on the menu. I would love to see if they could make a hot fish for me to try.

Add Bolton’s to your hot chicken check list. Visit their website at www.boltonsspicy.com

Enjoy!

T

Driving through the Germantown neighborhood in Nashville, I would never have expected to see a cupcake shop intermingled with homes.

It was later in the day so I was afraid they would not have any cupcakes left. Lucky for me they still had a few left.

I patiently waited in line as I decided which cupcake to order. It smelled so good in the shop. The gentleman in front of me in line says he visits The Cupcake Collection all the time and gave me his top choices. They offer classic flavors as well as premium choices like coconut crème and peanut butter mousse. If you really want something unique then their specialty cupcakes, like Butterfinger and Italian wedding cake, are for you.

I chose two classic flavors – carrot cake and red velvet. The carrot cake was light and moist with wonderful chopped carrots throughout. The cream cheese icing was perfect; it was smooth and creamy. Their icing was not overly sweet. Sometimes cupcake icing can be extra sweet which can ruin the taste of the actual cake. Theirs is perfect!

The red velvet cupcake also used the same cream cheese icing. The cake was also moist and fluffy. They have the perfect ratio of cake to icing.

It was a wonderful treat to get to try these homemade cupcakes. They are also the best priced gourmet cupcakes I have seen, almost half the price of other shops.

If you are in the Germantown area of Nashville, make sure to pick up a cupcake or a dozen from The Cupcake Collection. Check out their flavors at www.thecupcakecollection.com

Enjoy!

T

 

I was watching a recent episode of Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives on the Food Network and they featured a place in Nashville called Phat Bites. It’s located across the street from McNamara’s Irish Pub that I have previously written about. Phat Bites is an old garage that has been turned into a fun and busy sandwich shop. I decided to take a drive to Nashville and visit for lunch.

The décor is very eclectic inside. There are mix and match chairs and tables; there’s an old Chinese restaurant sign on the wall. Local graffiti artists have crated unique pieces of artwork on the walls.

  

The have an extensive menu of sandwiches and salads to choose from. For a salad I started with the Long Life salad because that is what I watched them make on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. It is a kale salad with assorted beans and walnuts covered in a tangy homemade dressing. It is one of their most popular salads and they were almost out of it when I was there.

Looking over their list of sandwiches I settled on the Muffaletta. It was loaded with turkey, ham, salami, and provolone cheese. The Focaccia bread was amazing; it was fresh and had a great crunch after they toasted it. On one side of the bread they layered their homemade olive spread. On the other half was a layer of homemade pesto. It was a multi-dimensional sandwich that had amazing chemistry. I did not think I would be able to finish the entire sandwich because it was so big but I just could not put it down.

The sandwich also came with a homemade pickle. Now this is not a typical pickle; just looking at it I could see the fresh dill, however, as soon as I took a bite the flavor hit me. It was tangy and sour; it is really hard to describe but it is a unique take on a pickle so it is a must try.

I visited Phat Bites for lunch but I would check them out in the evenings and on the weekend. It looks like they have live music and entertainment.

Check out the website at: www.phatbites.com

Enjoy!

T

 

Tucked away in a neighborhood outside of Nashville is a little Italian restaurant called Caffe Nonna. Parking could be problematic since they only have a few spots in front. Be prepared to look for some street parking.

I went for lunch and luckily I got there early enough that I did not have to wait for a table. They are small inside so there could be a wait on the weekends.

To start, I shared an appetizer of Mediterranean cheese sticks. These intrigued me because they were not typical fried cheese sticks that you would find at a bar. These were feta and pesto wrapped in phyllo dough and served with tomatoes, olives, capers, and lots of garlic. The dough added crunch but all the flavor came from the saltiness of the feta and the herby flavor from the pesto. I am glad I shared them because they were filling.

I love soups so I had to try theirs. I got a small cup of their homemade white bean soup. It had Swiss chard, pesto, and parmesan cheese in it. The Swiss chard was the flavor that I thought popped out in the soup and it paired nicely with the creaminess of the beans.

Although I was getting full I ended up ordering their chicken salad sandwich. They use huge chunks of fresh chicken mixed with grapes and walnuts and just a hint of fresh basil. The walnuts added a nice crunch to each bite while the grapes contributed the perfect amount of sweetness to the salad. It came on a big hoagie roll but this salad could have easily been enjoyed without the bread.

If you are in the neighborhood check out Caffe Nonna at: http://www.caffenonna.com/

Enjoy!

T

While having dinner at another restaurant I met a nice couple who was originally from New Orleans. They told me about a place in Nashville that serves authentic Cajun food that reminds them of home. It’s called Bro’s Cajun Cuisine. I knew that the next time I was hungry for something with a little extra spice I would have to check them out.

The restaurant is a hole-in-the-wall place that you might actually pass without realizing it. They are very small on the inside but have lots of outdoor seating which tells me that they get busy. I hit them right before the lunch rush because I was able to find a seat inside.

They had daily lunch specials set up just like a meat and 3 place. While the specials sounded good, I had to try their homemade jambalaya.

I got a huge bowl that was filled with sausage and veggies. The rice came on the side but I put it directly into my bowl to make it a little thicker. The jambalaya had a nice kick to it – not too spicy but still made my nose run. The sausage was extremely tender. I bet it would taste awesome just on its own, grilled up.

As I ate, I watched the restaurant fill up and the order line grow out the door. My suspicions were true – this place is a hot spot for lunch. If you are craving a taste of New Orleans then check out Bros Cajun Cuisine at www.broscajuncuisinenashville.com

Enjoy!

T

 

As I tell people visiting Nashville, you have to try hot chicken at one of the many great places around town. I decided to take my own advice and try someplace new – Pepperfire.

Located in the eastern part of the city, Pepperfire offers a unique dining experience. You walk up to the window to order then sit and enjoy the chicken at one of their picnic tables. The chicken is made to order so you will have to wait a few extra minutes to get your chicken but it is well worth it.

They have 7 levels of heat to choose from – no heat all the way to XX Hot! I went for Medium because that is currently the max I can handle. I could not wait to bite into the chicken. It smelled so good. It was extremely juicy, especially since it had just come out of the fryer. It was perfection; perfect crunch, perfect taste, and perfect amount of heat!

What I found out after I finished my chicken is that they have a deep fried “grilled” cheese sandwich called Peppercheese. Just hearing about this I just put Pepperfire back at the top of my list to come visit again.

Plan your visit at www.pepperfirehotchicken.com

Enjoy!

T

 

I was going to a Predators hockey game in Nashville and I got downtown early. Since I had some time till the game started it was recommended that I try the Southern Steak and Oyster. The restaurant was just a short walk from the arena.

It smelled wonderful as soon as I walked in. The menu was diverse having everything from steak and burgers to hot chicken and Cajun. I was not in the mood for steak but got excited at the thought of oysters.

I took a seat at the bar because I got to watch them shuck all the oysters. It is cool to me how fast those guys can open them up. I can barely open one. They had several varieties of oysters to try from around the country. When it came to which variety to try, I left it up to the experts to choose for me.

I went for the Lemon Herb chargrilled oysters and asked them to top them off with parmesan cheese.

The kitchen grilled them up flawlessly. They were still bubbling when they came out. There was an awesome smoky flavor from the grill and a tangy bite from the lemon that was a nice change from the usual flavor I get.

Sticking with the New Orleans theme of my dinner I saved room to try their homemade gumbo. The cup was a great size. It was a savory broth with lots of fresh shrimp. It was the perfect finish to my meal.

If you are in downtown Nashville and want to try a fancy place, check out The Southern Steak & Oyster. http://www.thesouthernnashville.com/

Enjoy!

T

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to everyone!

Irish pubs are fun places to go to. What makes McNamara’s so unique from other pubs I’ve been to is the building – it use to be a funeral home. Now some people may be freaked out by this, but trust me when I say there is no resemblance to a funeral home inside. When you walk through the door it really feels like you are stepping into someone’s home. There are different rooms set up with tables, booths, a bar area, and an upstairs that they use for events.

     

They have an extensive menu with all the classics. I knew I had to order the Scotch Eggs. For anyone not familiar with this dish, it’s a hardboiled egg that is wrapped in ground sausage, breaded and then deep fried. They serve theirs with a homemade sauce that has a hint of mustard in it. Their Scotch Eggs have a great crunch when you bite in. The salty flavor from the sausage is complemented by the sweetness of the dipping sauce.

Instead of ordering the traditional Shepherd’s Pie, I decided to try their “Irish Nachos” – which combines French fries with shepherd’s pie ingredients, cheese and fresh tomatoes on top. It was a fun twist on the classic that is much better for sharing with the table.

If you are in the mood for some good Irish comfort food then you must visit McNamara’s. Visit their website at: www.mcnamarasirishpub.com

Enjoy!

T

I found myself in Nashville right after a snow storm. Most places were shut down, but it was a lucky chance that when I drove by Chauhan they were open, and packed with customers. They are one of the newer restaurants in the city, specializing in Indian cuisine. It’s in a restored brick building that adds to the mystery of what is inside.

When you walk in you are greet with wonderful aroma of spices. The décor had an exotic and romantic feel, with the lighting just right to set the mood. They had these fun digital pictures that were projected on the walls that moved and changed. It made me feel like it was something out of Harry Potter.

Since it was so crowded and I didn’t have a reservation, I found a seat at the bar. It’s where I like to sit anyway because you can watch everything that is going on and strike up a conversation with the other guests.

They have a wonderful selection of cocktails and beers. Watching the bartender make a cocktail was fascinating – they treated it as a true art form. They have all these different bottles with flavors in them (for example one bottle was labeled orange) that they use in the different drinks. I tried a fruity beer that was similar to a Belgium Framboise.

For a snack I tired the Tandoori Chicken Poutine. I knew I needed to try their interpretation of this Canadian dish. It was a blend of tandoori chicken, cheese curds, and makhani sauce on top of French fries. The makhani sauce was amazing and made the dish! I could have eaten just the chick and the sauce all by itself.

 

 

The customers continued to flow into the restaurant as I sat there. Every dish that came out of the kitchen looked delicious. This is definitely a place I have to come back to.

If you want to try something very unique in Nashville visit Chauhan: www.chauhannashville.com

Enjoy!

T