Unchartered Nashville

2014-01-14T15:37:00.005-06:00

The Pavilion
Cole and I were at a local brewery event recently and were handed flyers for The Pavilion advertising their menu and a promise of good food and drink. So Cole and I agreed to venture out of our restaurant comfort zone, over to the “college strip” known as Demonbreun. We had no preconceived notions of grandeur due to the constant failures of restaurants that have occupied the small strip just off of Music Row but were definitely hopeful.

We happened to visit on a day where the weather was more than cooperating and we enjoyed the brisk evening air under a covered portion of the patio. We took a look around inside and were both impressed by the swanky décor, large bar area, and stage setup which could handle a few musicians and their instruments. We immediately ordered our drinks, a glass of Cava ($6) for me and a Volunteer Smash ($9) for Cole which consisted of Jim Beam, lemon, and vanilla syrup. He was a bit skeptical even as he ordered the drink but the concoction was blended just right and offered a sweet and incredibly refreshing drink that was perfect for any season.

Being the generous wife that I am, I let Cole make the first food choice of the night and he went with the Cajun inspired Croquets ($7). These were basically fried balls of rice stuffed with mozzarella cheese and Andouille sausage served with an etouffee cream sauce. While I’ll admit now that I was hesitant, these were spot on with a clever mixture of textures and sauce along with an interesting smoky twist and subtle hint of spice.

Next up we had an order of Moody Blue Burgers ($11) on which we opted to substitute American in place of the standard blue cheese. The quality of these Angus beef patties really stood out but the true scene stealer here was the Applewood bacon. Now let me clarify, we love bacon, we love bacon on everything, and we love every type of bacon but this bacon added such a crisp and smoked flavor to the beef that it really captured our hearts and souls (a bit dramatic but we do love bacon).

At this point, we had devoured everything set before us and were starting to worry that we couldn’t handle much more yet still had more food on its way. And then they arrived, in all of their delicious glory, our Chicken and Biscuit Minis ($10) which were the perfect combination of chicken fried to perfection on top of flaky buttery biscuits served with just the right amount of a house made parmesan cheese sauce. These are labeled on the menu as “Wanda’s recipe” and to give you an idea of our opinion of the enigma known as Wanda, just picture a beautiful lady deserving of a slow clap each time she enters or exits a kitchen.

I don’t usually mention service as it is not high on our priority list in determining whether or not we will return to a spot we have visited but seeing as it was exceptional at The Pavilion I feel as if it deserves to be acknowledged. Our waitress was patient, attentive, and knowledgeable which I consider to be the trifecta of great service. The most impressive part was the fact that Cole, who I affectionately call “the camel” due to the amount of water he can throw back, was never stranded with an empty glass throughout the evening.

When we received our check we were floored by the reasonable $49 tab based on the amount and quality of food and drinks we were able to enjoy. We always feel proud and oddly accomplished when we are able to keep our dates under $50 (major consequence of enjoying alcohol) and were especially impressed with what we were able to do with the money at Pavilion. All in all, this was a successful night

Ratings for Pavilion: (Scale 1-10)
Happy Hour - 0
Taste - 9.5
Ambiance - 9
Overall - 8.5
Cheers!

SOL Restaurant

2011-06-21T13:06:00.000-05:00

Let me start with an admission; Cole and I don't make it out to Franklin nearly as much as we would like or a good foodie should. While it is the most charming city with some of the best restaurants, it is just a difficult trip for us to make from our house or downtown. But we kept hearing from everyone how we "HAD" to try SOL in downtown Franklin and when we saw that they had $5 margaritas on Wednesday nights, we knew it was going to be worth the drive.

Walking into SOL, an authentic Mexican scene is set with the use of low lighting, vibrant colors, and eclectic decor. The first table you see once you actually enter the dining area is large enough for a group of 10-12 people that would be perfect for a dinner party or any event and even has a curtain that can be drawn for additional privacy. We also found out that if you choose to sit outside on the patio, you can order off of both SOL's menu and 55 South's menu in case you have guests that are not fans of Mexican cuisine.

We were instantly greeted by some of the friendliest and most efficient waiters we have ever encountered and without even needing a menu, ordered two of the happy hour specials, $5 SOL Margaritas (Regular Price $8.50). These margaritas are perfection, and have my vote for best in Nashville. They use Agave Nectar instead of Sweet and Sour and even Cole who rarely appreciates a good margarita, was hooked. Unfortunately for Cole, he was the DD and while I sucked down three of these bad boys, he was limited to his one.

We decided to kick off dinner by sharing the Farmer's Market Corn Appetizer ($5.95) that our waitress recommended. It was a medley of fresh Grilled Corn tossed with Mayo, Fresco Cheese, Hot Sauce, Lime Sauce, and Chile. The flavors were incredibly fresh and alternated between sweet and spicy without ever feeling overpowering. We were nervous about ordering this as it is so different from anything we have tried before, but it went perfect with the complimentary chips and salsa and we ate every last bite. I also have to mention that SOL also offers a cart of gorgeous ingredients that will come to your table and prepare fresh Guacamole right in front of your eyes ($10.50). While we don't eat Guacamole so obviously did not order it, we watched many tables enjoy it and it looked delicious.

I ordered another appetizer as my meal and thank goodness I did because their portions are generous, and who doesn't fill up on chips and salsa anyways? I went with the Chipotle Chicken Tostados ($8.50) which came with Shredded Chipotle Chicken on Crispy Corn Tortillas with Puerco Beans, Queso, Pico De Gallo, and Guacamole (I ordered with no Pico or Guacamole). These were delicious and crispy, even with the Queso and Beans on the Tortillas and all in all one of the best Mexican meals I have ever had.

Cole went down a completely different path with his choice, opting for the "Drunken Mussels" appetizer ($9.95). These Mussels were steamed in Dos XX Lager (a famous Mexican Beer) with a Garlic Lime Butter, Corn Salsa, and Green Onions, and served with two slices of Grilled Bread to soak up the juice. Cole loved the flavors of the Mussels and said it was top two or three that he had ever had, even at Seafood restaurants.

We finished our amazing experience at SOL by ordering one of my favorite Mexican dishes of all time, Churros ($6.50). While they were delicious as expected, they weren't anything out of the ordinary as far as Churros go and are the only part of our meal I would pass on next time.

All in all, SOL did more than live up to all of the hype that had been built around it by our friends. It was not only worth the drive to Franklin, it's worth a possible move to Franklin. Alright, I may have exaggerated a bit there, but this is an amazing Mexican restaurant and my fingers are crossed that they will open one in downtown Nashville soon!

Ratings for SOL: (Scale 1-10)
Happy Hour - 9.5

Taste - 9
Ambiance - 8.5
Overall - 9

Cheers!

Movies in the Park

2011-06-07T15:51:00.000-05:00

All of the sudden it is Summer in Nashville, which means hot weather and free events that feature great food all over the city. We took advatage of one of these free events by going to opening night of The Nashville Scene's Movies in the Park to see 500 days of Summer (different family friendly movie showing each week) and visit some Food trucks we have been dying to try.

We arrived at Centennial Park early, even though the movie doesn't actually start until Sunset which happened to be about 8 pm that particular night, in order to secure a good spot for the movie and hit up the food trucks before the crowd arrived. There were numerous vendors to choose from, with everything from the Grilled Cheeserie to Joe's Crab Shack and everything in between so we set out with $40 cash to try as much as possible.

We started with the Grilled Cheeserie, a food truck that has taken Nashville by storm. I know you are thinking "it's just a grilled cheese sandwich" and not exactly on the culinary forefront, but I would just tell you to go taste what they serve and then see what you think. The Grilled Cheeserie has an extensive menu with specialty grilled cheese sandwiches and build your own options. I opted for the classic American on Wheat ($4) while Cole ventured into the unknown with the "Tomato Two Times Melt" which featured a fresh Pesto Marinated Mozzarella Cheese and Italian Blend Cheese on Italian Herb Bread with Basil Kumata Tomatoes and Roasted Cherry Tomatoes ($7). We also shared an order of the Tator Tots with House Seasoning ($2) and one of their Watermelon slices marinated in Lime and Agave seasoning ($1.50). I ordered an old fashioned bottle of Crush which took my grilled cheese journey back into childhood to the next level. Still think it's just a grilled cheese sandwich?

Then it was time for the Sweet Stuff. We started with Chilly Pops, an all natural popsicle with a variety of fruit and vegetable flavors. Each popsicle is only 23 calories and with no additives they are a very healthy option. Peggy Bartosh, the mastermind behind Chilly Pops, even uses seeds and rinds from her ingredients to add in that extra bit of nutrients and flavor. Cole and I shared a Strawberry Kiwi Paleta ($2.50) which was incredibly refreshing on this hot afternoon and not at all sweet as we had incorrectly assumed.

Next we headed for the Fleur De Lis Flavors a New Orleans style Snowball truck that I previously mentioned in my Farmer's Market post. Let me just say, they were well worth the wait. These were the most delicious snowballs (like Icees but a lighter texture) I have ever had and the family that owns and runs the business could not have been sweeter (their boys are pictured below). I order the Strawberry Cheesecake ($3) and they talked me in to adding the Condensed milk ($.50) which I was hesitant about but trusted the experts and did. I was so glad I added it because it provided a cream like flavor and texture that made the Strawberry Cheesecake Snowball, in my opinion, unbeatable. Cole ordered the Tiger's Blood which was Strawberry and Coconut and while I am usually not a fan of Coconut flavor, I loved it as well! Brent was with us too and went for the Dreamsicle which he said tasted like an old fashioned Dreamsicle, just better!

Movies in the park was a lot of fun and a great date night idea but the best part was definitely the food! You can catch all of these amazing food trucks all over Nashville by following them on Twitter, Facebook, and their websites or in Fleur De Lis's case, at the Farmer's Market.

Ratings for Movies in the Park: (Scale 1-10)
Happy Hour - 0 - No Happy Hour Specials

Taste - 9
Ambiance - 6
Overall - 6

Cheers!

Germantown Cafe

2011-05-31T13:08:00.011-05:00

For those of you who have never spent time out in Nashville's Historic Germantown, you are truly missing out. The feel of "Nashville's first Subdivision" with its updated lofts and sidewalk cafes, made our dinner at Germantown Cafe more of an experience than just a meal.

We were seated immediately against the large wooden booth "wall" that added a warm, Southern feel to the otherwise modern and trendy decor of the cafe. The large windows let in beautiful amounts of sunlight which made the place seem larger and brighter than the typical dark restaurants of downtown Nashville.

The menu offered so much variance, it was difficult to know where to start. As we were trying to watch our weight after the cruise, we passed on the appetizers (begrudgingly). We had given up red meat for the week as well so we both ordered the house Riesling ($6) since we knew we would be having a chicken or seafood dish. It was a very crisp and refreshing Riesling, especially considering it was the house option.

Our waiter than brought out a basket of bread and this is the moment when the earth stood still for a quick second. This bread can only be described as more of a savory doughnut. It was delicious and by all means, the best bread I have ever tasted (Cole seconds that sentiment). If this restaurant had the worst food I have ever eaten (which it definitely didn't), I would still become a regular for this bread alone. Our waiter confirmed that the bread, along with most everything they serve, was made in house. He also explained that for Sunday Brunch, they serve this bread covered in Brown Sugar and served with a Fruit Butter, something we are very excited to try.

I guess that's enough about the bread, as the rest of the food was amazing as well. We split an order of the special which was a Blackened Tilapia ($19) served over Polenta Cakes with a Fruit Salsa and Sauteed Spinach. We also order the Pasta of the Day ($11.95) which was a Bowtie pasta in a Tomato Basil Sauce. Both of the meals came with salads so I opted for the Caesar while Cole had the House Salad. The salads were very fresh and the perfect start to our meal, with house made croutons that separated them from the "normal" dinner salad you would expect. The Tilapia was cooked perfectly and the spices were just right but the pasta was just a touch bland. We decided to combine the two meals and add the sauteed Spinach which was just the perfect compliment to the conservative flavors of the pasta.

While Germantown Cafe can be pricey, it can also be enjoyed on a budget by combining aspects of the menu as we did. My biggest tip, be sure to order something that comes with the bread (Are you getting how much I liked the bread yet?) Also, try to go before 6 pm if it's a weeknight so you can try The Cocoa Tree right next door, which provides the perfect end to a wonderful meal.

Ratings for Germantown Cafe: (Scale 1-10)
Happy Hour - 0 - No Happy Hour Specials

Taste - 7.5
Ambiance - 9
Overall - 7.5

Cheers!

Nashville Farmer's Market

2011-05-23T12:44:00.002-05:00

Cole and I work downtown, right on 4th and Church, and while there are plenty of amazing restaurants in downtown Nashville, lunch options can become a bit tedious to say the least. With the weather getting warmer and bathing suit season creeping closer and closer, we decided to try the Nashville Farmer's Market for a fresh alternative.

Let me start by debunking any myths, as The Nashville’s Farmer Market is not like any other farmer’s markets I have been to. It is a hub of hot spot restaurants, with vendors that bring to the table different, inspired options that are always made fresh and from the finest ingredients. With every option from Jamaican fare to Artisan Marshmallows and New Orleans style Snowballs, the Nashville Farmer’s Market can cover anyone’s tastes.

Cole’s face lit up the second he saw Swagruha Indian cuisine, and realized he was actually going to get to eat Indian food without feeling guilty that there was nothing on the menu for me. Cole ordered a mix of the Buttered Chicken and Chicken Curry with Basmati Rice ($6). The chicken was very tender and the meal was evenly spiced and Cole liked it enough to eat every bite with just a little rice left over. I finished it for him as my plain taste buds love white rice with a little but of the curry sauce and I thought it was just the perfect spicy for someone who shies away from overpowering flavors.

I went the Mexican route at El Burrito Mexicano and had one Chicken and one Beef taco for $1.75 each. While the shells were corn tortilla which most people love, I found them to be a little bland and ended up eating the chicken and beef out with a fork, sans the shells. The chicken and beef were both the best quality meats I have ever had in tacos and while I should have ordered some tortilla chips to scoop it up with, I was very happy with my meal.

Now comes the best part; all of the sweets we tried after our meal. Our first stop was the Bang Candy Co. “trailer”. This is the cutest food stand I have ever seen that serves gourmet marshmallows and homemade flavored sodas. Cole tried the Toasted Coconut Marshmallow ($5 for 4) that was not only gorgeous but also delicious and huge! These marshmallows would also be the perfect favor for a Nashville themed wedding or as gifts to send out to of towners.

As we continued walking, we were offered a sample of a homemade cookie from Dozen A Nashville Sweet Shop and after one taste, we bought a chocolate chip cookie for each of us to take home. These large cookies are made with all local and organic ingredients, with big chocolate chips that were to die for after about 20 seconds in the microwave.

Last, but definitely not least, we had an outstanding strawberry shortcake made by Katy of Foxy Baking Co. These shortcakes were fresh biscuits that had the moist taste and consistency of Angel food cake with the crunch and taste of a breakfast scone. She piled on the fresh strawberry confection right before our eyes and then topped it off with a whipped cream that I am positive she made herself as well. This treat did not make it home and while sinfully delicious it was also surprisingly light.

There are so many options at the Farmers Market that this is going to have to be a multi trip project for us to even begin to try all of what it has to offer (for a list of all of the vendors, click here). I also don’t want to leave out all of the beautiful, locally gown veggies and fruits for sale as well as the goods market on the opposite side. One of my closest friends Tess (who just got engaged to an amazing man, Congrats!) just moved to Nashville from New Orleans this month, so we have planned another trip to take her and Matt to specifically try the Fleur de Lis New Orleans style gourmet snowballs, which I have heard nothing but amazing things about.

The Nashville Farmer’s Market is often forgotten in the conversation of great places to eat and visit while in Music City but it definitely shouldn’t be. They even feature special events such as the Night Market and Education classes. It’s the perfect place to get a real feel of what Nashville is about, a place to escape from the hustle of working downtown, and a great option for couples that do not necessarily always enjoy the same flavors but don’t want to eat at separate restaurants.

Ratings for Nashville Farmer's Market: (Scale 1-10)

Happy Hour - Individual Specials Vary
Taste - 8.5
Ambiance - 6.5
Overall - 7

Cheers!

Marche Artisan Foods

2011-05-11T07:00:00.003-05:00

Marche is a European style cafe in East Nashville whose decor and layout can seemingly transport even those who hate to travel to a intimate cafe in Paris. As we walked in, we were both overcome with excitement at the sight of the decor and layout and having originally met in Europe, we both knew immediately this was going to be a beautiful night that would bring back amazing memories.

We were sat at a bistro style table next to large open windows that allowed the 6 pm sunlight to illuminate the cafe beautifully. I was torn between the Prosecco Punch ($6) and the Sangria ($5) but upon a recommendation from our waitress, I went with the house made Sangria. Other than my homemade Sangria recipe, which I got from my dear friend Margaret (Details by Margaret), this was the best Sangria I have ever had due to the perfect mix of fruit flavor to offset the bitterness of the red wine. Cole tried the Highland Ale Beer ($3.50 Bottle) which he described as a very mellow pale ale with a refreshing crisp and bitter finish.

We started off with the Herb Olive Oil ($2) that went perfect with the basket of fresh bread that they would occasionally bring around throughout the meal. Cole ordered the Pan Seared Duck Breast with Polenta, Pickled Rhubarb and Arugula ($16) but had to send it back, not my error of Marche, but due to his preference for well done poultry and failure to specify while ordering. He wasn't the biggest fan of the duck but loved the Polenta that came along with it. I, though trying to eat light, ordered the House made Goat Cheese and Mascarpone Tortellini with Artichokes, Asparagus, and Sweet Peas all in a Pesto Broth ($13). I really enjoyed the balance of flavor with the goat cheese and sauce but would recommend sharing this as it was very rich and heavy.

The desserts were out on display and looked amazing, specifically the strawberry Boston Crème Pie which was calling my name, but we were nearing the top of our budget and were stuffed from the meal. We decided we would come back another time either for their infamous brunch or for just a few drinks and dessert.

This is definitely going to become one of "our local spots" and while we may order differently next time, there will definitely be a next time!

Ratings for Marche: (Scale 1-10)
Happy Hour - 6 (No Happy Hour but good drink specials)
Taste - 7
Ambiance - 9.5
Overall - 7.5

Cheers!

Raz's Bar and Grill

2011-05-05T13:14:00.003-05:00

A restaurant in Smyrna, TN featured on Food Network's the Best Thing I Ever Ate? This may be hard to believe, but it's true! The Neely's named Raz'z Bar and Grill as one of their all time greatest, and if the Neely's say it's good, Cole and I knew it had to be true.

We have had a few very busy weeks recently and since we didn't have time for our normal weeknight date we decided to switch it up and try a Brunch date. We decided to go to Raz'z as we had seen their brunch advertised while driving by (Brunch Menu Link)

The first thing I have to mention is that the prices are fantastic! And I don't mean Happy Hour prices, I mean the normal, all the time cost to dine here. We each ordered a Mimosa ($3) and were brought out a hot basket of fresh rolls that reminded me of what they serve at O'Charleys. The Mimosa's were delicious and unlike many bars who serve you a glass of orange juice with a splash of Champagne, these were the perfect mixture of each.

With the jazz piano music playing lightly, this is a New Orleans style place after all, I decided on Mama Ts French Toast ($7) and Cole went with Raz'z Eggs Benedict ($7.99). Even though they were busy, just a few minutes later our waitress emerged with two very large plates full of food.

My French Toast was delicious, living up to the expectations set by the menu description of thick slices of Texas toast in a vanilla/egg mixture and topped with strawberries and powdered sugar with a side of Bacon. If you haven't gathered yet, I tend to stick to a certain palette when dining and this was a little out of my normal ordering habits but this French Toast reminded me of how my mom used to make it.

Cole proclaimed after about three bites that his meal was the Best Eggs Benedict he had ever had. The Cajun Poached eggs were cooked flawlessly and the Canadian Bacon, toasted English Muffin, and Hollandaise Sauce made the dish traditional but exceptional . The plate also came with a side of Hash brown Casserole, which looked more like barely mashed potatoes that I just had to try and was glad I did.

The food, as amazing as it was, may not have even been the highlight of our Raz'z experience. Chef Raz himself walks around personally to each table and chats with the diners and with a huge personality and even bigger laugh, it is really a treat!

Raz'z is a place anyone living in Nashville should try and you don't even have to go all the way out to Smyrna to do so with another location in Nashville (Address Link). Every bit of this experience combined to make our Sunday Bruch date a huge success and with a $30 bill including tip, Raz'z is definitely a place we will be visiting more often.
Ratings for Raz'z: (Scale 1-10)
Happy Hour - 7 (No Happy Hour but great prices)
Taste - 9
Ambiance - 6
Overall - 8

Cheers!

(The Best Thing I Ever Ate Clip featuring Raz'z)

Mambu Restaurant and Bar

2011-04-28T07:00:00.004-05:00

Mambu is set off of West End Avenue in a small house that can be spotted easily because of the valet stand out front and huge front patio section. As we walked up the ramp into the restaurant, we were both pleasantly surprised at how quaint and quirky it was decorated and our excitement for this new experience began to grow. The décor is one of my favorites in Nashville, right up their with Firefly in Green Hills, and definitely sets the tone for the meal to come.

The Happy Hour specials change but our waiter told us it was $6 Wines and $6 well drinks. I have also seen them run $5 frink specials for Mojitos, Margaritas, and more so maybe call ahead to find out what they are offering that night. I sat this one out on the alcohol front and Cole had a glass of the house Cabernet. Our waiter had our mouths watering while thoroughly explaining the many featured specials and the menu was full of appetizing choices. The menu also features small plates which invokes a Tapas style feel and is perfect for sharing and trying more than one option.

We started off with the Corn Fritters ($7) that were the perfect combination of spicy and sweet, with an unexpected surprise of black beans and green chiles inside. The fritters came on top of a sweet chili sauce that was great for dipping but not enough if you are sharing and both love the sauce as much as we did.

We were in the mood for a steak but with our $50 budget in mind, opted to share the Flat Iron Steak ($21) in a red wine demi glace with sautéed Zucchini on top of hickory-bacon Gruyere macaroni and cheese. The waiter kindly separated the steak into two meals without us having to ask and even with splitting, I wasn’t able to eat all of it. The steak was cooked to perfection and the zucchini was grilled with just the right texture to compliment the steak. The star of the show however was no doubt the bacon macaroni and cheese The macaroni and cheese is as good as any I’ve had but the bacon hints, while not overpowering, are definitely present and catapult this dish to legendary status. It is worth a trip to Mambu just to try a bowl of this heavenly sent concoction.

Mambu is a combination of delicious food in a fun setting and is perfect for taking out of town guests, hosting a small to medium size dinner party, or practically any occasion you can think of. Mambu also jumped out to me as being a great fit for a first date, not only providing conversation topics but also making you look like a Nashville Insider with amazing taste. Either way, grab a friend and try out this hidden gem just off of the beaten path.

Ratings for Mambu: (Scale 1-10)
Happy Hour - 5.5 (Based on the specials the night we went)
Taste - 8
Ambiance - 10
Overall - 8

Cheers!

Morton's The Steakhouse (Bar 12·21)

2011-04-25T07:00:00.013-05:00

Morton’s is infamous for being a top quality and top price steakhouse but many people don’t realize there are ways to do dinner there on a budget. Cole and I ventured to Morton’s to get the most out of our $50 budget and definitely did just that by taking advantage of their Bar Bites options.

The Bar Bites are available in the bar Sunday - Friday from open until 6:30 pm and then 9 pm to close and feature high end appetizer like variations of their normal dinner menu for a fraction of the price. The servings are generous even though they are called Bites so we decided to share a few.

We went with the Crab Cake BLT ($6 HH), Petite Filet Sandwiches ($6 HH), and Blue Cheese Steak Fries ($5 HH). While the Crab Cake BLT had a little too much crab for my taste (a good problem to have), Cole loved it, specifically the quality and crispiness of the bacon. One tip if you try the BLT, order extra mayo, as the combination of the bread, crab, and bacon, can be a little on the dry side. The Filet Mignon sandwiches come on a soft sesame bun with a pile of perfectly cooked filet mignon and are as delicious as they sound and a steal for the $6 price. The steak fries are crispy on the outside with a velvety texture in the middle and rival any fries I’ve tasted.

To compliment the food, I went for a glass of Kung Fu Girl Riesling ($10.75) and Cole opted for the High Gravity Dogfish Head Pale Ale ($8.25). While the drinks are a little pricey and not part of the Happy Hour specials, with the money saved on the food, its worth it. All in all, with tip included, we spent $50 exactly and could have easily done it for less had we skipped the alcoholic drinks.

Morton’s has a classy Mad Men type atmosphere and the bar is full of people talking, laughing, and enjoying good food. The service is also one of the best in Nashville and our waitress in particular was amazing, so when you go try Morton‘s, ask for Lauren.
　
Ratings for Morton‘s: (1-10 scale)
Ambiance – 8
HH Specials – 6.5 (Only due to lack of drink specials)
Flavor – 9
Overall – 8.5

Cheers!

The Patterson House

2011-04-21T09:26:00.001-05:00

As we walked through the first set of doors of Patterson House, we were immediately transported to a time where alcohol was prohibited and speak easy bars were the norm. Once behind the red curtains though, the true journey began.

Our first move once inside was to grab a seat at the bar. The show that the 1920s clad bartenders put on was as much a part of the experience as the rustic drink menu full of classic cocktails and ingredients. As we perused through the lofty choices, we decided to try something we’ve never tried before, as they feature drinks you can't find on any regular menus around town.

The drinks are made strong and with fresh ingredients and most come with a large ice sphere. Made from molds designed specifically for Patterson House, these spheres take 5 minutes each to create and keep drinks the perfect temperature while not watering down. Cole went with one of their most popular drinks, the Bacon infused whiskey. This drink could please even non whiskey drinkers as it is smooth yet strong, with a subtle amount of bacon hints. I went with the champagne cocktail that may sound normal and plain, but The Patterson House put a vintage twist on this classic by adding a touch of bitters.

We also decided to try desserts instead of our normal appetizers, even though they have plenty of food options available. We started out with the S’mores which are made with Nutella chocolate and include strawberries and marshmallows and were the perfect mixture of sweet without feeling heavy. We then moved on to the homemade Cinnamon Sugar doughnuts. I can’t explain these any better than the name already does except to say they are a must try.

A few tips to make The Patterson House a more enjoyable experience:

1. Go early! This is the most important tip as even on a weeknight, past 7:00 you will wait

for a table, and I mean a long wait. Friday and Saturday night, forget about it. PH stays

busy and is quite small.

2. Don’t plan on getting drunk. This is an upscale crowd and noise carries well here. This

is the perfect place for pre-dinner cocktails or after work drinks with friends.

3. Expect to spend money. With no HH, the drinks are pricey ($11) but worth it. Revert back to

tip 2 and just stop in for a quick snack and a few drinks.

With so much to offer, it would take months or a very high tolerance to make it through all of the choices here but if you are looking for a swanky locale and a delicious alcoholic concoction, this is the place to go.

Ratings for Patterson House: (1-10 scale)

Ambiance – 10

HH Specials – 0

Flavor – 8

Overall – 8

Cheers!

Suzy Wongs House of Yum

2011-04-15T13:24:00.001-05:00

Suzy Wong's House of Yum is easily one of my top 5 restaurants in Nashville so when I heard they were starting a new $5 Happy Hour on their Patio, I was as good as there. The weather was perfect as 13 of my friends and I gathered last night in the posh outdoor dining area to see what this new HH had to offer.

We started off with cocktails, specifically the featured HH drinks which were White or Red Sangria and a Sake Mimosa ($5 each). The drinks were delicious, beautiful, and most importantly potent. While these were the only HH specials, they were the perfect compliment to the setting and menu and worth the drive down Church Street.

We ordered a few small plates for the table to share including the Chicken Katsu Bites with a peanut and hot sauce ($9 and my personal fave), Vegetable Spring Rolls ($5), and the Crunchy Shrimp & Avocado Maki ($9). We also ordered a few Yum bowls, which are generous, made to share size portions of inspired Asian fare, and like everything else here, they did not disappoint. Between the small plates and Yum Bowls, Peanut Sauce Chicken Penang ($10) and Sweet & Sour Chicken w/ Crispy Noodles ($10), no one (except my beautiful dieting friend, Michelle) left hungry.

As we were leaving after the 5+ hour experience (our choice to stay so long, not a reflection on the speed of the service) we caught a glimpse of the conceptual genius, owner, and Top Chef contestant, Arnold Myint, sitting at the bar. As a fan of the show and all of his restaurant endeavors in Nashville (ChaChah and PM), it took a great amount of restraint not to run up and hug him, while squealing like a schoolgirl about how much I adore all of his work! Arnold has become a local celebrity but it is refreshing to know that he is still so involved with his local restaurants.

Suzy Wong's became a routine stop in my Nashville dining experience after just one visit. This is where I take the people I love when they come to town because while the flavor may not be what you associate with tourist Nashville, everything about Suzy's represents the true Nashville that makes me proud to live here.

Ratings for Suzy Wong's House of Yum: (1-10 scale)
Ambiance - 9 (Inside or Out)
HH Specials - 6

Flavor - 10
Overall - 9.5

Cheers!

The Pied Piper Creamery

2011-04-10T11:15:00.001-05:00

If you were in Nashville yesterday, you know it was hot! So we decided it was the perfect day for some homemade Ice Cream from one of our favorites, Pied Piper Creamery.

For those who haven't experienced Pied Piper, this is a must on one of our humid Nashville days. They have at least 24 flavors at either one of their two locations, along with a steady stream of specialty flavors routinely added into the rotation. Don't let the funny names throw you off though, they are serious about their ice cream.

One flavor isn't always enough and yesterday we decided to try a few. I stuck with the classic, which in my opinion is hard to beat, Chocolate Duh (actual name). We also tried the Na Na Nu Nu (Banana, Vanilla Wafers, Marshmallow), and Trailer Trash (Vanilla with Oreo, Twix, Butterfinger, Nestle Crunch, M & Ms, Snickers and Reese's Pieces). The Trailer Trash was so good, we even ordered a quart to go.

One thing you cannot miss out on at Pied Piper is the homemade Waffle Cones. If you are lucky enough to walk in while they are being made, you will immediately be blown away by the amazing smell. The crunchy, freshly baked waffle cones are the "cherry on top" for this creamery.

A one scoop order on a waffle cone will run you $3.75 and is more than enough ice cream to satisfy a sweet tooth. If you need more though, you can get a huge double scoop for only $4.50 (tax included). The to go quart is only $9 with tax and is plenty to last you between trips. The Berry Hill location is closed on Mondays but the East Nashville location is open 7 days a week.

The Pied Piper has separated itself from the other well known ice cream chains with amazing ice cream at a great price and an atmosphere that let's you feel like a kid again.

Ratings for Pied Piper Creamery: (1-10 scale)
Ambiance - 8 (Top 3 for playful date)
HH Specials - 9 (No HH but great prices all the time)

Flavor - 9
Overall - 9

Cheers!

Sambuca

2011-04-07T12:21:00.001-05:00

Cole, Brent, and I set out last night for a few after work drinks but didn't want to spend much money. I immediately thought of Sambuca, one of the best Happy Hours in Nashville. Brent had never been and since this wasn't officially date night, we decided it would be ok to have a repeat visit.

The first thing to know about Sambuca is to bring cash for valet. It's free, right out front, and with no available self parking close by, it is worth the $5 tip. Since it is getting warmer out, Sambuca has an amazing upstairs patio that overlooks the Gulch. Even when it's cold outside, the decor of Sambuca is also gorgeous and perfect for an intimate date or private party.

Drinks-
Brent had two beautiful 1/2 price cocktails: Skinny Bi*%# Pink Lemonade (HH $5) and the Effen Sangria (HH $5.50). I order the house Riesling (HH $4.75) which was so dry and bitter, that I couldn't finish and gave the rest to Cole. The bartender offered to make me a specialty drink to my taste (he said all bartenders there will) so I had a pineapple margarita without sweet and sour mix (HH $5). This is probably my new go to drink and was a hit with all 3 of us! Cole had my leftover dry Riesling and a glass of the house Merlot ($4), which is always a sure bet.

Food -
We sprung for 2 orders of the Garlic Bread ($2.25 HH and perfect to share), Margherita Pizza ($5.50), and the Chicken and Beef Satay ($4.75). The bar food and appetizers are good, especially for the price, but definitely aren't the main attraction at Sambuca. That being said, if you go for a sit down meal and are not worried about a budget, they have amazing filet and chicken along with plenty of other options that are very impressive.

Happy Hour specials are available 4:30-6:30 M-F at the bar (up or downstairs) and consist of half price appetizers, pizzas, wines, and mixed drinks. Our waiter gave us the inside scoop that this may be changing soon though, so get to Sambuca quick.

Here are our ratings for Sambuca: (1-10 scale)
Ambiance - 9
HH Specials - 10 (Top 3 in Nashville)
Flavor - 7.5
Overall - 8.5

Cheers!

My Pineapple Margarita

Margherita Pizza

Sambuca Balcony

Cooper's on Porter

2011-04-06T17:15:00.004-05:00

Last night, we tried out a new restaurant addition in East Nashville. Cooper's on Porter is a gastropub and restaurant with an amazing balcony and even better specials. The inside of Cooper's seems to be unfinished, with canvas paintings thoughtlessly thrown on the walls, but the building is great and there is a ton of potential. It isn't exactly the most romantic date night spot but it would be great for after work drinks with friends or just a casual night out.

We started off with the Zucchini Crisps Appetizer ($5 during Happy Hour) which was more than plenty to share and came with two great, house made dipping sauces. I had a generous glass of the house red to drink ($4 during HH) and Cole had the French Broad Rye Hopper Beer ($2.75 for pint night) which he thoroughly enjoyed.

We then split the Tomato Braised Chicken ($15.50) which came with zucchini and squash, a little bit of feta cheese, and pita bread. We both enjoyed the entree but the chicken was a little dry, even with the tomato sauce and olive tapenade topping.

We finished off with an order of the Almond Tree Cake Lollipops ($6.50) that are made by the bakery next door. They came with a chocolate with chocolate icing, vanilla with chocolate icing, and carrot cake with vanilla icing, some powdered sugar and two large strawberry slices. They were a great end to the meal but were very heavy and would be perfectly split between 3-4 people.

All in all, we left full and satisfied and had a great time trying out this new local option for under $40. While we wouldn't go back for dinner, we will definitely go back for drinks and apps but only during HH (Tues-Fri 4-6 pm). (*Note: They also sell CAO cigars on the menu)

Here are our ratings for Cooper's on Porter: (1-10 scale)
Ambiance - 6
HH Specials - 8
Flavor - 6
Overall - 6

Cheers!

How we got started

2011-04-05T22:20:00.000-05:00

My husband Cole and I decided to start a weekly date night but after a few weeks we realized we always ended up at our same go to spots around town. We came up with the idea to make a list of places we had heard/read about and make it a weekly goal to try somewhere new.

After 35 weeks of faithfully exploring what Nashville restaurants have to offer, we decided to share it with others out there like us. Each week is somewhere new and we typically visit during "happy hour" to try out an appetizer, a few drinks, a split entree, and sometimes a dessert. We budget for $50 per week but most weeks come well under.

So far we have had a blast with this experiment and we hope you will have as much fun on this journey with us. I would love to hear your feedback and any suggestions of places for us to try will definitely be added to our list.

Here goes...