NYC Tastes

I figured I'd add these two things since really didn't fit into a post on their own but are certainly worth checking out if your in Nashville.  First this delicious butter tasting at Etch Restaurant. Black Truffle, Peanut Ginger, Smoked Sea Salt and Parmesan Black Pepper were our flavors that evening. My parents thought I was crazy ordering this as an appetizer but after a few bites everyone agreed... butter is absolutely the best.  I also took a quick trip up the hill to Pinewood Social one morning for an espresso and this gorgeous Blueberry Muffin.  The space was amazing...mini coffee bar up front, lounge area to the side with a huge open restaurant and a back complete with a bowling alley and karaoke.  You could spend your entire day here and never be bored.  Now Nashville is officially wrapped up! Etch Restaurant Pinewood Social

The main event in Nashville was my cousin's wedding Saturday and it was gorgeous.  The ceremony was situated on top a grassy hill while the reception followed down below with food galore including some classic southern ham and gravy from The Loveless Cafe and a whimsical cupcake tree from Ivey Cake.  We woke up Sunday morning with one last opportunity for some Southern cooking before hitting the airport...this time at Saffire. Saffire is located inside the historic  Factory at Franklin , a dining, shopping and entertainment complex that's been around over 100 years.  The space feels a bit industrial with high ceilings, exposed beams and cool figures on the wall made from old mechanical parts.  I was happy to see a Bloody Mary bar up front...always an indication of brunch goodness :) The New South Cesar was a hearty salad peppered with thick slices of country ham, buttermilk dressing and drizzle of blackstrap molasses.  Chicken ...

My family rolled into town just in time for dinner Friday night at The Farmhouse.  This classic farm-to-table restaurant is a Nashville hot spot focused on southern style cuisine using modern cooking techniques.  We began with an order of Deviled Eggs, the usual mayo/mustard interior mixed with chopped ham and smoked salt. A Farm Plate of crisp green beans, zucchini, carrots followed with some ridiculously delicious smoked Gouda grits... ...and a big bowl of Charred Creamed Corn that may have been my father's favorite dish of the night. Hot Chicken with biscuit puree and warm potato salad was the entree of choice for most of the table. I loved the crisp candied skin on the outside of this bird.  It would unfortunately be the only hot chicken we experienced in Nashville...something I would be sure to fix on a return trip. Golden brown cornbread arrived piping hot with a side of steens butter; a surprisingly sweet butter that tasted of s...

Checking out beer is always on the agenda when we travel and Nashville was no different. Unfortunately the breweries didn't open until 4:00 so we started out at craft beer bar Hops + Crafts for some World Cup action. This place has 36 taps, most of which are populated with local beers.  I decided to dive right in with the Nashville flight featuring Black Abby, Calfkiller and Czann's Brewing. We chatted with the bartender for a bit about the growing Tennessee beer scene.  It turns out Hops + Crafts made Draft Magazine's 100 Best Bar list last year along with some of our favorite NYC spots like Torst and Top Hops.  If I was living in Nashville this place would definitely become my go-to bar.  When the match ended we headed over to Peg Leg Porker on the recommendation of the bartender. We started with a half order of BBQ ribs layered with a smoky dry rub that was excellent... ...and followed up with some ultra creamy Pimento Cheese (Mr. T's favorite pimen...

Friday morning we woke up early to tour around the city a bit before making our first food stop of the day at Arnold's.  This classic meat-and-three place is so popular there was already a line of about 20 people waiting in front when the doors opened at 10:30 AM. What exactly is a meat-and-three?  This was actually my first experience but it's easy.  Walk up to the counter and choose your "meat" (protein) then pick three sides and add on whatever else you would want.  The line runs as conveyor belt of sorts with the desserts first (priorities in the right place). I went for Roast Beef (their most popular item) with fried green tomatoes, macaroni & cheese, salad, cornbread and a Banana Bread Pudding. I've done a LOT of big lunches in my day but this may be the most food I've ever had just for myself...and it was all incredible!  The Roast Beef was so tender and juicy with lots of rich au jus it completely knocked my socks off, as did the cre...

We just came back from a quick but wonderful trip to Nashville, Tennessee.  This was Mr. T's first  visit to the South so I tried to ease him into the scene night one (aka avoiding the honky tonk's) with a relaxing dinner at Husk. Located just steps from downtown Nashville, Husk is situated inside a gorgeous Victorian house that oozes with old Southern charm.   This actually served as a home for Mayor Richard Houston Dudley in the late 1800's and the hilltop views of the city are stunning.  The restaurant has a small but well appointed drink menu with a focus on local craft beer like this Classic Saison from Blackberry Farm.  Actually everything on the Husk menu is local.  It changes daily based on seasonal ingredients and they live by the motto "If it doesn't come from the South, it's not coming through the door". You could certainly feel the southern love in these Parker House rolls made with bourbon smoked salt and a side of ho...