Chihuly at Cheekwood

Hi guys! Wow, what a weird few months. I really didn’t mean to go away and stay gone for this long. Well, I guess I can’t say that I went away. Because I’ve pretty much been doing the exact opposite of that since mid-March! We’ve been staying put.

Between work, virtual school for Archer, and building our new house, I’ve had more than enough to keep me busy at home, and can’t really relate to some people’s “I’m bored” sentiments. In the rare free moments I’ve had, I’ve done a lot of walking in our neighborhood, and we’ve gone on a few short road trips outside of Nashville to explore nearby waterfalls and hiking trails, which Archer has absolutely loved. We’ve even started making a list of other waterfalls we want to conquer over the next year or two.

Archer at Machine Falls

We have a membership to Cheekwood, so we’ve been there a couple of times. The Chihuly exhibit just opened recently and it’s beautiful, so be sure to check it out some time between now and January when it goes away.

And big news – I started baking sourdough bread! Okay, so that might not seem like a big deal, but you guys, I’ve never really been a baker. I like to cook, but not bake. My mom and others in my family have made THE BEST sourdough bread my entire life, so I decided it was a good time to try my hand at it. Now I understand how baking can be therapy for some. I can’t say it’s been good for my waistline, but dang, this bread is worth every. single. calorie.

I’ve also listened to a few great podcasts over the months while on my walks, and I’ve been able to read for leisure (not business) for the first time in a long time. I highly recommend Dolly Parton’s America podcast if you haven’t already heard about it and devoured it yourselves. Also, I’m really digging Brene Brown’s Unlocking Us.

Oh, and once I was able to get back to the salon this summer, I chopped my hair off and I love it. At least for now. We’ll see how long I can stand not being able to wear it in a bun!

So how are you guys?? What’s been keeping you busy? Hope you’re all hanging in there, and finding moments of peace and joy to get through all of this.

XOXO~

Beth

Wrong Ramen Pop-Up

February 6-8, 5-10 p.m.
February 9, 12-5 p.m.

Sloco/The Meet Room
2905 12th Ave S
Nashville TN 37212

Brought to us by the oh-so-popular Funk Seoul Brother, Wrong Ramen will pop up in 12 South later this week at the former Sloco/The Meet Room space. Owner B.J. Lofback is know for his riffs on classic dishes and making deliberate departures from the rules, so diners can expect to taste ramen done ‘wrong.’

You can also expect some of Funk Seoul favorites on the bar menu, including Korean BBQ tacos, kimchi ‘crack’ rice (!!!), and spicy tuna nachos. For the full menu, follow Funk Seoul Brother’s social media accounts. The Wrong Ramen pop-ups will operate on a first come, first served basis, and a variety of beer and nonalcoholic beverages will be available for purchase.

Chocolate, Cheese, and Wine at Goo Goo

Thursday, February 13th, 2020
6- 8 pm

Goo Goo Shop & Dessert Bar
116 3rd Ave S
Nashville, TN 37201

Cost: $85/person

Note: this is a 21+ experience

Last February, my friend and cheesemonger Kathleen and I taught the first ever Chocolate, Cheese, and Wine class at the Goo Goo Shop, and it was a big success! We had a blast, as did all of the participants, so we decided to bring it back again this year.

The experience will last for approximately 2 hours, and during it, you’ll walk through a tasting of 5 chocolates and cheeses with wine pairings, you’ll have a chance to get creative and make your very own Premium Goo Goo, and you’ll also make some delicious truffles that you can package up and gift to your sweetie for Valentine’s Day, or keep for yourself!

And…. I’ve got a discount code for you to use! Get 15% off your ticket price ($12.75 savings per ticket) by using code EDS15 at checkout. Visit the ticketing page here. 

Proceeds for this event go to a wonderful cause, so come join me and I bet you’ll add this event to your list of favorites as I have.

@betheats Instagram Top Nine 2019

Happy 2020 y’all! I don’t know about you, but 2019 flew by for me. January kicked off with my annual college girlfriends’ weekend getaway (to the beach this year instead of Chicago!) and my kiddo turning 7. In the spring we FINALLY started building our new home (check out my Home Renovations highlights on Instagram). In August Archer started 2nd grade and got his first passport so he could make his first trip outside of the country for fall break. That Canada trip also sorta served as a celebration of  11 years of marriage for my husband and I (and 16 years together).

I traveled quite a lot for work (+ a bit for pleasure), so I didn’t have as much time as in the past to blog, but did still have a chance to eat a lot! And some of those meals were definitely worth sharing, so I wanted to do a round up of my best experiences here on the blog since they deserve extra attention. If you haven’t yet been to any of these spots, I highly recommend doing so in the coming months!

Tailor Nashville

1300B 3rd Ave N
Nashville, TN 37208

Tailor Nashville

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you’ve probably heard me mention my friend Vivek. We met years ago when I first began blogging, and I’m so thrilled that he now has his own restaurant (opened late 2018). There is no other place in town creating the type of experience you’ll find at Tailor, and I’m not the only one that thinks that.

Bon Appetit discovered this gem and named it on their Hot 10: Best New Restaurants in America list this past fall!

Tailor Nashville

The menu at Tailor changes seasonally (4 times a year), and it’s a set menu each season, so I can’t make suggestions on what to order. That said, of all the dishes I’ve tried, there hasn’t been a loser yet!

I will say that two of my favorites have been the Pork Coppa with fennel, apple, coriander, and red chile and the Dhokla, a street food snack that’s made of fermented chickpea and rice flour, topped with black mustard seed, cilantro and coconut.

Dhokla at Tailor Nashville

za Woodfired Pizza 

2005 Belcourt Ave
Nashville, TN 37212

‘za in Hillsboro Village

For those that know me well, it will come as a surprise that I would include pizza on my Best of list as I typically am not a big fan of pizza! Not that I hate it, it’s just not my favorite food. I’d happily eat a salad over pizza any day.

That said, I love ‘za, the new concept opened by Sarah and Karl Worley of Biscuit Love.

Menu favorites:

• Ricotta Dip with Honey and Wood-Fired Pizza Dough
• Thoroughbred Hillbilly Pizza – White Sauce, Mozzarella, Benton’s Prosciutto, Dressed Arugula
• Yell Talker Pizza – Onion Puree, Caramelized Onions, Pecorino, Scallions, Chives

And don’t forget to order some of the dipping sauces for your pizza crusts!

All the dips! at ‘za

Chaatable

345 40th Ave Ave N
Nashville, TN 37209

Chaatable Nashville

Small plate dining is, in my opinion, the best way to eat. Personally, I’d rather not commit to one big entree, but instead would rather share several smaller dishes with two or three friends. I think that’s why I like Chaatable so much – the menu is definitely set up in a way that encourages sharing. Plus everything is just so full of flavor…and fun!

Chaatable’s “The Okra Whenfried Show”

I’ve enjoyed several great meals at Maneet Chauhan’s other Indian restaurant, Chauhan Ale & Masala, but once Chaatable opened, it definitely became my favorite of the two. I prefer the dinner menu over the lunch menu, and I’ve never been there for brunch, so can’t speak to it.

Suggested to order on the dinner menu: Okra Whenfried (SO GOOD!), Puff Puff Pass, Hand It Over (samosa chaat), Goan Deep (shrimp), The O.G. (butter chicken), Gobi Awesome (cauliflower), Have a Ball (puffed poori that you’ll need to soak up all of that amazing sauce on the butter chicken!)

The O.G. at Chaatable

E3 Chophouse

1628 21st Ave S
Nashville, TN 37212

E3 Chophouse, Nashville

Very new on the scene, I just wrote about E3 a couple of days ago, so you can visit that blog post here to learn all about it. Definitely a great new steakhouse option in Nashville, and I particularly love the rooftop patio with fire pits, a first for Hillsboro Village!

Lyra

935 W Eastland Ave
Nashville, TN 372036

Lyra Nashville

Lyra is a restaurant I’ve recommended several times over the past year, and I’ve almost always been met with “where is that? I’ve never heard of it”, which is unfortunate because it really is such a wonderful place. In fact, I would list it in my Top 10, maybe even Top 5! Opened in 2018, the Middle Eastern restaurant is located in the old Holland House space in East Nashville.

Not only is the food amazing, but the cocktails are awesome, and their happy hour starts at 4 pm! For those of us that like early happy hours, you know there aren’t many places in town where you can start this early.

Don’t miss: Hummus with warm pita (my favorite is the the one with roasted turnips and candied onions), Fried Halloumi , any of the beautiful breads that come from the wood-fired oven, and the lamb fries (happy hour menu) 

Thai Esane

1520 Division St
Nashville, TN 37203

Thai Esane’s grand opening on new Music Row location in 2019

Serving Thai-Laotion food in a fairly non-descript building on 12 South since 2014, Thai Esane made a big move in 2019. Now housed inside the new Element building on Demonbreun Hill within walking distance of Music Row, the sleek new space still feels warm, though a complete transformation from its original space.

Kao Soi at Thai Esane

I’ll be honest, when I heard Thai Esane was moving, I was a little worried it would lose some of its personality, but that worry was completely unfounded. I’ve had the pleasure of dining at Thai Esane many times through the years, and gotten to know Chef and owner Nina Singto. She and the restaurant are both gems!

Favorites: Steamed Dumplings, Kao Soi, Esane sausage, Chicken Noodle soup, Malaysian noodles

Sinema

2600 Franklin Pike
Suite 102
Nashville, TN 37204

Pumpkin + Crab at Sinema

Sinema’s Corzetti

On a recent visit, I had a few dishes that were absolutely incredible and worth mentioning in case you visit the restaurant sometime soon. Recommendations on the current Fall/Winter menu:

• Fried Burrata with Tomato Bacon Jam, Grilled Focaccia, Pickled Red Onion
• Cast Iron Pumpkin Zeppole, Jumbo Lump Crab, Local Bacon Lardon, Green Apple, Bacon Fat Vinaigrette
• Country Ham & Brussels Sprouts – Shaved Country Ham, Brussels Sprouts, Green Apple, Gruyere, Walnut, Pumpkin Honey Vinaigrette
• House-made Corzetti Pasta, Butternut, Pork Belly, Pear, Pumpkin Seed, Bread Crumbs, Sage Ricotta, Shiitake

Etch

303 Demonbreun St (in the Encore)
Nashville, TN 37201
615-522-0685

Etch’s Crispy Potato Salad

• Crispy Potato Salad – mustard dressing, chimichurri roja & verde sauces
• Etch Salad – arugula, radicchio, fennel, green apple, blue cheese, hazelnuts, champagne vinaigrette, candied orange peel
• Roasted Cauliflower appetizer: cauliflower, truffled pea puree, salted almonds, feta crema, and red bell pepper sauce

Roasted Cauliflower at Etch

Kayne Prime

1103 MacGavock St
Nashville, TN 37203

Kayne Prime

Kayne Prime is first and foremost a steakhouse, but honestly I could easily fill up on non-meat dishes there and be totally happy! I’ve even dined there with a vegetarian and only had vegetables. That said, I definitely sometimes crave a good steak, and their filet with bone marrow butter is my go-to.

Menu Favorites: Bacon with Cotton Candy, Tuna (toasted sushi rice), Popcorn buttered lobster, Kale salad, Cream corn brûlée, any steak with bone marrow butter (!!!)

City House

1222 4th Ave N
Nashville, TN 37208

City House’s Belly Ham Pizza

Yes, I’m mentioning more pizza in this post. City House’s Belly Ham Pizza still stands as one of my favorite dishes in town. On a recent visit though, I ate a salad alongside that pizza that was one of the best salads I’ve had in a long time. Salad is my love language, so I can be pretty critical of them. Finding a really incredible one is harder than you would think, so I was pleasantly surprised.

But the star of my meal at City House on that particular evening was the dessert. Pastry Chef Rebekah Turshen’s Coffee Creme Soda Cake stole the show! If you find yourself at City House and you see it on the menu, it is a MUST ORDER.

City House’s Coffee Creme Soda Cake

The Rambling at Southall Farms

1994 Carters Creek Pike
Franklin, TN 37064

The Rambling at Southall Farms

I wrote about my Rambling dinner earlier this year here on the blog, so to get all of the details and see more dishes, visit that post. It truly was one of the best overall experiences I’ve had in a long time, and I’d love to do it again. BUT – I have no idea if they’ll be hosting these again in the spring and fall. If you aren’t already on their email list, I’d suggest you sign up for it, or at the least, follow Southall on Instagram and/or Facebook, to be the first to hear news regarding any upcoming dinners they may have.

Beet Salad at The Rambling

So there you have it — my best Nashville eating for 2019. I’ve got some additional meals to share with you from my travels, so stay tuned in the next few days for those!

Cocktail by the rooftop fire pit at E3 Chophouse in Hillsboro Village

Nashville has no shortage of new restaurants these days, but to be quite honest, there haven’t been that many that I’ve gotten very excited about. A lot of style and not much substance… BUT… there are a few that have delivered, and the new E3 Chophouse in Hillsboro Village is one of those.

You might be thinking, “oh, another high-end steakhouse – ho hum“, and that may have been what I thought before I went on a construction tour a few months back. With that first look and taste though, my mind was opened. Then, in November, the restaurant doors opened, and I was treated to my first full meal there.

 Lobster Bisque served table side at E3 Chophouse, Nashville

From the get-go I was impressed. Not only is the three story space unique, but the beef…man, that beef. The restaurant, owned by the LaRoche family, raises its own all-natural Angus cattle on their ranch in Kansas. This is the second E3 Chophouse location, with the first opened by the LaRoche brothers – Adam, Andy, and Jeff – in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, in 2013.

After meeting and becoming friends through the popular hunting show and product line Buck Commander, Adam LaRoche teamed up with country music stars Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean to bring the E3 concept to Nashville.

E3 Chophouse Lobster Bisque

Don’t worry, this is far from the country star concepts you’ll find down on Broadway. This restaurant is in another league and doesn’t need a famous name behind it, as they’re making sure it’s a top-notch dining destination for the food and experience alone.

Several dishes have a tableside service component, which I absolutely love! Lobster bisque prepared tableside? Casear salad? Cocktails? Yes, please.

The service feels very retro, yet elements- like the sous vide cocktails with bubbles full of smoke – definitely more modern.

Table side cocktail service at E3 Chophouse

You know I like a good cocktail, and the restaurant’s cocktail program does not disappoint. Since I live nearby, I can definitely see their rooftop bar becoming a regular spot for me for after work drinks. And at times I find it too hard to tear myself away from the cozy fire pit, their small plates menu is perfectly satisfactory as dinner. In fact, I often prefer nibbles vs a multi-course meal.

Charred Caesar salad at E3

But when I do want to indulge, this place delivers. Big time. Decadent baked oysters, foie fras, steak tartare… there is even a caviar bar option.

They’re pulling out all the stops to make the experience a memorable one.

E3 Scallop with Risotto

As you can tell by the photos, I sampled a lot of dishes during my recent visit. How to choose favorites?? If I must, I’d have to say the scallops with lobster, prosciutto, and pea tendrils served on risotto with a dollop of saffron cream was most definitely one. I just love risotto and scallops, and these were cooked to perfection.

Next up would have to be the dry-aged ribeye that absolutely melted in my mouth. So much flavor and perfect texture. Oh, and the beef carpaccio! Parmesan, capers, aioli, arugula…so many of my favorite things on one plate.

Creamed Spinach, Pimento Mac & Cheese with bacon lardons, Foraged Mushrooms, Cauliflower & Shishitos, and of course, steak!

There are still a few menu items I desperately want to try, like the Giffords Bacon with apple jalapeno spread and salted peanut crumbs. And the octopus. And the baked oysters. And the bacon wrapped dates with creamy blue cheese and blueberry balsamic.

Bananas Foster Cheesecake at E3
Cheesecake, Banana Bread, Flaming Fosters Sauce

As hard as it will be, I have a bit of advice: Do NOT get too stuffed that you don’t have room for dessert, as you would really be missing out. These sweet treats were some of the best I’ve had in Nashville in a long time!

E3’s PB Mousse Cake
Dark Chocolate Cake, PB Mousse, Banana Gelato

I’m a peanut butter and chocolate girl, and if the combo is on a menu, there is no doubt that’s what I’ll be ordering. This PB Mousse Cake is AMAZING. Like, I’ll never go there and not order it.

But, I also can’t imagine eating at E3 and not ordering the Bananas Foster Cheesecake and the Sweet Corn Bread Pudding too! Every bite of each one was so different and so incredible on their own. I guess my New Year’s resolution is not going to be giving up sweets…

Sweet Corn Bread Pudding at E3
Rum Anglaise, Vanilla Gelato, Caramel Corn

E3 Chophouse

1628 21st Ave S
Nashville, TN 37212

Hours
5 – 10 pm Sunday – Thursday
5 – 11 pm Friday & Saturday

ChefsFeed Indie Week

Friday, November 8th, 2019 @ 6:30 pm
Sunday, November 10th, 2019 @ 6 pm

The Green Pheasant
215 1st Ave S
Nashville TN 37201

Cost: $125/person

Featuring a curated crew of 24 all-star chefs, ChefsFeed Indie Week makes its way to Nashville this week as it travels across the country to some of the nation’s top restaurants. Indulge in a full 12-course dinner with beverage pairings and chat with the chefs as they mingle with guests throughout the dinner.

Thursday is already sold out, but there are still seats at Friday (I’ll be there!) or Sunday night’s events, so be sure to grab a reservation before they’re all gone. And guess what? I’ve got a pair of tickets to give away and a 20% off discount code for everyone to use! Just type in “edsdiscount” at checkout when purchasing your tickets on the main event page.

~Giveaway~

CONTEST CLOSED

The winner is….

Charlie!

Seasoned Sunday

Sunday, November 10th, 2019
1 – 5 pm

Wedge Oak Farm
3964 Old Murfreesboro Road West
Lebanon, TN 37090

Cost: $75/person  (No ticket required for children 12 and under)

Seasoned Sunday will feature 6 awesome local chefs, each preparing sausages made from Wedge Oak Farm’s pasture-raised, heritage breed meats – lamb, pork, chicken, and duck. In addition to the meats, there will be artisan cheeses, fresh vegetables, and of course, beer! Five of Tennessee’s best breweries will be pouring and Angel’s Envy will be on hand with a bourbon cocktail and premium whiskeys.

Seasoned Sunday is a family-friendly event with live music and s’mores made with Olive and Sinclair chocolate and homemade graham crackers and marshmallows from my sweet friend Erin!

100% of the proceeds from Seasoned Sunday goes to the Tennessee Local Food Summit, which promotes the production and consumption of healthy, local food. More details can be found here, and tickets for the event can be purchased here.

Cheekwood Holiday LIGHTS

November 23rd, 2019 – January 5th, 2020

Open nightly from 5-10 PM (except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day)

Families can meet Santa every evening in December leading up to Christmas, as well as on Saturday mornings. There are timed ticket options to provide a quality guest experience, with first arrivals beginning at 5 p.m. and later evening arrivals beginning at 7 p.m. There is also a Late Night Lights offer, where guests arriving after 8:30 p.m. can receive a discounted rate of $15 adult admission and $10 child admission each night. Visit Cheekwood.org for more information on pricing and to learn more about LIGHTS!

Music City Food & Wine

Grand Tasting and Chef Showcase at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park

Friday, September 20th & Saturday, September 21st, 2019
Friday 6 – 10 pm
Saturday 11 am – 4 pm
Cost: $165 for 1 day Pass

Harvest Night at Walk of Fame Park

Saturday, September 21st, 2019
7 – 9:30 pm
Cost: $275/person

All-in Pass for Friday night, Saturday and Saturday night: $525/person

Gospel Brunch at Walk of Fame Park

Sunday, September 22nd, 2019
Noon – 2 pm
Cost: $85/person – SOLD OUT

I can’t believe this will be the 7th year for Music City Food & Wine, and I’ve had the pleasure of attending every year so far!  If you’ve never been and want to get an idea of what it’s all about, feel free to take a look back at all of my experiences: 2013 , 2014 , 2015,  2016,  2017, and 2018.

Visit the website for the full schedule and to see the talent involved. Celebrity chef demos and panel discussions run simultaneously with Grand Taste, so you can freely move back and forth between eating, drinking, and watching, never feeling like you’re missing out on anything. As you guys know, it has been super hot lately, and by the looks of the current forecast, there doesn’t seem to be much relief from that any time soon, so my advice is to dress in the lightest weight material you can possibly find this weekend.

To purchase tickets, or for more detailed information, visit the Music City Food + Wine website. I’ll be flitting about the event at Bicentennial Friday night and Saturday, and also at Harvest night on Saturday night, so if you see me, come say hi!

Goo Goo Summer Chef Series draws to a close

Cocktails at Pacific Standard Time, Chicago

As most of you know by now, Chicago is one of my absolute favorite cities, and also happens to be the home of one of my closest friends. Lucky for me, I typically get to travel there at least once or twice a year for business, plus my college girlfriends and I have also made it a tradition to take an annual trip there.

Over the years, I’ve covered many of my favorite Windy City meals here on the blog, and most of my recs still stand up. Proxi is an absolute MUST, and I still love Tanta for Peruvian, Momotaro for sushi, and Blackbird for a high end meal.

Roasted Eggplant with charred red onion, feta,pickled jalapeño, pistachios (and that warm pita bread!)

But now I have some new ones to add! At the very top of my list is Pacific Standard Time, a new-ish restaurant in River North serving California cuisine. The space is large, bright, and inviting, with an open kitchen that’s home to two wood burning hearths. I was instantly smitten the minute we walked in the door.

Then came the cocktails. Perfection. Lately it seems that so many restaurants lose me immediately on their cocktail list, but this one did not disappoint. When adult dining, Mama needs a good cocktail with dinner!

Ahi Tuna Crudo at Chicago’s Pacific Standard Time

We ordered a number of dishes, and to be honest, I can’t remember all of them, because for once, I didn’t take photos of it all. Ugh. Kicking myself now, but sometimes I just need to enjoy a meal, right??

I do know the crudo was one of my faves: ahi tun with mushroom sott’olio (translation: vegetables in olive oil), avocado, scallion, dashi, and fresno chile. The absolute standout of the entire experience though was the roasted cauliflower dish. I’ve had cauliflower in what seems to be a million different ways the past few years, but this one was truly outstanding. And if the online menu is correct, unfortunately is no longer being served. Sad face.

Ah well, that’s not going to stop me from making another visit to Pacific Standard Time on my next trip to Chicago. Can’t wait to try whatever the next season brings!

Chocolate budino at Pacific Standard Time, Chicago

Pacific Standard Time

River North

141 W Erie St
Chicago, IL 60654
(312)  376-1778

Tigelle plate at Monteverde, Chicago

Confession: as much as I adore Italy, Italian cuisine isn’t typically my first choice when dining out. I’m not much of a pasta eater, and I could never eat pizza again and not really miss it one bit. I know, I know. Crazy, right?

But I kept reading and hearing great things about Monteverde, so when my co-worker suggested it, I was game. Fortunately this spot had much more on the menu than pasta (though apparently this is what they’re known for, so if you love pasta, you should absolutely go here and try theirs, made fresh in house).

Roasted Scallops at Monteverde, Chicago

The Skate Schnitzel was delicious, as were the roasted scallops with green olive pistachio pesto, asparagus, and spinach.

But have you ever had tigelle (pronounced tih-GEL-ay)? I hadn’t even heard of it until my visit to Monteverde, and I feel like I experienced something life changing. An Italian street food, the small focaccia-like buns originated around Modena. They’re taken warm, straight from the pan, split open and then you stuff them with a meats and cheeses to create a scrumptious little sandwich.

Slightly crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, our rosemary version was served with burrata, prosciutto, rhubarb mostarda, ramp, and watercress. Hello.

Monteverde

West Loop

1020 W Madison St
Chicago, IL 60607
(312)  888-3041

EVOO martinis at Aba, Chicago

On this last visit to Chicago in May, the weather was pretty great, so I really wanted to take advantage of it and dine al fresco for at least one meal. Enter Aba, the gorgeous Fulton Market Mediterranean restaurant with an incredible rooftop patio.

Rooftop fun at Aba in Chicago

Even if I wasn’t looking for a place to dine, I’d definitely still go here again just to grab drinks on the patio. It was hopping on the night we were there, and from what I hear, that’s pretty much the norm. Apparently it’s one of the hardest reservations to secure. I booked a month out and still could only get an 8:45 pm dinner slot, but since we wanted some time to chat and drink anyway, we arrived at 7:30 and secured a spot by the outdoor bar.

They won’t guarantee a seat on the patio for dining when you make your reservation, but since we arrived so far in advance of ours, the hostess was happy to make sure that we got one of those tables when it was our turn to be seated. Early bird gets the worm!

Whipped Feta and Crudo at Aba, Chicago

Okay, so here’s the lowdown on the food. Was it the best meal I’ve ever had? No. Was it even the best Mediterranean? Probably not. Maybe we just didn’t order the right things (there’s a lot to choose from, and we barely even scratched the surface), and there was certainly nothing bad, just nothing earth shattering.

Also, I probably shouldn’t have tried to compare their whipped feta with my favorite at Butcher & Bee, because that heavenly feta just can’t be touched. Aba’s was good, and if I’d never had whipped feta before in my life, I would probably have left raving about it.

Aba’s Pork Belly with Orzo

The one dish that did have me raving was the Pork Belly with sumac glaze, served on orzo flecked with diced honey crisp apples. The flavors and textures were incredible, and that dish alone made me super happy. The icing on the cake was the dessert – which consisted of neither icing nor cake.

First up was the Crème Brûlée Pie with burnt honey and apple. I’m a huge creme brulee fan, so this was a must. Then came the Kulfi, a frozen dairy dessert that our server suggested. The simple menu description of “turkish coffee, coriander caramel, marcona almonds” really didn’t get us super excited about what was to come, but wow. Just Wow. Seriously one of the best desserts I’ve had in ages!

So if nothing else, go to Aba to sip fabulous cocktails on the gorgeous rooftop, and then order the Kulfi before you call it a night. I promise you’ll have the sweetest of dreams.

Delicious desserts at Aba, Chicago

Aba

Fulton Market

302 N Green St, 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60607
(773) 645-1400

Bearded Iris & Modern Times Beer Dinner

Tuesday, June 18th, 2019
7 – 10 pm

Makeready Libations & Liberation (in the Noelle hotel)
200 4th Ave N
Nashville TN 37219

Cost: $65/person-  ticket  includes 6-course meal with beer pairings, valet parking, tax & gratuity
Note- this is a 21+ event

If you’re a beer enthusiast, then I’d suggest grabbing tickets to this dinner with Bearded Iris & Modern Times tomorrow night! The focus will be on two styles of beer; sours and hazy IPA’s. Each brewery will bring three beverages to be paired with a 6-course meal created by the talented Makeready Libations & Liberation culinary team.

-1-
Raw Oysters
rubarb | agua chili | buttermilk

-2-
Cabbage Salad
charred greens | anchovies | green peppercorn

-3-
Tartare
peaches | cultured butter | green corriander | cracker bread

-4-

Filled Pasta
English peas | goat cheese | walnuts

-5-
Pork Tenderloin
creamed corn | soubise | pickeled berries | fresno

-6-
Blackberry Pavlova
rubarb | citrus

No Crumbs Left – Book Signing and Talk

Thursday, June 20th, 2019
6 pm – Door Open, Nibbles & Bits
6:45 pm – Talk Begins
7:30 pm – Signing

The Loveless Barn
8400 Hwy 100
Nashville TN 37221

Cost: $35/person (includes cost of the book)

Teri Turner, creator of the popular food and lifestyle blog no crumbs left, recently launched her new cookbook – No Crumbs Left: Whole30 Endorsed, Recipes for Everyday Food Made Marvelous – and is debuting it in Nashville this week at the Loveless Barn! Teri will discuss No Crumbs Left and host a talk with Ashley McCrary of @healthylittlepeach.

As you guys know, I’ve done full-on Whole30 a couple of times and continue to follow many of the guidelines in my everyday cooking because I love the way I feel when following the plan. When you start Whole30 for the first time, the hardest part is meal planning and prep, but once you get that down, you’re golden. I’ve got a large number of go-to dishes we enjoy, but I’m definitely excited to dive into this book and try some of Terri’s gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, and Whole30 compliant recipes to mix up our normal routine a bit!

You can purchase tickets for the event here.

5th Annual Goo Goo Summer Chef Series

June 26, 2019 – September 30, 2019

Sinema’s Foie Gras Mousse & Zucchini bread, photo by Anthony Matula

“The Best of Sinema” 5 Year Anniversary Dinner

June 27th- 29th, 2019

Sinema
2600 8th Ave S
Nashville, TN 37204

Cost: 3 courses for $55/person; pairings available for $20/person

Something else celebrating five years this month is one of my favorites restaurants – Sinema! In honor of this special anniversary, they’ve put together a ‘greatest hits’ menu they’ll be serving June 27th – 29th.  Each course will have a few menu items to choose from, most of which I’ve eaten and can highly recommend. Here’s a peek:

FIRST (choice of):
BLT salad
Foie Gras Mousse & Zucchini bread
Agnolotti

SECOND (choice of):
Fettucine boscaiola
Surf-n-Surf-n-Surf
French Onion & Onion steak

THIRD (choice of):
Chocolate & peanut butter cake
Chevre cheesecake

Some of these were on their original menu when they opened the doors, one being the Foie Gras Mousse and Zucchini Bread. I still vividly remember trying it for the first time, and being instantly enamored. I’ve missed it sooo much, so I can’t wait until I’m able to savor it again in a couple of weeks! Counting down the days….